University of Wyoming students and Laramie residents have a new option when it comes to drinking locally brewed beer.
The downtown location Coal Creek Coffee Company opened a brewery yesterday known as Coal Creek Tap. They are considered a nano-brewery due to the smaller volume of beer brewed.
John Guerin, owner of the brewery and coffee company, has always dreamed of opening his own brewery and has been home brewing for about 20 years.
“He opened the coffee business first, but beer is his true passion,” said Meredith Niell, manager of Coal Creek Tap.
Niell said that Guerin enjoys American style beer, and he likes his beer very hoppy.
“He loves hoppy American Pale Ales, hoppy Indian Pale Ales, and he likes to play around with different types of hops”, Niell said.
The different beers available during their opening included: the High 80 Scotch Ale, the Molly Blond Ale, the Laradise Pale Ale, the Czech Pilsner, and the Wyoming Toad Ale.
Guerin is interested in experimenting in non-traditional beer and expanding people’s tastes.
The malts used in the Coal Creek Tap’s beers come from all over the world.
“Our Belgian malts come from Belgium, our German pils malts from Germany, English Maris Otter Malt from England, but all of our hops come from Oregon,” said Niell.
Niell described the new brewery as a pub, a place where people can come and have a conversation.
“We want a more sophisticated place where you can come and really talk,” said Niell.
Niell said that there are plans to brew combine the beer and the coffee and that Guerin has already brewed several coffee porters.
She also said that there is one coming up called Coal Train that has coffee influence and will be released within two to three weeks.
