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The intersection of meteorological volatility and the precision required for craft brewing reached a critical juncture in late August 2025, as Denver-based FlyteCo Tower faced the unprecedented grounding of its signature "Hop Is My Co-Pilot" mission. For the first time since the brewery’s inception in 2019, the annual fresh hop flight—a high-stakes logistical feat involving the transport of harvest-ready hops across the Rocky Mountains via private aircraft—was canceled due to persistent cloud cover and unfavorable flight conditions. This disruption underscores the fragile synergy between aviation and agriculture that defines the FlyteCo brand, a venture that has transformed an iconic piece of Denver’s aeronautical history into a multi-faceted community hub.
The mission, led by FlyteCo co-founder and president Eric Serani, typically involves a 175-nautical-mile journey from Erie Municipal Airport to Billy Goat Hop Farm in Montrose, Colorado. Operating a four-seater Van’s Aircraft RV-10, Serani and his team navigate altitudes between 11,000 and 13,000 feet to secure fresh Chinook, Cascade, or Nugget hops. The objective is to return the harvest to the brewhouse within hours, ensuring the "wet" hops are incorporated into the boil while their essential oils and aromatic compounds are at their peak. However, the 2025 season served as a reminder that even the most meticulously planned aerospace-driven brewing projects remain beholden to the caprice of mountain weather.
The Logistics of the Fresh Hop Flight
Fresh hop brewing is widely regarded as one of the most challenging endeavors in the craft beer industry. Unlike traditional brewing, which utilizes dried and pelletized hops for stability and year-round availability, fresh hop beers—often called "wet hop" beers—require the use of whole-cone hops within 24 to 48 hours of harvest. Once picked, hops begin to degrade rapidly due to oxidation and moisture loss. For FlyteCo, the solution to this biological deadline is the use of private aviation.
The flight path over the Continental Divide is a technical challenge that requires clear Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions. In a typical year, the team coordinates with Billy Goat Hop Farm weeks in advance, waiting for the precise window when the lupulin glands of the hops are matured. Once the signal is given, the brewery team in Denver prepares the mash, timing the brewing process so that the hops can be added the moment the aircraft touches down.
In 2025, the window for harvest closed before a safe flight path could be established. After multiple postponements from Monday to Wednesday, the persistent ceiling of clouds over the Rockies forced Serani to ground the fleet. While the brewery had the option to ship the hops overnight via commercial carriers, the decision to forego the 2025 "Hop Is My Co-Pilot" release highlighted the brewery’s commitment to the flight-based tradition. For FlyteCo, the beer is not merely a product but a celebration of the aviation community and the technical skills required to navigate the Colorado landscape.
A Legacy Rooted in Colorado Aviation
The ethos of FlyteCo is inextricably linked to the personal history of Eric Serani and the broader aeronautical heritage of the Front Range. Serani’s involvement in aviation began at age three, influenced by his grandfather’s 1946 kit plane. By age 16, Serani had completed his first solo flight, and at 17, he earned his private pilot’s license at Erie Municipal Airport. This early immersion was supported by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), a community that provided scholarships and mentorship following the passing of Serani’s grandfather.
This commitment to the aviation community is a pillar of the FlyteCo business model. Serani continues to serve as a flight instructor at Erie and is an active participant in the Young Eagles program, which provides children between the ages of eight and 17 with their first flight experiences. This philanthropic thread continues through FlyteCo’s corporate structure, with 10% of the brewery’s profits donated to aviation-fueled initiatives and scholarships intended to diversify and strengthen the pilot pipeline.
The brewery’s founders, Serani and Jason Slingsby, met at the University of Colorado Boulder, where they combined their backgrounds in aerospace and chemical engineering to transition from homebrewing to commercial production. Their first location opened on Tennyson Street in Denver in early 2019, featuring a 15-barrel system. However, it was the acquisition of the former Stapleton International Airport air traffic control tower that solidified the brewery’s place in Denver’s urban fabric.
From Air Traffic Control to Craft Brewing Hub
The FlyteCo Tower location is situated in the Central Park neighborhood, on the site of the original Stapleton International Airport. Stapleton served as Denver’s primary aviation hub from 1929 until its closure in 1995, when operations were transferred to Denver International Airport (DIA). At its peak in 1961, Stapleton was the third busiest airport in the world, serving as a critical hub for major carriers like United Airlines.
The 11-story control tower remained largely vacant following the airport’s decommissioning, except for a brief tenure by the entertainment chain Punch Bowl Social. In 2022, FlyteCo Tower opened its doors, repurposing the historic structure into a 25,000-square-foot "eatertainment" complex. The facility features multiple bars, bowling alleys, arcade games, and mini-golf, all designed around an aviation theme.
To maintain the historical integrity of the site, FlyteCo employs an in-house historian, Sean Henson, who conducts tours of the tower. The facility functions as a de facto museum, documenting milestones such as Louis Paulhan’s 1910 flight—the first in the Mile High City—and the contributions of figures like Marlon Green, who broke racial barriers in commercial aviation, and Emily Howell Warner, the first female pilot hired by a major U.S. airline.
Strategic Shifts in Brewing Operations
As FlyteCo expanded its footprint at the Tower, the company adjusted its brewing strategy to accommodate the demands of a high-volume entertainment venue. In early 2025, the original Tennyson Street location was closed, and the brewery entered a partnership with Copper Kettle Brewing Company. Under this arrangement, Copper Kettle handles the production of FlyteCo’s flagship beers, such as the Azacca Pale Ale, allowing the 2.5-barrel system at the Tower to be used exclusively for experimental and seasonal releases.
This shift reflects a broader trend in the craft beer industry toward "experiential" locations. By diversifying its revenue streams through food, gaming, and historical tourism, FlyteCo has insulated itself against the cooling demand for traditional taprooms. The Tower serves as a community center where the beer acts as a secondary, albeit vital, component of the overall experience.
Economic and Community Impact
The cancellation of the 2025 fresh hop flight, while a disappointment for enthusiasts, does not diminish the brewery’s economic or social impact. The "Hop Is My Co-Pilot" project was never intended to be a profit-maximizing endeavor. According to co-founder Morgan O’Sullivan, the fuel costs alone often exceed the market value of the hops being transported. Instead, the event serves as a high-visibility marketing tool and a skill-sharpening exercise for the pilots involved.
The broader implications of FlyteCo’s presence in the Central Park neighborhood are significant. By revitalizing a dormant historical landmark, the brewery has contributed to the property value and social cohesion of the area. Furthermore, its financial support for the EAA and Young Eagles programs addresses a critical need in the aviation industry: the recruitment of the next generation of pilots amidst a global shortage.
Conclusion and Outlook for 2026
The grounding of the 2025 hop flight serves as a case study in the intersection of high-concept craft brewing and the realities of mountain aviation. While the absence of the "Hop Is My Co-Pilot" IPA leaves a temporary void in FlyteCo’s seasonal lineup, the brewery’s reliance on its flagship offerings and its robust entertainment revenue ensures continued stability.
As the brewery looks toward 2026, the team remains committed to the aviation-centric mission that defines the brand. The lessons learned from the 2025 weather patterns will likely inform future contingency plans, though the inherent risk of the flight remains a core part of the narrative. For the patrons of FlyteCo Tower, the brewery remains a testament to the idea that the journey—and the history behind it—is as significant as the final pour. The 11-story tower continues to stand not just as a relic of Stapleton’s past, but as a beacon for a business model that successfully blends technical passion with community engagement.
