The taproom model of brewery expansion has proved to be a popular means for breweries to open new locations while keeping profit margins higher through on-site sales. However, as craft beer sales have slowed and the public is not drinking beer like it used to, breweries must adapt to the changing landscape by offering patrons options beyond beer.
We’ve seen seltzers, NA beer, hop water and RTDs invade taprooms and diversify drinking choices. Denver has yet to see a brewery devote itself to offering a liquid that shows no signs of slowing down. This is where Sean Guerrero, owner of Incantation Brewing, saw an opportunity to open a taproom that doubles as a coffee shop, giving birth to Incantation @ Alameda Station, the brewery’s second taproom and first in Denver proper.
Brewing Up Magic
“I don’t want coffee to be an afterthought,” says Guerrero about his decision to make the new taproom a full blown coffee shop. The first sign of this is printed on the front doors with its open hours. The new location will be open 7 AM – 10 PM every day of the week, serving coffee and beer all day long.
In addition to introducing a rare evening coffee shop option, these open hours also cater to third shift workers who get off work mid-morning and might want a beer after a night on the job. The taproom’s location at Alameda Station is central to many transit and commuting options in Denver and positioned in the midst of the growing Baker neighborhood off South Broadway.
Incantation @ Alameda Station will have 12 taps total with 2 being dedicated to cold brew coffee. Guerrero has teamed up with a fellow metal loving friend at Roasty Ghost Coffee to source his beans. “We wanted to make Incantation Coffee equal in importance to our craft beer side, so we’ve gone all out with a cutting-edge espresso machine and local craft roasted coffee,” says Guerrero.
The 10 beer taps will feature a rotating selection of Incantation beers brewed at the Aurora taproom. Explains Guerrero, “We’ll definitely focus on styles that vibe with the local community. Spearheading our tap list is our crowd favorite Ritual, our take on a Mexican Lager.”
There will invariably be some type of beer for everyone with IPAs, Lagers, mixed culture Sours and even some barrel aged Stouts making appearances.
Alameda Station Grand Opening
The grand opening will be this Friday and Saturday, August 2-3. Those all day hours kick in right from the start! In addition to the coffee and beer brews, expect a lineup of music trucks and vendors.
Loma Bonita Kitchen will be there 2 – 8 PM Friday. Dirty Dough desserts will be there 12 PM Friday and Saturday. Mi Refugio will be on-site Saturday 12 – 8 PM. Vendors include DoomWood Outfitters and Ah Machin carne seca at 2 PM Saturday and Invincible Vinyl with music and records at 5 PM Saturday.
A new West Coast Double IPA, Doom, will also be making an appearance.
The grand opening festivities will be going down at Incantation @ Alameda Station. This new location is at 415 S Cherokee St., Denver, CO 80223. Show up early and often to try out what Incantation will be brewing up all day long.
All photos courtesy of the author