Ska Brewing Reports 2022 Impact; Previews New Sustainability Initiatives

Photo of Ska’s xeriscaped beer garden courtesy The Brewtography Project

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing is coming off of a dynamic year in business engaged in the craft beer, music, art, biking, and local Southwest Colorado communities in which it is ingrained— with even bigger plans to support its community with sustainability initiatives in 2023. 

Here is Ska Brewing’s 2022 Year In Review.

BEER

In 2022, Ska Brewing brewed approximately 25,000 BBL of beer that was served on tap at the brewery World Headquarters and distributed nationwide. Ska’s distribution footprint grew to 11 states last year with the addition of Wyoming in the fall.

Ska debuted several new canned beers last year, such as the new age Checkered Future IPA that brought together old school hops and new brewing techniques; Raspberry Blonde Ale that gave a fresh take on a classic style; the Faceplant Lager brewed with Tailwind Nutrition electrolytes; and the Peppermint Bark Stout crafted with Animas Chocolate Company peppermint bark. The brewery also brought back famed mainstays Mexican Logger, Oktoberfest, Euphoria Pale Ale, and Mexican Lager Style Dark. 

Up next in Ska’s canned beer lineup is The Ska Lager, a snappy, crisp, bright, and easy-drinking at only 4.8% ABV. This new no-nonsense offering will hit shelves in March. 

MUSIC 

Ska Brewing was born out of an affinity for music, which the brewery continues to stoke by hosting Ska, punk, and other relevant bands of all shapes and sizes to play at the brewery. The legendary third wave Ska group Hepcat and opener Rude Girl Revue traveled to Durango to perform an epic show at Ska’s 27th Anniversary Party and Brewer’s Invitational. 

SOUTHWEST COLORADO 

Ska was a proud supporter of many events that took place in its hometown Durango, Colorado— including Durango’s annual winter festival Snowdown, the 50th anniversary of The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, the Durango Independent Film Festival, Animas River Days, Downtown 4th of July Celebration, Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships, Thirsty 13 and many more.

Ska partnered with Fort Lewis College on multiple efforts, including a hop biotransformation research project that yielded the Skyhawk Single Hop IPA; and a hard seltzer branding deep dive with the Fennell-Saegert Student Marketing Agency.

Each year, Ska donates upwards of $50,000 in product, money and time to nonprofits organizations such as La Plata Open Space Conservancy, Manna Soup Kitchen, Fort Lewis College, United Way, KSUT, KDUR, Women’s Resource Center, LaPlata County Humane Society, and Trails 2000, among many others.

Ska Distributing continued to serve the Southwest Colorado market by bringing craft beer brands to the area from across the state and beyond, including new auditions to the portfolio: Bruz Beers and Weldwerks Brewing Co. 

COMMUNITY

Outside of its hometown, Ska engaged with the beer community at large through collaborations with Living The Dream Brewing in Littleton, Colorado and Manhattan Brewing in Manhattan, Kansas. 

Beyond beer and music, Ska is passionate about art— especially art that showcases Ska music. During the Ska anniversary weekend in September, Ska hosted San Diego-based artist Nan Coffey for an art show that brewery visitors can still peruse on the second floor of the building. 

Beyond beer, music, and art, Ska is passionate about biking. The brewery was a sponsor for Rides & Vibes in Grand Junction, the Fruita Fat Tire Festival, and 12 Hours Mesa Verde, among others. This year, Ska is stoked to be the official beer of the Session Series, Triple Bypass, Salida76, and Beti Bike Bash by Team Evergreen Cycling. 

SUSTAINABILITY 

Ska has long committed to reducing waste and developing brewery and distribution systems that minimize its carbon footprint— from recycled jeans in the walls as insulation and reused bowling alley wood as tables, to solar panels, solar lighting, wind energy credits, and recycling of all cardboard, paper, plastic, glass and metal waste. Ska was one of the first craft breweries in the country to package its beer in infinitely recyclable aluminum cans, and now has many packaging systems in place to further conserve resources, including Ionized air rinse instead of water rinsing and an efficient, on-demand, de-aerated water system. These are just a few of Ska’s sustainability programs that the brewery is constantly improving upon.

In 2023, Ska is pleased to continue these efforts alongside the implementation of two sizable and unprecedented sustainability initiatives. The brewery is installing a machine that will allow for the transition of all can collars from plastic to paperboard, making Ska one of the first breweries ever to utilize this equipment in the move away from plastic packaging materials. 

Secondly, Durango’s Table To Farm Compost will now be the recipient of all of Ska’s spent grain. This transition from cattle feed and landfill to compost will reduce methane emissions and align with Ska’s commitment to local partnerships. 

Ska will publish more information about these efforts in coming weeks. 

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 Releases 24th Anniversary Rosé Strong Ale; Celebrating This Weekend With 30+ Brewery Friends

WHAT: Ska Brewing’s sold-out 24th anniversary invitational will feature a triple threat of punk and ska bands— Mustard Plug, The Toasters,  and The Aggrolites— as well as samples poured by more than 30 of their craft brewery friends within the region. 

Kicking off the celebration is Mustard Plug, a 22-year-old punk-influenced Ska band from the midwest that most recently debuted their new album Can’t Contain It. Next up is The Toasters, who will return to Durango for the third time. This OG ska band from NYC circa 1981 played their time-honored classics from albums like Skaboom and Thrill Me Up at Ska’s 16th and 21st anniversary celebrations. Then to perform are The Aggrolites, a compilation of two bands, one reggae and one ska in genre, that came together in Los Angeles in 2002 to create the soul and funk-inspired “dirty reggae music” that they’re known for. 

This invitational will feature Ska’s 24th Anniversary Rosé Strong Ale, a Cabernet Sauvignon barrel-aged mixed culture beer made with Açaí fruit and a grape blend. It pours a hazy dark purple color with a light white head. Intense açaí and sweet ripe raspberry aromas fill the nose. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes create a bittersweet, herbal, wine-like powerhouse. A drinkable brew with a crisp, refreshing mouthfeel and a slightly dry, mildly bitter finish. Find this beer on tap at Ska’s 24th anniversary party and for sale to-go in 500mL bottles at Ska’s World Headquarters while supplies last. 

Guests at this event can enjoy beer pours from more than 30 breweries (the complete list is on the next page), as well as samples of Ska’s new canned, non-alcoholic bubbly water, Skagua. 

WHEN: Bands to perform and breweries to pour on Saturday, September 7 from 4 to 9pm, and the brewery is not otherwise open to the public during that time. 

WHERE: This celebration of Ska’s 24 years in business will go down at the brewery World Headquarters in Durango, Colorado located at 225 Girard Street in the “BoDo” neighborhood. 

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, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Tickets Now On Sale For Ska Brewing’s 24th Anniversary Invitational

Photo from Ska’s 23rd Anniversary Invitational courtesy of Dustin Hall

DURANGO, CO— Tickets go on sale today— Monday, June 3— for Ska Brewing’s 24th annual anniversary invitational featuring Mustard Plug, The Toasters,  and The Aggrolites. The celebration will go down Saturday, September 7 at the company’s World Headquarters in Durango, Colorado.

Ska’s annual anniversary party has become a can’t-miss weekend in Durango, featuring some of the brewery’s favorite musicians and best brewery friends. 

Tickets are available beginning today on Brown Paper Tickets while supplies last. This year’s lineup of bands includes Mustard Plug, The Toasters, and The Aggrolites. Ska will announce the list of breweries that will pour at the celebration later this summer. 

For more information, 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.

Ska Brewing and Rancid Brewstomper Golden Ale Debuts at Bash Music & Craft Beer Festival May 11

PHOENIX, AZ— Brewstomper Golden Ale, brewed by Ska Brewing and Rancid, will debut at The Bash Music & Craft Beer Festival’s first show at Margaret T. Hance Park in Phoenix on Saturday, May 11. The beer will be available in cans at all of the festival shows this season.

At 5% ABV Brewstomper is a crisp, refreshing golden ale designed to be enjoyed with music and friends, the type of beer that doesn’t dominate the conversation, it simply enhances it. While the hops and malt work quietly backstage without bravado, the show certainly couldn’t go on without them.

Brewstomper will be available on tap at Ska’s World Headquarters in Durango, Colorado on May 10 at 5pm. Cans of the newly released beer will be 2 for $5 at this tapping event. Expect some Rancid music in the background.

Fans of the band and the brewery can also find Brewstomper in canned 6-packs across Ska’s distribution footprint beginning next week. It will be available in limited quantities in Colorado, Arizona, Southern California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Utah.

To learn more about Brewstomper, and with any other media inquiries about Ska Brewing, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

Find the full Bash Music & Craft Beer Festival schedule at www.thebashfestival.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.

Ska Brewing and JUMP UP RECORDS Release Drink The Ska LP for Record Store Day

Ska Brewing has teamed up with Chicago-based JUMP UP RECORDS to curate a selection of Ska music for the Drink The Ska LP, just in time for Record Store Day on Saturday, April 21. 

This collaboration was born in 2017 when JUMP UP Founder Chuck Wren DJed Ska’s anniversary party. “A lot of the bands have played at the brewery and the anniversary party over the years, so this compilation came together very naturally,” says Ska Brewing Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau.

“And for me it brought back the nostalgia of bands submitting tracks in the 90s,” adds Wren. “A project like this with two tastemakers putting their stamp of approval on it really elevated this Record Store Day release in the pipeline.” 

Seventeen regional ska bands of various styles appear in this limited edition LP, including The Toasters, Boss Riot, The Breachers, the Green Room Rockers, and Durango-based Buster’s Ghost. Two members of Ska Brewing’s team appear on the album artwork, along with dance steps written by Wren. “Upon final sip of Ska, place glass on dance floor,” he writes after describing the six-step Drink The Ska move. “Manic skanking is now recommended to the music featured on this long-playing record.” 

Drink The Ska will be available at Ska Brewing’s world headquarters in Durango during the brewery’s Record Store Day shindig that begins at 5pm. This epic collection of songs is also available at the Southwest Sound in downtown Durango.

For more information about Ska Brewing or this compilation, 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 including Modus Hoperandi, Mexican Logger, Euphoria and Pinstripe. For information (a lot of it), music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

ABOUT JUMP UP RECORDS

Founded by DJ Chuck Wren in 1993, JUMP UP is a Chicago based independent record label and mail order distribution company specializing in modern bands who play original Jamaican ska, reggae, rock steady, and calypso. With nearly 125 releases under its belt, the label proudly stands by its motto Jamaican Music Made The Old Fashioned Way. Find Jump Up Records online at jumpuprecords.com.