Fun Fact: The South Park Region of Colorado is a grassland flat surrounding the headwaters of the Platte River. The largest town in the South Park region is Fairplay, Colorado. This historic mining town was once referred to as South Park City before being changed back to Fairplay in 1874. Nearly 125 years later, an animated series called South Park put this quirky mountain town on the map.
Paul Kemp and his wife, Megan Sebastian, owned a cabin in Summit County where they would escape the hustle and bustle of city life in Denver. The couple often would take the scenic route through Fairplay, where they saw in a need.
Hobby Turned Career
Kemp made his career in the restaurant industry for over 20 years. He managed several restaurants and learned all facets of the industry. In his free time, he enjoyed brewing beer.
“It was a hobby that got out of control,” Kemp says. “For 10 years, I worked on my recipes and continuously upgraded my garage brewing system. Eventually, I started to consider opening a tap room.”
In 2012, Kemp and Sebastian started seriously thinking about the logistics of opening a brewpub. The couple considered various locations and spaces.
“Originally, we were considering opening a brewery in the Denver area,” Kemp says. “At the time, Fairplay didn’t have a brewery and it seemed like the kind of place that could use one.”
South Park Brewing
In 2014, South Park Brewing Company opened its doors. The Fairplay community embraced the new addition and so did the tourists. Kemp started distilling spirits in addition to brewing. He created South Park Distilling as a sister company to South Park Brewing. Kemp distills whiskey, vodka and gin under the label Distill My Heart.
“High altitude distilling is favorable because the dry air and cooler temperatures are great for barrel aging,” Kemp says.
Relocating to The Springs
While Kemp and Sebastian love the Fairplay community, they began to miss city life. In 2023, the lease on their space was coming up.
“We have teenage twin daughters wanted more opportunities for them,” he says. “We also love the Colorado Springs area, and it seemed like a great fit for the family and the brewpub.”
They found a spot on the west side. Previously a brewery, it had the infrastructure in place.
“The building had lots of potential,” Kemp says. “One of the biggest perks is the large parking lot in an area where free parking is hard to find. The building needed some work, but we were able to turn the space around in just a few months and were able to open to the public in June of 2024.”
Brewpub Offerings
Instead of a kitchen taking up valuable space, Kemp and Sebastian opted for a food truck.
“The food truck is actually quite large and houses a full-sized kitchen,” he says. “We are able to offer classic brewpub foods such as burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, chopped beef sandwiches, along with cheese curds and fries. We plan to add hand-cut onion rings to our summer menu.”
The dining and bar area includes an outdoor seating patio with views of Pikes Peak. The upper dining area can be reserved for parties or events and is free of charge. Catering is available and reservations are required.
Website: https://southparkbrewingcolorado.com/
Instagram + Facebook: @SouthParkBrewingColorado
Address + Phone: 2028 Sheldon Ave, CS | 719-836-1932
“High altitude distilling is favorable because the dry air and cooler temperatures are great for barrel aging.”