Our Story

From Garage to Depot

A brewer's obsession, a historic building, and a community that showed up.

Est. 2018

How Iron Rail Started

Jake Mercer brewed his first batch of beer at 19 in his parents' garage. By 25, he'd won three Colorado homebrew competitions. By 28, he'd signed a lease on a forgotten rail depot on East 2nd Avenue that hadn't housed anything but pigeons in 30 years.

He gutted the building with friends over four months, installed a 7-barrel brewhouse, and opened Iron Rail Brewing in October 2018 with four beers on tap and a single food truck in the parking lot.

The building chose us. We just had to be stubborn enough to deserve it.
— Jake Mercer, Founder

Founder Jake Mercer checking fermentation tanks

Six Years of Craft

From four taps to twelve, and a whole lot of empty kegs in between.

2018 — Grand Opening

Opened with 4 beers on tap. Sold out the first keg of Railyard Red in 3 hours. The food truck ran out of pretzels by 8 PM.

2020 — Canning Line

Added a mobile canning line. Started distributing to 15 Durango-area liquor stores and restaurants.

2022 — Live Music Program

Launched Friday night live music series. Built a small stage in the taproom. Now hosts 50+ shows per year.

2024 — 1,200 Barrels

Hit 1,200 barrels annual production. Added 4 new fermenters and a barrel-aging program for limited releases.

Jake Mercer

Head Brewer & Founder

Training & Certifications

Siebel Institute — Master Brewer Diploma
Cicerone Certified Beer Server
GABF Professional Judge

Good beer doesn't need a gimmick. It needs good water, quality grain, and someone who pays attention.

Come See Where It All Happens

The taproom is open daily. Brewery tours available Saturday at 2 PM.

Plan Your Visit What's on Tap