Derek Heersink is leading the climb back for 14er Brewing.<\/p>\n
The founder and owner of Alamosa\u2019s Spare Keg Brewerks says the reason was simple.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great brand for Chaffee County, where there\u2019s more 14ers than anywhere in the country,\u201d he said. \u201cSo it was pretty much a marketing move.\u201d<\/p>\n
14er\u2019s brewery and taproom in Denver\u2019s RiNo neighborhood closed\u00a0in November 2024\u00a0after an eight-year run. Heersink said he bought the company\u2019s naming rights and recipes from 14er co-founders Andrew Kaczmarek and Nate Francescato earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Heersink, a barley farmer, started Spare Keg in 2017. In July, he and his wife opened a coffee shop-taproom hybrid called Herks Werks in Poncha Springs, a small town near Salida.<\/p>\n
Heersink said he\u2019ll start production of 14er beers in the coming weeks in Alamosa, and sell it at his brewery there. But he said he\u2019s making the brand the centerpiece of his Poncha Springs spot.<\/p>\n
Heersink estimates that hop lovers will be able to get such 14er favorites as the Maroon Bells tropical ale or key lime pie cream ale by Christmastime. He also plans to release new beers under the 14er name, like a chile drink or a Mount Princeton pilsner.<\/p>\n
With the new label, Heersink expects in 2026 to double the 300 barrels Spare Keg brewed this year. He wants to sell to more bars and restaurants in the high country while doing smaller canning production as well.<\/p>\n