FlyteCo Brewing is opening a 17,000-square-foot brewpub at the former Stapleton International Airport Control Tower in Denver’s Central Park neighborhood.
FlyteCo will operate out of the two-story building attached to the iconic 164-foot tower and will offer entertainment elements left behind by former tenant, Punch Bowl Social, which include six bowling lanes, an 18-hole mini-golf course, karaoke rooms, darts, and more.
The aviation-themed brewery is the brainchild of Eric Serani, Morgan O’Sullivan, and head brewer Jason Slingsby, who opened their first FlyteCo location in Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood on West 38th Avenue in March 2019.
An opportunity to open a second location was presented, and they took it. “It’s just absolutely too perfect to pass up. It is the pinnacle expression of our brand,” Eric Serani, FlyteCo Brewing co-owner told What Now Denver.
FlyteCo’s background is deeply rooted in aviation as Serani and Slingsby are both pilots. They grew up in families that were involved in aviation, which sparked their friendship 13 years ago. “We’ve been talking about airplanes and beer ever since,” Serani said.
The space does not need any major construction work, but it will be redecorated and rebranded to add more aviation aspects to it. “We’re looking into getting some airplane pieces or whole airplanes in there and try to make it into, hopefully, a mini museum, an aviation museum,” Serani explained.
The space includes a kitchen, and they are still working to develop a full menu. FlyteCo beers will be brewed onsite. One of FlyteCo’s most popular brews is the Fogged Out Hazy IPA. “It’s hoppy, it’s creamy, it’s delicious, and it absolutely flies off the shelf,” Serani said.
Another of Serani’s favorites is the Vets in Jets Cream Ale. One dollar from every Vets in Jets Cream Ale sold goes to Stripes to Bars, which gives scholarship to veterans who are transitioning out of the military and are looking into starting a commercial aviation career. Ten percent of FlyteCo’s profits benefit the future of aviation through scholarships and donations.
Serani was given a scholarship to get a private pilot’s license when he was a teenager. “Ever since that moment, I’ve felt compelled to give back. It’s an amazing thing to be able to go out and fly and get your pilot’s license. It’s incredibly empowering,” Serani shared.
The second FlyteCo location will be a larger space with more activities compared to its original spot in the Berkeley neighborhood. “We want to be a family-friendly gathering spot. We worked really hard to cater to the community in our first location in the Berkeley neighborhood by making it warm, friendly, welcoming, and a place that you can bring your kids and have a good time with the whole family,” Serani said.
“We really look forward to becoming part of the Central Park neighborhood. We hope to be great stewards like we’ve managed to accomplish in the Berkeley neighborhood.” FlyteCo is scheduled to open at 3120 Uinta St., Denver, CO 80238 in the summer of 2022.
