ABOUT US
AVANT GARDE: (adjective) Of or relating to the experimental treatment of artistic, musical, or literary material.
Avant Garde Aleworks was founded in 2019 by the Newendorp family with a shared vision: to create a welcoming space in Estes Park that celebrates high-quality craft beer and the community around it. What began with a small tap list and a big dream has grown into a brewery where delicious beer and genuine connection come together every day.
Drawing inspiration from European brewing traditions, especially Belgian and French styles, we approach each beer as both a technical craft and a form of self-expression. Our brewing process prioritizes quality ingredients, with the majority of our ingredients proudly sourced from trusted Colorado partners like Root Shoot Malting, Troubadour Malting, Propagate Labs and Billy Goat Hop Farm. Working with these partners helps us support local agriculture, reduce our footprint, and deliver the freshest ingredients possible in every batch of beer we brew.
Our taproom is shaped by a small, dedicated team whose energy and personality define the experience here—whether it’s sharing a beer recommendation, talking tunes, or simply creating the laid-back, welcoming atmosphere that keeps people coming back. At its core, Avant Garde is about more than beer; it’s about building connection, celebrating creativity, and offering a space where both locals and visitors can feel at home in the mountains.
OUR TEAM
Christian
Brewer & Founder
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Fun Fact: I am a self-proclaimed cheese connoisseur.
Favorite Style of Beer: Lagers or anything that is hoppy.
Favorite Avant Garde Beer: Festbier
Favorite Bartending Music: Depends on the day, but is usually Bob Dylan
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: Spending quality time with my pups Dunkel & Mattie
Alex
Taproom/Operations Manager
Hometown: Mission Viejo, CA
Fun Fact: I ran my first half marathon this year!
Favorite Style of Beer: Porters and saisons
Favorite Avant Garde Beer: Farmhouse Saison
Favorite Bartending Music: Anything jazzy and upbeat
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: Sewing or outside exploring, especially if it involves water!
Dylan
Lead Beertender
Hometown: Hernando, FL
Fun Fact: Founding member of ‘The Gross Boys’
Favorite Style of Beer: Pilsner
Favorite Avant Garde Beer: Farmhouse Saison
Favorite Bartending Music: The Velvet Underground
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: Playing music and enjoying all of the breweries in town
Sam
Cellar Ops
Hometown: Toledo, OH
Fun Fact: I can solve a Rubik’s cube in under a minute
Favorite Style of Beer: I wish I could give a more interesting answer, but IPAs of all sorts
Favorite Avant Garde Beer: Remember when Christian brewed a Cold IPA? We should do that again.
Favorite Bartending Music: Box fan white noise 10 hrs
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: On the pickleball courts.
Dunkel
Brewery Dog
Hometown: Estes Park, CO
Fun Fact: I will do tricks in exchange for beer and bites of your Bavarian pretzel!
Favorite Style of Beer: I’m a sucker for IPAs (the heart wants what it cannot have)
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: Hiking with my humans, chasing elk, or waiting for someone to share their food with me
Mattie
Brewery Dog In-Training
Hometown: Estes Park, CO
Fun Fact: Tennis balls are lyfe!
Favorite Style of Beer: Anything Dunkel is drinking
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: Running circles around the other dogs at doggie daycare, barking at the mailman, or power napping.
Want to join our team?
OUR TEAM
Christian
Brewer & Founder
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Fun Fact: I am a self-proclaimed cheese connoisseur.
Favorite Style of Beer: Lagers or anything that is hoppy.
Favorite Avant Garde Beer: Festbier
Favorite Bartending Music: Depends on the day, but is usually Bob Dylan
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: Spending quality time with my pups Dunkel & Mattie
Alex
Taproom/Operations Manager
Hometown: Mission Viejo, CA
Fun Fact: I ran my first half marathon this year
Favorite Style of Beer: Pale ales, porters and saisons
Favorite Avant Garde Beer: Winter Strong Ale or Farmhouse Saison
Favorite Bartending Music: Anything jazzy and upbeat
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: Outside exploring, especially if it involves water!
Dylan
Lead Beertender
Hometown: Hernando, FL
Fun Fact: Founding member of ‘The Gross Boys’
Favorite Style of Beer: Pilsner
Favorite Avant Garde Beer: Farmhouse Saison
Favorite Bartending Music: The Velvet Underground
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: Playing music and enjoying all of the breweries in town
Sam
Cellar Ops
Hometown: Toledo, OH
Fun Fact: I can solve a Rubik’s cube in under a minute
Favorite Style of Beer: I wish I could give a more interesting answer, but IPAs of all sorts
Favorite Avant Garde Beer: Remember when Christian brewed a Cold IPA? We should do that again.
Favorite Bartending Music: Box fan white noise 10 hrs
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: On the pickleball courts.
Dunkel
Brewery Dog
Hometown: Estes Park, CO
Fun Fact: I will do tricks in exchange for beer and bites of your Bavarian pretzel!
Favorite Style of Beer: I’m a sucker for IPAs (the heart wants what it cannot have)
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: Hiking with my humans, chasing elk, or waiting for someone to share their food with me
Mattie
Brewery Dog In-Training
Hometown: Estes Park, CO
Fun Fact: Tennis balls are lyfe!
Favorite Style of Beer: Anything Dunkel is drinking
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: Running circles around the other dogs at doggie daycare, barking at the mailman, or power napping.
Want to join our team?