Moments with Our Members: Ascent Brewing – Brewing Community in Falcon

When Steph and Joe retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20+ years of service each, they traded their uniforms for a motorhome and set out to explore the country. For more than three years, they traveled coast to coast. Along the way, they found not only the beauty of the landscape but also the seeds of a new dream.

In the hop fields of the Pacific Northwest, Joe’s passion for homebrewing took root in a bigger way. On the East Coast, they discovered destination and farmhouse breweries — places where people lived, worked, and welcomed guests on the same property. After all their travels, they couldn’t help but think, “This is exactly what the Pikes Peak region needs.”

Having been stationed in Colorado three times, they already felt connected to the area and its people. The mix of military families, ranchers, and friendly neighbors made Falcon the perfect place to plant roots. When they found 13.4 acres in 2020, they got to work, and that’s where their connection with MVEA began.

The property came with overhead power lines, but Steph and Joe envisioned a welcoming, open space. Working with MVEA’s engineering team and line crews, they designed and moved those lines underground, clearing the way for their dream.

From there, they poured themselves into building what would become Ascent Brewery. With just a tractor and determination, they cleared 130 tons of trash themselves. They hired an Amish crew from Westcliffe to frame and side the building, then tackled nearly all the interior work on their own. Even the dead trees on the property were transformed into chainsaw carvings of birds of prey — a creative nod to the name “Ascent.”

For Steph and Joe, “Ascent” means rising to new challenges, much like their military careers. It also connects to the land’s history — once home to the Aerohead Riding Club — and to a bit of serendipity: while researching the nearby Saint Benedict Church, they learned about the saint’s influence on monastic self-sufficiency, including brewing traditions.

When Ascent Brewery opened its doors on Memorial Day weekend 2025, it was a celebration of both hard work and community spirit. Their beers blend “old world” European traditions with “new world” American creativity, brewed according to the German purity law — just four ingredients: water, hops, barley, and yeast. They brew small batches on a one-barrel system, and while demand has quickly grown beyond expectations, they remain committed to quality and local resources.

From sourcing Colorado grains to partnering with local food trucks, installing energy-efficient lighting to reusing brewing water for outdoor plants, Steph and Joe embrace the same values that drive MVEA: efficiency, sustainability, and service to the community. They even have plans for a “Lineman IPA” dedicated to the crews who helped bring their vision to life.

At Ascent, you’re more than a customer — you’re a neighbor. Steph and Joe greet guests personally (often with Bristol, the brewery dog, by their side), eager to share a pint and a conversation. That personal touch mirrors what an electric co-op is all about: knowing the people you serve and building relationships that last.

Steph and Joe share that they are proud to be MVEA members because they see the shared mission. As Steph puts it, “Anything we can do to keep expenses down, we do, so we can pass that savings on to our customers.” It’s the cooperative principle of Concern for Community in action — neighbors helping neighbors, whether it’s through a pint of beer or the reliable power that keeps the lights on.

So next time you’re in Falcon, stop by Ascent Brewery. Enjoy a handcrafted beer, meet the people behind the bar, and raise a glass to a member business that embodies what it means to be part of an electric cooperative community.