With 20 years of practice under his belt, one Parker man finally
made the decision to dive head first into his dream of owning his
own brewing company. And on July 1, Tom Bell’s dream came true
after he opened the doors to Elk Mountain Brewing at 18921 Plaza
Drive, Unit 104 in Parker, his own microbrewery.
Even though the excitement was overwhelming, Bell admits he was
nervous to open his own business. But he also believed Parker was a
great spot for a microbrewery.
“This is the only microbrewery of its kind in the Parker area,”
he said. “There aren’t any places like this in the Highlands Ranch
area or the Lone Tree area either.”
Falcon Brewery in Parker is another brewing company, but differs
from Elk Mountain Brewing in that Falcon Brewery is also a
restaurant and also serves beers other than the ones brewed
locally. Bell said the nearest microbrewery that resembles his own
is Dry Dock Brewing in southeastern Aurora.
“There are other breweries… but they are chains, not privately
owned,” he said. “I like to say those places are on a leash because
they can’t brew whatever they want.”
Bell’s talent for brewing beer began at home with his
home-brewing system. Over the years he experimented and perfected
his brewing craft to come up with seven beers on tap served in his
brewery. The beers range from a full-flavored Amber Ale, called the
Rock Slide Amber Ale, to a German Hefeweizen beer made with wheat
and barley called the Wild Wapiti Wheat. Bell said he leans toward
German beer styles, but said there is a beer for everyone.
“My beers go from light to dark and anyone who enjoys good beer
can find something they like,” he said. “I am even working to get a
fruit beer on tap that is for the wine drinkers.”
Bell also brews homemade root beer for kids and provides games
for the kids as well as televisions and pool tables for the adults.
He said so far since the doors opened the amount of customers has
gained steadily every day.
“Each time I brew beer I make 200 gallons,” he said. “And since
July 1 this will be the third time I have made some of the popular
beers. So right now I’m just trying not to run out of beer.”
Bell said he hopes to expand in the future, but right now he is
focusing on satisfying his customers.
“I just want to give people a quality beer because that’s hard
to find anymore,” he said.
Bell is hosting the grand opening of his brewery beginning at
noon Aug 21.
For more information on Elk Mountain Brewing in Parker visit
www.elkmountainbrewing.com.