By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter - Photo credits to LethbridgeNews Now

New Craft Brewery Restaurant a Real Team Effort

Jan 21, 2016 | 10:21 AM

LETHBRIDGE: After three years of planning and building, the Coulee Brew Company is open for business.

Owner, Scott Crighton, explained that he and two other people came up with the concept for the brewery and restaurant. They were inspired after touring a number of craft brewery restaurants around the United States.

However, the group had to face a lot of adversity while trying to get it off the ground. “It was probably a lot more complicated than we ever thought it would be. Struggling finding investors – then we actually got to a point where people wanted to throw money at us, which was quite interesting,” explained Crighton.

“[There was] lots of government red tape. Financial institutions were not very interested in cooperating with us because we’re technically a manufacturer of alcohol, and nobody wanted to touch that.”

Crighton says the current location was also not the original plan. A smaller version was in the works, which they wanted to have either along Mayor Magrath or in the downtown area. They ultimately decided to go with what he says is a “destination location” close to hotels, on the intersection of Highways 3 and 4.

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Since the doors opened on Saturday, January 16th, he’s proud of the team he’s put together. “It’s a huge amount of pressure off us now that the doors have an open sign on them. We have an amazing chef that was locally trained at the college. I’ve got a really good manager from one of my other locations, as well. The front of house, I’m very comfortable with,” Crighton enthused.

The Coulee Brew Company’s brew master, Badger Colish, came to Lethbridge from Wisconsin with over 20 years of experience. He’ll be responsible for the production of all the craft beers coming out of the brewery.

The restaurant will have anywhere between 9 and 12 different types of beer on tap, as well as canned beer and growlers available for retail sale. It will eventually expand to offer a line of soda, rye and vodka as well.

“When these guys approached me, they just needed a little help and insight. The biggest thing they were trying to convey was the idea that they wanted to do this community brewery,” Colish said.

“We want a brewery in our community, that gives back to the community. That’s really what got me hooked and made me want to help them… I’m delighted it’s here and I’ve seen great things, and I’m seeing even better things to come.”

The restaurant is now open, and alcohol production will begin in February.