Photo courtesy of Bootstrap Brewing Co Facebook page

By Kyle Kirves

Bootstrap Brewing’s Longmont location is the flipside to that mullet you rocked in high school: a party in the front, but all business in the back. Unlike your 1980s hockey hair, however, this place seems destined to never go out of style.

Located at 142 Pratt Street, the second Bootstrap location has been open since March. At just this side of 15,000 square feet, it is part tap room and part brewing science showcase. The front 2,500 feet features the rusted-roofed tiki bar that runs virtually the entire length of the north wall, creating a surf-shop vibe that was the owners’ intent from the beginning.

“We always said it was either move to the Caribbean or open a brewery,” owner Leslie Kaczeus says, motioning to take in the entire space, “and so here you have the answer.” She further explains it’s an evolving design that’s happening in layers. “Every time you come in, you’ll see something new. Palm trees, flamingos. It’s a blank canvas that’s going to be fun to decorate over time.”

Brewing aficionados will appreciate what Leslie and husband, co-owner and head brewer Steve Kaczeus have done with the rest of the space. Just the other side of a glass wall, you can watch the Bootstrap Brewing process in all its glory. The remaining 12,000 feet of former warehouse is plumbed for everything that goes into the brewing process – including the canning operation. It also has a lot more space to grow into – something Bootstrap fans will find encouraging.

Clearly, Longmont is turning into a beer lover’s dream destination: some 11 breweries now call the city home. Even orbital industries like the Brewhop Trolley are quickly realizing that there’s gold in them thar beers. The gem city of the St. Vrain Valley is emerging as one of the biggest craft beer towns in Colorado. Echoing what most brewers in the Longmont will tell you, Leslie cites the spirit of cooperation and collaboration between brewers as a hallmark of their shared success. This makes Longmont a natural fit to expand into. In fact, a fellow brewer sold the building to the Kaczeus’ earlier this year.

“We’d been storing our cans at the Tasty Weasel and I said jokingly to Dale (Katechis, mastermind owner of Oskar Blues) he had enough space that we should just move in,” Leslie says. “Dale said, ‘Oh, are you looking for space?’ And one thing led to another, and he ended up showing us this place.”

It worked out perfectly for everyone. Leslie says they were looking for a place close to home where they could expand their operations. Now, they are capable of producing enough that they’ve engaged Coors and High Country Beverage to aid with distribution of their can and keg offerings throughout the state. It’s a responsible growth plan, allowing Bootstrap to brew and move some 6,000 barrels of beer per year. With a ton of remaining space just on the other side of the glass, there’s still room to expand. Leslie says growth is imminent, both in terms of hardware and new product offerings. Look for the recently released Chillax Pineapple Gold ale in cans (this guy’s new favorite), and Wreak Havoc imperial red ale.

While the Longmont locale is definitely larger than the Niwot original, Longmont’s southwestern neighbors need not fear: the Kaczeus’ still call Niwot home and the first location will always remain the original Bootstrap Brewing Co. Both locations offer the entire Bootstrap catalog and you’ll find your favorites no matter the location you choose. The clear kinship between the Niwot original and the sister Longmont locale is readily apparent, though, by the healthy dose of classic rock whenever you come through the door. “Music is very important to us,” Leslie said. “We always ask job candidates if they love classic rock because it’s on 24/7 here.”

Bootstrap has live music on Friday nights in Longmont and Saturdays in Niwot.

If an island destination is not in your future, but your attitude is in another latitude, make a quick getaway to Bootstrap Brewing’s Longmont locale to soak in the surf scene and their tremendous offering of craft brews. You may even feel tempted to send a few postcards.