Bonfire Brewing Expands Capacity; Announces 2020 Milestones

Bonfire Brewing owners Andy and Amanda Jessen

EAGLE, CO— Bonfire Brewing is poised for growth going into 2021. The Eagle Valley brewery turned ten in 2020 among several other community milestones. Gather ‘round for Bonfire Brewing’s 2020 Year in Review.

In 2020, Bonfire Brewing produced just under 3500 barrels of beer, equating to more than one million cans. The brewery is wrapping up installation of an expansion in capacity and improvements to existing equipment. These include an upgraded glycol chiller system, the addition of 1600 barrels of fermentation capacity, equipment to facilitate the packaging of barrel aged beers, and the ability to package beer in 16-ounce cans.

Bonfire revamped its draft system that now sports 25 beer lines this year, and added the now famous rotating beer slushies to the menu. Tasting room additions in 2020 also include a partnership with the Roaming Gourmet food truck, and a heated tent the size of a city block for winter to help offset COVID-related capacity restrictions. 

Bonfire continued support of local non-profits with product and financial donations, including another record Mug Club auction— which this year, topped $8,500. The mug purchase benefited the Vail Veterans Foundation and Olivia’s Fund.

Bonfire’s patio expansion project is an ongoing one that gained more than 600 square feet of new seating in spring with employee-built Adirondack chairs to boot. 

More accolades rolled in for the brewery in 2020, including three Best of Vail awards and medals in the Best of Craft Beer Awards with a gold for WtFO DIPA, and in the “Beer Wars” competition with a Silver for the Rope Drop Hazy IPA. Bonfire is also the proud new recipient of Eagle’s “WassailMeister” title. 

Bonfire maintained its Actively Green Business certification, introduced composting to the tasting room, adopted and maintained five miles of the Haymaker mountain bike trail, and continued to make strides in sustainability and efficiency throughout operations this year. 

In November of 2020, Bonfire Brewing celebrated a decade of business in downtown Eagle with a week of throwback beer releases, specialty slushies, and an anniversary Quadrupel Brown Ale aged in Laws Whiskey House barrels. 

In the wake of Coronavirus, the Bonfire team developed and grew a popular contactless pick-up service and digital ordering system at the tasting room. 

Most importantly for Bonfire in 2020, the company retained 100 percent of their employees amid the impacts resulting from the global pandemic. “We fully employed everyone throughout the year by pivoting and adapting to every obstacle thrown our way,” says owner Andy Jessen. “[I]t took years to put this talented team together, and one of our biggest fears at the outset of the pandemic was the chance we might lose that. Being able to keep the team intact is something we’re very grateful for.”

Also in response to the pandemic, Bonfire created the BonFamily t-shirt that features all 16 employees, for which all proceeds directly benefited staff. “We couldn’t have done it without the people that make up the BonFamily, and that includes our customers near and far,” adds owner Amanda Jessen. 

For more information about Bonfire Brewing, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT BONFIRE BREWING

Craft enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers gather around Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, Colorado, where the beers are driven by quality, curiosity, and community. Founded in 2010, Bonfire continues on their path of sustainable growth with cans of their year-round beers available in liquor stores and restaurants across Colorado. Gather ‘round Bonfire online at bonfirebrewing.com.

Dates Announced and Tickets on Sale Now for 2020 Bonfire Block Party in Eagle, Colorado

North Mississippi Allstars, photo by Robbie Prechtl

EAGLE, CO – Bonfire Brewing and Optimum Events once again team up for the eighth installment of the Bonfire Block Party, an annual street party slated for June 12 - 14, 2020 in Downtown Eagle. Specially priced Early Bird GA tickets, VIP Experience tickets and Sunday Bloodies & Bluegrass brunch tickets are on sale now. Holiday pre-sale tickets are sold out.  The Bonfire Block Party is the three-time winner of the Best of Vail’s Best Summer Festival and showcases nationally renowned bands, along with food vendors and Bonfire Brewing craft beer releases. As in years past, a portion of all proceeds benefit Eagle County nonprofit partner, The Cycle Effect. The limited Early Bird ticket sale offers the guaranteed lowest ticket prices for the 2020 event.

The Block Party features three outdoor stages and an expansive VIP experience for concertgoers. The Block Party VIP experience includes a covered tent with seating, dedicated viewing areas, complimentary catered dinner and a 2020 branded glow-in-the-dark Silipint tumbler or wine glass, which includes one free drink and a $1.00 discount off drinks all weekend long. New for 2020, the Block Party will sell wine and spirits at all general admission bars, in addition to hand-crafted Bonfire Brewery beers. While supplies last, the Block Party Early Bird pricing for two-day VIP tickets is $120 per person and two-day general admission tickets are $30. The Silipint add-ons are $19 and include a glow-in-the-dark Silipint tumbler or wine glass, one free drink and a $1.00 discount off all drinks for the weekend. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas, and children two and under are free in VIP.

The Sunday Bloodies & Bluegrass closing concert and brunch ticket price is $40 and includes a complimentary brunch by Big Delicious Catering. New for 2020, the Bloodies & Bluegrass ticket also includes bottomless Bloody Marys, Mimosa and Bonfire Brewing craft beers.

Nationally recognized music acts will appear on three outdoor stages over two days during the Block Party, the Boneyard and Haymaker main stages on Broadway, and the Bonfire Stage on Second Street adjacent to Bonfire Brewing. The full music lineup will be released in early 2020. Past musical acts include Twiddle, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Railroad Earth, Galactic, The Record Company, Sam Bush, North Mississippi Allstars and more. 

For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.bonfireblockparty.com.

If You Go:

What: 2020 Bonfire Block Party

Where:  Broadway and Second Streets, Eagle

When: Friday, June 12 - Sunday, June 14, 2020

Cost: $30/$120 (special Early Bird pricing) $40 (Bluegrass & Bloodies closing concert and brunch)

More: www.bonfireblockparty.com

ABOUT BONFIRE BREWING

Craft enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers gather around Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, Colorado, where the beers are driven by quality, curiosity, and community. Founded in 2010, Bonfire continues on their path of sustainable growth with cans of their year-round beers available in liquor stores and restaurants across Colorado. Gather ‘round Bonfire online at bonfirebrewing.com.

Bonfire Brewing Continues Community Creator Series with Fall Releases

EAGLE, CO— Bonfire Brewing continues their newly introduced Community Creator Series with the planned releases of Gyptoberfest Märzen Lager, GrapepHruit Kettle Sour Grapefruit IPA, and Sugar Speed Caramel Milk Stout. The three beers follow the limited series release of Après-Berry Strawberry Blonde Ale and will be available first at the Bonfire tap room in downtown Eagle, followed by limited availability state-wide as mountain temperatures begin to drop.

Gyptoberfest is brewed annually to help support the town of Gypsum’s Oktoberfest, and has become a local favorite. It’s a traditional Märzen Lager, brewed with German-style Augustiner yeast with a malt forward profile.

GrapepHruit is an American IPA kettle soured with lactobacillus. Generous amounts of Summit, Citra, and Simcoe hops seamlessly intertwine with the juicy Grapefruit puree added near the completion of fermentation.

Sugar Speed is a tasting room favorite originally brewed last fall in honor of the original Bonfire Brew Dog, Sugar. She had one speed, and it was the one that co-founder Andy Jessen walked her at. A little too fast for most, a bit too slow if you took her for a run, but always right there with him.

Sugar Speed is brewed with both caramel malts and roasted barley providing a smooth toffee flavor with a moderate amount of roast to balance the milk stout sweetness of the lactose (milk sugar) added to the boil. A kiss of caramel, vanilla and sea salt are added during secondary fermentation to lend a caramel sweetness on the palate with a slight salt aftertaste.

Fueled by the inspiration of their community and the power of an automated labeler, Bonfire began brewing, packaging and distributing a line of limited-release beers as part of their new Community Creator Series. The series began earlier this year with the releases of Après-Cot Apricot Blonde Ale, Pink-I Raspberry IPA, and Après-Berry Strawberry Blonde Ale.

Following Gyptoberfest, GrapepHruit, and Sugar Speed, Bonfire plans to continue the series with more interesting one-offs, local favorites and perhaps the resurrection of previously discontinued beers.

In addition to the Community Creator Series, Bonfire plans to release the very popular Rope Drop Hazy IPA for its second year with availability in cans and on draft throughout the fall and winter.

Look for Gyptoberfest, GrapepHruit, and Sugar Speed in 6 packs of 12 oz. cans at Bonfire’s tasting room and select local accounts soon, with limited statewide shipments throughout the Fall.

For more information about Bonfire Brewing or the Community Creator series, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT BONFIRE BREWING

Craft enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers gather around Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, Colorado, where the beers are driven by quality, curiosity, and community. Founded in 2010, Bonfire continues on their path of sustainable growth with cans of their year-round beers available in liquor stores and restaurants across Colorado. Gather ‘round Bonfire online at bonfirebrewing.com.

Bonfire Brewing Introduces Community Creator Series

EAGLE, CO— Bonfire Brewing graces Colorado with a spring surprise from the Vail Valley. Fueled by the inspiration of their community and power of a new automated labeler, the brewery began brewing, packaging and distributing a line of new limited-release beers as part of their new Community Creator Series last month.

Bonfire is kicking off the Community Creator series with the limited release of Après-Cot, an Apricot Blonde Ale previously a draft-only offering. Après-Cot is a delicate, smooth American blonde ale brewed with nugget hops, munich and white wheat malts, and real apricot purée to create a balanced and easy drinking beer perfect to throw back at the après of any activity.

Après-Cot is available in 6 packs of 12 oz. cans at Bonfire’s tasting room and select local accounts now, with limited statewide shipments by the end of May and through the summer.

Following the release of Après-Cot, Bonfire Brewing plans to continue the Community Creator series with the release of Pink-I Raspberry IPA, followed in the fall by GrapepHruit Kettle Sour IPA, and the return of the Rope Drop Hazy IPA in 12 oz. for a limited time. More creations are certain to follow.

For more information about Bonfire Brewing or the Community Creator series, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT BONFIRE BREWING

Craft enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers gather around Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, Colorado, where the beers are driven by quality, curiosity, and community. Founded in 2010, Bonfire continues on their path of sustainable growth with cans of their year-round beers available in liquor stores and restaurants across Colorado. Gather ‘round Bonfire online at bonfirebrewing.com.

Full Music Schedule Released for 2019 Bonfire Block Party

The 2019 Bonfire Block Party music schedule has been released. The outdoor event will be held in Downtown Eagle, May 31 – June 2. Photos: John-Ryan Lockman, Showlove Media.

EAGLE, CO— Organizers of the 2019 Bonfire Block Party announced the full music schedule for the fifth-annual event, taking place May 31 – June 2 in Downtown Eagle, CO.  The first two days of the Block Party include 11 bands performing on three outdoor stages, and an additional two bands playing the Happy Ending late-night shows at the Bonfire Brewing Taproom. Day three features the Sunday Sayonara brunch and closing concert with The Lil Smokies in the Second Street tent. Two-Day Block Party and Sunday Sayonara tickets are on sale now.

Friday, May 31 Music Schedule:

3:30 p.m. - Gates Open
4:30 – 6:00 p.m. - Amasa Hines | Haymaker Stage
4:30 – 6:00 p.m. - The Sessh | Bonfire Stage
6:00 – 7:30 p.m. - Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears | Boneyard Stage
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. - The Sessh | Bonfire Stage
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. - North Mississippi Allstars | Haymaker Stage
9:00 – 10:30 p.m. - Railroad Earth | Boneyard Stage
10:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. - The Runaway Grooms | Happy Ending @ Bonfire Brewing Taproom

Saturday, June 1 Music Schedule:

2:00 p.m. - Gates Open
2:30 – 4:00 p.m. - The Lil Smokies | Haymaker Stage
2:30 – 4:00 p.m. - The Evolution | Bonfire Stage
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. - Ripe | Boneyard Stage
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. - The Evolution | Bonfire Stage
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. - J. Roddy Walston & The Business | Haymaker Stage
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. - Twiddle | Boneyard Stage
9:00 – 10:30 p.m. - Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue | Boneyard Stage
10:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. - Hardscrabble | Happy Ending @ Bonfire Brewing Taproom

Sunday, June 2 Music Schedule:
10:00 a.m. - Doors Open
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. - The Lil Smokies | Sunday Sayonara @ Second Street Tent

Festival general admission and VIP experience tickets are on sale now and a portion of all Block Party proceeds will benefit Eagle County nonprofit partner, The Cycle Effect. For more information and to purchase Bonfire Block Party tickets online, visit www.bonfireblockparty.com.

If You Go:
What: 2019 Bonfire Block Party
Where:  Downtown Eagle, Co
When: Friday, May 31 – Sunday, June 2, 2019
Cost: $40 - $140 (Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas)

More: www.bonfireblockparty.com

Bonfire Brewing Celebrates Grand Opening of Eagle River Park

EAGLE, CO— Bonfire Brewing is proud to celebrate the opening of Eagle Colorado’s River Park Project. Sponsored in part by Bonfire Brewing, The Eagle Whitewater Park is set to officially open following a ribbon cutting ceremony during Memorial Day Weekend, just days before the Bonfire Block Party, an annual three-day music and street festival put on by the brewery and Optimum Events, in downtown Eagle. Even with Eagle River flows just beginning to rise, whitewater enthusiasts are already surfing the newly installed features, which range from beginner to advanced.

Bonfire Brewing is a Class IV sponsor for the park, and made one of the first private donations to the project that includes four world-class whitewater features and an adjacent park area on the north side of the Eagle River. Bonfire’s contribution supports ongoing work to construct additional amenities and secures the naming rights for the Bonfire Brewing Fire Pit, that will serve as a central hub for the park.

The Eagle River Park is located along the Eagle River near the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo Grounds and a short walk from Bonfire Brewing across the river. The project was one of the first initiatives that Bonfire Brewing Owner & Co-Founder, Andy Jessen worked on as a member of Eagle’s Board of Trustees when he was elected in 2014.

For more information about The Eagle River Park project, visit eagleoutside.com/riverpark. If you would like more information about Bonfire Brewing’s local involvement, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT BONFIRE BREWING

Craft enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers gather around Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, Colorado, where the beers are driven by quality, curiosity, and community. Founded in 2010, Bonfire continues on their path of sustainable growth with cans of their year-round beers available in liquor stores and restaurants across Colorado. Gather ‘round Bonfire online at bonfirebrewing.com.

The Lil Smokies to Play Sunday Sayonara Closing Concert and Brunch at the 2019 Bonfire Block Party in Eagle on Sunday, June 2 – Special Discount Offered Today Only

The Lil Smokies will be featured at the 2019 Bonfire Block Party’s Sunday Sayonara closing concert and brunch on Sunday, June 2 in Downtown Eagle - tickets are on sale now. Photo by Lisa Siciliano.

EAGLE CO— Optimum Events and Bonfire Brewing announced today that the special event, Sunday Sayonara closing concert and brunch will feature bluegrass phenoms, The Lil Smokies. After two days of live music with 11 bands on three stages during the Bonfire Block Party, the Sunday Sayonara add-on event takes place in the tent on Second Street and Broadway in Downtown Eagle from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 2. The $40 ticket price includes The Lil Smokies concert and a breakfast buffet. A cash bar will also be available onsite. For one day only on Tuesday, April 2, Block Party organizers are offering 10% off Sunday Sayonara tickets using the online code sundaysmokies.

Originally hailing from Montana and well-known to festival crowds around the country, The Lil Smokies is a progressive bluegrass band that presents original songwriting with bluegrass roots and the sheer raw energy of a rock band. The band will also be featured during the two-day Bonfire Block Party festival which takes place Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1.

Tickets to Sunday Sayonara featuring The Lil Smokies and the Bonfire Block Party are on sale now. A portion of all Block Party proceeds will benefit the Eagle County nonprofit organization, The Cycle Effect. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visitwww.bonfireblockparty.com.

If You Go:
What: Bonfire Block Party’s Sunday Sayonara featuring The Lil Smokies
Where:  Downtown Eagle, CO
When: Sunday, June 2 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $40 (kids 2 and under are FREE)

More: www.bonfireblockparty.com

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Railroad Earth and Amasa Hines Added to 2019 Bonfire Block Party Lineup – More To Be Announced

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Railroad Earth and Amasa Hines will join the lineup, bringing the total number of musical acts announced to 10.

EAGLE, CO— Bonfire Brewing and Optimum Events announced that five more bands have been added to their 2019 festival lineup, bringing the total amount to 10 bands announced so far. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Railroad Earth and Amasa Hines will all play on one of two main stages on Broadway, while Vail Valley favorites, The Evolution and The Sessh will play the Bonfire Stage located on Second Street. Tickets are now on sale for the 5th annual Bonfire Block Party, taking place May 31 through June 2, 2019 in Downtown Eagle, CO.  Three more bands will be announced in the weeks leading up to the Block Party.

Previously announced bands include the North Mississippi Allstars, J. Roddy Walston & The Business, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Ripe and The Lil Smokies – all groups are festival veterans around the country, but each are making their first-time appearance at the Bonfire Block Party. 

“We’re really proud of how the lineup has shaped up this year,” says Ted Wenninger of Optimum Events, co-producers of the Bonfire Block Party. “We go into the booking season with a pretty heavy wish-list, not knowing what we’ll get on the other side, but this year’s bookings have come together exceptionally well. We really think there’s something for everyone over these two days of live music, Bonfire beer, food vendors and everything else Eagle has to offer.” 

Tickets to the 2019 Bonfire Block Party are on sale now and include two-day general admission, two-day Sili packages, a VIP experience and a special add-on event, the Sunday Sayonara closing concert and brunch. Kids 12 and under are free for general admission and 2 and under are free for the VIP experience and Sunday Sayonara event. A portion of all Bonfire Block Party proceeds will benefit Eagle County nonprofit organization, The Cycle Effect.

For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.bonfireblockparty.com.

If You Go:
What: 2019 Bonfire Block Party
Where:  Downtown Eagle, CO
When: Friday, May 31 - Sunday, June 2, 2019
Cost: $40 - $140

More: www.bonfireblockparty.com

Bonfire Block Party Festival in Eagle Hosts 2019 Lineup Release Shindig on Tuesday, March 19

The Runaway Grooms will perform live music at Bonfire Brewing in Eagle on Tuesday, March 19 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. as part of the Bonfire Block Party’s 2019 Lineup Release Shindig.

EAGLE, CO— The music lineup for the 2019 Bonfire Block Party in Eagle will be released on Tuesday, March 19. 11 bands on three stages will be featured at the 5th annual music and beer street party Friday, May 31 – Sunday, June 2, 2019. General admission, VIP experience and Sunday Sayonara closing concert and brunch tickets are on sale now. The Runaway Grooms will perform live music at the Release Shindig on Tuesday, March 19 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Bonfire Brewing in Eagle. Entry to the Shindig is free.

 The Bonfire Block Party previously announced that North Mississippi Allstars, J. Roddy Walston & The Business, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Ripe and The Lil Smokies will perform during the two-day street festival. Other music acts will be announced on Tuesday, March 19, followed by the Shindig that same day. Attendees purchasing Block Party tickets of any level at the Release Shindig will have no ticket fees and will receive one free beer from Bonfire Brewing.

The Runaway Grooms is a Vail Valley-based trio that covers a variety of musical styles from classic rock to Americana folk, from country to psychedelic rock. The Grooms provide a refreshing take on classic hits from the 60s on. 

A portion of all Bonfire Block Party proceeds will benefit Eagle County nonprofit organization, The Cycle Effect. For more information and to purchase Bonfire Block Party tickets online, visitwww.bonfireblockparty.com.

If You Go:
What: 2019 Bonfire Block Party Lineup Release Shindig
Where:  Bonfire Brewing, Eagle
When: Tuesday, March 19  4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
More: www.bonfireblockparty.com

J. Roddy Walston and Ripe Join Music Lineup for 2019 Bonfire Block Party Festival in Eagle

J. Roddy Walston & The Business and Ripe have been added to the 2019 Bonfire Block Party lineup. General Admission and VIP Experience tickets are on sale now for the event taking place May 31 – June 2, 2019 in Eagle.

Eagle, CO— Bonfire Brewing and Optimum Events have added two additional bands to the music lineup for the annual street party slated for Friday, May 31 through Sunday, June 2, 2019. J. Roddy Walston & The Business and Ripe join The Lil Smokies, North Mississippi Allstars and Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, all previously announced as festival talent. Six more bands will be announced by March 19 and Two-Day Early Bird GA and VIP Experience tickets are now on sale.

Roots and southern rockers, J. Roddy Walston & The Business have been road warriors since their formation in 2002 in Richmond, Virginia. Regulars on big festival stages like Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits, J. Roddy and the band have experienced explosive growth in their fan base thanks to their incredible live shows and studio recordings.

Bringing an edge to the party, Ripe’s high-energy, feel-good music has garnered them live and streaming fans alike. Their breakout album Hey Hello (2015) put them on the charts and their tracks “Pretty Dirty (In the Fading Light)” and “Goon Squad” have each clocked around 2 million Spotify streams, and regular appearances at Levitate and Summer Camp Music Festivals have solidified Ripe’s spot on the music scene.

Tickets for the 2019 Bonfire Block Party are on sale now and include limited Early Bird Two-Day General Admission tickets, Two-Day VIP Experience tickets and Sunday Sayonara closing concert tickets. VIP and Sunday Sayonara tickets are expected to sell out. The Block Party includes 11 bands performing on three stages, Bonfire Brewing craft beer and local food vendors, all in the streets of Downtown Eagle, CO. Kids 12 and under are free for General Admission and 2 and under are free for the VIP Experience.

A portion of all Bonfire Block Party proceeds will benefit nonprofit partner, The Cycle Effect. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.bonfireblockparty.com.

If You Go:

What: 2019 Bonfire Block Party
Where:  Broadway and Second Streets, Eagle
When: Friday, May 31 - Sunday, June 2, 2019
Cost: $30 - $140

More: www.bonfireblockparty.com