From Distilling Dreams to BBQ Reality: The Beginning of Doc Jaks BBQ & Distillery

Hey there, friends —

After 12 years in the distilling industry, I’m finally taking the leap and opening my own place — Doc Jaks BBQ & Distillery.

And while we’re not quite open yet, the goal is to make

Loveland, Colorado our home in 2025.

This isn’t just another distillery, and it’s not just a BBQ joint either. It’s both — and it’s personal.

We’ll be serving up international award-winning spirits, hand-crafted cocktails, and Southern-style BBQ slow-cooked to perfection. And don’t even get me started on our family-secret BBQ sauce… let’s just say it’s the kind of thing you bottle up and pass down through generations. (Which is exactly what we’re doing.)

But let me be real with you — getting this dream off the ground has been way more challenging than expected.

We’ve been working on opening for over four months now. You’d think that after over a decade in the business, I’d have this down to a science. But nope — starting a new distillery from scratch is a whole different beast. Especially when you're producing spirits like vodka distilled to 196 proof — yeah, it’s as flammable as it sounds. That means there are strict safety requirements: things like overhead sprinkler systems, specialized building codes, and a mountain of permits.

The biggest hurdle so far? Finding a location that meets all the safety regulations and fits the vibe we want to create. We’re building a place where good food, great drinks, and unforgettable memories come together — and that takes more than just four walls and a grill. It takes patience, persistence, and a whole lot of paperwork.

This blog is where I’ll be sharing the behind-the-scenes of our journey — the wins, the setbacks, the red tape, and the ridiculous. If you’ve ever been curious about what it really takes to open a distillery and BBQ spot (and still keep your sanity), follow along. We’re just getting started.

Thanks for being here. Thanks for believing in the dream. And when we finally open those doors, I promise it'll be worth the wait.

Cheers, Doc Jaks