Colorado Family Farm Revives Legacy Brewing 100% On-Site
San Luis Valley, CO – A Colorado farming family is transforming its struggling farmland into a thriving brewery where every ingredient is grown, produced, and brewed on-site, offering a rare taste of true farm-to-glass beer. The Colorado Farm Brewery, co-owned by brewmaster Josh Cody, is redefining what it means to capture the spirit of place with every pint poured.
Since 2006, after the death of Josh’s grandfather when the family nearly sold their century-old farm, Cody and his family made a bold decision to keep their land—and their legacy—alive by shifting their focus to sustainable brewing. “My grandmother couldn’t do it,” Cody recalled about halting the sale. “There was so much history and so much legacy tied to the land that she didn’t want to let it go.”
Now, the farm produces and malts its own barley, wheat, and rye. Their hops are cultivated on-site, water is drawn directly from their private well, and even the brewery’s yeast was originally cultured at home in the grandmother’s kitchen. “Everything’s here on the farm,” Cody said, emphasizing the singular identity of their beer—rooted in the farm’s unique terroir.
Water Chemistry and Wild Yeast Define Flavor
The complex water chemistry plays a critical role. The San Luis Valley rests on an ancient lake bed, so its water emerges with a naturally high pH above 9.0. “The water here is so high in pH… Before brewing, we have to neutralize it. It’s a small but critical step to crafting beer that truly reflects this land,” Cody explained. The alkaline soil also stresses the grains, giving the beer its distinctive character.
Most remarkable might be the brewery’s wild yeast strain, preserved and banked to maintain a flavor profile unique to the farm. “My brother cultured it initially in my grandmother’s kitchen, and it’s become a signature part of our beer that can’t be found anywhere else,” he added.
Innovating with Hop Water for All Visitors
The farm is pushing innovation with a new non-alcoholic hop water, made entirely from estate-grown ingredients. Using the same well water—adjusted and heated—and steeped with their own hops, the hop water aims to “remind the drinker of beer without giving them beer.” Cody highlighted it as a perfect option for designated drivers, families, and anyone avoiding alcohol. This product represents the farm’s commitment to authenticity while welcoming all visitors.
A Gathering Place for Community and Family
Beyond brewing, the farm has become a vibrant community hub. Families gather here to share meals, children play on hay bales, and neighbors catch up over pints of beer or glasses of hop water. “We wanted to give people a space to gather,” Cody said, underscoring the social impact of their farm brewery.
The story of the Colorado Farm Brewery is more than just about beer. It’s about honoring a family’s history, preserving a special place in the San Luis Valley, and crafting beverages that carry the valley’s flavor—from grain to glass—right to customers across the country. As craft beer enthusiasts and farmers alike search for authenticity, this farm shows how sustainability and heritage brewing can thrive hand in hand.
With the brewery’s ongoing innovations and deep roots in local agriculture, the farm’s revival offers a compelling example for farming communities nationwide seeking to reinvent their futures while preserving tradition.
