Ska Brewing Unleashes Two Bold New Brews and a Game-Changing 12-Pack Assortment

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing Co. is excited to announce a double dose of refreshment with the release of two innovative new beers alongside a revamped packaging offering that brings fan-favorite seasonal brews into a year-round lineup.

Building on the popularity of Ska’s time-honored Mexican Logger, Lime Logger with Salt delivers a tangy, invigorating twist. This light, 5% ABV, crushable lager balances zesty lime with a subtle salinity— offering a crisp, refreshing flavor that evokes a sunny afternoon in a can.

“This new variant is a natural evolution of our Logger family,” said Ska President, Dave Thibodeau. “I always squeeze a lime into my original Mexican Logger anyway and now I can skip the step… getting me 2 or 3 seconds closer to my next beer.”

To celebrate this new release, Ska Brewing is launching a variety 12-pack that showcases the full Mexican Logger lineup:

1. Mexican Logger (Original) – The time-honored, refreshingly crisp lager that started it all in 1999.

2. Mexican-Style Cold IPA – A unique "Cold IPA" brewed with agave, offering a crisp and invigorating taste.

3. Lime Logger with Salt – The latest addition, combining bright lime flavors with subtle salinity.

No strangers to fruited IPA’s, Ska is pushing the boundaries with its second new release and most fruit-forward brew to date, Guava Stomper Juicy IPA. Guava Stomper pours a hazy pink hue, releasing vibrant aromas of tropical fruit and citrus. The flavor profile is dominated by juicy guava, complemented by citrusy hop notes, all balanced by a soft, pillowy mouthfeel that leads to a smooth, satisfying finish. It's a tropical vacation packed into a pint, transporting drinkers to paradise with every sip.

Six-packs of Guava Stomper and Lime Logger with Salt, as well as the complete Logger Variety 12-Pack are now available in all of Ska Brewing markets. These offerings underscore Ska's commitment to innovation and excellence in every can.

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Founded in the spirit of punk rock and a little bit of ska, Ska Brewing has been challenging the status quo and brewing beers that refuse to conform since 1995. From the iconic Mexican Logger to the rebellious Modus Hoperandi IPA, Ska Brewing is dedicated to crafting unforgettable beers and beverages that are as unique as the people who drink them. For more information, samples, or just to chat about how great peaches are, contact Ska Brewing at info@skabrewing.com or visit our website at www.skabrewing.com.

Ska Brewing Launches Swing Easy Peach Hard Tea: Less Talk Of Teabags, More Talk Of Taste

DURANGO, CO– In a world full of bad jokes about teabags and tea parties, Ska Brewing is here to change the conversation with something far more interesting: flavor! 

Introducing Swing Easy Peach Hard Tea— the newest addition to Ska’s beyond-beer back pocket, and the latest excuse to sip, savor, and maybe even skip the dad jokes.

Coming in at a sessionable 5% ABV, Swing Easy Peach Hard Tea is lightly carbonated, offering a tantalizing taste of sun-ripened peaches perfectly blended with just a hint of tea. Whether you're kicking back on the porch or raising a can at your own version of a "tea party," this hard tea promises to keep things refreshingly peachy.

"At Ska Brewing, we focus less on bad puns and more on bringing you flavors that knock your socks off—if you're even wearing socks," said Jeff Mason, Ska Brewing’s Sometimes Pun-Avoider. "Swing Easy Peach Hard Tea is our latest effort to ensure that every sip is as satisfying as it is refreshing, without needing a punchline."

Ska Brewing, already a household name (at least the cool ones) thanks to legendary brews like Modus Hoperandi and Mexican Logger, is continuing to explore new territory with Swing Easy. This hard tea is the latest in Ska's gluten-free beyond-beer lineup (which also includes Skagua bubbly water and multiple hard seltzer flavors) , proving that when it comes to crafting beverages, they’re always brewing up something good.

And if you're wondering where to find this new treat, Swing Easy Peach Hard Tea is available wherever Ska’s award-winning beers can be found. So, skip the teabags, avoid the awkward tea party jokes, and just enjoy the summertime flavor.

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Founded in the spirit of punk rock and a little bit of ska, Ska Brewing has been challenging the status quo and brewing beers that refuse to conform since 1995. From the iconic Mexican Logger to the rebellious Modus Hoperandi IPA, Ska Brewing is dedicated to crafting unforgettable beers and beverages that are as unique as the people who drink them. For more information, samples, or just to chat about how great peaches are, contact Ska Brewing at info@skabrewing.com or visit our website at www.skabrewing.com.

Media Contact: Kristen Muraro, Kristen@skabrewing.com

The Freshest Beers In The Four Corners: Southwest Fresh Fest at Billy Goat Hop Farm Returns September 21

MONTROSE, CO— Southwest Fresh Fest at Billy Goat Hop Farm, Colorado’s marquee celebration of fresh hop beers, returns for the third year on Saturday, September 21 with live music and dancing, local food, yard games, and a farm tour.   All of the breweries pouring will serve a beer made with fresh hops that will be harvested at Billy Goat in coming weeks.

Southwest Fresh Fest is an afternoon to remember that serves the freshest beers to be found in the Four Corners. Fresh hop beers, sometimes called harvest ales, are brewed with hops that come straight off the bine and go right into the brew— usually within 24 hours. That’s the magic of this fleeting crop, made even more special when you can taste a multitude of beer expressions at the place it was cultivated and harvested. 

Brewers pouring beers made with Billy Goat’s craft hops fresh off the bine at Southwest Fresh Fest are Base Camp Beer Works, Breckenridge Brewery, Colorado Boy Pizzeria & Brewery, Elevation Beer Company, Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, Horsefly Brewing Company, Lady Justice Brewing, Milieu Fermentation, Mountain Tap Brewery, Pomona Brewing Company, Shelter Distilling & Brewing, Ska Brewing, Strange Craft Beer Company, and Stronghouse Brew Pub. Participating breweries all serve at least one beer made with Billy Goat fresh hops, and festival-goers will have a chance to vote on their favorite in the Best of Show competition for the traveling hop trophy. For the first time this year, breweries have the option to bring a second seasonal beer— so there’s certain to be something for everyone. 

This year’s bands are Liver Down The River, a five piece band of musicians based in Durango promising a lively good time, and Derek Dame Ohl joining from Denver, who has been described as ‘warm butter on hot bread with blustering conduct.’

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 day-of; $15 for designated drivers and people under 21; and free for kids under 12. Get tickets to taste the freshest beers made with craft hops at southwestfreshfest.com. 

“Harvest is a crazy time of year, and it’s right around the corner,” says Billy Goat Hop Farm Co-Owner Audrey Gehlhausen. “We have a lot of good energy going into this year’s festival thanks to the awesome support from, not only our OG participating brewers, but also folks just opening their doors. And of course, we are grateful for our local community's ongoing love and partnerships.” 

The new Rathbone Hotel and Country Lodge will offer discounted lodging for out-of-town guests attending Southwest Fresh Fest. TelluRides will provide free shuttle rides to and from both hotels, the Montrose Recreation Center, and the farm. Find the shuttle schedule at southwestfreshfest.com.

Southwest Fresh Fest is made possible by community sponsors including  Pomona Brewing Company, Maxfield - Peterson, P.C., AgWell, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Colorado River District, RadCraft, Northwest Rafting Company, TelluRides, Valley Food Partnership, Alpine Events, and Visit Montrose. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Southwest Fresh Fest or Billy Goat Hop Farm. Download press images here. 

ABOUT SOUTHWEST FRESH FEST

Southwest Fresh Fest is the first and only fresh hop beer festival in the Southwest, hosted at Billy Goat Hop Farm in Montrose, CO on September 21st.  Attendees and brewers alike can enjoy fresh hop beers from across the region in a rad complimentary taster glass. There will also be a Pickin’ Party with live bluegrass music, local food trucks, farm tours, and games… not to mention the panoramic views from the San Juan Mountains to the Grand Mesa. Come out for the festivities and stay for the recreation, beauty, and good beers abound. Join the fun at Billy Goat Hop Farm and celebrate harvest at Southwest Fresh Fest.

Buy tickets, sign up to pour beer, or sponsor at southwestfreshfest.com.

ABOUT BILLY GOAT HOP FARM

 Billy Goat Hop Farm is the largest hop farm in the Southwest, providing superior quality fresh, whole cone, and pelletized hops directly to craft brewers. Starting in 2017, they've grown to 32 acres that produce 9 varieties of amazing hops. They also source additional varieties of whole cone hops from other quality growers, pelletizing them themselves to offer more options to their brewers. The quality of hops they produce has gained nationwide notoriety with two Cascade Cup wins. They were the first farm outside of Washington or Oregon to win this prestigious award from the Hop Quality Group in 2023, and then in 2024 became the first farm ever to win back-to-back years. 

Owners and farmers Chris and Audrey pride themselves on creating genuine farmer-brewer relations and bringing true craft into their process. Combining traditional hands-on practices and state-of-the-art technology, they use less water and chemicals which transcends into a healthier ecosystem, soil, and hop plants. Brewers enjoy the bright aroma and subtly unique flavor profile imparted from Colorado's terroir, and the passion poured into every step of the process. Know your farmer, Love your beer. 

Learn more at billygoathopfarm.com.

Advice From The Trail: Cara Nosek on Packaging Design and (Re)Branding

Photo of and courtesy Cara Nosek

Each volume of Craft Marketing showcases a Featured RadCrafter – a craft marketing professional who is crafting content, telling stories, and curating resources about the beer industry. RadCrafters are helping to shape and share the culture that is craft beer. 

Ska Brewing – an iconic brand based on a comic book and inspired by all waves of Ska music – recently underwent a brand refresh. We called Cara Nosek, Queen of Graphics at Ska since 2013, to weigh in on how brands can evolve so gracefully too. 

Ska Brewing Leads the Way in Sustainability with Pioneering Efforts This Earth Day: "Planet vs Plastics"

Durango, CO – In alignment with the 2024 Earth Day theme "Planet vs Plastics," Ska Brewing is proud to announce significant advancements in our sustainability initiatives, underscoring their commitment to environmental responsibility and innovative brewery practices.

As pioneers in the craft brewing industry, Ska has consistently led efforts to minimize environmental impact. The brewery has long utilized recycled materials—from jeans used as insulation to reclaimed bowling alley wood for tables to early  adoption of infinitely recyclable aluminum cans for beer packaging— and set industry standards for environmental stewardship. And just this year, the brewery doubled their investment in Colorado-grown grain, which now comprises 85% of Ska’s total malt usage.

Innovative Packaging Transformation

In a groundbreaking move, Ska has installed the CanCollar® Corsair™ machine, a first in North America for craft breweries, provided by sustainable packaging leaders WestRock. This state-of-the-art technology allows the brewery to transition from plastic can collars to paperboard solutions, dramatically reducing plastic usage by up to 95% for their multipack products. This transition is eliminating approximately four tons of plastic waste annually, significantly reducing the brewery's carbon footprint and waste.

Skampost Partnership with Table to Farm Compost

Building on their efforts to achieve a zero-waste goal, Ska Brewing has partnered with Durango’s Table To Farm Compost to repurpose all spent grain from the brewing process. Previously used as cattle feed or sent to landfills, their spent grain will now be composted, helping to reduce methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas. This partnership not only supports local agriculture, but also promotes circular economy practices by transforming brewing byproduct into valuable compost for community use.

Community and Environmental Impact

"Ska Brewing has never been content with the status quo," says Ska Brewing President Dave Thibodeau. "Our initiatives are about setting new benchmarks for sustainability in brewing. With these new systems, we are making significant strides towards becoming a zero-waste facility and further reducing our environmental footprint. This Earth Day, we are excited to demonstrate how the beer industry can lead in the fight against plastics and for the planet."

Ska invites their community and fellow brewers to join them in this vital movement towards more sustainable practices. Look for new QR codes on all of Ska’s cans for more information about their sustainability efforts and Earth Day initiatives, including opportunities to win upcycled merchandise from companies like Mindy’s Beer Gear and Thread Metal Stone. 

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Founded in 1995, Ska Brewing is a pioneer in the craft brewing industry, committed to producing the highest quality beer while advocating for environmental sustainability. Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing continues to lead with innovative practices and community-oriented initiatives, striving to support the planet and its people. For more information, please visit www.skabrewing.com. 

Ska Brewing Celebrates 25 Years of Mexican Logger and Welcomes Patio Season to the Rockies

Durango, CO— Ska Brewing, a pioneer in the craft beer industry, is proud to commemorate 25 years of brewing its fan-favorite, award-winning beer, Mexican Logger, just in time for the official start of patio season in the Southwest. This year, it’s not just any comeback; it’s a silver anniversary celebration of lager love, and a tribute to no longer living in the lager closet.

“Twenty-five years ago, we decided we were tired of sneaking around, pretending we didn’t adore the crisp, refreshing taste of a good lager” says Dave Thibodeau, co-founder and closet Pacifico drinker turned proud Logger lover. “So, we did what any reasonable group of brewers would do – we crafted our own. The Mexican Logger was not just a beer; it was a declaration of independence from the tyranny of beer snobbery.”

The release of Mexican Logger, a cornerstone of the brewery’s portfolio, has become known as the “unofficial start to summer” also known as “The Beginning of Patio Season” around the region. Ska will once again host its second largest party of the year to commemorate the beer’s release at Ska Brewing World HQ on Wednesday, March 27th with live music by Baracutanga and a custom Ska Brewing Paddle Board giveaway. 

The award-winning beer has amassed a cult-like following and can only be found in Colorado and its surrounding states throughout the summer, only to disappear as quickly as it came. At a crushable 5.2% ABV, Mexican Logger is crisp, clean, and refreshing and showcases Saaz hops and a lager yeast strain from Mexico City. Whether enjoyed on a sunny patio or shared with friends at a backyard barbecue, Mexican Logger is the perfect companion for any summer occasion.

Six and 12-packs of Mexican Logger will hit shelves across Ska’s regional distribution footprint later this week. 

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Founded in the spirit of punk rock and a little bit of ska, Ska Brewing has been challenging the status quo and brewing beers that refuse to conform since 1995. From the iconic Mexican Logger to the rebellious Modus Hoperandi IPA, Ska Brewing is dedicated to crafting unforgettable beers that are as unique as the people who drink them. For more information, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Ska Brewing Announces the Launch of Southwest Coast IPA: The Brew That Bridges the Divide Between East and West

"Southwest Coast IPA: It's Not Just a Beer, It's a Direction."

DURANGO, CO— In an unprecedented move that promises to unite hop enthusiasts across the Four Corners of the United States, Ska Brewing unveils their latest creation: the Southwest Coast IPA. This groundbreaking New-World IPA is brewed with a mission—to bring together the bold, adventurous spirit of the West Coast IPA with the innovative hopping techniques of the East Coast, all while paying homage to the vibrant cultures and landscapes of the Southwest.

 "With the Southwest Coast IPA, we decided to throw the rulebook into the mash tun and brew something that resonates with the soul of the Southwest,” said Ska Co-Founder Dave Thibodeau. “Think of it as a hoppy road trip through the Four Corners, but you don't need to leave your barstool."

Crafted for those who navigate life by the compass of their taste buds, this innovative IPA is as daring as a cliff dive in the Grand Canyon and as refreshing as a snowmelt river in Colorado. The Southwest Coast IPA is bright and crisp; the addition of Bravo, Idaho 7, Columbus, Simcoe, and Strata hops create a harmonious blend of grapefruit and tropical fruit aromas that dance like a desert mirage on the palate.

Available in 16-ounce cans and only in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, the Southwest Coast IPA is set to make a splash in the craft beer scene. Whether you're scaling the mesas of New Mexico, exploring the red rocks of Utah, shredding the slopes of Colorado, or surfing the waves of your Arizona beachfront property, this beer is your perfect companion.

“The Southwest Coast IPA is here to challenge what you know about IPAs and take you on a flavor journey that's as vast and varied as the Southwest itself,” said Thibodeau. “Grab a pint, kick back, and let Ska Brewing take you on a tour of the Four Corners—one sip at a time.”

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Founded in Durango, CO, by a group of friends who loved brewing beer almost as much as they loved ska music, Ska Brewing has been on a mission to deliver fearless and bold beer since 1995. Known for their eclectic style, commitment to sustainability, and a penchant for fun, Ska Brewing continues to be a beacon of creativity in the craft beer industry. For more information about Ska Brewing or the Southwest Coast IPA, please visit skabrewing.com or follow us on social media.

Ska Brewing Peppermint Bark Stout Is Back

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing is ready for the holidays with the return of Peppermint Bark Stout, a Milk Stout crafted with peppermint bark from Durango local Animas Chocolate Company™. This seasonal Stout will be available at the brewery World Headquarters for Fresh Beer Friday on November 3— this year in Ska’s canned 16oz. 4-packs.

Fun fact about Peppermint Bark: it was invented by Williams Sonoma in 1998. The Animas Chocolate Company version of this popular holiday treat was the inspiration for Ska’s latest Stout experiment, brewed with actual peppermint bark (white chocolate, dark chocolate, and candy canes) in the mash. The beer’s sweetness is balanced with cocoa nibs, a hint of mint, and lactose that makes for a creamy, smooth finish. 

After this beer made headlines and heads turn in 2022, Ska is excited to bring it back for the second year. Peppermint Bark Stout will be available exclusively in Colorado in extremely limited quantities while supplies last. Find it at Durango’s Local First Book Launch Party on November 9 and at the Ska Brewing- Venture Snowboards Season Kickoff Party on November 10, both at the brewery World Headquarters. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com for more information about Ska Brewing and the Peppermint Bark Stout. 

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Crisp, Cold Pale By Ska Brewing Hits Shelves Year-Round

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing combined the best of all the beer worlds in their latest release, Cold Pale. This incredibly crushable Pale Ale is crisp and refreshing, and now available year-round. 

“Pale Ale is my litmus test when I go to a brewery,” says Ska Brewing Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau, “so when we went to create a mainstay Pale Ale at Ska, especially because we don’t already have this style available all year, we did a lot of research and development to get the hop profile exactly where we wanted it to be. A lot of people appreciate hops but don’t want a super bitter beer, and they also don’t want a 6 to 8% IPA all the time. At Ska we like to have more than one beer in a sitting, so it seemed natural to make something more drinkable.” 

The result is Cold Pale— subtle enough for people who prefer lagers over hoppy beers, and unique in hop profile to satiate those who do. 

This new style category of Cold IPA and Pale Ale is brewed with lager yeast strains at cold temperatures. They’re crisp like lagers with much less ester-y aroma that’s produced by ale yeast. Cold Pale is the result of years of experimentation with hopping schedules— from kettle to early fermentation to dry hopping. Ska’s brewing team added Tettnang and Columbus hops as early fermentation additions that through biotransformation yield melon and grape flavors and aromas that these spicy, citrus-y hops wouldn’t typically produce with ale yeast. It’s then dry hopped with classic C hops (Cascade, Chinook, and Centennial) that layer on pine and fresh citrus notes. It’s a crispy, easy drinker that weighs in at 5.5 percent ABV. 

Cold Pale joins Ska’s canned beer lineup this fall alongside Ska’s new Mexican-style Cold IPA, another lager yeast fermented ale recipe made with the same Mexico City-sourced yeast strain as Mexican Logger as well as agave and flaked blue maize. 

Cold Pale is available in canned 6-packs across Ska’s national distribution footprint, and on tap now at the brewery World Headquarters in Durango, Colorado. This beer will also be added to a revamped winter mix pack that also includes Euphoria Pale Ale, Modus Hoperandi, and Ska Lager. 

Media inquiring about Ska’s biotransformation research, Cold Pale and IPA experimentation, and any other Ska beers that pique their interest can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Ska Brewing Releases 2023 Euphoria Pale Ale For Fresh Beer Friday

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing’s beloved cold month seasonal Euphoria Pale Ale will return to the brewery World Headquarters on tap and in canned 6-packs on Friday, October 6.

An annual tradition in the Southwest for seventeen years now, Euphoria is a collaboration with Venture Snowboards in Silverton. Now it’s the Ska signal for fall arriving in Durango. 

Euphoria has a big malt backbone with plenty of caramel sweetness and just a touch of toast; but it’s the epic grapefruit hop aroma and flavor, provided by a huge dry hop addition at the end of fermentation, that really make this seasonal beer shine. It all comes together as a warming, yet refreshing 6% ABV Pale Ale that Durango spends all year looking forward to.

Euphoria Pale Ale will get the spotlight at Ska on Friday, October 6 at 5pm for Fresh Beer Friday. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Ska Brewing. 

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Ska Brewing Modus Hoperandi’s Big Brother, Double Modus, Rolls Into Colorado Just in Time For Little Bro’s 15th Birthday

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing Modus Hoperandi is often coined Colorado’s IPA. It’s a bold combination of hoppy and malty and bitter and smooth that has stood the test of time. After its first release in 2008, it quickly rocketed to become Ska’s flagship beer and remains their best-selling beer to this date— a feat nearly unheard of in today’s modern craft beer climate. Now in celebration of its 15th anniversary milestone, Ska is releasing a “double” version of its iconic IPA just in time for Labor Day Weekend. 

“Modus Hoperandi has always been a beer along the lines of the classic West Coast style of IPA’s, and staying true to its namesake, we really didn’t change the recipe for Double Modus,” said Ska COO Steve Breezley. “We simply doubled it. Now at 9% ABV, the same big, striking citrus and pine hop character is there, but we turned it up to eleven. Double the Modus, Double the fun.”

“We’ve been talking about this beer for more than a decade but its bold character really seemed like it commanded a 16-ounce can, and until this year we didn’t have that capability,” says Ska Brewing Co-Founder Dave Thibodeau. “Now we do, and now’s the time.”

Double Modus in 4-packs of 16-ounce cans is hitting shelves exclusively in Colorado on September 1 with the draft release taking the stage at Ska’s 28th Anniversary Party the following weekend. Ska’s remaining markets will receive the release toward the end of 2023.

For more information about Ska Brewing Double Modus or any of Ska’s other award-winning beers, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 and 16 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Fresh Beer, Iconic Music, and Art All Over: Ska Brewing Is 28 Years Old

DURANGO, CO— Many of Ska Brewing’s friends in the beer, music, and art industries will gather on September 8 and 9 in Durango, Colorado to celebrate 28 years of Ska beer. The weekend of shenanigans will include an art show by the one-and-only Nan Coffey, multiple collaboration beers, and the annual Brewers Invitational and Anniversary party that Fishbone will headline. 

Now for the second year, San Diego-based contemporary artist Nan Coffey will make a ska-punk-rock pilgrimage to Durango to help Ska kick off the anniversary weekend with an art show on the second floor of Ska’s World Headquarters. Nan’s style that she calls “Art All Over” has caught the interest of many Ska and Punk bands who she’s produced art for over the years, including The Specials, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Tim Armstrong of Rancid, Less Than Jake, Frank Turner and of course, Fishbone. Meet Nan, get signed prints, and get the party started on Friday, September 8 from 4 to 7pm. 

Tickets are still available for the Ska Brewing Brewers Invitational and Anniversary slated for Saturday, September 9. The celebration will feature headliner Fishbone with guests Catbite and The Dendrites, as well as 28 of Ska’s brewery friends pouring their beers. Several of these beers are collaborations made with Anarchy Brewing, Goldspot Brewing, and Guanella Pass Brewery especially for the occasion. Guests can also sample some of Ska’s newest beer releases: Double Modus Hoperandi and its fresh hopped sister featuring Billy Goat Hop Farm hops, Ska Cold Pale, and the 2023 batch of Oktoberfest. 

For more information about Ska Brewing’s 28th anniversary weekend celebration, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. Media inquiring about The Art of Nan Coffey can contact Coffey at info@nanwashere.com.

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Ska Brewing Cajoles Cooler Temperatures With 2023 Oktoberfest Lager

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing is sorry to be the ones to break it to you, but despite continued 100-degree days in Colorado, summer is just about over. The good news, though, is that with this near turn of the season comes the release of brewery’s famed Oktoberfest Lager. 

Now for the sixth year, Ska Brewing Oktoberfest is available in cans for a limited time. Crafted with all-European Munich and Vienna malts and classic German lagering techniques, this amber-brown hued lager is nutty, bready, and toasty with a clean, neutral yeast flavor on the finish. When it first debuted in 2018, Ska Oktoberfest received a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival® in the Vienna-style Lager category. It has also earned awards at the European Beer Star and The Stockholm Beer and Whiskey Festival. 

“The changing of the seasons is a big deal in Colorado where we experience all four, so we like to bookend the warm months with Oktoberfest to signify our trajectory into the fall. We’re really hoping Oktoberfest is a harbinger of cooler weather after the heat wave that Colorado has experienced this summer,” says Brewery Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau. “And if this heat keeps up… then at least Oktoberfest is still extremely refreshing.” 

Like the Oktoberfest festival in Germany, this lager will last until the end of September— but not much longer. Ska produces limited quantities of Oktoberfest to share across its markets with ample time to stock up before fall celebrations begin. It will also be served at select festivals, including the San Juan Brewfest in downtown Durango on August 25, Telluride Blues & Brews in downtown Telluride on September 15-17, and at the Ska Anniversary and Brewers Invitational going down on September 9 at the brewery World Headquarters. 

For more information about Ska Brewing’s Oktoberfest Lager or any of their internationally renown beers, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Ska Brewing Returns To Utah

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing has returned to distribution in The Beehive State through a partnership with M&M Distribution, making Utah the eleventh state where Ska beers are available. Utahns and visitors can now find Ska beers on draft and in 12 oz. 6-packs in Tooele, Salt Lake, Wasatch, Utah, Davis, and Summit counties.  

In 2022 in a long overdue move, Ska entered into Wyoming for distribution to share its liquid with like-minded, outdoor-centric neighbors. In that same spirit, Ska now returns to Utah. 

Some of Ska’s best-selling beers, such as the 5% ABV Raspberry Blonde, were previously unavailable in Utah due to laws limiting the ABV in grocery stores, restaurants, and bars. Ska has continued to innovate and push the boundaries of craft beer at home, and in recent years Utah’s laws have changed— all allowing the brewery to bring much more of its portfolio over the state line.

“We’ve heard from a lot of folks that they’re no strangers to making the pilgrimage across the border to procure our beers to take back to Utah,” says Ska Brewing Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau. “We couldn’t be more thrilled about these legislative changes and cannot wait to once again share our flagships along with some of the new beers we’ve created just across the border.”

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries abu Ska Brewing. 

Reach out to David Noyes at dnoyes@skabrewing.com for information about carrying Ska brands at your establishment. 

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Ska Brewing and Steamworks Brewing Release 2023 Faceplant For The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic

Brew day at Steamworks Brewing

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing and Steamworks Brewing Co. will release the 2023 batch of Faceplant on Friday, May 26 at both brewery locations. This year’s recipe will again include Tailwind Nutrition electrolytes.

This collaboration beer, the original joint effort, is a 27 year-long tradition between the two breweries. Last year, Durango local company Tailwind Nutrition got on board to celebrate 50 years of this iconic bike race with the addition of their orange blossom electrolytes in the recipe. “This year’s Faceplant is very similar to last year in that it’s an ale-lager hybrid that has a pleasant orange citrus flavor and aroma and a slightly orange hue. The citrus character is derived from the use of Mandarina Bavaria hops, Tailwind’s mandarin electrolyte mix, sweet orange peels and orange blossom honey,” says Steamworks Head Brewer Ken Martin. “At about 6% ABV it should be light, refreshing, and… hydrating?”  

"The Faceplant partnership is the essence of what Durango is all about," says IHBC Race Director Ian Burnett. "It really shows the amazing respect and support Durango has to bring together two breweries in the same town to create a beer. This support is the kind of fun partnership that has kept the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic going for 51 years." 

On Friday, May 26 local and visiting cyclists are invited to the Iron Horse Unofficial Bike Rally & Tapping Party at Ska Brewing at 4:20pm. The event includes a free commemorative pint glass, a Faceplant beer, tunes by DJ Mountain Menace, and a chance to win door prizes for all riders 21 and over before a 3-mile group ride to Steamworks Brewing. 

The 2023 batch of Faceplant Lager is available on-tap only at Ska and Steamworks for Iron Horse Weekend and while supplies last. 

Media inquiring about Ska Brewing can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT THE IRON HORSE BIKE CLASSIC 

The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic is a 3-day cycling festival, which includes a 47-mile bike race and tour over two 10,000’ passes from Durango to Silverton, Colorado. The tradition began in 1971 when Tom Mayer challenged his brother Jim to see if he could ride the route faster than the train. Today the Iron Horse includes mountain bike and gravel events as well as numerous other cycling festivities around town. ironhorsebicycleclassic.com

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award- winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include Mexican Logger, Modus Hoperandi, and Rue B. Soho. For information (a lot of it), more music, and a good time, visit skabrewing.com.

ABOUT STEAMWORKS BREWING COMPANY

Steamworks Brewing Company has been making award-winning beer in Durango for over 25 years. With 19 taps to choose from at their brewpub just one block off Main Avenue in historic downtown, there’s always a craft beer style available for every palate to pair with their eclectic food menu options. Visit steamworksbrewing.com to see what’s currently on tap and to view our extensive food menu.

ABOUT TAILWIND NUTRITION 

Celebrating its 11th anniversary in 2023, Tailwind Nutrition manufactures all-natural sports nutrition products that are free of GMOs, dairy, soy, and gluten, are easy to digest, and support an athlete’s fueling and recovery needs during exercise. Owned, operated and manufactured in Durango, CO, Tailwind Nutrition’s specially formulated drink mixes help athletes perform and compete at their highest level without the worry of food allergies or sensitivities. Tailwind is all you need. Really. For more information visit tailwindnutrition.com.

Four Ounces To Creative Freedom; Ska Brewing Releases Limited Specialty Beers In 16oz. Cans

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing has even more beer for their customers— four ounces more to be exact. After twenty years of packaging its craft in aluminum, the brewery debuts 16oz. cans today. Skull Juice Juicy Double IPA and Prickly Pear Sour will be available in this new format in very limited quantities while supplies last, with more speciality releases to follow. 

When Ska first started canning in 2003, they were one of the first craft breweries in the country to can their liquid. Now with the implementation of the CanCollar® Corsair™ provided by WestRock, long awaited 16oz. 4-packs have become a reality. 

Skull Juice Juicy DIPA is a golden, tropical hazy hopped with Citra, Mosaic, and Idaho 7 hops. It boasts aromas of pineapple, guava, and orange. The can captures its barbaric and tropical vibes with a multi-toned tiling of the iconic Ska skeleton chewing on hops. 

Prickly Pear Sour Ale pours a beautiful reddish pink hue from the addition of real fruit added for fermentation. It’s a smooth-drinker with a noticeable tartness and a slightly melon sweetness. A bold, black and white graphic meets colorful cacti on this can’s groovy label. 

More surface area on these can means more room for creative design, so this new package format was a flex opportunity for Ska’s inspired Designer Cara Nosek. The new can artwork is a departure from Ska’s typical branding with the signature checkerboard stripe, while still including bold colors and comic book elements that the brewery is known for. 

Taste these fresh beers on tap at Ska Brewing’s World Headquarters in Durango today at 4pm, and find the new cans across Ska’s distribution footprint. Later this year, Ska will release more small-batch, experimental beers from their Mod pilot system in 16oz. can format. 

Media inquiring about Ska Brewing can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award- winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include Mexican Logger, Modus Hoperandi, and Rue B. Soho. For information (a lot of it), more music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Pink Vapor Stew By Ska Brewing Is A 2023 Good Food Awards Winner

PORTLAND, OR– Ska Brewing Pink Vapor Stew was named a winner at the Good Food Awards ceremony on Friday, April 21. 2023 marks the second year that this beer has won this prestigious competition celebrating tasty, authentic, and responsibly made products.

Pink Vapor Stew was among 2,000 entries in the 2023 Good Food Awards. In January, the Good Food Foundation 501 (c) 3 announced it as one of 32 finalists in this year's beer category. Over the weekend, it joined 17 other beers in the winner’s circle. 

Inspired by smoothies and crafted with real fruits and vegetables, Pink Vapor Stew is a fan favorite— for its subtle tartness, tropical hop notes, and bright pink hue. It’s available year-round in 12oz. 6-packs across Ska’s 11-state distribution footprint, and in select international locations. 

Media inquiring about Ska Brewing can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Ska Brewing is first North American brewery to implement CanCollar® Corsair™ for plastics replacement in its packaging

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing has completed the installation of a CanCollar® Corsair™ provided by WestRock. Ska is the first craft brewery in North America to implement this automation solution, which will enable the company’s transition from plastic rings to a fiber-based solution for its multipack product wraps.

Ska has never been keen on plastic packaging, but recently identified an alternative that supports its sustainability goals.

Enter WestRock, a global paper and packaging leader dedicated to sustainability whose portfolio includes solutions for craft and artisanal beverage producers. The company’s CanCollar® Corsair™ machine automatically applies various CanCollar® paperboard-based multipack formats to 24-pack trays of product, which gives Ska the ability to package all of its canned brand offerings — including four-packs and six-packs — using a solution that reduces plastics consumption by up to 95 percent when compared to alternative plastic multipack options.

“The CanCollar, which promotes circularity, will immediately reduce the amount of plastic Ska contributes to the environment by approximately four tons per year,” says Ska Brewing COO Steve Breezley. “This contributes to a reduction in overall waste and the carbon footprint associated with the shipping and storage of our products. The innovation, ethos and ethics behind this solution are what we’re all about.”

The installation of the CanCollar® Corsair™ is one of Ska’s ongoing, never-finished efforts to build a more sustainable future,” says Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau. “We saw the opportunity to implement this fiber-based CanCollar and we’re jumping on it. We hope it will become the industry standard moving forward.”

From the choice of aluminum cans over bottles and the recycling of bowling alley lanes and old denim in the tasting room design, to the reduction of water consumption in the brewhouse and so many other initiatives to reduce waste, Ska Brewing has been a thought leader paving the way for environmental innovation over the course of its nearly 28 years in business. The brewery would love to share these strategies with anyone who asks.

Beer lovers can look for all of Ska’s canned brand offerings to sport recyclable fiber collars applied by the CanCollar® Corsair™ on shelves starting in April.

Media inquiring about Ska Brewing or their sustainability objectives can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. Questions about WestRock can be directed to Robby Johnson at robby.b.johnson@westrock.com.

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

ABOUT WESTROCK

WestRock (NYSE: WRK) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions, with more than 50,000 teammates in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Our integrated packaging capabilities offer end-to-end solutions to help customers address their greatest challenges.

Ska Brewing Keeps Spring Tradition Alive With 2023 Mexican Logger Release, Including 12-Packs

DURANGO, CO– Spring weather in Southwest Colorado might be traditionally inconsistent, but one thing locals and visitors can count on is the release of Ska Brewing’s Mexican Logger to kick off the season. Now two dozen years old, this craft lager returns on tap, in cans, and in a brand new 12-pack to Ska’s World Headquarters on Wednesday, March 29. 

Highly decorated and cult-followed, Mexican Logger first debuted on draft in 1999. Crisp and clean from cold fermentation, this beer is made with a yeast strain from Mexico City to honor the roots of this now popularized lager style. In 2011 it became one of, if not the, first American craft lagers to hit a can. 

Now for the first time, this fan favorite is available in 12-pack format. The Ska team is excited to share this long-awaited and requested SKU, which customers can pick up at the Mexican Logger release party. 

On Wednesday, March 29, Ska will welcome patio season with Mexican Logger’s 2023 release at 5pm— rain, snow, or shine. Baracutanga, a seven-piece band representing Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and the USA with a distinct Latin sound, will perform live while guests can enjoy beer and food specials. One lucky lager-lover will go home with a custom Ska Brewing paddleboard. 

Twelve and 6-packs of Mexican Logger will arrive on shelves across Ska’s distribution footprint later this week, replacing its winter alternative Mexican-style Lager Dark.

Media assets for Mexican Logger are available for download here. Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with any questions. 

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award- winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include Mexican Logger, Modus Hoperandi, and Rue B. Soho. For information (a lot of it), more music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

The Ska Lager Joins Canned Craft Lager Lineup at Ska Brewing

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing is psyched to present the next lager in its year-round canned lineup: The Ska Lager will debut at the brewery World Headquarters on Thursday, March 9 and hit shelves next week. 

The Ska Lager came to fruition much like Ska Brewing’s OG craft Lager Mexican Logger circa 1999: the brewing team’s beer style of choice is clean, refreshing lager that can be sipped any time of year— or time of day. 

The 4.8% ABV Ska Lager is a no-nonsense, snappy, crisp, bright, easy-drinking lager with the gentlest floral aroma lent from its additions of Tettnang and Bravo hops. It’s a beer that makes you want another beer. 

The Ska Lager joins Ska’s decorated and well-known canned lager family that includes Mexican Logger and its dark, winter sister Mexican-Style Lager Dark, Rue B. Soho Grapefruit Lager, and Ska Oktoberfest.

Grab a can of The Ska Lager at its release party on Thursday, March 9 at Ska Brewing’s World Headquarters where Rob Webster will play live at 5pm. 

Media inquiring about Ska Brewing’s lager program and The Ska Lager can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.