Hello Brew Co. owners Christine Luckasen, a Fort Collins native, and her boyfriend, Ryan Maliski, head brewer.

By David Young

Spokane, Washington’s loss is Fort Collins’ gain when it comes to Colorado’s newest craft brewery. Hello Brew Co. is relocating to Old Town Fort Collins from Washington this summer, serving a variety of hop-centric beers.

Owners Christine Luckasen, a Fort Collins native, and her boyfriend, Ryan Maliski, head brewer, started the brewery in Spokane, Washington, in 2020, just before the pandemic hit, as a distribution-only brewery. However, the couple always wanted to move back home to the Choice City and open a taproom.

“My family is here and there is nowhere I love more than Fort Collins. I love downtown,” Luckasen said. “We are in awe and respectful of what the beer industry has done for this town.”

Now, adding their own taps to that history, Luckasen, 29, and Maliski, 34, plan to pour their new beer in an old historic bungalow at 405 Linden Street. The 118-year-old building will be home to Hello Brew’s hoppy beers as well as lagers and pilsners.

Maliski will brew the beer offsite in a Fort Collins production facility on Link Lane and serve it at the taproom. They will offer beer-to-go options and would like to distribute their brews in the future.

The brewery started in Spokane as a distribution-only brewery. Luckasen and Maliski began their endeavor as a market research project in a brewery incubator where they rented space. While Luckasen said starting a brewery just a month before the pandemic hit was catastrophic timing, it worked out great as they learned a lot about operating a business at such a difficult time. Now, nearly two years later, the new brewery is set to open this summer.

“Spokane is a younger beer market … it’s still developing and learning versus here — it’s amazing the depth of knowledge and familiarity and love for the classic styles here,” Maliski said. “I drive by New Belgium, Odell, and SweetWater and it is crazy to me to be driving by these national, well-regarded breweries that are my neighbors.”

Maliski said brewing during a pandemic allowed him to focus on making IPAs and Hazy IPAs, which will continue to be the main beers on tap. In addition to that, he said Hello Brew Co. will launch with a pilsner and a roasted malt stout.

Between Washington and Colorado, Maliski said he has been able to work with some great local hops and grain to create Hello’s brews. They will offer chips and salsa in the taproom along with outside food, non-alcoholic options, and gluten-free beer.

The couple is excited to open and have their brewery license in hand. They will open their doors to the community after they put the final touches on the taproom.

Proceeds from some beers will benefit various community causes. The brewery is located at 405 Linden Street.

David Young is a freelance writer based in Fort Collins. He specializes in beer, whiskey, and outdoor writing. David has been published in SKI Magazine, GearJunkie, 5280 Magazine, USA Today, and The Denver Post. Learn more at davidyoungcommunications.com.