Cody Craft Brewing has made a big difference in the short time it’s been open. The brewery opened in late 2021 and has already been awarded the Wyoming Craft Brewers Guild Cooley Butler Community Stewardship Award for going above and beyond in its commitment to community engagement.

The award is named in memory of Cooley Butler, co-founder of Luminous Brewhouse in Sheridan and a beloved figure in Wyoming’s brewing scene. He was known not only for his passion for craft beer but for his dedication to giving back to the community.

“His belief in the power of craft beer to bring people together and enrich lives inspired this award, and Cody Craft Brewing is proud to carry on his legacy,” said Brian Walker, co-owner of Cody Craft Brewing.

The award was presented to Cody Craft Brewing by its peers in recognition of its ongoing efforts to support the Cody community. The business has done collaborations with local nonprofits, hosted charity events and aims to foster a welcoming environment within the Cody community.

“This award means more to us than any award for our beer,” Walker said. “We love Cody, and it’s in our ethos to support our local community in the same way it has supported us from day one. We’re humbled to be recognized for that work.”

Cody Craft Brewing opened its doors in December of 2021 and since has hosted several ‘Pint Nights’ for the Park County Animal Shelter, Crisis Intervention Services, Habitat for Humanity and other charitable organizations. Every beer sold during the events resulted in $1 donated to the organizations.

In December, the brewery hosts a holiday gift wrapping event, where all proceeds are donated to a charity organization; like the animal shelter and the Cody Cupboard.

The brewery is known for its unique, high-quality beers and helping to improve the craft brewery scene in Park County. In March, Cody was designated as the top small town craft brewing scene in America by USA Today.

The publication set out to find the best beer scene by asking beer experts to nominate their top picks across each of 10 categories. With beers like Outlaw Justice Pale Ale, What’s My Name Again Dry Imperial Oreo Stout, New Wonderland Wheat and Jellystone Sour, Cody’s breweries are building a fine reputation for creative takes on regional suds, many made with local ingredients.

Walker said Cody is “punching above our weight class,” in an interview with the Tribune earlier this year.

“People have a preconceived notion about beers in Wyoming. There are the two or three big ones in the state that everybody knows, but I think this honor will really help them realize that there’s a lot of great beer in Cody and other small breweries in the state,” he said.

Walker and his wife Jen founded the brewery on the principles of community and craft, he said. The brewery is dedicated not only to creating exceptional brews, but also to fostering a sense of togetherness.

“Being part of the local community is incredibly important to us because this is home for us. We’re all friends, neighbors, coworkers, and we feel it is incredibly fulfilling to be able to support our local community in the same way they have supported us from day one,” Jen Walker said. “If we’re in a position where we can impact change for the better, then it’s what we do. It’s part of who we are.”

While the brewery is not currently on tap in Powell, a new assistant brewer was just hired, who will handle sales.

“We hope to be on tap all over the basin over the next month or two,” Walker said. The brewery also recently purchased a canning line and hope its award winning beers will soon be available in local liquor stores (upon label approval by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau).