Experimental ‘pilot’ system put to good use at FlyteCo Brewing

The pilots behind aviation-themed FlyteCo Brewing have introduced their new three-barrel pilot system at FlyteCo Tower, FlyteCo Brewing’s second location at the defunct Stapleton Air Traffic Control tower. Experimental pilot systems aren’t unusual in craft beer, but for this aviation themed brewery, the “pilot” system does carry a little extra branding cache — and in more ways than one: “experimental” in the aviation industry means building your plane.

“The main goal of our pilot program is to allow us to flex some creativity and experiment with styles that we’ve always wanted to brew, but maybe worried about how they would be received by our guests,” Brewer Mike Bracco tells us. “This new brewing system will also allow us to diversify our tap offerings while keeping things fresh and fun. It’s really exciting to think about the possibilities and right now I’m diving into designing some recipes for Belgian style ales.

So, FlyteCo Tower really plays up these pilot system beers. They invite bachelors and bachelorettes, wedding parties, retirees, corporate parties and others to design their own beer – including style, select ingredients and name – and brew it alongside FlyteCo’s brewmaster.

After the collaborative brew day, in three to five weeks, the beer is ready to be on tap for the brewer-for-a-day’s on-site event at FlyteCo. If the beer isn’t finished on-site by the party, it goes on tap for the general public.

FlyteCo previously brewed a fruited Blonde Ale named Hall Pass, a collaborative effort from Denver-based Public Education Business Coalition, a nonprofit that offers on the job training and works with teachers, schools and districts nationwide. They also offered educators’ first pint of Hall Pass Hazy for just $2 until the beer ran out. 

Last Friday, they tapped Smooth Skies Oatmeal Stout (shown above), a traditional oatmeal stout with flaked oats and chocolate malt, and previously released a Call Me Dragon IPA with Juicy Fruit gum.

Upcoming Pilot beers

FlyteCo brewed a smaller batch of weizenbock earlier this week and that should be ready in about two weeks. The next release should be the peach wheat ale on 6/21. Since they have fresh hefeweizen yeast in the weizenbock, the brewer Mike Bracco is planning some brews with that potentially dry hopped or fruited versions. He really wants to do a smoked version of a hef so that will probably be next.

Up next, they hope to release a Belgian, barrel-aged pastry stout. Future beer styles will be voted on by social media followers.