Lone Tree Brewing Welcomes Spring With 2018 Bière de Printemps
The bright lemon notes from this beer’s yeast finish out the experience and open the senses to the aromatics of spring.
photo by Colin Bridge
LONE TREE, CO — Lone Tree Brewing Company’s 2018 batch of Bière de Printemps is now available in bombers while supplies last. This spring seasonal belongs to Lone Tree’s Branching Out Series of small-batch, specialty beers.
Bière de Printemps, a Bière de Mars, is a palate-awakening French-style spring ale fermented with French Ale Yeast that yields spicy aromas and subtle citrus notes. It is brewed with Noble Hops and a touch of soft winter wheat. The bright lemon notes from this beer’s yeast finish out the experience and open the senses to the aromatics of spring. These first sips of springtime weigh in at 8 percent ABV and 25 IBU.
Bière de Printemps was bottled for the first time in 2017, and this year it returns with refreshed artwork that was created during the brewery’s rebrand via Anthem Branding. It is available on draft at Lone Tree’s tasting room and in bombers across Colorado while supplies last.
For more information about Bière de Printemps contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY
Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree's cans and 22-ounce bombers are sold across the state of Colorado, as well as Kansas and Nebraska. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants in its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
Ska Brewing Now Distributing Telluride Brewing Beers in Durango
Telluride’s Brewing beers are now available at bars, restaurants, and liquor stores in Durango and in surrounding areas— and at Ska’s tasting room every once in a while, too.
Telluride Brewing has partnered with Ska Brewing Company on its Durango distribution. Telluride’s beers are now available at bars, restaurants, and liquor stores in Durango and in surrounding areas— and at Ska’s tasting room every once in a while, too.
“You might think the idea of another production brewery in the Southwest corner of the state would feel like competition, but Ska welcomed us with open arms even before we were open,” says Telluride Brewing President Tommy Thacher. “As we focus more on production there was no better fit in a distribution partner than our big brother Ska, who is is engrained and much more present locally than we could have been before.”
“We have been enjoying Telluride’s high quality, consistent beer since their start,” adds Ska Brewing CEO Dave Thibodeau. “We are stoked to have more of it around, and more excuses to drink beer with our friends from Telluride.”
Telluride Brewing Company sells cans of Face Down Brown, Tempter IPA, Fishwater Double IPA, Whacked Out Wheat, Bridal Veil Rye Pale Ale and Russell Kelly Pale Ale, as well as draft-only flavors in its distribution footprint. Telluride’s portfolio is available throughout the rest of Colorado through Elite Brands.
For more information about Ska Brewing or its distribution arm, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Ska Brewing Company is the premiere craft distributor for Southwestern Colorado. In addition to their own award-winning products they distribute for other breweries such as Left Hand, Stone, Marble, La Cumbre and several others. Ska services on and off-premise accounts in Durango, Telluride, Ridgway, Ouray, and Pagosa. Find Ska online at skabrewing.com.
ABOUT TELLURIDE BREWING
Telluride Brewing Company crafts gold-medal beer in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Brewed with premium malts and worthy hops, the beers it produces are distinct yet classic. In just six years, the brewery has grown from a local favorite to a state-wide sensation, serving up its beers in kegs and cans throughout Colorado. Telluride Brewing Company has earned accolades for its Whacked Out Wheat at the World Beer Cup® (2015) and Great American Beer Festival® (2015) and for its Face Down Brown at the World Beer Cup (2012) and the Great American Beer Festival (2012 & 2014, 2015). For more information, visit telluridebrewingco.com.
Sour Fest at Thirsty Monk in Asheville Returns For The 8th Year
This celebration of sour, wild and mixed fermentation ales from across the state, country, and the globe is Thirsty Monk’s first signature event of the year.
photo by Colin Bridge
Sour Fest at Asheville-born Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer bars, is back for the eighth year March 12 to 16. This celebration of sour, wild and mixed fermentation ales from across the state, country, and the globe is Thirsty Monk’s first signature event of the year.
Sour Fest is a five-day tap takeover of sought-after sour beers at Thirsty Monk in Downtown Asheville and Biltmore Park locations. The beer list includes rare selections from Cascade Barrel House, New Belgium, Firestone Walker, Brouwerij Boon, Haw River Farmhouse Ales, Zebulon Artisan Ales, and so many more.
“I curate this tap lineup with multiple goals in mind,” says Thirsty’s Monk’s Beer Buyer and Marketing and Events Coordinator Joanna Postlethwaite. “I strive to bring together a collection of beers that explores the many flavors of sour beer— from tart, to fruit-forward, to complex and funky. I’m putting together the best examples I can find from breweries across the country and the world, as well as exceptional contributions from our talented neighboring breweries here in North Carolina.”
For a complete beer list or for more information about Thirsty Monk, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT THIRSTY MONK
Thirsty Monk, founded in 2008, brews Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operates a family of well-recognized, craft beer destinations in Asheville, NC, Denver, CO, and Portland, OR. Find the company online at monkpub.com.
RadCraft 2017 Year In Review
In 2017, RadCraft's partners brewed more than 93,000 BBL of beer, employed 1,154 people, and contributed more than $100,000 to charity.
RadCraft’s partners brewed more than 93,000 BBL of beer, malted 400,000 pounds of barley, and distilled a small but significant volume of American Single Malt whiskey in 2017.
photo by Emily Sierra Photography
Last year our partners employed 1,154 people across the country, and served their world-class beer in five states. They debuted more than 15 packaged products on the market, which included Strange Craft’s 125th anniversary beer for The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa and Deerhammer’s first extension of their flagship product, Port Cask Finish American Single Malt.
RadCraft partners contributed more than $100,000 to charitable efforts throughout the calendar year.
A few of RadCraft’s tribe dug deep into their brands, refreshing and in some cases completely overhauling their label design and beyond. Lone Tree Brewing Co. underwent a complete company rebrand via Anthem Branding in the spring, and later in the year Bonfire Brewing began refreshing their canned beer labels one by one.
Lone Tree Brewing Company was awarded a gold medal for its Mexican Lager and a silver medal for its Hop Zombie IPA at the 2017 Great American Beer Festival® in the American Style Lager or Light Lager category and the Imperial Red Ale category, respectively. RadCraft partners also brought home awards from the San Diego International Beer Festival and the Colorado State Fair, among others.
Strange Craft joined forces with Wit's End Brewing Co. on Denver's first brewery co-tasting room and brewhouse at Strange's location on Zuni Street. Wit’s End Head Brewer Tyler Bies took over as Head Brewer of both brewing operations in December 2017.
Asheville-born Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer bars expanded its family of pubs to Denver, Colorado and Portland, Oregon. The Monkification of these locations is underway.
That’s only a snapshot of what our partners are up to. Here are their complete 2017 Year in Reviews.
Strange Craft Beer Co. / Wit’s End Brewing Co.
RadCraft secured more than 2,000 earned media placements for our partners in 2017. We helped with the launch of a new brewery brand— congratulations to Spice Trade Brewing on all of its successes in year one— and the development of online presence for a company that’s been thriving for more than 13 years— props to The MBM Group, which also hired its first managing partner Anna Nadasdy this year.
photo by Colin Bridge
In February, RadCraft Founder Emily Hutto launched the #dailystout campaign. Learn more about the effort and its 2018 development here.
In May, Little Shop of Floral made more than 20 bouquets of #GrowlerFlowers using our old growlers for our Moms on Mother’s Day. This was the soft launch of The Growler Flowers Project, a hashtag on Instagram and Twitter. There is so much more to come.
Over the summer we challenged beer-loving photographers to submit their depiction of “Summer Beer” in the Summer Session Photo Contest. The winner, Chris Rand, won our hearts with this photo of Bella and a Mountain Tap Brewery Crowler.
Throughout the year RadCraft had the honor of participating in several educational functions dedicated to professionals in the craft marketing space. If you would like resources from any of these conferences and events, feel free to reach out.
In January, our Founder Emily Hutto gave a presentation at the January Business of Beer event at Comrade Brewing advocating social media as a market research tool.
In March she moderated a panel during Colorado Craft Beer Week that celebrated the community of the breweries along the C-470 Corridor (Keep up the #C470beer hashtag, folks!), and another discussion on best practices for brewpub marketing at the inaugural Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference.
In November she had the opportunity to speak at both the North Carolina Craft Brewers Conference and the Colorado Brewers Summit about best practices for brewery blogging and brewery public relations strategies, respectively.
Also in 2017, RadCraft was stoked to be included in two podcast episodes, both focused on our favorite topic: craft beer marketing. Thank you to Steve Schmidt at Market the Brew and Ryan Wheaton at Branding Brews for their time and great conversations!
Market The Brew, Episode 030: PR: Authentic Narratives for Unique Breweries
Branding Brews, Episode BB020: Creating a Content Calendar
In December, RadCraft celebrated its 5th anniversary. Read our reflections on five years in business here.
photo by The Brewtography Project
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2018
We're currently in the throws of Stout Month, using the hashtag #dailystout to document our fundraising efforts for Water For Good.
We're excited to welcome Ska Brewing to our tribe of radical crafters. Say hello to Ska, everyone!
We're heading to Nashville for the Craft Brewers Conference in April, where we're collaborating with fellow craft marketing companies— Promote The Brew, CODO Design, and more— as co-expo vendors. Get ready.
We couldn't do what we do without our partners, our collaborators, and our friends in the craft beer community. Raising our glasses to everyone who contributed to a successful 2017 at RadCraft. Cheers to 2018!
Station 26 Brewing Co. Debuts Canned Six-Packs of Juicy Banger IPA
This award-winning beer is now available in canned six-packs across the brewery’s distribution footprint in Colorado.
DENVER, CO — Station 26 Brewing Company’s Juicy Banger IPA is now available in canned six-packs across the brewery’s distribution footprint in Colorado.
Since its debut in 2014, Station 26’s award-winning Juicy Banger IPA has won over the hearts of hop-loving Colorado beer drinkers. It’s a 7.4 percent ABV IPA brewed with Centennial, Citra, and Mosaic hops that yield flavors of apricot, papaya, and honey.
”Canning Juicy Banger IPA makes the beer more accessible to hopheads across the Front Range," says Station 26 founder Justin Baccary. "We are excited to share our flagship beer with friends new and old."
Juicy Banger IPA joins Station 26’s canned beer family that also includes Colorado Cream Ale, Tangerine Cream, American Copper, and Pale Ale. It is now available in six-packs across the Denver Metro and Boulder areas.
For more information about Station 26, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT STATION 26 BREWING CO.
Station 26 Brewing Co. brews craft beers in a 1960 fire station in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood. The brewery was founded in 2013 by Justin Baccary and friends. It’s an ideal first stop for travelers coming from Denver International Airport. Find the brewery online at www.station26brewing.co.
Four Styles of Stout to Track Down This Stout Month
Talking Stout styles with Dan Rabin. Here are four varieties of Stouts, with examples of each style to boot. Happy Stout Month!
Emily Hutto and Dan Rabin, photo by The Brewtography Project
Beer and travel author Dan Rabin and RadCraft founder Emily Hutto, gave a talk at the Denver Press Club in November about the variety among styles of the beloved Stout beer style. Thanks again to The Press Club for having us, and thanks to Dan for this great idea. He wanted to convey the true spectrum that is Stout styles, and he's largely responsible for choosing the beer list below.
It should be noted that Dan was one of the first contributors to the #DailyStout campaign for Water for Good, too!
Here are four varieties of Stouts, with examples of each style to boot. Happy Stout Month!
Dry Irish Stout: Carlow Brewing Co. (aka O’Hara’s Brewery) O’Hara’s Irish Stout, 4.3% ABV 40 IBU
This family-owned brewery began operating in 1996 as a pioneer in Irish craft brewing. While the Dry Irish Stout style is generally synonymous with Guinness, there’s a perception among many that the Guinness brewed today by the Irish corporate giant lacks the robust character of the Guinness of old. O’Hara’s Irish Stout is often described as “authentic,” “traditional,“ and “how stouts used to taste.” Indeed, the beer hits all the right notes stylistically with a smooth malt base, coffee-like roastiness, dry finish and low alcohol content conducive to partaking in multiple pints. Its flavors are best expressed when served cool, not cold.
Sweet Stout: Finkel & Garf Brewing Co. Oatmeal Milk Stout, 5.5% ABV, 36 IBU
Stylistically, this Boulder-brewed stout represents a hybrid of Sweet Stout and Oatmeal Stout. F&G is committed to subtlety and approachability in its beers, and this one in particular is brewed to debunk assumptions that dark and “sweet” beers are scary, chewy, or cloying. It has just the right roundness of roast, dark chocolate, and malt sweetness that washes down smooth and slightly sweet. The silky mouthfeel of this stout is created through the use of about 10 percent oats in its grain bill. F&G Oatmeal Milk Stout is the 2017 GABF gold medal winner in the Sweet or Cream Stout category.
Foreign Export Stout: Left Hand Brewing Co. Fade to Black Vol. 1, 8.5% ABV 30 IBU
Longmont’s Left Hand Brewing may be best known for its smooth milk stout, but the brewery’s seasonal Fade to Black Vol. 1 Foreign Export Stout has garnered its own collection of prestigious awards including three gold medals and one silver at the Great American Beer Festival, and a gold medal at the 2016 World Beer Cup. The beer is big, bold, complex and highly satisfying. As it warms, a variety of flavors emerge including coffee, chocolate, licorice and dark fruits. At 8.5%, it toes the line, but doesn’t quite enter the terrain of Imperial Stouts.
Imperial Stout: Great Divide Brewing Co. Yeti Imperial Stout, 9.5% ABV, 75 IBU
This beer is big in every way. Made by the home of Colorado’s original strong ale (Hibernation Ale, first brewed in in 1995), Great Divide’s infamous Yeti is a classic example of the Imperial Stout style, winner of three Great American Beer Festival awards in the Imperial Stout category. It’s a liquid balancing act between big, roasty malt flavor and bold hop flavor and aroma. Stout in general and specifically Yeti has been a great canvas for brewing creations, which at Great Divide have been an array of Yeti varietals including Espresso Oak-Aged and Oatmeal Yeti.
Thirsty Monk Wins Best of Craft Beer Award; Named Best Bar in NC by RateBeer.com
Thirsty Monk took home a gold medal in the Belgian-Style Table Beer category in the Best of Craft Beer Awards and was named the best bar in North Carolina in the RateBeer.com Best Places for Beer by Subregion for 2017.
Thirsty Monk took home a gold medal in the Belgian-Style Table Beer category in the Best of Craft Beer Awards today.
Wiser Monk is a refreshing Belgian-style table beer with mild hints of fruit and spice on the nose, flavors of light grains, and a trace of herbal hop in its clean finish. It weighs in at 4.5 percent ABV. Wiser Monk was one of 11 entries in the 2018 Best of Craft Beer Awards. This year's silver medal was awarded to Birds Fly South Ale Project for Weatherman and bronze to Abbey Brewing Company for Monks' Ale. Find the complete list of 2018 winners here.
Also this month Thirsty Monk Brewery & Pub was named the best bar in North Carolina in the RateBeer.com Best Places for Beer by Subregion for 2017. Find that list here.
Lessons Learned From A Month of #DailyStout Tasting
We drank Stout every day for a month, and here's what we found out.
Photo by Jeff Tyler
In Colorado, February is Stout Month. It’s a short but passionate 28 days dedicated to the full-bodied, roasty, coffee-esque, malt-forward wonder that is the Stout beer style.
I love Stout, but I don’t always reach for it over other styles. I also love a good challenge.
So when a friend suggested I fully explore this beer style by tasting a different Stout every day last February, I gladly accepted. And to what was often the chagrin of my partner, I did it.
I tasted a different Stout each day in February 2017 and documented the process on social media using hashtag #dailystout. I held myself accountable for tasting at least one different Stout every day. Thirst Magazine caught on to what I was up to and they published this article about my Stout recommendations.
Stout came to be my daily liquid bread— after a month I had discovered its versatility, and I craved it. When Stout Month ended, #dailystout did not. I kept tasting and researching the style. One year later, here’s what I’ve come to know about Stout…
Stout comes with a dark beer stigma, and the style is generally misunderstood— even among craft beer drinkers.
Stout is not Porter.
Stout Month is one of my favorite craft marketing campaigns.
Stout is for whiskey lovers.
Stout can develop incredible nuanced flavor and aroma over time, if you know a thing or two about cellaring beers.
Stout is a food-friendly beer, perfect for pairings.
Stout is a blank canvas for a cornucopia of abstract beer ingredients.
Stout is scarce in island communities. More on that later.
Stout is a foundation for good causes.
2018 Stout Month is upon us and the #dailystout ritual returns! This year it’s dedicated to raising funds for the conservation of clean water, a resource that the brewing industry continues to consume more and more of. I've recruited fellow Stout tasters too.
Throughout the month of February, we're drinking #dailystout to raise funds for Water For Good. This organization creates long-term partnerships with communities in Africa, empowering them with sustainable access to clean water and transformational development solutions. Water For Good was a natural partner for our #dailystout campaign because Africa is responsible for much of the world’s production and consumption of Stout... And we think what they're up to is pretty rad.
Whether you can donate or not, we hope you’ll join the #dailystout hashtag on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to help us spread the word.
Cheers to Stout Month!
— Emily Hutto, RadCraft Founder
Order’s Up at Station 26 Brewing Company’s New Food Truck, Order 26
The Order 26 Food Truck at Station 26 Brewing Company is now open for business daily.
DENVER, CO — The Order 26 Food Truck at Station 26 Brewing Company is now open for business under the leadership of Station 26 Operations Manager Dustin Darker and Head Chef Jac Gregory.
Order 26 is a New American Mobile Diner with seasonal and rotating daily specials to complement the staple items, such as the Truck-fil-a Chicken Sandwich and Smothered Tots. The truck has monthly pop-ups in the works too— look for more on its upcoming Chinese New Year celebration and Ramen Pop-Up soon. Click here for the menu.
“The addition of Order 26 is an improvement on our craft beer business model without diluting our brand,” says Station 26 Founder Justin Baccary. Order 26 will offer Station 26 customers consistent, quality food options that reflect the brewing company’s overall mission— it will use compostable plates and silverware, recycle its cooking oil for bio-fuel, and offer beer pairing suggestions for its menu items.
Order 26 will be open daily from 3-9pm M-F, 1-9pm Saturday, and 1-8pm Sunday. Later in 2018, guests can expect collaborations with local chefs, lunch hours, and more.
Learn more about Order 26 on the Station 26 Brewing blog.
For more information about Order 26 at Station 26 Brewing Co., contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT STATION 26 BREWING CO.
Station 26 Brewing Co. brews craft beers in a 1960 fire station in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood. The brewery was founded in 2013 by Justin Baccary and friends. It’s an ideal first stop for travelers coming from Denver International Airport. Find the brewery online at www.station26brewing.co.
Deerhammer American Single Malt Wins 2018 Good Food Award
Deerhammer Distilling’s American Single Malt was named a winner in the spirits category of the 2018 Good Food Awards today at the organization’s annual awards ceremony
Photo by Kassia Borreson of the Good Food Awards blind tasting
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Deerhammer Distilling’s American Single Malt was named a winner in the spirits category of the 2018 Good Food Awards today at the organization’s annual awards ceremony at the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center.
Now in its eighth year, the Good Food Awards are given to tasty, authentic and responsible food producers in 15 categories: spirits, beer, cider, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, coffee, confections, preserved fish, honey, oils pantry, pickles, preserves, and elixirs. Deerhammer American Single Malt was one of 279 finalists for the 2018 awards, which include 15 other spirits category finalists. This year’s judges included Summer-Jane Bell, the president of the US Bartender’s Guild, and Sue AnderBois, the director of Food Strategy of the State of Rhode Island, among several other food and beverage professionals and spirits writers.
Good Food Awards entries must be made in the United States, utilize ingredients that are grown and sourced responsibly and grown without the use of synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fungicides or fertilizers as much as possible, free of artificial ingredients, and distilled without GMOs.
"It’s great to finally see the American Single Malt category gain some recognition, but even more awesome to be recognized by the Good Food Awards that takes the judging criteria seriously for American whiskey,” says Deerhammer founder and head distiller Lenny Eckstein. “This award is a huge honor for us.”
For more information about Deerhammer's American Single Malt, or with any other media inquiries, feel free to contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com. For more information about the Good Food Awards, contact Madeline Wheeler at madeline@postcardcomm.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. 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 THE GOOD FOOD AWARDS
The Good Food Awards (GFA) celebrate exceptional American craft food and drink producers who create distinctive, handcrafted, and sustainable products. The GFA brings together thought leaders from every sector of the food industry to choose the most delicious products from all regions of the country in a blind tasting. Products are evaluated by region, allowing the GFA to showcase the rich variety of terroirs of the nation’s food culture, elevating craft producers with the ultimate aim of stimulating local food economies. After the tasting, high-scoring producers are closely vetted for compliance with GFA requirements for sustainable production practices. Winners and runners-up are evaluated by the Good Food Foundation and announced each January at the Awards Ceremony. Learn more at goodfoodawards.org.
Lone Tree Brewing Horchata Stout Now Available
This popular wintertime beer is back for the third year, and only available while supplies last.
Photo by Colin Bridge
LONE TREE, CO — Lone Tree Brewing Company’s seasonal Horchata Stout hits Colorado shelves in bombers this week. This popular wintertime beer is back for the third year, and only available while supplies last.
Horchata Stout is a 6 percent ABV stout brewed with chocolate, cinnamon, and lactose. It was first brewed in collaboration with The Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant as a nod to the popular Mexican rice and almond milk beverage. "Together we developed a recipe that incorporated the creamy texture of Horchata and the slight spice of cinnamon,” says Lone Tree Sales Manager Bridgette Geiger.
Horchata Stout belongs to Lone Tree Brewing Company’s Branching Out series of experimental, limited quantity beers in large format bottles. These beers were first served draft-only at Lone Tree and by popular demand have become the brewery’s packaged offerings. The Branching Out Series also includes Bière de Printemps, India Pale Lager, Cranberry Saison, English Old Ale, and Triple IPA.
A very limited number of Horchata Stout bombers will be distributed across Colorado. The beer is also on draft while supplies last at the brewery’s tasting room.
For more information about Lone Tree Brewing’s Horchata Stout contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY
Take Root, Grow Friends
Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree's cans and 22-ounce bombers are sold across the state of Colorado, as well as Kansas and Nebraska. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants in its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
Deerhammer American Single Malt Whiskey is a 2018 Good Food Awards Finalist
Deerhammer American Single Malt is among 279 other finalists for the 2018 awards, Finalists were chosen from 2,057 entries.
BUENA VISTA, CO — Deerhammer American Single Malt Whiskey was named a finalist in the spirits category of the 2018 Good Food Awards!
In its eighth year, Good Food Awards are given to tasty, authentic and responsible food producers in 15 categories: spirits, beer, cider, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, coffee, confections, preserved fish, honey, oils pantry, pickles, preserves, and elixirs. Deerhammer American Single Malt is one of 279 finalists for the 2018 awards, which include 15 other spirits category finalists and seven other finalists across categories originating from the state of Colorado. Finalists were chosen from a pool of 2,057 entries.
Spirits that meet the criteria for Good Food Awards entry can trace all of their ingredients, from base distillate to added ingredients, without the use of genetically modified crops and without artificial additives.
Beginning its life as porter-style malted barley whiskey, Deerhammer's American 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.
The winners of the 2018 Good Food Awards will be announced on January 19, 2018.
For more information about Deerhammer contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com. For more information about the Good Food Awards, contact Madeline Wheeler at madeline@postcardcomm.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. 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 THE GOOD FOOD AWARDS
The Good Food Awards (GFA) celebrate exceptional American craft food and drink producers who create distinctive, handcrafted, and sustainable products. The GFA brings together thought leaders from every sector of the food industry to choose the most delicious products from all regions of the country in a blind tasting. Products are evaluated by region, allowing the GFA to showcase the rich variety of terroirs of the nation’s food culture, elevating craft producers with the ultimate aim of stimulating local food economies. After the tasting, high-scoring producers are closely vetted for compliance with GFA requirements for sustainable production practices. Winners and runners-up are evaluated by the Good Food Foundation and announced each January at the Awards Ceremony. Learn more at goodfoodawards.org.
What Lone Tree Brewing Company's GABF Win Means For Craft
Given GABF’s rigorous judging process and the competition-heavy category, Mexican Lager’s performance stands as a testament to the passion and prowess of Josh West and the rest of Lone Tree’s team.
Photos by Colin Bridge, Words by Brody Leonard
Since its genesis in 1987, the Great American Beer Festival’s “American-Style Lager” category has been dominated by the goliaths of the beer industry. Pabst Blue Ribbon, Coors Banquet and other such frat party fodder took home the gold year after year. That is until 2017, when the little guys brought out the big guns. This year, Lone Tree Brewing Co. took gold with one well-placed missile: their Mexican Lager.
Straight out of Lone Tree, CO, this small brewery is serving up some game-changing beers. Formerly known as their Summer Siesta Mexican Lager, this brew’s medal marks the first time an independently owned brewery has come out on top in this style category. With movements such as Take Back Craft gaining momentum, this is big news in the brewing community.
That said, it’s not the first time a craft brewery has come close to dethroning the likes of Pabst, Coors and Miller. Lone Tree’s Mexican Lager (under its previous name) earned a silver medal at GABF 2015.
North Carolina-based Sycamore Brewing has also had success in this style category. Their Sun Grown Fresh Craft Lager earned bronze this year, as did their Southern Girl Lager in 2015. In fact, their 2015 bronze medal prompted them to collaborate with Lone Tree Brewing on an Imperial Pale Lager. The result, Breakthrough IPL, was a celebration of the two breweries almost unseating Pabst that year.
This year, almost is no longer. While Lone Tree’s head brewer, Josh West, humbly attributes the win to a “lucky alignment of the judges’ tastes that day,” happenstance seems unlikely.
Crisp and crushable, Mexican Lagers have been a trending style in the craft beer world. There is no specific Mexican Lager category at GABF— yet— and accordingly, this style is judged under the umbrella of American-Style Lager.
This broad category attracted 75 entries this year. Lone Tree’s victory amounts to more than the gustatory whims of a panel of beer-drinking experts.
After all, the judging process at GABF is an intensive process. Without knowing the beer’s brand or brewery, judges sit down and taste brews to determine three world-class beers in each category. The GABF Awards Philosophy states that a beer must display “the proper balance of taste, aroma and appearance” in order to be awarded a gold medal.
According to the U.S. Brewers Association, an exemplary American-Style Lager should boast a straw or golden hue. Malt sweetness should be very low, as should hop aroma and overall bitterness. In short, “American Lagers [should be] very clean and crisp, and aggressively carbonated.”
Given GABF’s rigorous judging process and the competition-heavy category, Mexican Lager’s performance stands as a testament to the passion and prowess of Josh West and the rest of Lone Tree’s team.
“We were one medal away from winning Small Brewery of the Year,” remarked West. “This year’s medals are immensely motivating — we’re very excited to see what we can do at next year’s Great American Beer Festival.”
Bonfire Brewing Introduces New Kindler Pale Ale Cans
Kindler is the second of Bonfire’s cans to get a new look (Demshitz Brown Ale was the first), with new Firestarter IPA, Brush Creek Blonde Ale, and WtFO Double IPA cans coming in early 2018.
EAGLE, CO — Bonfire Brewing is excited to debut its classic Kindler Pale Ale recipe with refreshed label artwork. Kindler is the second of Bonfire’s cans to get a new look (Demshitz Brown Ale was the first), with new Firestarter IPA, Brush Creek Blonde Ale, and WtFO Double IPA cans coming in early 2018.
The new Bonfire cans, which feature an adventurer and her pup, were designed by Heather Neale and Riley Cran under the leadership of Bonfire Brewing’s Co-Owner and Art Director Amanda Jessen. “Bonfire beers have proven to be the perfect accompaniment to the adventurous lifestyle that we are so fortunate to experience here in Eagle,” Amanda says. “Whether it’s a summer hike with a four-legged friend or campfire beers after a day on the river, each of our new can designs offers a glimpse into our story, which is both quintessentially Colorado and uniquely Bonfire.”
Bonfire’s design team draws inspiration from its mountain surroundings for its beer names. Kindler was originally brewed in the spring to coincide with the Eagle Valley-wide re-kindling of a desire to get back out on the trails and into the water. Its popularity has since transformed it into a year-round flagship. Kindler is a traditional American Pale featuring Mosaic and Simcoe hops, deliberately designed to impart a more refreshing than bitter hop character. Undergoing seven hop additions to bring it close to the top of the pale ale scale at 42 IBUs, the Kindler has a distinctly fruity hop aroma and finish.
New Kindler cans are now available at Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, and at liquor stores across Colorado.
The Bonfire Brewing Demshitz American Brown Ale was the first of the Bonfire cans that Amanda and her team refreshed. The new artwork depicts a post-kayak trip van camping scene, featuring a bright orange bonfire, and paying homage to the Demshitz paddling lifestyle.
“Bonfire is all about keeping things fresh for 2018 and beyond, so all cans will eventually have a new look, with each can telling a piece of our ‘Bonfire lifestyle’ story,” Amanda says.
For more information about Bonfire Brewing, 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.
Wit’s End To Close Current Location, Tap Moving Day Belgian Pale Ale at Strange Craft
Moving Day was brewed with oats, wheat, honey, married with Hallertauer Herbrucker and Denali hops, and fermented with a blend of the two brewery’s respective yeast strains.
Photo by The Brewtography Project
DENVER, CO — For every (Wit’s) end, there is a (Strange) new beginning.
Saturday, November 25 is Wit’s End Brewing’s last day in business at its current location on West 2nd Avenue, Unit 13, 80219.
On December 1, Strange Craft and Wit’s End Brewing Company will tap their collaboration Moving Day, an Imperial Session Belgian Pale Ale, to commemorate the combining of their brewhouses and tasting rooms.
Moving Day was brewed with oats, wheat, honey, married with Hallertauer Herbrucker and Denali hops, and fermented with a blend of the two brewery’s respective yeast strains. It rings in at 5.5 percent ABV, slightly higher in alcohol than a traditional Belgian Pale, hence its Imperial Session title.
This beer is a bittersweet celebration of Wit’s End and a Strange Craft’s new venture. “Oats and wheat are Wit’s End and Strange’s adjuncts of choice,” says Wit’s End Founder Scott Witsoe. “We added honey for a sweet counter to the soft herbal bitterness of Hallertauer Herbrucker and Denali hops— for the old and the new... see what we did there?”
Moving Day will tap at the Strange Craft - Wit’s End Brewing co-tasting room on Zuni Street on December 1 when it opens for business at noon. It will only be available on draft and in Crowlers to-go. Crowlers of Strange and Wit’s End beers will be available at the co-tasting room beginning December 1.
If you would like more information about Moving Day or Strange Craft and Wit’s End Brewing’s co-habitation contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT STRANGE CRAFT BEER COMPANY
When Strange Craft Beer Co. opened south of Denver’s Mile High Stadium in May 2010, it was the first nanobrewery in the city brewing one barrel of beer at a time. Strange has since become a destination spot for Colorado beer drinkers, and taken home two Great American Beer Festival® medals and two World Beer Cup® awards. Visit the brewery online at strangecraft.com.
ABOUT WIT’S END BREWING COMPANY
At the dawn of the fourth wave of craft beer, Wit’s End opened its original nanobrewery in 2011 and hasn’t looked back since. Through the years Wit’s End has added some hardware on the walls including GABF® and World Beer Cup® awards, a new 7 BBL Brewhouse, and more amazing memories than it could ever hope to share. It will remain an artisanal Denver brewery that continues to be fueled by dreams and inspired by the limitless potential of craft beer… join Wit’s End on the journey! witsendbrewing.com
Station 26 Brewing Co. Announces Dark Star Varietals, Brewery List, and Bomber Sale for inaugural Black Friday Invitational
In past years Station 26 has released its famed Dark Star Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout the day after Thanksgiving. This year the tradition has expanded.
DENVER, CO — Station 26 Brewing Co. has finalized the pour list for its upcoming event, the inaugural Black Friday Invitational.
In past years Station 26 has released its famed Dark Star Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout the day after Thanksgiving. This year the tradition has expanded to include ten variants of this sought-after Stout, as well as beers from other breweries.
Here is the Dark Star variant list—
Almond Joy: toasted coconut, cacao nibs, toasted almond
Mexican Chocolate: Mexican vanilla bean, Saigon cassia, Pequin chiles, cacao nibs
Sesame Brittle: toasted sesame seeds, ginger, toasted coconut, caramel
Root Beer Float: root beer herbs/spices (sarsaparilla, sassafras, ginger, birch bark, licorice root, dandelion root, Cascade hops, wild cherry tree bark, juniper berries, cinnamon), Mexican vanilla
Manhattan: bitters herbs (cardamom, coriander, gentian root, allspice, clove), orange zest
Gingerbread: ginger, vanilla, molasses
IKEA: lingonberry, garnished with Swedish meatballs
The Forager: roasted mushrooms (crimini, shiitake, oyster), red and golden beet, chapulines (grasshoppers), rosemary, thyme, sage
Breakfast: maple syrup, coffee, bacon, blueberry
Black Walnut and Port: Port barrel aged Dark Star with toasted black walnuts
Limited bombers of Almond Joy, Root Beer Float, Manhattan, and Black Walnut and Port will be available for reserve beginning Tuesday, November 14. Guests can pick up bombers beginning Saturday, November 25.
Here is the brewery list —
4 Noses Brewing Company, Broomfield
Call To Arms Brewing Company, Denver
Powder Keg Brewing Company, Niwot
River North Brewery, Denver
Ratio Beerworks, Denver
TRVE Brewing, Denver
Our Mutual Friend Brewery, Denver
Melvin Brewing, Jackson, WY and Bellingham, WA
Tickets to the Black Friday Invitational cost $55 each, and include a 2.5-hour tasting session, 13 drink tickets for 3oz pours of Dark Star and other specialty beers, passed appetizers, and a commemorative Black Friday Invitational glass. Purchase tickets and reserve bombers via Eventbrite here.
For more information about this event, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT STATION 26 BREWING CO.
Station 26 Brewing Co. brews craft beers in a 1960 fire station in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood. The brewery was founded in 2013 by Justin Baccary and friends. It’s an ideal first stop for travelers coming from Denver International Airport. Find the brewery online at www.station26brewing.co.
Portland's Bazi Bierbrasserie Joins Thirsty Monk Family
Portland’s premiere Belgian and European beer bar announced today its plan to join the Thirsty Monk, Inc. family of breweries and pubs.
Photo by Stephanie Yao Long via the Oregonian
PORTLAND, OR— Bazi Bierbrasserie (1522 SE 32 nd Ave – Hawthorne District), Portland’s premiere Belgian and European beer bar announced today its plan to join the Thirsty Monk, Inc. family of breweries and pubs.
“It is with much delight that I announce Bazi Bierbrasserie will be joining the Thirsty Monk family, an organization that shares the same passion for Belgian beer and values a sense of community” says Bazi Owner Hilda Stevens. “This provides an opportunity for my employees’ growth aspirations in the service industry while also aligning with an institution that embraces crafting exceptional Belgian-inspired beers and providing a superior customer experience."
Over the past six years, Bazi Bierbrasserie has become a Belgo aficionado oasis, quickly receiving recognition in hop-centric Portland and at the national level. Bazi Bierbrasserie was named “Top 100 Beer Bars in America” by DRAFT Magazine for three consecutive years, “Top Beer Bars in Portland” by the Oregonian and Thrillist, “Portland No. 1 Soccer Pub” by the Oregonian, and “SE Portland Best Happy Hours” by Willamette Week.
"Bazi and Thirsty Monk have been on such similar paths since inception, with the experiences we offer patrons and seats on the same “Top 100 Beer Bars” lists," says Thirsty Monk CEO Barry Bialik. "Hilda’s values, attention to detail, and compassion towards her employees resonates strong at Bazi, and those are all shared values of Thirsty Monk that make this additional of them to our family feel even more natural."
Stevens will stay on staff at the Portland Thirsty Monk to help though the transition to ensure clientele continues to receive the same level of customer service they've come to expect at Bazi. "I’ve lived in Portland for 20 years and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to grow a business in such a welcoming community, but after Hurricane Harvey my priorities have changed personally. My intention is to eventually head south to be closer to my siblings and parents in Houston," she says.
Bazi will officially become part of the Thirsty Monk family in mid-December, and the space will take on the Thirsty Monk name in early 2018. Plans include adding a small batch brewhouse in Portland.
Thirsty Monk is also expanding to Denver, Colorado. Read that press release here.
For information about this news, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT THIRSTY MONK
Thirsty Monk, founded in 2008, brews Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales in Asheville, NC, a world recognized craft beer destination. Thirsty Monk currently operates Thirsty Monk Downtown, Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park, Top of the Monk craft cocktail bar, and Brother Joe’s Coffee Pub, all in Asheville. Thirsty Monk is expanding its brewing operation to Denver, CO later this year. Find the company online at monkpub.com.
ABOUT BAZI BIERBRASSERIE
If Monks lived in Portland, this would be their watering hole. Bazi brings centuries of Belgian-inspired beer and food under one roof plus a premium liquor selection. Explore with a nationally recognized Bier-Cocktail or simply sip on a glass of wine. As a Euro-centric establishment Bazi embraces bringing community together through sports. The bar is an official Thorns, Timbers, Liverpool FC and American Outlaws partner, and showcase these and other events on our 114" HDTV with surround sound. Named “No 1 Soccer Pub” by The Oregonian 2016, “Top 100 Beer Bars in America” by DRAFT Magazine 2014, 1015, 2016 and “Top 10 Best Beer Bars in Portland” by The Oregonian, 2014. Located in the heart of the Hawthorne District, tucked away just off of SE 32nd Avenue. Find Bazi online at bazipdx.com.
English Old Ale From Lone Tree Brewing Co. Now Available
This winter seasonal ale brewed with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice was formerly called Arctic Spice Old Ale.
LONE TREE, CO — Lone Tree Brewing Company released its 2017 batch of English Old Ale this week. This winter seasonal ale brewed with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice was formerly called Arctic Spice Old Ale. It belongs to the brewery’s Branching Out Series of experimental, limited quantity beers in large format bottles.
This beer’s spices follow aromatics of dark fruit on the nose. The first sip of this 8 percent ABV Old Ale delivers notes of sweet, rich molasses. Roasted malts mingled with earthy hop notes round out the finish. It’s a hearty beer that holds its own in winter weather.
Bombers of Lone Tree English Old Ale will be available at liquor stores across Colorado while supplies last.
For more information about this beer contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY
Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree's cans and 22-ounce bombers are sold across the state of Colorado, as well as Kansas and Nebraska. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants in its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
Advice from the Trail: David Wright on Brewery Event Planning
David Wright, currently of Scratch Brewing Company, has had several event-specific roles in the beer industry, including Colorado Director and Development Manager of the Beers Made By Walking program. Here's his event planning advice.
RadCraft is excited to announce our RadCrafter series! Each volume of Craft Marketing showcases a Featured Crafter— 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.
First up is our dear friend and first-ever RadCraft employee David Wright. He’s passionate about beer, specifically beer that’s inspired by the outdoors. He’s also an event planner extraordinaire and a master herder of brewer cats. David has worked at RadCraft, Epic Brewing, Great Divide Brewing Co., and now Scratch Brewing Company.
David has also worked as the Colorado Director and Development Manager of the Beers Made By Walking program that invites brewers to go on nature hikes and urban walks, and make new beers inspired by edible plants.
It should be noted that when we caught up with David at Scratch Brewing Co., he was sipping Denver's incredible Corvus Coffee and rocking a t-shirt from our friends Fonta Flora Brewery in Morganton, North Carolina. Thanks for supporting other great crafters, David!
Wit’s End Brewing Co. Moves Operations and Tasting Room to Strange Craft
Strange Craft Beer Co. and Wit’s End Brewing Co. will share Strange Craft’s brewhouse and tasting room on Zuni Street in the first co-tasting room in Denver, Colorado.
From Left: Scott Witsoe, Tyler Bies, Tim Myers; Photos by Colin Bridge
DENVER, CO — Strange Craft Beer Co. and Wit’s End Brewing Co. announced their plans today to share Strange Craft’s brewhouse and tasting room on Zuni Street. The first of its kind in Denver, Strange and Wit’s End’s co-tasting room will brew and serve beers from each brand’s portfolio.
Wit’s End plans to close its current facility before the end of the year and looks to sublease the facility to an aspiring new brewery. The Wit’s End brew crew will begin brewing at Strange Craft in coming weeks.
Wit’s End Head Brewer Tyler Bies will take over as Head Brewer of both brewing operations. These changes will allow both breweries to share resources and let Strange Craft Founder Tim Myers to focus on operations and managing the business, while Wit’s End Founder Scott Witsoe will step down from daily management to explore other endeavors.
With a bittersweet goodbye to Wit’s End’s old facility where Scott Witsoe used to brew his beers one barrel at a time comes exciting new opportunities with Strange Craft. The first is a bittersweet collaboration brew to celebrate their co-habitation, a hoppy Belgian Session Ale brewed with honey called Moving Day. It will be fermented with a blend of Strange Craft and Wit’s End’s house yeast strains.
“The craft beer environment has changed dramatically since Strange opened in 2010 and Wit’s End opened in 2011,” says Myers. “Local neighborhood breweries need to innovate and get creative to stand out in the increasingly crowded market. I have thought for years that a shared facility solved many of these challenges. Sharing brewing facilities, staff, and rent reduces overhead significantly. Combining brew staff allows for greater recipe creativity and innovation— which we hope will lead to more satisfied patrons.”
"Tim and I already share many of our great customers, and now we can bring everyone together into one happy craft beer family,” adds Witsoe. “We will have at least four Wit’s End taps flowing at all times. And I will have a tiny corner of the brewery where I can play with recipes on a small scale.”
After the move, Wit’s End will continue to serve its flagship beers— Jean-Claude Van Blond Belgian-style Blonde Ale, Wilford Belgian-style Oatmeal IPA, and Green Man Ale that lies somewhere between an IPA and a Red Ale— as well as rotating seasonal drafts at the new co-tasting room. Strange Craft will keep the taps flowing with its core lineup, One Barrel Wednesday brews, and an array of other experimental and collaboration beers.
Click here for a detailed statement from Scott Witsoe about the evolution of Wit's End Brewing Co.
For more information about Strange Craft and Wit’s End’s co-tasting room and brewhouse contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT STRANGE CRAFT BEER COMPANY
When Strange Craft Beer Co. opened south of Denver’s Mile High Stadium in May 2010, it was the first nanobrewery in the city brewing one barrel of beer at a time. Strange has since become a destination spot for Colorado beer drinkers, and taken home two Great American Beer Festival® medals and two World Beer Cup® awards. Visit the brewery online at strangecraft.com.
ABOUT WIT’S END BREWING COMPANY
At the dawn of the fourth wave of craft beer, Wit’s End opened its original nanobrewery in 2011 and hasn’t looked back since. Through the years Wit’s End has added some hardware on the walls including GABF® and World Beer Cup® awards, a new 7 BBL Brewhouse, and more amazing memories than it could ever hope to share. It will remain an artisanal Denver brewery that continues to be fueled by dreams and inspired by the limitless potential of craft beer… join Wit’s End on the journey! witsendbrewing.com