Sometimes change is hard, sometimes it’s all for the better. A longtime Fort Collins brewery closed, only to become what could be listed as one of Colorado’s most interesting bars.
How Old is the Barn at Jessup Farm in Fort Collins?
The barn at Jessup Farm Artisan Village dates back to the early 1900s, as part of Henry and Edna Jessup’s farm. In 2015, the barn became home to Jessup Farm Barrel House, creating barrel-aged and blended craft beers. It was in 2026, due to several factors, the brewery shut down.
Former Brewery Becomes a Casual Bar in Fort Collins
In March of 2026, the venue re-opened something much different that a craft brewery: a laid-back western-styled saloon. The name, Sugar Beet Saloon, harkens back to the area’s huge sugar beet industry. With that, it just adds more local history to the bar- the old barn along with the sugar beet industry.
When I first stopped into Sugar Beet Saloon, I was taken aback by how much the Village had grown since my last visit. It doesn’t seem that long ago that there were just a few businesses there; by 2026, there were nearly 20 shops/restaurants/business, including Josh & John’s Ice Cream, which was packed on that hot day.
Is There Seating at Sugar Beet Saloon?
There’s lots of seating inside the saloon, but I didn’t remember the Barrel House having so much outdoor seating; I wandered around the back patio and thought that it belonged to some other restaurant; it does not. There must be seating for 100 people outside, between the west side and east side of the building.
There’s a little “patio bar” right inside the door of Sugar Beet Saloon, with a few seats. The main event is upstairs, in the loft of that old barn. Sure, it resembles what the Barrel House had, but Sugar Beet is much more relaxed, with lots of places to take a seat, including at the bar.
What Beers/Drinks Does Sugar Beet Saloon Have?
Sugar Beet Saloon serves up a variety of local craft beers, holding onto the Barrel House’s vibe, and they have Coors Light on tap. The have a great selection of domestic beers (including PBR,) wine, and a full bar. The loft also has several big TVS; one of which was set to a ‘Westerns’ channel when I visited…