MSN: Women‑Owned Alley Brewery is in the Belonging Business
This women-owned Berkeley Alley brewery in Denver is "in the belonging business"
Chelsea Rhoads and Liz Hess are opening a brewery focused on much more than beer: "We're not in the alcohol business. We're in the belonging business," they say.
Why it matters: The Alley, located in the former space of Berkeley Alley Beer Co. off Tennyson Street, is expanding the tent to draw a new generation of drinkers who don't gravitate toward beer, or even alcohol at all.
The vibe: The small taproom, now owned by the two longtime friends, is looking to reinvent the brewery experience to be more inclusive.
"If you open the doors more, it kind of takes away from that bit of arrogance that may come with craft beer," says Hess, who's worked in the industry for years, most recently at Resolute Brewing.
The intrigue: It's a topic that Rhoads and Hess discuss frequently on their fun-loving podcast, "Body by Beer," which focuses on the craft beer industry and food.
What to expect: Half the taps pour nontraditional beverages, ranging from seltzers and gluten-free beers to slushies and kombucha.
In the morning, they envision the space as a coffee and matcha bar, before becoming a beer garden later in the day.
The bottom line: "We really want to be a place that whatever you're into, we have something for you to be able to come hang out," Rhoads says.
