Mike Drumm - Beer Attorney

Before carving out his niche as a beer attorney, Mike Drumm was an intellectual property attorney in Denver. His office was downtown, and he parked across the street from Great Divide Brewing Co.

“I went in to Great Divide just about every day and got to know the employees. I convinced them to use me as their lawyer and told them they could pay me in beer,” said Drumm. 

“They ended up losing out on that deal, and eventually switched over to money,” he added, grinning. 

Three years later, Odyssey Beerwerks approached Drumm for legal services, and he realized there were other breweries that could use an attorney. He grew his business as the craft beer industry exploded, growing from one brewery in 2010 to more than 150 breweries in 2017 — more than half of them in Colorado. 

“Do what you do best, right,” says Drumm. “I can do legal work better than any brewery can, and they can brew beer better than I can. It’s a good match.” 

Drumm does everything from trademark and copyright filings to distribution agreements and brand enforcement.