Arvada Hospitality Heroes
The Arvada Visitors Center recognizes a few of the amazing hospitality ambassadors in our community and thanks them for making our city a place with a reputation for amazing hospitality for residents and tourists alike. Please use the form below to nominate someone you think is a Hospitality Hero!
Dan Ferriera, Odyssey Beerwerks
Beer Emissary, Dan Ferriera
This quarter, Visit Arvada is proud to recognize a true Hospitality Hero: Dan Ferreira of Odyssey Beerwerks.
While Dan is currently facing an unexpected health challenge, those who know him would be the first to say that, even from a hospital bed, he continues to inspire those around him with the same positivity, generosity, and spirit that have defined his presence in the Arvada community for more than a decade.
Dan has spent years building connections, welcoming guests, supporting local businesses, and helping make OdArvada a place where people feel at home. This recognition is not only a celebration of his professional contributions, but also of the countless relationships he has built and the positive impact he has had on coworkers, customers, friends, and neighbors alike.
We spoke with Odyssey owner, Chris Hill, to learn a bit more about Dan.
How long has Dan been with Odyssey, and what is his job title?
Dan joined Odyssey Beerwerks on June 29, 2015, and is just weeks away from celebrating 11 years with the Odyssey family. His title, chosen by Dan himself, is Beer Emissary, a fitting description for someone whose role extends far beyond sales and into relationship-building, community engagement, and representing the heart of the brewery.
What makes Dan such an important part of the Odyssey team?
For Dan, it always comes back to people.
While building relationships with customers and accounts is a significant part of his role, what truly sets Dan apart is the way he shows up for everyone around him. He interacts with every corner of the company and has played a meaningful role in creating and embodying the Odyssey culture.
Dan is much more than a sales representative. He is an ambassador, teammate, mentor, and culture-builder who helps set the tone for how Odyssey connects with one another and with the broader community.
What the team and regular guests appreciate most is simple: Dan brings energy and optimism wherever he goes. He's smiling 99% of the time, and that attitude is contagious. His positivity lifts those around him and helps make Odyssey feel like the welcoming place it is today.
What should someone new to Arvada know about Odyssey Beerwerks?
As the Arvada Chamber often says, "We live here, work here, and play here."
Odyssey Beerwerks is deeply invested in both Arvada and Colorado as a whole. While the brewery is known for great beer, its mission has always been about something larger: creating a place where people can connect.
Whether guests are catching up with old friends or meeting someone new over a pint, Odyssey strives to foster genuine human connection and community.
One aspect that makes Odyssey unique is its adults-only brewery and taproom. For years, this approach has enabled the team to intentionally create a space where adults can relax, unwind, and engage in meaningful conversations. While it may not be for everyone, it has become an important part of what makes Odyssey feel like Odyssey.
Above all, the goal is simple: to create a welcoming environment where people leave feeling more connected than when they arrived.
Does Dan have a personal mantra?
While Dan may not have a specific motto he quotes, those who know him best would describe his approach to life this way:
Show up. Stay positive. Take care of people.
Dan lives with the belief that relationships matter and that a good attitude can genuinely change someone's day. Whether he's checking in on a customer, talking beer with a guest, or spending time with family and friends, he consistently brings the same outlook: be present, be kind, and leave things better than you found them.
How does Dan like to spend his time away from work?
When he's not at Odyssey, Dan is happiest spending time with his wife, Alison, and their two kids, Darcy and Milo. Family means everything to him, and he treasures every moment he gets with them.
Outside of family, Dan is passionate about two things: great food and great music. An avid home cook, he's always experimenting in the kitchen, and you'll often find him at live music venues around the Denver metro area catching a punk rock show. Some of his favorite bands include Taking Back Sunday, Alkaline Trio, Bad Religion, and Descendents.
In fact, his love for Descendents runs so deep that he has a tattoo of the band's iconic mascot, Milo, on his arm—and liked the character enough to name his son Milo, too.
It's safe to say he's a fan.
Why Dan is a Hospitality Hero
Hospitality is ultimately about making people feel welcome, valued, and connected. Dan has spent nearly 11 years doing exactly that—not only for Odyssey Beerwerks, but for the Arvada community as a whole.
His warmth, positivity, and commitment to people have left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him. This Hospitality Hero recognition celebrates those contributions and serves as a heartfelt thank-you for the countless ways Dan has helped make Arvada a better, more connected place.
If you can’t attend, please consider donating through the GoFundMe and sharing the event.
Thank you to our Hospitality Heroes sponsor, the Arvada Hilton Garden Inn!
Hospitality Hero Nomination Form
Do you know of a Hospitality Hero in Arvada that deserves some special recognition? Please fill out the form below to nominate them. Each Hero that is recognized will be featured in Visit Arvada communications and receive a $150 gift card to an Arvada business of their choosing.
Past Hospitality Heroes
2026:
2025:
August / September 2025: Kendal Lyon, La Patisserie Francaise
June / July 2025: Martin Montoya, Apex Park and Recreation
April / May: Taylor Winkler, Malara Gardens
February / March: Paula Hotaling and Andy Busold
2024:
August / September: Marc Baldridge, Residence Inn by Marriott
April / May: Lee Kauffman, Lake Arbor Golf Course
February / March: Bill Orchard, Volunteer at Arvada Gardeners
2023:
October / November: Debbie Mitchell, King Soopers
August / September: Katie Brandt, Apricot Lane
April / May: Nicole Canton, Hilton Garden Inn Arvada
February / March: Emily Grace King, The Arvada Center
2022:
December: Vernon Johnson, Jr., Lead Mixologist at The Butchery
February: Kacey Goode, Lot One
2021:
December: Olivia Mansell, Einstein Bagels
October: Devynne Marshall, LUKI Brewing