WeldWerks Brewing Co.’s head brewer and co-founder Neil Fisher, who began brewing beer in—you guessed it—his garage, is known for sending it. Which may be why WeldWerks is bringing big medals (most recently, a gold and a silver from GABF 2019) back to its A-frame production facility and taproom (formerly a used car lot and showroom) in Greeley. “We leaned into what came naturally—innovation and recipe design—mainly because we didn’t know any better,” Fisher says. Now, even as he and the rest of the WeldWerks team prepare to open a second taproom in Colorado Springs this spring, the prolific brand is also going into its fourth straight year of producing, canning, and self-distributing 150-plus different beers (a monumental feat of both marketing and logistics). Its myriad offerings include fan-favorite New England–style IPA Juicy Bits; culinary-inspired brews like Taco Gose, a sour crafted with fire-roasted tomatoes and classic chili spices; and multiple pastry-style iterations of its barrel-aged imperial stout, Medianoche. “It’s dreamlike,” Fisher says, reflecting on WeldWerks’ journey to its fifth anniversary this month. “I don’t know when I’ll wake up. I hope I don’t.”

Denise Mickelsen
Denise Mickelsen
Denise Mickelsen is 5280’s former food editor. She oversaw all of 5280’s food-related coverage from October 2016 to March 2021.
Patricia Kaowthumrong
Patricia Kaowthumrong
Patricia joined the 5280 staff in July 2019 and is thrilled to oversee all of the magazine’s dining coverage. Follow her food reporting adventures on Instagram @whatispattyeating.