Ten Sleep Brewing Company

By Cole Smith, Owner

After about 40 years as a contractor and developer, with the last 20 spent spec building aircraft hangar projects at 16 airports in six western states, I began planning to retire in 2005 by doing a large storage project, while finishing the last of the aircraft hangar projects. The big storage project ended up getting me in financial trouble, with the economic slowdown in 2007 and 08 exacerbating the problem.

Cole Smith of Ten Sleep Brewing Co.

So I ended up keeping the farm but knowing I had to figure out a way to make it pay its way. I had become aware of the craft brewery movement and had done some preliminary reading. I spent the next two years researching and writing the prospectus and then working to find investors.

A mutual friend brought Jeremy Tofte to Ten Sleep to look at our proposed operation, and Jeremy agreed to be involved. Jeremy founded and owns Thai Me Up Brewpub in Jackson. It is a very successful brewpub, and shortly after agreeing to be our brew master/consultant, Jeremy and his on-site brewer won some very prestigious awards at the Great American Brew Fest.