Our Town: Community drives Aly Sanguily’s journey

For Aly Sanguily, community is at the heart of everything she does. Whether running a brewery, organizing events or raising her daughter, Harlow, Sanguily’s journey reflects a deep connection to the people and places that make Carbondale unique.
Sanguily and her husband, Chase Engel, moved to the Roaring Fork Valley nearly 15 years ago when Engel landed a job as head brewer at Aspen Brewing Company. The couple relocated from Durango, where they both attended Fort Lewis College. In 2013, they opened the Roaring Fork Beer Company (RFBC) in Carbondale, now home to Mountain Heart Brewing.
“We started with the dream of creating not just a successful brewery but a hub for the community,” said Sanguily, an Austin, Texas native.
The RFBC tasting room became a local favorite. As the business grew, the need for a larger space led them to a historic building on Carbondale’s Main Street, now El Dorado Bar. They expanded their offerings and opened Batch, a venue serving beer, wine and cocktails, making it a community gathering spot. It became a cornerstone of downtown Carbondale.
During the COVID pandemic, the brewery was sold, but Batch was retained. No longer brewing their own beer, they transitioned Batch from a tasting room to a venue that also served wine and cocktails.
When the building’s owner decided to sell, Sanguily and Engel made the bittersweet decision to part with the business. “That was a tough moment,” Sanguily reflected. “But I just wanted the space to remain alive, to continue being a place for the community.”
Sanguily collaborated with El Dorado owner Mike Arnold on the venue’s design for its August 2023 opening. “Mike and his team are awesome, and I’m happy it landed in their hands,” she said.
Batch’s closure marked a turning point. Sanguily, a longtime host of KDNK Community Access Radio’s music show “Flow Diggity,” transitioned from four years on the board of directors to become the station’s development director, focusing on fundraising, membership drives and event organizing. “KDNK feels like family, so it was a very comfortable and natural transition,” she shared.
Sanguily has also been a key figure in Carbondale’s iconic Mountain Fair. “Chase and I started in the cantina with ‘The Cantina Boys,’ as I called them, serving beer off our beer truck for about six years,” she said. After RFBC closed, she spoke with Amy Kimberly and Mark Taylor about volunteering. Taylor encouraged her to take on a leadership role, and Sanguily became the fair’s music director, booking acts and overseeing operations.
Planning for the annual event, which drew over 20,000 visitors this year, is a significant undertaking. “Mountain Fair is such an incredible experience,” Sanguily said. “It’s year-round work to make it happen, but seeing the joy it brings to our community is worth it.”
Her dedication to fostering community extends to her new role as director of operations for 5 Point Adventure Film Festival. As the festival grows in size and reputation, Sanguily has helped shape its events and bring filmmakers to Carbondale.
Despite her busy schedule, Sanguily values time with her family. They enjoy paddleboarding, camping and live music. Harlow, now 11, has found her place in Handmakery and SoL Theatre, a local youth performing arts group. “Harlow’s creativity has flourished at SoL,” Sanguily said. “Seeing her grow in confidence and find her voice is amazing.”
Sanguily credits her upbringing in Texas with shaping her values. Her mother, who worked in politics alongside figures like former Governor Ann Richards, taught her the importance of giving back. “That’s something I’ve carried into everything I do,” she said.
“We’re all trying hard to keep Carbondale vibrant,” she said. “If we lose our small businesses and creatives, we lose what makes this place special. I want to do everything I can to protect that.”
Sanguily acknowledges that remaining in Carbondale is both a challenge and a choice. “When you find your community here,” she said, “it’s worth every effort to hold on to it.”