Kaktus Brewing Company in Bernalillo is tapping into community support with a crowdfunding campaign designed to expand its operations, introduce innovative offerings and deepen its connection with locals.
Now in its 11th year, Kaktus Brewing Company has grown significantly and is inviting the community to join its next phase of development. Recently transitioned to an employee-owned business, the brewery aims to raise $40,000 through Honeycomb Credit — a crowdfunding platform that allows individuals to invest in local businesses for financial returns, rather than solely offering perks or accepting donations.
“Even though we’re paying a little bit more [than a traditional bank], it puts money back in the hands of the immediate community, you know, people that support us most,” said Dana Koller, president of Kaktus Brewing Company. “So I just really love that concept of a circular economy.”
According to Koller, the brewery’s credit is solid enough to qualify for a traditional bank loan at an interest rate of around 8.5%. However, by opting for Honeycomb Credit, the company can give back to the community, offering local investors a 10% return on a three-year loan term.
“It keeps us in the top of people’s minds that did invest and I just think it’s a great way to build a relationship,” Koller said.
According to the brewery’s Honeycomb webpage, the campaign will help enhance its space and offerings, including a patio expansion, the addition of a wellness yurt and farm-to-table operations.
The fundraising campaign is advertised in the range of $30,000 to $60,000, but Koller said he had $40,000 in mind as the goal. According to Koller, the campaign has already reached 50% of its target. He said a representative from Honeycomb described the campaign as progressing normally and they “feel very confident that we’ll reach our goal.”
If the brewery meets its goal, Koller said it will launch a custom phone app designed to improve communication with customers.
The app will provide customers with real-time updates on live entertainment. Additionally, Koller said it could open the door for a mug club membership, further improving patron engagement.
The funding would allow the brewery, located on 2.2 acres, to build a wellness yurt that will serve as a versatile space for special events, meetings, beer dinners and wellness activities. This comes as the brewery underwent rapid growth and recently expanded its service area by adding a beer garden.
This year, Kaktus Brewing shifted toward a farm-to-table model. According to Koller, the brewery recently launched a mushroom farm made from a recycled shipping container, with the mushrooms featured in pizzas and other menu items. They have also started growing microgreens. Koller said the funds raised through the campaign will help expand these farm-to-table efforts.
Koller added that the brewery aims to become fully farm-to-table within two years, though it could happen sooner depending on the success of the initiative.
Koller said Kaktus Brewing strives to offer the highest quality products at fair prices, noting the brewery remains the most affordable in the state. He attributed this to owning the property, which helps mitigate costs and allows the brewery to pass savings on to customers.
“I mean, I can pretty much guarantee our pricing above and beyond anybody else’s, and we want to continue that,” Koller said. “Being innovative with things like farm to table and figuring out how to mitigate costs in an economy that’s constantly raising its prices. You know, we’re trying to stay very competitive.”
Transitioning to employee ownership in 2023 has resulted in zero turnover and stronger community ties, Koller said, noting that it has also encouraged staff to become more educated about the business and its products.
“The biggest impact that it’s had so far, is simply that they take much more pride in their work, I think long term,” he said. “I think people just tend to care a lot more and take care of their environment more when they have ownership.”
When asked about the brewery’s future, Koller said, “We have audacious, really aggressive goals.”
Koller said the brewery’s goals for the next three years include becoming 100% farm-to-table, reducing waste by 90% and increasing gross income by 30%.
In five years, he envisions expanding the 2-acre property to include a boutique hotel, modeled after Los Poblanos. The plan would feature short-term and long-term rentals, such as tiny homes.
How to Contribute
Koller said those interested in the final week of the crowdfunding campaign can invest via credit card or ACH transfer through Honeycomb Credit. Transaction fees, capped at just over $37, apply, but Honeycomb doesn’t profit from them. Investments begin at $100 and can be made at invest.honeycombcredit.com/campaigns/Kaktus-Brewing-Company.
Kaktus Brewing Company is located at 471 South Hill, Bernalillo and is open Tuesday to Friday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is closed on Mondays. For more information, call 505-295-3186, or visit kaktusbrewery.com.