DENVER, CO— On August 25th, five local breweries will depart from Rocky Mountain Metro Airport (BJC) early in the morning on a mission to create the freshest fresh hop beer on the front range. Owners and brewers from FlyteCo Brewing, Bruz Beers, Locavore Beer Works, Long Table Brewhouse, and Uhl’s Brewing Company will fly to Paonia, CO in five small airplanes, pick up freshly harvested hops from High Wire Hops, fly back to Denver, and immediately brew a collaboration beer with the freshest hops possible. The beer will be called ‘Hop Is My Co-Pilot’. Each of the breweries will be brewing additional fresh hop collaboration beers the following day.
Fresh hop beers are only available once a year – right after the fall hop harvest. Rather than using pelletized hops or hop extract, brewers get excited for the annual chance to use fresh hop flowers in their beer. Using fresh hops creates a unique and delicious aroma and flavor.
Hop Is My Co-Pilot will be an IPA, brewed with all Colorado-grown ingredients, and will be released on September 14th at each of the five breweries. By teaming up, these five brewers will not only make the freshest beer around but also hope to draw attention and support for the aviation industry – one that has been hit especially hard by the pandemic. As a founding principle, FlyteCo Brewing donates 10% of their profits to the future of aviation, including scholarships and youth engagement programs.
Local beer lovers will be able to try five unique fresh hop collaboration beers at each of the five participating breweries. A passport will be available at each brewery starting on September 14th. Participants receive stamps for visiting each brewery in Denver, Boulder, and Littleton. Prizes for completing the passport include free and discounted glider rides from Mile High Gliding in Boulder.