Another longtime Denver brewery will soon pour its final pints, though the owner promised it “isn’t going away” for good.
The 10-year-old Goldspot Brewing Co., at 4970 Lowell Blvd., announced its closure on social media Friday, saying the owners of its building will soon sell the property, “bringing this chapter to a close sooner than we ever expected.” The business’s last day is slated for Feb. 1.
“This place holds so many memories: special beers, meaningful collaborations, unforgettable events, and the amazing staff and community who brought it all to life. We’re especially proud of the charities we’ve supported and the countless moments of connection and joy shared within these walls. Saying goodbye is deeply bittersweet,” the announcement said.
“Goldspot isn’t going away,” the post added. “For now, we’ll continue with distribution and look forward to hosting events all across Colorado as we shape what comes next.” Owner Kelissa Hieber wasn’t immediately available to discuss what she has in mind for the future.
The brewery opened in 2015 in Denver’s Regis neighborhood under the ownership of local Matt Hughes, who touted it would bring the Mile High City “properly made beer.” Hieber was not one of the original founders, but began bartending at Goldspot shortly after its debut and worked her way up to become the brewer – fitting, since she completed the brewing certificate program at Regis University, right down the road.
After many years behind the brew kettle, Hieber became part owner in 2018. Three years later, in 2021, she bought out her partners to become the business’s proprietor – notable because the beer scene is still primarily dominated by men.
“That’s almost never how it works for a woman,” Hieber told The Denver Post in 2021, when speaking about the challenges women face in the industry, including sexual harassment. “I have been lucky to have a very good culture at this brewery even before I was an owner. I’ve been supported as a female brewer. That has not been a lot of people’s story and especially if you are someone who has to do a bunch of beer fests and inevitably are put into these really toxic environments.”
As Hieber became the face of the operation, Goldspot earned a reputation as a safe space for both women and the LGBTQ+ community. The same year she became sole owner, Hieber worked with Betsy Lay, co-founder of Lady Justice, to begin developing a diversity council to bring more members of the LGBTQ+ community and people of color into craft beer. More recently, she helped start a brewing commissary called the Cheetah Coalition to lower the barriers to entry for new brewers.
The closing announcement said Hieber will be popping up in other local watering holes to serve Goldspot beers during the brewery’s transition. “We hope you’ll join us in celebrating these final weeks here, honoring everything this space has been, and looking ahead with us toward a hopeful new future,” it said.
