Last week, Lone Tree Brewing Company announced plans to expand to a second location by acquiring Barnett and Son Brewing Company. Lone Tree will officially take over operations at the end of this month with a tentative opening of the new location on March 1.
“Lone Tree has been looking to expand for the last 4-5 years,” Director of Brewhouse Operations, Jerry Siote says. “With competition and maturation of the industry, we really wanted to grow into our brewhouse capacity, increase business opportunities, and provide more to our employees while continuing to innovate in neighboring communities.”
What does the acquisition mean?
For Lone Tree Brewing, a twelve-year-old brewery, adding the seven-barrel brewhouse increases their estimated total brewing capacity up to 6,000 – 6,500 barrels per year. Currently, Lone Tree Brewing sells its beer in Colorado and Kansas.
Also, the purchase allows for the Lone Tree brewing team to “develop new and innovative recipes,” says Siote. “Specifically, our brewers are looking forward to drilling down on the hoppier IPA/Pale Ale styles that helped propel our industry into what it is today. A majority of the Lone Tree Flagships can be supplied to the Parker location from our main brewery, so the seven-barrel system makes R&D extremely exciting.”
About Barnett and Son Brewing Company
Opening in 2014, after many years as a homebrewer, Andrew Barnett opened Barnett and Son Brewing Company. Since then, the brewery has won several medals at numerous Denver International Beer Competitions. It is also continually voted as the best brewery in Parker by readers of the Parker Chronicle.
Over the years, Barnett grew to be friends with Lone Tree Brewing’s President and Founder, John Winter. Winter is also a Parker resident. Through their friendship, Barnett and Winter have shared ideas and advice. With the acquisition, Barnett will not be formally involved in an ongoing capacity.
Now, Siote acknowledges the appreciation the Parker community has for Barnett and Son Brewing. “We are primarily focused on what the customers and residents of Parker are looking for in a craft brewery. Building on the success of Barnett’s impact, we want to brew styles that are foundational to gatherings/events along with expanding our capabilities.”
Moving Forward
For the March 1 opening, Siote says they are still working through the details. “Our goal is to open the doors with great beer, brewed and served by great people.” At this moment, the taproom will not need much updating as it is well-suited for what Lone Tree hopes to do. As for the rest of 2024, Siote says Lone Tree Brewing wants to “Stay relevant and involved in an industry that’s provided us with so many great years, keep our employees happy and engaged while doing what we do best…make craft beer for those who like drinking it.”