Edgewater is about to get its first craft brewery, right across the street from Sloan’s Lake.
Joyride Brewing Company is in the midst of remodeling the long-vacant Ace Pawn building at 25th and Sheridan into a brewhouse and 75-seat taproom.
Demolition has begun and construction should get underway next month, said Grant Babb, one of Joyride’s owners and an Edgewater resident. The grand opening is planned for January.
“This is an up-and-coming community — the Highlands are bleeding over,” Babb said. “Edgewater is screaming for it.”
Joyride was founded by three friends, Babb, Brent Smith and Dave Bergen.
Their background is in homebrewing — they’ve been brewing together since 2009, learning as they went along and serving up their beers to friends, family and neighbors.
Bergen, the group’s brewmaster, said after four years of brewing at home, they are ready to take the next step and turn it into a business.
Joyride will feature a wide selection of beer, with six varieties on tap starting Day 1 — a kolsch, amber, pale ale, IPA, milk stout and a rotating seasonal brew, Bergen said.
The brewhouse will feature a 10-barrel system, all of which will be visible from the bar.
“Variety is very much needed in the industry right now,” Bergen said. “When we’re sitting down and checking out a new place for the first time, we like to be almost overwhelmed with choices. That’s where we’d like to get.”
The friends have been searching for a location for their brewery for about a year, looking at least 20 buildings in and around Denver, Smith said.
As soon as they heard the old pawn shop was available, though, they knew they had their home. The building has been vacant since 2011.
“It’s a terrific location there with the lake,” Bergen said. “It’s going to be fantastic.”
Future plans include adding a rooftop deck overlooking the lake.
As part of the renovation, Joyride will be removing the mural of Edgewater history located on the south side of building.
It wasn’t something they wanted to do, Babb said, but in order to build out the taproom, they need to open up the wall. They will be installing floor-to-ceiling windows and garage doors.
The Edgewater City Council approved the brewery plans in August.
Edgewater history is still front and center, though, in the brewery’s new logo.
The elephant in the center is Roger, one of Edgewater’s most infamous residents, they said.
In the late 1800s, Roger the elephant was one of the main attractions at an amusement park on the shores of Sloan’s Lake — that is until he stepped on a child, killing him instantly, according to stories. His bones are rumored to be buried somewhere in Edgewater.
Formerly known as Crooked Keg, the brewery has changed its name to avoid confusion with an established brewer in the area.
The new name, Joyride, better captures what they’re all about, too, they said.
“We’re a bunch of fun-loving guys,” Babb said. “We want to put out great-tasting beer.”
Emilie Rusch: 303-954-2457, erusch@denverpost.com or twitter.com/emilierusch
