DENVER — From to-go beer, to front door delivery, breweries in Colorado have been forced to adapt to the times.
"It’s been OK. I wouldn’t say it’s been great. We essentially are a liquor store that makes their own alcohol," said Will Curtin, owner of Banded Oak Brewing Company.
Breweries and their employees must shift their business model again after the governor allowed customers to dine at restaurants starting Wednesday. While many breweries don't serve food, the state is allowing them to partner with nearby restaurants or food trucks to continue staying afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.
READ MORE: Colorado restaurants can begin to reopen indoor dining Wednesday with limited capacity
"In some of the fine print it said we can partner up with a local restaurant and we share a parking lot with Dae Gee Korean BBQ, so we thought a partnership with them makes the most sense," Curtin said.
Both Banded Oak and Woods Boss Brewing Company already have plans to collaborate with nearby restaurants to deliver their product to consumers.
"We are going to have someone from that business take orders, go back, bring food table services," said Woods Boss owner Jordan Fink.
Light snacks like peanuts or having customers bring in their own food using a delivery app does not make the brewery eligible under the current guidelines.
Once the customers are in, there are quite a few rules to follow like party size being eight or fewer, at least six feet between tables and not allowing different parties to mingle.
"It’s an obvious concern. We’re going to have additional staff come in and reinforce the rules," Fink said of the measures his business is taking.