GJ gets new brewpub

GRAND JUNCTION, Colorado — The owners of a Telluride-based microbrewery that’s been serving beers for more than a decade have wanted to tap some kegs in Grand Junction for several years.

They recently discovered their opportunity — in the form of what used to be a doughnut shop.

Michael Metz and Scott Strong, owners of Smugglers Brewpub in Telluride, hope to have their Grand Junction pub opened by Thanksgiving in the former Krispy Kreme Doughnuts building, which has sat vacant for about a year.

“We’ve been working on this a long time,” Metz said.

Jammie McCloud, marketing manager of Mesa Mall in Grand Junction, is thrilled to see the 4,800-square-foot building put to use again.

“It’s great real estate and we’re glad someone is taking advantage of it,” she said. “It’s a good fit. That whole stretch that fronts Mesa Mall contains some of Grand Junction’s favorite dining options.”

Smuggler’s Brew Pub & Grille opened its doors in Telluride 12 years ago. It brews its beer in a brewhouse located in the basement of the Telluride restaurant.

Three years ago, Smugglers opened a second location in Montrose, and the owners have big plans for the new pub in Grand Junction.

The 14 original beers offered at the pub will continue to be brewed in Telluride, but that could soon change if things go as planned for the owners.

“The plans in the next few years will be to get a brewery added onto the building,” Metz said.

The increasing number of brewpubs in western Colorado and the entire United States, in a way, is getting back to how things used to be, Metz said.

“There wasn’t a pub on every corner when we were growing up,” Metz said. “But back when our grandfathers were growing up in Chicago, there was a pub on every corner.”