Kevin DeLange and Michelle Reding recently commemorated the 20th anniversary of Dry Dock Brewing Co. at their Aurora taproom, where they first established themselves as pioneers in Colorado’s craft beer industry. Little did fans know, the celebration also marked a transition towards future changes.
As announced by the brewery, Dry Dock will be closing its longstanding taproom on E. Hampden Ave. in January to make way for a new brewpub in the Denver metro area. Additionally, the owners are looking for a buyer for the Brew Hut, the attached homebrew supply shop that has been in operation for 30 years.
This decision comes as Dry Dock continues to merge its operations with Left Hand Brewing Co. in Longmont. The merger, which took place in April, has enabled Dry Dock’s products to reach new markets in the U.S., Mexico, and the Netherlands.
The relocation will allow Dry Dock to operate under Left Hand’s brewpub license and serve food at the new location, slated to open in spring 2026. The company is currently scouting for real estate south of downtown Denver.
Despite the excitement for the future, Michelle Reding expressed a fondness for the current location, stating, “We love this location and what we’ve built here, but at the same time there’s a lot of positive energy going into the future.”
However, the move signifies the end of an era for Dry Dock, which first opened in a small space in 2005. Over the years, the brewery expanded and set the standard for tasting rooms in the craft beer industry.
Looking ahead, DeLange and Reding are in talks with a new startup beer maker to take over the brewery. Despite the bittersweet nature of passing on their legacy, they are enthusiastic about the next chapter.
Notably, Dry Dock was not the owners’ first venture in the strip mall. They acquired The Brew Hut in 2002 before establishing the brewery in 2005. They hope to find a passionate entrepreneur to continue the legacy of The Brew Hut as a hub for local homebrewers.
As they navigate the transition, DeLange and Reding assure customers that Dry Dock’s beer will still be available at retail stores in Colorado during the gap between taproom closure and the new brewpub’s opening.
