Craft Maltsters Guild Goes Virtual with 2021 Craft Malt Conference, February 10-12

The Craft Maltsters Guild proudly presents the fourth annual Craft Malt Conference, coming to you in a virtual format from February 10-12. The decision to go virtual in 2021 was made to support safety measures during COVID-19 but with the added perk of increasing accessibility for the greater craft malt community. Come one, come all. This is an easy-to-attend artisan grains and craft beverage conference you won’t want to miss.

#CraftMaltCon2021 is a three-day event, with curated live seminars on the latest research, trends, and best practices relevant to those in the craft malt supply chain. Participants can also participate in digital malthouse tours, peruse a virtual trade show, and attend cyber happy hours each evening. Attendees will also have the chance to talk with sponsors during live Q&A sessions and check out new products via video demos. 

“We’re excited about the potential this exciting new format offers,” says Executive Director of the Craft Maltsters Guild Jesse Bussard. “Adapting our conference to a virtual experience makes craft malt education more accessible than ever!” 

The 2021 Craft Malt Conference keynote speaker is the esteemed craft beer icon Ken Grossman of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Other guest speakers include Richard Simpson of Simpsons Malt, Bart Watson of the Brewers Association, Becky Harris of Catoctin Creek Distillery, and Dr. Charlie Bamforth of UC Davis, from the University of Nottingham and Sierra Nevada, among many other leading craft malt, beer and spirits industry experts. 

The conference finale is the Malt Cup Awards Ceremony on Friday, February 12th. 2021 marks the third year of this one-of-a-kind malt competition, which was remotely judged by a nationwide team of 74 maltsters, brewers, distillers, researchers and Cicerones. Entry analysis and judging was organized by the Montana State University - Barley, Malt and Brewing Quality Lab. Medals will be awarded for the top three winners in both 2021 categories, Pale Malt and Pilsner Malt.

Registration for the 2021 Craft Malt Conference includes access to the full conference schedule, and is available both to CMG membership and non-members. Register here. 

Media interested in attending the virtual Craft Malt Conference are eligible for comped conference participation. Please contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com to participate in the conference, and with all other media inquiries about the Craft Maltsters Guild. 

ABOUT THE CRAFT MALTSTERS GUILD

Formed in 2013 by eight craft malthouses, the Craft Maltsters Guild’s mission is to promote and sustain the tradition of craft malting in North America, provide services and resources to the Association’s members, and uphold the highest quality and safety standards for Craft Maltsters. Learn more about the Craft Maltsters Guild at www.craftmalting.com.

Deerhammer Presents Cask Savant in collaboration with Crooked Stave

BUENA VISTA, CO— Deerhammer presents the second bottle in its Progeny Series crafted in collaboration with Crooked Stave. Cask Savant is now available in limited quantities at Colorado retailers. 

The Progeny Series is a lineup of small-batch spirits created through inspired partnerships between Deerhammer and other crafters in Colorado. Cask Savant is the second official spirit in this series coming after a whiskey and chocolate pairing with Cultura Chocolate, and an array of barrel aging projects with the likes of Wit’s End Brewing Company, Call To Arms Brewing, and Colorado Cider Company.

In 2015, Deerhammer lay Crooked Stave Hop Savant— a hoppy Brett beer— to rest in heavy toast light char American oak casks. The results of this 50% ABV spirit play out with notes of blackberry jam, sage brush, orange peel, hazelnut, toasted bread crust, and a spectacular interlacing of funky lupulin spice; all of which have culminated in a remarkable dram that you will not taste the likes of anywhere else. 

“Getting to work with a local Colorado distillery that is truly hands-on, making their own wash, fermenting, and distilling is something I wanted to do since I started Crooked Stave. Deerhammer is that perfect partner,” adds Crooked Stave Owner and Brewmaster Chad Yakobson.“I think it's truly amazing the time and love that went into the creation of Progeny Series No. 2 ~ Cask Savant. For Lenny and his team to devote five years to aging this wild and adventurous spirit is something unique.”

“To our knowledge this is the very first example of a spirit born from a 100% Brettanomyces yeast fermentation,” says Deerhammer Founder and Head Distiller Lenny Eckstein, “and those hallmark, rustic, funky-fruit Brett characteristics have materialized big time!” 

Cask Savant is available in limited 750ML bottles at select Colorado retailers with an SRP of $69.99 while supplies last. 

Deerhammer is currently aging more Progeny Series spirits in Redstone Meadery and Carboy Winery barrels, among others, that will be released in coming months to years.

For more information about Cask Savant or Deerhammer, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT DEERHAMMER

Steeped in Tradition. Crafted in Colorado. 

Amy and Lenny Eckstein founded Deerhammer in 2010. Drawn to Buena Vista, Colorado by the whitewater currents of the Arkansas River, their passion for whiskey is driven by that same adventurous spirit. As artisans and business owners, Amy and Lenny’s process is defined by a deep curiosity for the history of spirits and a thoughtful analysis of each individual step of the distilling process. Deerhammer's cornerstone contribution to the field of American craft spirits, Single Malt Whiskey, has become the company's flagship product. Deerhammer also distills Whitewater Whiskey, Buena Vista Brandy, and Dutch Style Gin. Find the distillery online at deerhammer.com.

ABOUT CROOKED STAVE 

Founded in 2010, Crooked Stave is a modern, artisan brewery with a quality-driven focus. The brewery strives to blend science and art through creativity and following our passion. Located in Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood, Crooked Stave is recognized throughout the world for complex and creative wild and sour, barrel-aged beers and a variety of traditional and innovative ales and lagers of all kinds. Crooked Stave invites beer-lovers to visit the Crooked Stave tap rooms located at the brewery, as well as in Fort Collins at The Exchange, and seek out Crooked Stave beer offerings wherever sold. For more information, follow Crooked Stave on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Craft Industry COVID-19 Update - June 2, 2020

Small businesses across the globe continue to take hits amid Coronavirus shutdowns and policy changes. From South Africa to Istanbul, North Carolina to Latin America, and beyond— here are 19 Coronavirus relief efforts that support the hospitality industry.

1. Three weeks after deciding to convert their beer tanks into giant soup-making tanks, Drifter Brewing Company has fed more than 75,000 people across ten different communities in Cape Town through Operation Soup-A-Heroes.

2. Laws Whiskey House released a single barrel selection to support Colorado Restaurant Response. This unique single barrel bourbon has been aged 5 ½ years and has flavors of wildflower honey, butterscotch and orange peel will also be available for sale at participating Colorado Restaurant Response restaurants in May. Find a list of retailers and more details here.

3. Hospitality Net has been adding special coverage with specific topics pertaining to the impact Coronavirus is having on the hospitality industry. Their page contains a growing list of resources with topics that pertain to the industry, with new ones being added as they become available.

4. The James Beard Foundation is committed to helping independent restaurants survive the crisis, rebuild stronger, and thrive for the long term through their Open for Good campaign.

5. One Fair Wage’s High Road Kitchens Program launched during the COVID-19 crisis. High Road Kitchens are independent restaurants that provide food on a sliding scale to those in need, as well as providing jobs for restaurant workers and act as a subsidy for responsible restaurant owners.

6. The United States Bartenders’ Guild National Charity Foundation provides emergency assistance grants to bartenders and their families.

7. The North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild launched the #NCBeerPledge to promote health and safety as businesses begin to reopen. “The #NCBeer Pledge is our industry’s demonstration of that commitment to you.”

8. Hi-Wire Brewing releases a beer to benefit service industry workers in response to the impact the pandemic has had on the industry. A portion of the proceeds from every 6-pack of Donate to Service Industry Workers by Drinking This Beer sold will be donated to the USBG National Charity Foundation and the North Carolina Restaurant Workers Relief Fund.

9. CORE: Children of Restaurant Employees is providing support to food and beverage service employees with children diagnosed with COVID-19.

10. Daniel Grieves reported on chef initiatives in Latin America in the article Sharing the table with coronavirus on 50 Best Stories. Grieves is writing a book to be called Restaurants at Home, featuring 100 recipes from 100 restaurants in Istanbul. All the money raised from sponsors as well as from book sales will go into a fund for restaurant employees in need in Istanbul.

11. The Restaurant Workers Community Foundation created a restaurant workers’ COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund.

12. After seeing the community enthusiasm for their COVID relief efforts, Athletic Brewing Company has pledged to continue their efforts till they reach $100,000 in donations to The Restaurant Employee Relief Fund.

13. The Independent Restaurant Coalition is lobbying Congress to advocate that the stimulus money and related programs pertain to and are tailored for independent restaurants. 

14. Shiner Beer donated $500,000 to the TX Restaurant Relief Fund, an initiative by the Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation. The fund benefits independent restaurants and their workers impacted by COVID-19 by issuing grants.

15. The Brewers Association has teamed up with Bottleshare to create the Believe in Beer fund, which support breweries and state brewers guilds impacted by COVID. “We’re proud to join efforts with the Brewers Association to reciprocate the love and strength that characterize the craft beer community and help the breweries that make it so special,” shares Christopher Glenn, Founder of Bottleshare.

16. Distillers from all around the nation have been responding to the pandemic by pivoting their operations to include the production of hand sanitizer. The Distilled Spirits Council has created a COVID-19 Hand Sanitizer Connection Portal as a resource for distillers looking to produce hand sanitizer, including a map of distillers that are producing hand sanitizer, a list of necessary ingredients and supplies, and distribution methods.

17. Garrison Brothers Distillery, the first legal whiskey distillery in Texas, seeks to raise $2 million for COVID relief efforts with Operation Crush COVID-19. Rather than selling Laguna Madre, a limited-edition, 8-year-old bourbon, as planned this summer, they’ll be making all 2,004 bottles available elusively to donors who support their cause.

18. The Above and Beyond Foundation is dedicated to providing financial relief to help hospitality workers who have been laid off due to the pandemic. Learn more about their efforts here.

19. Pendleton® Whisky, who has close ties to the Western sports community, knows that many athletes within that community are facing challenges due to cancelled events and fewer chances to ride. They’ve donated $100k towards COVID relief efforts for their community.

RadCraft Opens Co-Op Membership Application Early; Offers Free Membership to Barley Crafters Impacted by Coronavirus

Photo by Emily Sierra

Coronavirus really turned our world upside down, and we’ve heard from so many of you that’s the case for you too. We’re here to help, and we can think of no stronger way to show that than to open our doors up to the craft barley community— for business, for support, and for our community across the globe.

Accordingly, we opened up the application period for our communications co-op a month early, we're waiving all annual fees for all breweries, distilleries, and maltsters who apply for the 2020-2021 co-op membership before May 1.

The RadCraft co-op membership is an annual program designed for craft barley crafters with in-house marketing or communications professionals. Membership includes media relations resources like press release publishing and media lists; design services professional photo and video assets; subscriptions to our annual catalogue, vendor directory, and Craft Marketing emails; free tickets & discount pricing to all of RadCraft’s educational offerings, including registration to the annual Craft Social Media workshop; and more. 

Apply for your RadCraft co-op at radcraftbeer.com/jointhecoop. All fees will be waived for applications submitted by Friday, May 1. Applications will be accepted until the end of June. 2020-2021 memberships run July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. 

Companies who apply after May 1 can use the promo code COVIDSUCKS for 25% off the cost of annual membership.

For more information about the RadCraft communications co-op, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

Ska Distributing Expands Beverage Offerings to Include Spirits, CBD Seltzer, and Cider

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing’s distribution arm is expanding its beverage offerings beyond beer to include spirits from Peach Street Distillers, CBD seltzers from Oh Hi Beverages, and ciders from Fenceline Ciders. These new additions to the portfolio will be available across Southwestern Colorado. 

Launched in 2005 by Ska Brewing co-founders Bill Graham and Dave Thibodeau, Ska’s sister distillery Peach Street Distillers will now offer an array of its bottles through Ska Distributing, including Goat Vodka, Jackelope Gin, Smoked Rye Whisky, American Single Malt Whisky, Amaro, Fruit Brandy, Barrel aged Gin, and Colorado Straight Bourbon in all its forms (Barrel Strength, 5 Year, 10 Year and Colorado Straight). "To say the stoke is high is an understatement,” says Peach Street Founder and Ska Brewing Founder Bill Graham to be able to sell and deliver our own goods to my own backyard with the guys I've worked with for years?!? Of course we are going to do this and do it in the best way." 

Co-founded in 2019 by Ska Brewing co-owner Matt Vincent and the owners of Durango Organics, Oh Hi Beverages is a Durango-based cannabis drinks company that crafts THC and CBD seltzers. Ska Distributors will distribute Oh Hi’s CBD seltzer line, which includes Pomegranate, Ginger Basil Limeade, Lemon Lime, and Grapefruit flavors. The cans are available as 12 oz. 4-packs. “We are really excited to partner with Ska Distributors to bring our CBD line of beverages to Southwest Colorado,” says Vincent, who also founded Ska Fabricating in 2012. “It's a great relationship that shares the synergy of all the families it represents. CBD Seltzers are a new category and we are very excited to introduce it to SW Colorado and have Ska Distributing as our partner in doing this."

Founded by Sam Perry and Neal Wight in 2018 in Mancos, Colorado, Fenceline Ciders works with historic orchards to produce its ciders, which include the canned Seedling and Catkin Hopped ciders available now through Ska Distributing as 12-oz. 4-packs. “I am very excited to be working with Ska Brewing and I don't think Fenceline Cider could have found a better partner,” says Sam Perry who co-owns Fenceline. “Ska’s work ethic, commitment to quality, and mold-breaking attitude are all in line with Fenceline's core values. Ska's knowledge of the regional craft beverage market will be a huge asset to Fenceline as we grow.  It's an honor to be a part of their distribution lineup.”

Ska Brewing is also pleased to report the coming addition of wine to its distribution portfolio, and will announce details in coming months. 

For more information about Ska’s non-beer additions to its distribution network, or the who Legion of Ska sister companies including Peach Street Distillers, Ska Fabricating and Oh Hi Beverages, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Ska Brewing Company is the premiere craft distributor for Southwestern Colorado, committed to serving independently owned companies. In addition to their own award-winning beers, The Hard Seltzer, and non-alcoholic Skagua, they distribute other beers from Telluride Brewing, Left Hand Brewing Co., Bristol Brewing, Stone Brewing, Marble Brewing, La Cumbre Brewing Co., Bosque Brewing, and Sweetwater Brewing. Ska services on and off-premise accounts in Durango, Telluride, Ridgway, Ouray, and Pagosa. Find Ska online at skabrewing.com.

Peach Street Distillers Releases Beer Schnapps Distilled With Ska Brewing Modus Hoperandi IPA

PALISADE, CO—  Peach Street Distillers is excited to present its latest rendition of Bier Schnapps, crafted with Ska Brewing’s Modus Hoperandi IPA. 

“Bier Schnapps crafted in the German tradition is simply beer that has been distilled to varying degrees of alcohol content,” says Peach Street Distillers Co-Founder Bill Graham.  

“Some of the distilling old-timers might say that your whisky will only be as good as the beer you’ve made in the first place,” says Davy Lindig Head Distiller. “With that in mind, the Peach Street Distillers team and the Ska Brewing team paired up to brew and then distill Ska Modus Hoperandi Bier Schnapps. Take all the sweet, hoppy goodness you love about and IPA and make it a schnapps.  And when we say ‘schnapps’ we ain’t talking candy canes and thin mints— this is whiskey. When we’re fortunate enough to inherit beers from some of the best breweries in the world, we finish it in our still and age it in our bourbon barrels and— well shoot, you know it’s good.”

Kurt Randall, Ska Brewing’s Head Brewer, directed the brewing side of this Beer Schnapps operation, while Lindig oversaw fermentation and distilling. “I kept having to remind myself that we won’t be drinking this beer,” said Randall during the brew. “Actually we’ll be drinking the schnapps, like— in a year.”  

Ska Brewing and Peach Street Distillers have long been sister companies, but this collaboration of brewers and distillers co-opting a final bottled spirit is a first. “We brewed Modus Hoperandi IPA pretty much top to bottom”, chuckles Randall, “This is Modus, in its most concentrated form.”

Modus Hoperandi Bier Schnapps is now available throughout Colorado distributed by Breakthru Beverage, and at the Peach Street Distillers tasting room in Palisade Colorado.

For more information about Bier Schnapps, Peach Street Distillers, or Ska Brewing contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT PEACH STREET DISTILLERS

Peach Street Distillers was founded in 2005 in the heart of Colorado’s Fruit and Wine region, Palisade Colorado, where the high desert meets the mountains.  The warm days and cool nights in Palisade make the local fruits and grains unimaginably delicious.  Living the very definition of “craft” we do everything the hard way to turn these fermentable raw materials into extraordinary spirits.  Because, this is what we consider fun and what makes for a mighty fine drink.  Peach Street Distillers is Colorado’s oldest continuously owned and operated distillery.  Visit us as www.peachstreetdistillers.com for more about the spirits and the spirits squad.

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, Rue B. Soho and the Mod Project— beers with varying levels of tartness to complement the blend of local fruits used in producing them. For information (a lot of it), music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Deerhammer Distillery Drives The American Single Malt Whiskey Commission's Mission to Define and Recognize the Single Malt Whiskey Category

The American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC) was formed in 2016 in response to the growing need for American-based producers to define the category—both domestically and internationally—in order to protect, educate, promote and ultimately grow it. 

Helping to drive the American Single Malt Whiskey category is Deerhammer Distillery in Buena Vista, Colorado. Deerhammer's cornerstone contribution to the field of American craft spirits, Single Malt Whiskey, has become the company's flagship product. 

“The various styles of whiskey being produced in this country are already so much broader than the historic bourbon and rye whiskies that we’re most known for,” says Deerhammer owner Lenny Eckstein. “With so many distilleries here in the US already producing an American Single Malt Whiskey, I think it’s important that the standards for the style be recognized so that consumers know why Deerhammer American single malt is different than offerings already coming from other countries - Scotland, Ireland, Japan, and India to name a few.”

MORE DETAILS 

Established in 2016, ASMWC serves to establish, promote and protect the category of Single Malt Whiskey. It defines Single Malt Whiskey as spirit made from 100 percent malted barley; distilled entirely at one distillery;  mashed, distilled, and matured in the United States of America; matured in oak casks of a capacity not exceeding 700 liters; distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80 percent ABV); and bottled at 80 (U.S.) proof or more (40 percent ABV). Find ASMWC online at americansinglemaltwhiskey.org.

Deerhammer is one of ASMWC's more than 50 member producers in the United States. Beginning its life as porter-style malted barley whiskey, Deerhammer's Single Malt is shaped by open-air fermentation and double distillation through direct-fire copper pot stills. It is aged in charred virgin white oak casks for at least two years in Buena Vista's high alpine climate that maximizes the flavor potential of the mash, due to dramatic temperature shifts that can range from 40-80° in a single day. The result is a complex whiskey with notes of sweet coffee, cacao, caramel and spices.

If you would like more information about Deerhammer Distillery or The American Single Malt Whiskey Commission please contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.  

ABOUT DEERHAMMER DISTILLING

Steeped in Tradition. Crafted in Colorado. 

Amy and Lenny Eckstein founded Deerhammer in 2010. Drawn to Buena Vista, Colorado by the whitewater currents of the Arkansas River, their passion for whiskey is driven by that same adventurous spirit. As artisans and business owners, Amy and Lenny’s process is defined by a deep curiosity for the history of spirits and a thoughtful analysis of each individual step of the distilling process. Find the distillery online at deerhammer.com.