NEDERLAND - It’s been a busy year for Jeff and Susan Green. Not only did the Very Nice Brewing Company (VNBC) owners continue to operate their Nederland taproom for the thirteenth year, while offering their classic community-focused events like live music, baking competitions, and birthday potluck dinners, the Greens also opened a brand new location in Gilpin County. 

In late spring/early summer of this year, after years of planning and several months of permitting, construction, and the installation of a brand new ten-barrel brewing system, VNBC in Gilpin County celebrated their grand openings. Several nights of celebration ensued, with live music, food trucks, friends, family, and, of course, VNBC’s tasty beverages.  

“We’re very excited to make Gilpin the home for our production,” Jeff Green, VNBC owner and head brewer, told The Mountain-Ear in an interview earlier this year. “We want to bring to Gilpin what people should normally have in their communities: a space to hang out.”

Though the Greens are excited about their new location, VNBC’s home in Nederland continues to be a focus, not only to honor the brewery’s roots, but to strengthen the community they’ve built there. 

“Susan and I live in Gilpin, but VNBC started in Ned. It grew up in Ned and we want to stay there for as long as we can,” Jeff said. 

Throughout the year, while the craziness of the new brewery ensued, VNBC in Nederland continued to offer amazing events and new tastes.

Jeff toiled at both breweries, setting up and learning the new system in Gilpin, while continuing to use Nederland’s three-barrel system to distribute beer to the people. Along with Jeff’s apprentice, the Beardless Brewer Ariel Ray, VNBC developed a deep Scottish Ale, the Loch Ned Monstah; a bright summer beer, Giltucky Golden Ale; and a dark, impactful session beer, Beardless Ale.  

VNBC also worked with several other local breweries, including Howlin’ Wind in Rollinsville and Grossen Bart Brewery in Longmont, to collaborate on creative beers, as well as working with BJ’s Brewhouse on their marijuana terpene experiment Kveik & Bake.  

Meanwhile, Susan has been continuing to plan and manage VNBC Nederland’s events, which have always been aimed towards locals while being open to newcomers.

In addition to live music from local favorites like The Windy Pines, The CBDs, Reservoir Fog, NoGo Gilbillies, Mountain Reverb, and more, the Nederland taproom also hosted the Great Brewery Bake Off throughout the year, which included themed competitions like “Anything Peaches” and “Biscuits and Scones.” 

VNBC was also the premier venue for fundraising events throughout 2024, having hosted the Mountain Paws We Love Ned Pets fundraiser, the Nederland Fire Protection District’s annual Chili Cook Off, and the Halloween fundraiser for the Nederland Food Pantry.  

On Friday, October 25, 2024, the Nederland taproom celebrated its thirteenth anniversary with a potluck dinner, a live set by Nederland musical legend Eric Stone, and with regulars and new friends of VNBC gathering to lift a glass to Jeff and Susan.

Humbly and graciously the Greens accepted the toast from the crowd, but soon returned the favor, remarking that it is because of all those who come through their doors that they continue to keep those doors open, to serve them, drink, and celebrate life with them.

Very Nice Brewing Company’s Nederland taproom is located at 20 Lakeview Drive #112 in Nederland, and is open Wednesday to Sunday every week. You can follow them online at www.verynicebrewing.com/ and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/verynicebeer/. You can contact VNBC at 303-258-3770 or through their website.