USA, CO: Big Choice Brewing moving to Brighton

Big Choice Brewing, one of the first breweries to put down roots in Broomfield, is moving to Brighton, the Broomfield Enterprise reported.

Big Choice, 7270 W. 118th Place, expects to open late May at its new location at 21 S. First Ave. in Brighton.

Until that happens, the current taproom will remain open.

Big Choice opened in May 2012, and since then has been faced with "growing pains" of a small two-level taproom off a cul-de-sac in an industrial park, a news release from the company said. The company expanded beyond taproom draft sales in March 2013 into distribution across the Front Range.

A search for a new space began more than two years ago. Owners were close to finalizing a deal in the Broomfield area, but it fell through in December.

Big Choice will move to a historic Buddhist temple built in Brighton in 1940 by Japanese-Americans as a place of worship, according to the release.

The owners have leased the Broomfield property for the past five years, Miller said, and signed a lease for the Brighton building last week.

"We searched all over Broomfield, Arvada, Thornton, and within close proximity to where our regular customers lived, but it became clear after seeing the Buddhist temple in Brighton, that it was the best space for our growth," said Andrea Miller, Big Choice co-owner and events/community manager. "It was a hard decision for us. Broomfield is where we began and where we wanted to stay."

"We love the Broomfield community, but we have to do what's best for Big Choice, and this new space is amazing," Miller said.

After renovations, the temple will include two outdoor patios, high ceilings with exposed wooden beams, and 5,300 square feet for both a taproom and brewing.

Big Choice's current taproom has an eight-tap system, but the new building will allow for a 15- to 20-tap system. Occupancy will increase from 50 to 180 people.

Nathaniel Miller, co-owner and brewmaster, said the change in focus from primarily distribution to a more prominent taproom is because of the constant fluctuation and competition in the state's craft beer market.

"With an increased battle for shelf space and the importance of maintaining fresh beer in liquor stores, it is time for a slight change for Big Choice" he said.

Customers are disappointed the brewery will no longer be in Broomfield, Miller said, but are supportive of the move and excited to see the new location.

"We hope to give incentives to make that half-hour drive worth their while with special events," Miller said. "They understand it's a business decision."

With the additional space, Big Choice will hire both for the brew house side and the tasting room, Miller said.

Big Choice also will useits in-house canning line to package experimental and small batch beers that only will be available for purchase in the taproom.

Now when brewers experiment, they have to make those beers seasonal because there is no space to keep them, Miller said, even if they're great sellers.

Currently, the taproom does not allow for live music or patio space.

"It's important to give our customers an amazing experience while they enjoy our beer, and this new location will be able to provide all of that — more choices," Miller said. "Broomfield will always have a place in our hearts and we hope that those that have supported us for the first five years will join us on our next journey."

Miller said they will plan a going-out party as a last "hoorah" for Broomfield, but don't have a date set for that event.

19 February, 2017