Renovation has begun at 576 Yampa Ave. in Craig, which is expected to open in 2019 as Yampa Valley Brewing Co.’s Barrel Cathedral. (Photo by Sasha Nelson)

CRAIG — Now that the ink is dry on all the contracts, the rumors brewing since early in the year can be confirmed: Yampa Valley Brewing Co. is coming to Craig in 2019.

Developers Derek Duran, Luke Tucker and partners purchased the historic building at 576 Yampa Ave. about a year ago with the vision of renovating it to recruit a restaurant or brewery to enhance the downtown area.

The renovation is underway, and the partners recently announced an agreement with Yampa Valley Brewing Co., of Hayden, for the development of Barrel Cathedral, which is expected to begin operations in spring 2019.

For brewers Christian Dufresne and Erica Tieppo, the goal of the project is to build a community around their favorite beverage. Dufresne and Tieppo relocated to Craig from Durango about a year ago to join Yampa Valley Brewing Co. founders and owners Jared and Elaina Aylor at their Hayden location.

To mimic the “old European community feel in Belgium and Germany, we plan on having the centerpiece on the inside a 16- to 20-foot farm table that serves as a community space and allows for big groups to come in and sit around to order family-style food options,” Tieppo said.

A new 3-percent, low-alcohol Belgian-style table beer “meant to be shared,” will add to the casual, fun group experience, Tieppo said.

Production will occur in both places, with the brewing of the wort — the barley sugar tea — to occur in Hayden, before it’s transported to Craig for barrel aging, souring and brewing into a “heavily farmhouse Belgian-style” beer, Tieppo said.

They believe the product will make their Craig facility a destination for people wanting to enjoy quality craft beer, just the sort of establishment the developers were hoping to recruit.

“We want to do our part in the community, to renovate it and, hopefully, get a little more action downtown,” Duran said.

A small selection of wines and high-end, pub-style food prepared by Therese Bartholomew, of Grit Girls, are also expected to be on offer.

“We want to raise the bar downtown and have nice decorations, finishes and nice storefront to be appealing to residents and tourists that drive by every day and see it,” Duran said. “But it’s a long-term investment, and we hope that the community sees that.”

Read more at CraigPress.com.