Loveland’s oldest operating brewery sells

“Once upon a time there was a dear little girl who was loved by everyone who looked at her, but most of all by her grandmother, and there was nothing that she would not have given to the child. Once she gave her a little cap of red velvet, which suited her so well that she would never wear anything else; so she was always called ‘Little Red-Cap.‘” — Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

LOVELAND — It’s no fairy tale. Grimm Brothers Brewhouse, Loveland’s oldest brewery, is under new ownership.

And also true, the popular Little Red Cap, a Dusseldorf style altier, will live on with the new owners.

Grimm Brothers, founded in July 2010 by Aaron Heaton and Don Chapman, has sold to veteran brewer Jesse Sommers, Lynx Hawthorne and investor group Yellow Duck LLC. Daniel Kamrath, a partner in the Forge Campus in Loveland, is listed as the registered agent of Yellow Duck.

Grimm made its mark in the microbrew marketplace with a series of German-inspired beers that drew their names from Grimm Fairy Tales, such as Little Red Riding Hood. Little Red Cap has been a nearly perpetual award winner at brewing competitions.

Sommers and Hawthorne are owners of Berthoud Brewing Co. While operators of microbreweries in the region are not strangers to one another, Sommers said Berthoud Brewing’s relationship with Grimm was a little deeper because it distributed some of Grimm’s products. 

“We noticed some operational changes that might be helpful for Grimm and when we got to talking with them, it turned out they had an interest in selling,” Sommers said.

He said that new ownership team members do not plan significant changes to the product line. They’ll keep the brewhouse where it is at 623 N. Denver Ave. but may move the taphouse. They’re discussing “what’s going to fit the needs to best serve Loveland and Northern Colorado.”

Among the plans: More events. “We want to stay event driven,” he said.

Recipes will be maintained, “and we’ll add some new ones. We want to keep the German influence but move beyond, which Grimm was already doing,” he said. “We look forward to blending the traditional charm of the brewery with our new  and refreshing ideas, all while maintaining the exceptional standards of craft beer that Grimm is known  for.”

Hawthorne, who has expertise in distribution, will attempt to extend the reach of the brand.

“Grimm Brothers Brewhouse has always held a special place in the craft beer world,” Hawthorne said.  “Our goal is to share these authentic and fantastic beers beyond our Northern Colorado home, expanding our distribution while ensuring each can reimagines the magic of the Grimm Brothers’  stories.” 

Grimm employs five people; all were retained from the prior ownership, Sommers said.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

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