Odell Brewing joins ranks of employee-owned craft breweries

Following in the footsteps of New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins and Left Hand Brewing in Longmont, Fort Collins-based Odell Brewing announced Monday that the company is moving forward with a plan for employee ownership.

The Coloradoan reports that owners Doug, Wynne and Corkie Odell have sold 19 percent of the company’s stock into an employee stock ownership plan. A majority portion, meanwhile, has been sold to brewery executives Eric Smith, Brendan McGivney and Chris Banks, with the Odells each retaining a smaller amount.

The paper notes that all three Odells will keep their positions with…