Wynkoop Brewing adds beer-making space; the Impulse Theater stays put

The Wynkoop basement.

The new tank -- a forty-barrel beauty that will serve as décor in addition to increasing the brewpub's capacity -- will sit in the middle of the stairwell going to the second floor.

"It will be a tricky install," says Jones, but the tank will be worth the trouble since it will allow the Wynkoop to ferment 33 percent more beer each year. "So, it's a big deal."

While the expansion pales in comparison to some other breweries that have added massive amounts of brewing space recently -- including Oskar Blues, Great Divide, Breckenridge, Ska, Left Hand and Fort Collins -- Wynkoop will eventually be able to brew and can its two biggest sellers, Rail Yard Ale and Silverback Pale Ale, at Breckenridge Brewing's primary location at 471 South Kalamath Street. The two breweries entered into a joint venture earlier this year and are awaiting final paperwork from the government.

When that happens, Jones says the Wynkoop will also clear out some space in its basement to set up a genuine barrel-aging room and add more cold storage.

Wynkoop had planned to expand into the space now occupied by the Impulse Theater, which is also in the basement, but the theater's hopes of moving into a building at 55 South Broadway have fallen apart. So they will stay where they are for the time being.