We had the good fortune of connecting with Jan Chodkowski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jan, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factors that have made Our Mutual Friend Brewing and myself successful are having great business partners and employees who all want to work together to create the best possible beer and brand we can. Without the support of others it would be impossible to be as creative and quality driven as Our Mutual Friend Brewing has been. The help from brewers and owners from other breweries has been invaluable as well. Everybody in craft beer is extremely generous and willing to help whenever somebody needs something. Having a strong point of view is very important to us too. Marrying that POV with changing consumer tastes in a way that stays true to who we are while adapting to the evolution of craft beer has been pivotal for us over the years.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started right here at Our Mutual Friend Brewing Company as a beer server who had been trying to get into beer production and slowly made my way into the brewhouse going from assistant brewer to head brewer to now head brewer and partner in the business. It’s not always been easy since i’m completely self taught with no formal brewing education so i’ve leaned from other breweries a lot. I think the biggest lesson is that you just gotta stick with something if you want to get better, just keep trying to be better all the time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Way too many good breweries in denver to list them all.

I’d start out in our neighborhood Rino and hit Finns manor for beer and cocktails , Cart Driver or Redeemer for pizza and Nobel Riot for bites and wine and end up at Too the wind bistro for dinner and drinks at PS lounge to cap the night.

I’d take them on the coors tour then red rocks for a hike or a show.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to Darren and Taylor from Spangalang Brewing and my business partners Brandon and Drew for believing in me.

Website: www.omfbeer.com

Instagram: omfbrewing

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