ABOUT US
AVANT GARDE: (adjective) Of or relating to the experimental treatment of artistic, musical, or literary material.
Our brewer, Christian Newendorp, founded Avant Garde with the goal of making all the beers he wanted to drink, but could never find in Estes Park. Inspired by his travels, he focused mainly on Belgian and French styles. Along the way he became even more inspired by the Belgian’s approach to brewing – blending history, science and art to create complex and delicious beers. Avant Garde Aleworks was born out of a need to share these beers with the community.
Where did the name Avant Garde come from? Well, it was one of many potential names and when we found the perfect taproom location we did some digging and found that a previous tenant of 920 Dunraven St had been a landscaping company called Avant Garde’n. We took that as a sign and have been Avant Garde Aleworks ever since!
After opening our doors in 2019 with just four beers on tap, you can now find a rotating assortment of Saisons, Strong Ales, IPAs and hard seltzers in the taproom. We strive to create a community gathering place where neighbors & visitors alike could enjoy good beer, music and amazing mountain views.
OUR TEAM
Christian
Brewer & Founder
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Interesting 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
Interesting Fact: I rowed for my college’s crew team
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
Interesting 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
Jason
Beertender
Hometown: Lincoln, NE
Interesting Fact: I spent 13 years as a Military Musician for the 43rd Army Band
Favorite Style of Beer: Pale Ale
Favorite Avant Garde Beer: Rosé
Favorite Bartending Music: Steely Dan, Vulfpeck
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: Running on trails, taking photos for companies, hanging with my wife, Kathryn, and our dogs, Stella and Dulce.
Dunkel
Brewery Dog
Hometown: Estes Park, CO
Interesting 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
Interesting Fact: Tennis balls are lyfe!
Favorite Style of Beer: Anything Dunkel is drinking
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: Being crazy at doggie daycare, barking at the mailman, or napping before I act crazy again.
Want to join our team?
OUR TEAM
Christian
Brewer & Founder
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Interesting 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
Interesting Fact: I rowed for my college’s crew team
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
Interesting 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
Jason
Beertender
Hometown: Lincoln, NE
Interesting Fact: I spent 13 years as a Military Musician for the 43rd Army Band
Favorite Style of Beer: Pale Ale
Favorite Avant Garde Beer: Rosé
Favorite Bartending Music: Steely Dan, Vulfpeck
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: Running on trails, taking photos for companies, hanging with my wife, Kathryn, and our dogs, Stella and Dulce.
Dunkel
Brewery Dog
Hometown: Estes Park, CO
Interesting 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
Interesting Fact: Tennis balls are lyfe!
Favorite Style of Beer: Anything Dunkel is drinking
When I’m Not At the Brewery You Can Find Me: Being crazy at doggie daycare, barking at the mailman, or napping before I act crazy again.
Want to join our team?