CSA-style craft brewery to open in Fort Collins

No longer are CSAs just for vegetables and eggs, now in Fort Collins they are also for craft beers.

Drinkers who want their beer monthly and by the case, in 22-oz. bombers, can purchase memberships to Soul Squared Brewing Company's CSA, or community-supported agriculture.

Soul Squared's co-owner Jay Shambo says the reason behind a craft beer CSA is twofold: the brewery doesn't have a traditional tap room yet and the beer is made and sold on a farm.

The tiny 1-barrel operation leases space from a Fort Collins farmer, using its hops and other seasonal ingredients to flavor Soul Squared's "farm-built beer."

"It is a great way to be involved with the community and have a close, working relationship with people who buy and drink our beer," Shambo said of the CSA concept.

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In the style of a traditional farm CSA, Soul Squared members will pay $500 up-front to Shambo and his fellow brewers, who will invest the capital in their beer-making and provide six months of flowing beer to CSA members in return. (That's $6.94 per 22-oz bomber, at 12 bombers a month.)

The line-up for Soul Squared's brewing season already includes a Saison in July, followed by an American Wheat in August, an IPA in September, Cascadian Dark Ale in October, Imperial Wit in November and Imperial Stout by December.

Other Soul Squared beers will be available around Fort Collins bar taps, and one Belgian-style Blonde Ale will be bottled in 4-packs, sold in liquor stores. Only members will get to try the designated monthly CSA styles, though.

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Shambo, a high school English teacher and homebrewer, is a Great American Beer Festival Pro-Am gold medal winner and a Taste of Fort Collins gold medal winner. His list of local brewery collaborations includes Verboten, New Belgium and Odell.

He has teamed up with friends Mark and Denise McFann and Aaron Gray to open the brewery for now as a side business, but with the hope of one day turning it into a full-time job.

Interested in joining a Fort Collins beer CSA?

Shambo and his team will offer more information, as well as samples of beer, to potential CSA members Thursday evening at The Forge Publick House in Old Town.

For more information or to request a CSA membership, visit the Soul Squared Facebook page.