Old Towne Arvada is home to Colorado’s first independent hard seltzer company, appropriately named Elevated Seltzer — fitting for the 5280 region. Brothers Warren and Hunter Wood founded the groundbreaking seltzery after growing up in the craft beer business. Twenty years ago, their parents opened Grand Lake Brewing Company near the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. When older, the boys worked for the brewery, eventually doing everything required to keep a business running.
“Being a part of the craft beer industry has been one of the most enjoyable things in my life and the foundation to my current status,” says Warren, who is the chief marketing officer of Elevated Seltzer. “Since our family opened Grand Lake Brewing in 2002, I have been a part of every aspect and operation. This includes: restaurant start-up, brewing, packaging, bottling, selling, promoting and distributing our products.”
When it came time to retire, their parents offered to hand over the brewery — however, Hunter had something else in mind. "I wanted to specialize in seltzer," Hunter says, who functions as the CEO, overseeing distribution, brewing and operations. “I wanted to do something new and fun that hadn’t been done yet but was similar enough to beer that we could execute it to the highest quality possible.”
With a combined comprehensive experience, the Wood brothers established Elevated Seltzer in Old Towne Arvada in 2019 — impeccable timing considering the meteoric rise of spiked seltzers in the last few years, with big brands like High Noon, White Claw and Vizzy.
Currently, Elevated Seltzer distributes across the Centennial State and in some areas down in the Sunshine State, and with plans to break further ground within 2022.
“We distribute throughout the state — along with the Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville regions of Florida. We’ve been in CO for two years now and plan to cover 95% of the state in the coming months. As for Florida, we just started distribution four months ago so we still have a lot of growth to capitalize on — and so far, it’s been going great.”
Elevated currently cans eight different seltzer styles: Lemon-Lime Cucumber, Cherry-Lime, Acai, Pina Colada, Mango, Mixed-Berry, Pomegranate-Apple and Grapefruit. These are all sold in six-packs as well as 12-pack varieties.
With high-quality sugar, the brothers make a sugar brew that’s passed through a dual filter to clean and clarify — and they work with 100% non-GMO fruit extract for flavoring. Their tasting room also creates craft cocktails, with most in-house concoctions utilizing their seltzers for added fizz and flavor.
“I’m a big fan of our New Fashioned,” says Warren. “I love Old Fashioneds, and what I’ve done with all the cocktails is take what you know and love and twist it up.” Elevated’s New Fashioned is Greenbar bourbon, bitters, orange zest and cherry lime seltzer. “Also, the Paloma Broke My Heart is one of my favorites; I love that one,” he adds — a drink built with Greenbar tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, mint and grapefruit seltzer.
The food menu is accessible pub fare, offering wings, pizza, poutine, pretzels, sandwiches and more. “I highly recommend the pinwheels, if you’re coming in for your first time or haven’t tried them yet,” says Warren. “They’re outstanding. They are dang good.” On the menu, the item is listed as Life Changing Pinwheels, consisting of various, fresh ingredients rolled in pizza dough — with varieties such as buffalo chicken, jalapeño popper, pepperoni, pesto and more.
“Elevated Seltzer provides a taproom where guests can drink lower calorie options in our seltzers while friends can still have a beer, cocktail or wine,” says Hunter. “With Elevated, we were able to create a brand and product that I am truly passionate about and enjoy sharing with everyone.”
Elevated Seltzer
5610 Yukon St.
Arvada CO 80002
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 2PM – 9PM
Friday: 2PM – 10PM
Saturday: 12PM – 10PM
Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
(720) 389 - 8627
elvtdseltzer.com
Facebook: @elvtdsltzr
Instagram: @elvtdsltzr and @elvtd_eats