Ska Brewing and Fort Lewis College Debut Skyhawk Single Hop Sultana IPA To Showcase Hop Research

DURANGO, CO— After months of hop research and experimentation, Ska Brewing and the Fort Lewis College Chemistry Department are pleased to present Skyhawk Single Hop Sultana IPA just in time for graduation weekend. 

Articulate detail was taken to choose the hop in the Skyhawk Single Hop Sultana IPA. This IPA is the product of undergraduate research on hop biotransformation, using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. It’s a full-bodied, luscious IPA rich with huge tropical notes of pineapple and mango that weighs in at 6.50% ABV. 

This collaboration seeks to understand how different hops alter the taste and aroma of beer, reducing the dependency on trial and error, and wasted hops. “We’ve been really excited about this research because it furthers our analytical view of hop varieties, transcending a deeper understanding of how hops perform in the brewing process beyond just flavors and aromas in the resulting beer,” says Ska Brewing Brewmaster Steve Breezley. “This is knowledge we can only gain through trials that we’re thrilled to have Fort Lewis as a partner for.” 

“I really appreciate the environmental science perspective on this project because that is really the end goal,” says Callie A. Cole, PhD  Associate Professor at Fort Lewis College Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. “By developing these methods with Ska Brewing, we are hoping to ultimately have a positive environmental impact by increasing the efficiency of hopped beer production and reducing the demand on hops. It’s why people will fund this research. It’s a strong motivation for Ska to be involved as well as other breweries to be interested in this data.” 

Skyhawk Single Hop Sultana IPA will tap on Fort Lewis’ 2022 commencement day, Saturday May 14, at Ska Brewing at 11am. The beer will be on draft only while supplies last.

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com for more information about this research partnership and the resulting beer. 

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 FORT LEWIS COLLEGE

As the Four Corners’ stronghold of academic excellence, Fort Lewis College blends small class sizes, engaged faculty, and unparalleled research opportunities to help students earn college degrees and chase dreams. Guided by real-world experiences and a bountiful landscape, our students develop critical thinking and communication skills to fuel further studies or rewarding careers. A broad range of subjects and diverse student body weave cross-cultural knowledge throughout signature programs focused on environmental studies, education, the health sciences, creative arts, and business administration. Find an education to live by at FLC.

Ska Brewing Launches Distribution in Oklahoma

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing beers are now available in Oklahoma via Boardwalk Distribution, Oklahoma’s locally owned and operated independent craft distribution house. This new market brings the brewery’s state distribution count to thirteen.

Cans and drafts of True Blonde Ale, Rue B Soho, Euphoria, Modus Hoperandi, Modus Mandarina, Pink Vapor Stew, and Ska’s latest year-round release Moral Panic hit Oklahoma this week, as did Ska’s Mixed- Up and Hoptions IPA 12-packs. Seasonals like Mexican Logger will be available in Oklahoma as well.

"Boardwalk Distribution is more than excited to team up with Ska Brewing for distribution across the state of Oklahoma,” says Freddy Lamport Vice President of Boardwalk’s Beer Division. “Ska Brewing has been one of those amazing breweries that has always been outside the Okie consumer's hands... well not any more! We believe their brand, mantra and style is in perfect alignment with our core beliefs and are very happy to welcome them to our portfolio.”

Ska’s distribution in the Sooner State is a long time coming for brewery Co-Owner and Oklahoma native Matt Vincent. “The laws in the state allow better opportunities for good, cold beer to be imported into it... Plus my mom is sick of driving to Kansas to buy Ska beer.”

In January, members of the Ska Brewing crew will head to Oklahoma to drink Ska beer at several launch events. More details on these shenanigans will soon be available on Ska’s website and social media channels.

Ska Brewing distributes its award-winning beers in thirteen states— Colorado, Arizona, Southern California, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Utah, and now Oklahoma.

For more information about Ska Brewing contact Emily Hutto at coop@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.

A Beer For The Times: Ska Brewing Presents Moral Panic Brut IPA

photo by Garrett Allen

DURANGO, CO— Moral Panic, a Brut IPA from Ska Brewing, debuts at the brewery in cans this Friday, November 30 and hits the brewery distribution footprint beginning December 7. This refreshing, dry finishing IPA satisfies brewery Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau’s urge to name a beer Moral Panic and quenches palates gravitating toward this emerging trend. 

“In sociology, moral panic is the process of arousing social concern over an issue, legitimate or not,” Thibodeau says. “On one hand we may be referring to Mods & Rockers, Satanism or Dungeons & Dragons, or the Haze craze — no matter what comes of the Brut IPA style, we certainly are enjoying drinking it right now.” 

Over its 23 years in business Thibodeau and crew have witnessed its evolution and ultimate subcategorization. “We’re excited about this emerging Brut category because these beers are everything we love about IPA without any lingering bitterness, which makes them super approachable.”

Ska’s Moral Panic is no exception. Galaxy and Citra hops give it a tropical nose, and at only 5.7 percent ABV, this beer is one of the lower ABV Bruts on the market. As the producer of one of the country’s original canned IPAs, Modus Hoperandi, Ska has long been an IPA house committed to crafting many different styles of India Pale Ale that you can always find on tap at the brewery’s Durango World Headquarters. 

Ska’s brewers developed the Brut IPA recipe on their Mod pilot system, and they are excited to elevate it to a larger-scale, packaged brew. This is Ska’s first year-round packaged beer to hit all its markets since the release of Rue B. Soho. It might just be Colorado’s first year-round canned Brut IPA, too.

Find Moral Panic Brut IPA in canned, 12 oz. 6-packs and select draft accounts in all twelve of Ska’s distribution states. Contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com if you’d like more information about the beer, the beer style, or Ska Brewing.

LAUNCH EVENTS

You’re invited to join Ska for Moral Panic’s descent upon humanity at these launch events.

Friday, November 30

Durango: Ska Brewing World Headquarters, 5-7PM

This event will include two for $5 cans of Moral Panic, food pairing options from The Container, and a chance to meet the folks who brewed this beer for you.

Friday, December 7

Denver: Tap XIV Uptown, 4-7PM

Saturday, December 8

Colorado Springs: Tap Traders, 7-9PM

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 Modus Hoperandi (which will celebrate its first decade on the planet in summer of 2019), Modus Mandarina, and Decadent Double IPA. For information (a lot of it), more music, and a good time, visit skabrewing.com.

Ska Brewing and Venture Snowboards Kickoff Winter Saturday November 3 at World Headquarters

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing and Silverton’s Venture Snowboards will ring in the winter months with their 14th Annual Season Kickoff Party on Saturday, November 3, at the Ska World Headquarters, 225 Girard St, Durango, CO 81303. Admission is free.

The Snowboard

In an effort to benefit the Friends of the San Juans, Ska and Venture will be giving away prizes from Silverton Mountain, Purgatory Resort, and more; including the chance to win a Ska-branded Venture snowboard featuring graphics from the label of Ska’s new Brut IPA, Moral Panic.

The Music

The Kick Off party will feature music from Durango-based Hip-Hop band, Diabolical Sound Platoon.

The Beer 

Ska Brewing’s seasonal Euphoria Pale Ale will be on draft at the brewery and available in 6-packs to-go. This beer was brewed as a beer for Purgatory Ski Resort before Ska teamed up with their friends at Venture Snowboards located in Silverton, CO to brew the recipe and create a custom snowboard with Ska artwork. Euphoria has big malt backbone, caramel sweetness and just a touch of chocolate, with epic grapefruit hop aroma and flavor.  

For more information about Ska Brewing’s Season Kickoff Party or with any other media inquiries about the brewery, contact Emily Hutto at coop@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, more music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Ska Brewing Reallocates Distribution Markets, Exits Texas

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing has ceased beer sales in the great state of Texas, refining its distribution footprint to twelve states. This change will allow the brewery to focus more on its local, regional markets.

Ska might be the largest brewery in the Four Corners; however the Durango-born company still produces a relatively small amount of beer— approximately 34,000 BBL annually. Brewing near capacity coupled with the challenges of operating a brewery in a remote location led to Ska’s decision to reallocate its markets. 

“Crafting beer in the mountains makes for some big logistical challenges, and unfortunately Texas has been tough,” Ska Brewing Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau says. “Quite frankly if we ever want to enter this market again we are going to have to allocate more resources and brew and sell a lot more beer.”

Ska Brewing maintains a great relationship with its Texas distribution company Ben E. Keith Beverages, and is proud to welcome a legion of Texas-based guests to its Durango World Headquarters all year long. 

Ska Brewing beers are currently available across Colorado, Arizona, Southern California, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah. 

For more information about Ska Brewing, contact Emily Hutto at coop@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. Ska has long been a herald for sustainable brewing practices— its World Headquarters are wind-powered and earlier in 2018 Ska decked out its roof with 223 solar panels. For information, more music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.