Fort Collins is about to have a new place to raise a glass, grab a bite and settle in for live music, as Seed & Spirit Distilling prepares to open its new tasting and mixing room this fall.
The distillery is bringing its spirits, cocktails and a full dining experience to 1900 E. Lincoln Avenue, with a grand opening weekend set for October 9 through 11.
The new space will feature a full bar built around Seed & Spirit’s specialty cocktails, while the kitchen will offer a menu developed with a local chef. Guests can expect wood-fired oysters, mussels, fresh seafood and meats, along with vegetables grown at Rough Cut Farm in Fort Collins, owned by Founder and Head Distiller Joel Gustafson.
“When we were presented with the opportunity to expand and bring all aspects of the distilling and aging process under one roof, the choice was easy. The ability to launch a unique tasting room experience was a bonus for us,” he said.
Gustafson said the restaurant side of the project is intended to complement the distillery’s specialty cocktails while putting an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients.
Seed & Spirit was founded in 2022 with what Gustafson describes as a seed-to-spirit philosophy. The company grows its own corn, malts grains in-house, then brews, distills, ages and packages its products onsite.
“When Seed & Spirit started in 2022, we had a unique vision for the company – a seed-to-spirit philosophy – that has been our guiding principle,” said Gustafson. “We grow our own corn, malt grains in-house, brew, distill, age and package everything onsite, so making the distillery lounge reflect that was a priority.”
The new lounge will also have an entertainment component, with a patio stage planned for live music and other programming. Seed & Spirit is partnering with Mishawaka Presents to bring local entertainment to the space, with performances planned through the fall and into next spring.
“Being able to bring in local entertainment pillars like the Mishawaka Presents is a great way to collaborate with other businesses and activate our patio stage throughout the fall and into next spring with music,” Gustafson said. “We will also activate the patio with local theater, comedy, and much more.”
The distillery also plans to use the lounge to showcase other local beverage makers. Along with its own spirits, the bar will offer a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options from other breweries and distilleries.
One of the featured collaborations will be a new beer created with Fort Collins-based New Belgium Brewing. The Party-Time Lager is an American lager brewed using Whiszcal barrels, creating a beer that Gustafson said has quickly become a favorite.
The collaboration is expected to launch across Fort Collins this fall, with the beer also remaining on tap at Seed & Spirit’s new distillery lounge. The new location is part of Seed & Spirit’s plans to bring its distilling, dining and hospitality operations together under one roof while creating a space where the Fort Collins community can gather.
“We are excited to open the doors to the public in October and showcase what local ingredients, fresh seafood and the best spirits in Colorado can offer the community,” Gustafson said.
