PALISADE, Colo. — Palisade Brewing Company, the largest self-distributing brewery in Mesa County, continues to make a significant economic impact while staying deeply connected to the local community.
Brewing Success Across Western Colorado
According to Connor Jones, Head Brewer of Palisade Brewing, the company packages around 140 cases of beer three to four times a week, reaching destinations from Steamboat and Aspen to Telluride.
“I can go anywhere from Aspen to Telluride and drink the beer I make, so it’s a wonderful feeling,” said Jones.
Sales Manager Brett Zahrte highlighted the role of the brewery in bringing people together. “It really lets people enjoy the fun that we create here in this community and experience what we experience here every day in this community.”
Supporting the Local Economy
Zahrte emphasized that revenue from in-house and distribution sales directly benefits the Town of Palisade.
- Local Arts and Culture: The brewery invests in local musicians, artists, and events that attract visitors to downtown Palisade.
- Business Growth: Increased foot traffic from brewery events supports surrounding businesses, strengthening the town’s overall economy.
- Community Impact: The Town of Palisade itself benefits from the brewery’s ongoing financial contributions.
“We injected a significant amount of money into local musicians, local artists, and events that draw people into downtown Palisade, which then helped support all of our surrounding local businesses,” Zahrte noted.
Navigating Economic Uncertainty
During periods of economic slowdown or supply chain disruptions, the brewery remains committed to its core values.
“Whether there’s an economic slowdown, or a supply chain challenge, or anything of that nature, we always come back and refocus on the community,” Zahrte said. “We try and stay close to home where it really matters as much as we can, and the community fosters that support.”
Unlike some other businesses, Palisade Brewing has not been impacted by recent import changes. Instead, the company is focused on expansion while maintaining its strong local presence.
Future Growth and Community Engagement
“We have the opportunity that a lot of other craft brewers in the state maybe don’t have as much of, and that we still have a lot of untapped market here in the Western Slope,” Zahrte said.
Kitchen Manager Chad Howard added that the brewery is preparing for a series of events throughout the summer, both as a host and participant, reinforcing its commitment to community engagement.
