Station 26 Brewing Co. Mixed Twelvers Have Arrived

DENVER, CO — Last week Station 26 Brewing Co. introduced a brand new 12-pack that includes brewery mainstays Colorado Cream Ale, Tangerine Cream, Juicy Banger IPA, and American Copper. Here are the beer specs on the new Mixed Twelver—

Colorado Cream Ale

Light, crisp, and refreshing. Brewed with Colorado-grown ingredients, including Root Shoot Malting Genie Pale malt. 5.2% ABV, 15 IBUs

Tangerine Cream

Sunshine in a glass. Station 26 Colorado Cream Ale plus fruity creamsicle flavors, tangerine and vanilla. 5.2% ABV, 15 IBUs

Juicy Banger IPA

Station 26 Brewing’s flagship IPA. Notes of apricot, papaya, and honey. 7.4% ABV, 100+ IBUs

American Copper

The Station 26 Amber Ale has a complex malt profile with a balanced hop character.5.4% ABV, 33 IBUs

The Mixed Twelver rolls into town just in time for American Craft Beer Week, and summer excursions. It will be available at craft-conscious liquor stores in Denver and Boulder beginning this week. 

Contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com for more information about Station 26 Brewing Co. 

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.

Thirsty Monk Introduces Food Flights in North Carolina

ASHEVILLE, NC—  Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer bars, introduced its Food Flights program at its flagship downtown Asheville location earlier this month. 

Food Flights are selections of small, snack-sized portions expertly curated by Certified Cicerones® to pair perfectly with your chosen beer style. Thirsty Monk offers six Food Flights— Belgian, Light, Medium, Dark, Sour/Fruity, and Hoppy— in an elevated box lunch-style presentation that includes four food items (a protein, a cheese, a grain, and a preserve). This new offering debuted in Denver with the opening of Thirsty Monk’s newest location last month and will be available at Thirsty Monk’s Downtown location going forward. Food Flights will be added to the menu at Thirsty Monk’s Biltmore Park location and Thirsty Monk’s newest Portland, Oregon location later this spring.

All of the proteins, preserves, and grains in Thirsty Monk’s Food Flights in Asheville are made in house, including the six different house-baked crackers.

“Thirsty Monk has never been accused of being a follow the pack kind of brewery, and we continue our leadership role by bypassing the food truck and creating an entirely new way of brewery snacking,” says Barry Bialik, Thirsty Monk CEO. “We’ve been crafting our Food Flights for the past year and are so excited to now share these expertly beer-paired snack packs with our Thirsty Monk guests.The  intent of our Food Flights are to elevate the beer tasting and Old World pub experience with an affordable tasty bite of education. All of the individual Food Flights are crafted to enhance the taste of the paired beer style and pass on some food and beer pairing knowledge. Our new coasters suggest beer style-specific food pairings and cooking styles that our patrons can experiment with at home. And most importantly, Food Flights are meant to be fun and encourage friends to share a unique snacking and beer sipping adventure.”

For more information about Food Flights, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT THIRSTY MONK

Founded in 2008 Thirsty Monk currently operates four locations in Asheville, North Carolina including Thirsty Monk Downtown, Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park, Top of the Monk Craft Cocktail Bar, and Brother Joe’s Coffee Pub, as well as Bazi Bierbrasserie in Portland, OR and now its Denver brewery and tasting room. Find the company online at monkpub.com.

Ska Brewing Releases Barrel-Aged Beers Series No. 1, Whiskey Sour

DURANGO, CO— Just in time for American Craft Beer Week, Ska Brewing debuts its new Barrel-Aged Beers Series with Whiskey Sour— a sour ale aged in rye whiskey barrels with orange and cherries to mimic the classic cocktail’s signature garnish. 

Whiskey Sour was brewed with pilsner malt, red wheat and Belma and Citra Hops. It was soured in the brewhouse before aging for six months in Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey barrels. The result is much like the cocktail it emulates, with notes of whiskey and citrus that meld into oak and cherries creating an experience that is mildly tangy with subtle sweet bitterness. Whiskey Sour weighs in at 6.8% ABV and 10.9 total acidity (TA). 

“We had to be patient with a program like this,” says Ska Brewing Founder Dave Thibodeau. “Executing it well takes a lot of development, and then we have to let the beer take its time in the barrels… Fortunately we have all of our stainless-fermented beers to drink in the meantime.” 

Whiskey Sour will be available in 500 mL bottles at Ska’s World Headquarters in Durango, Colorado on Friday, May 18. Guests can reserve their bottles for an exclusive beer and food pairing that will take place from 5 to 7pm. $12.99 reserves your bottle at the table– get yours by emailing kira@skabrewing.com.

For more information about Whiskey Sour or any of the other shenanigans shakin’ at Ska Brewing, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include Mexican Logger, Modus Hoperandi, 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.

Strange Craft Beer Co. Turns 8 During 2018 American Craft Beer Week

DENVER, CO— Strange Craft Beer Co. is turning 8 years old and celebrating with a week of events during American Craft Beer Week (May 14 -20) including a Backyard Anniversary Carnival, special beer releases, cellar sales, and more. Don’t forget your party hat.

On Thursday, May 17 Strange Craft will be releasing Pinon Porter: Milagro, a special beer available exclusively to Mug Club members and brewed with fellow Mug Club member Gabe Torres.

Following the Mug Club release, Strange Craft will host a special celebration of their annual Barleywine, Dr. Strangelove, on Friday, May 18. The brewery will have select bombers of the beer for sale and a special vertical flight available of Dr. Strangelove from 2014, ’15, ’16, ’17, and a barrel aged variant from 2015.

The signature event of the week, Strange Craft’s Backyard Anniversary Carnival, will begin at noon on Saturday, May 19 with 10 local breweries in attendance to help celebrate— including Wit’s End Brewing Co., Chain Reaction Brewing Co., Black Sky Brewery, Copper Kettle Brewing Co., CAUTION: Beer Co., The Brew on Broadway, Renegade Brewing, Very Nice Brewing Co., and more. Along with a great list of breweries, the carnival will host a food truck and live music provided by Robby Wicks Band. Tickets to the carnival cost $25 per person and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com.

In addition to the Backyard Anniversary Carnival festivities, Strange Craft is one of the destinations on the Spring Bus Loop on Saturday, May 19. For $5, riders can enjoy unlimited trips between Strange Craft, Seedstock Brewing, Black Sky Brewery, and Renegade Brewing via bus, 2 to 10pm.

After a long week of celebrations, Strange Craft will host a Recovery Brunch on Sunday, May 20. Brewery guests are encouraged to bring in their favorite brunch dish to pair with beermosas that will be available from 12 to 6pm.

For more information about Strange Craft, their Backyard Anniversary Carnival, and other anniversary celebrations contact Aaron Sprengeler at aaron@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT STRANGE CRAFT BEER CO.

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.

RadCraft Partners Bring Home Six 2018 World Beer Cup Awards; Malt Barley For Winning Beers

NASHVILLE, TN— RadCraft partner breweries were awarded six medals at the 2018 World Beer Cup®, including two gold medals for German-Style Pilsner and Belgian-Style Flanders Oud Bruin.

Here are the winners in order of announcement at the 2108 World Beer Cup Awards Ceremony at Nashville’s Music City Center.

Category 1: Telluride Brewing received a silver award for its Whacked Out Wheat in the American-Style Wheat Beer category. It was among 53 entries. Whacked Out Wheat also won silver at the 2016 World Beer Cup.

Category 39: Rockyard Brewing was honored to take home the gold medal in the German-Style Pilsener category. Primadonna Pilsner was one of 176 entries into this category. Read the full press release about this win here.

Category 60: Karl Strauss Brewing Company’s Farmhouse was awarded a silver medal in the French & Belgian-Style Saison category, among 87 entries. This small-batch beer was produced at the company’s 4S Ranch satellite brewery in San Diego by Head Brewer Sean Albrecht. There is a full press release about this win and Karl’s recent win at the LA International Beer Competition here.

Category 65: Funkwerks is proud to return home with the gold medal for the Belgian-Style Flanders Oud Bruin or Oud Red Ale category. Oud Bruin, a traditional Flemish-style sour, was produced once a year from a blend of beers aged for a range of up to two years in a variety of oak barrels. Funkwerks was one of 41 entries into this category. Read the full press release about this win here.

Category 97: Bootstrap Brewing’s Wreak Havoc was awarded bronze in the Imperial Red Ale category. This beer was also awarded a bronze in the same category at the 2016 World Beer Cup. Imperial Red Ale had 44 entries this year.

Category 81: Brink Brewing Co. was awarded a bronze medal for Moozie in the Sweet Stout or Cream Stout category that had 73 entries. "Competitions are great ways for small brewers like us to get our name out there," says Brink Brewing head brewer Kelly Montgomery. "After winning a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival® in 2017, winning a bronze at WBC really validates that it wasn't just a fluke. We're so proud to bring this medal home to the College Hill neighborhood."

Also in this years winner’s circle was Intrepid Sojourner Beer Project’s Hickory Peach Wee Heavy that was brewed with Palisade peaches and Odyssey Pilsner malt from Root Shoot Malting in Loveland, Colorado. It won a silver medal in Category Category 19: Experimental Beer that had 130 entries. “Our beers provide a global experience, but we continue to strive to localize our ingredients,” says Intrepid’s Head of Brewery Operations Andrew Moore. “We're thrilled that we have such a quality malt product so close by.”

The 2018 World Beer Cup was the largest yet, with 8,234 entries from 2515 breweries hailing from 66 countries in 101 categories judged by 295 judges from 33 countries— 72 percent of whom were from outside the United States, according to the Brewers Association. Learn more about the World Beer Cup and all of the 2018 winners at worldbeercup.org.

If you would like to speak with any of the above 2018 World Beer Cup winners, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

Rockyard Brewing Primadonna Pilsner Wins Gold Medal at 2018 World Beer Cup

Rockyard Brewing was honored to take home the gold medal in the German-Style Pilsner category from the 2018 World Beer Cup®. Primadonna Pilsner was one of 176 entries into this category. 

Clean, crisp, dry, old school. The Primadonna Pilsner is brewed with German-malted Pilsner and German-grown hops. A win in this traditional German-style category is “great validation” says Rockyard manager of brewery operations Zac Rissmiller. “We’ve won two gold medals in the last two years at GABF®, a Silver at the 2016 WBC®, and now a Gold this World Beer Cup. To say, it’s emotional would be an absolute understatement.” 

There is more on Rockyard's win in this Elevated Coverage podcast from KOA News Radio.

This is Rockyard Brewing’s fourth World Beer Cup award and first gold medal in the competition. The 2018 World Beer Cup was the largest yet, with 295 judges from 33 countries— 72 percent of whom were from outside the United States, according to the Brewers Association. Learn more about the World Beer Cup and all of the 2018 winners at worldbeercup.org. 

Primadonna Pilsner is a is a brand new beer from Rockyard that recently joined its canned lineup. It is available in 6-packs in select craft-savvy locations across Colorado.

For more information about Rockyard Brewing, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT ROCKYARD AMERICAN GRILL & BREWING CO.

Rockyard is the longest running brewpub in Douglas County, founded in 1999 by four Colorado-born siblings. Rockyard’s beers have won medals at many prestigious beer competitions including the Great American Beer Festival®, World Beer Cup® and the Colorado State Fair. Rockyard’s beer can be found in many retail locations and a handful of craft-centric bars and restaurants throughout the state of Colorado. Find the brewery online at www.rockyard.com. 

Lone Tree Brewing Co. To Release Hoppy Little Trees Project IPA #1 on May 5

photo by Colin Bridge

LONE TREE, CO — Lone Tree Brewing Co. is pleased to unveil the Hoppy Little Trees Project, a fresh year-round rotating IPA series. These IPAs be available exclusively in Lone Tree’s tasting room beginning with the first release on Saturday, May 5th.

The Hoppy Little Trees Project beers will succeed Lone Tree’s recently retired Simcoe IPA and share the former IPA’s grain bill; which includes 2 Row, Heritage, Crystal, White Wheat, and Dextrin malt, while playing with select combinations of different hop varieties. The first IPA in the new series features Cascade, Amarillo, Centennial, Willamette, an experimental YCH hop variety; and is dry-hopped with Vic Secret, Jarrylo, and the same experimental hop. Similar to the Simcoe IPA, Hoppy Trees Project - IPA #1 weighs in at 7% ABV and 70 IBUs.

“We have a plethora of other hop varieties in the cooler,” explains head brewer Josh West. “This new IPA project will allow us to make some super hoppy IPAs while taking full advantage of our robust inventory, which give us brewers the chance to experiment with new hop combinations.”

The brewery aims to release several beers in the Hoppy Trees Project this year. The first IPA in the series, Hoppy Trees Project - IPA # 1, will be available on draft and in growler fills to-go at Lone Tree Brewing Co, Saturday, May 5 during their Cinco de Mayo celebration. The celebration will also feature 6-packs and $5 draft pours of the brewery’s GABF® gold medal-winning Mexican Lager, tacos from Ohana Grill, and games; like Pin the Collar on the Keg, cornhole, plinko, and more.

For more information about The Hoppy Little Trees Project, 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.

Wit’s End Brewing Company Mai The Fourth Maibock Returns

DENVER, CO — Wit’s End Brewing Co. will release their fourth annual Maibock lager, Mai The Fourth, brewed specially for (the universally recognized) Star Wars Day on Friday, May 4th.

It is a period of lagered brews. Wit’s End Brewing Company, brewing from a hidden base with Strange Craft Beer Co., have made their fourth annual beer in support of Star Wars Day, May 4. During the Brew, Wit’s End managed to use their secret mashing techniques and extended lagering to produce MAI THE FOURTH, a Maibock lager with enough flavor to fill an entire taproom. Pursued by summer month, this classic spring style races to glasses aboard draft taps and in Crowlers that can serve the people and restore lager to the galaxy…

Mai The Fourth, a traditional German-style lager, is brewed to highlight malt characters without too much sweetness, uses German hops to help balance it out, and was fermented with Bavarian lager yeast to produce clean, malty flavors with a touch of fruity grape notes.

“There are two things that we've always been a big fan of here at Wit's End, Star Wars and a good beer pun,” explains head brewer Tyler Bies. “This beer was brainstormed four years ago as a way to celebrate May The Fourth. We always try to highlight big malt flavors in our beers, so our take on a Maibock is at the upper end of the style for color and ABV.”

The result is a malty balanced beer weighing in at 7% ABV that could frighten you with its sorcerous ways. Craft beer padawans, know your limits on this one…

Mai the Fourth will be released on draft and in Crowlers at the StrangeWit tasting room on Friday, May 4 at 12pm, with food from My Angel's Fine Cuisine and limited edition Mai The Fourth t-shirts for purchase.

For more information about Mai The Fourth or Wit’s End Brewing Company, contact Aaron Sprengeler at aaron@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT WIT’S END BREWING COMPANY

At the dawn of the fourth wave of craft beer (in 2011), Scott Witsoe opened Wit’s End Brewing Company 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, and forged a new partnership with Strange Craft that exists in the form of a co-tasting room and brewhouse near its original location in Denver’s Valverde neighborhood. Now brewed by Head Brewer Tyler Bies, Wit’s End flagship beers, such as Jean Claude Van Blonde and Green Man Ale, are available on draft at Strange Craft’s tasting room at 1330 Zuni St Unit M, Denver, CO 80204. Find the brewery online at witsendbrewing.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information about Ska Brewing or this compilation, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans including Modus Hoperandi, Mexican Logger, Euphoria and Pinstripe. For information (a lot of it), music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

ABOUT JUMP UP RECORDS

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

Station 26 Brewing Co. Bang Bang Double IPA Now Available in Canned 6-Packs

DENVER, CO — Colorado, meet Station 26 Brewing Company’s Bang Bang Double IPA in cans. This aggressively hopped Double IPA hit Station 26 Brewing’s Park Hill tasting room last month as a new addition to its core line of beers, and is now available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans across the Denver Metro area and Boulder.

Bang Bang Double IPA is hopped with Amarillo, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops that yield flavors of orange peel and Meyer lemon. This bold, 9.2 percent ABV beer balances out with a dry, refreshing finish. 

Station 26’s canned beer family also includes Juicy Banger IPA, Colorado Cream Ale, Tangerine Cream, and American Copper.

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.

Bonfire Block Party Adds Sunday Event: Bloodies & Brass With Dirty Dozen Brass Band, June 3

(Eagle, CO) – Bonfire Brewing and Optimum Events have added a Sunday morning event to the Bonfire Block Party, the early summer street party taking place in Eagle Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2. Bloodies & Brass with Dirty Dozen Brass Band will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 3 in the Second Street tent, adjacent to the Broadway Main Stage that will see seven bands throughout the weekend, including headliners Galactic and The Record Company during the fourth-annual event. Tickets for the Block Party are on sale now and tickets for Bloodies & Brass go on sale Tuesday, April 3 at 10:00 a.m. Bloodies & Brass with Dirty Dozen Brass Band is presented by Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate Eagle. 

New Orleans’ esteemed Dirty Dozen Brass Band will play a full set during the intimate breakfast which includes hot and cold items, coffee and juices with the $30 ticket price. A full bar featuring Bloody Marys and mimosas will also be available. Dirty Dozen Brass Band is known for their “musical gumbo” and high-octane live shows.

All Block Party events are family-friendly and children two and under are free for Sunday morning’s Bloodies & Brass event. Tickets and more information about the 2018 Bonfire Block Party are available at www.bonfireblockparty.com. A portion of all Block Party proceeds benefit Eagle County nonprofit The Cycle Effect.

What: Bonfire Block Party’s Bloodies & Brass with Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Where:  Broadway and Second Streets, Eagle
When: Sunday, June 3, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $30 includes full breakfast and non-alcoholic drinks
More: www.bonfireblockparty.com

Funkwerks Launches 6-Packs of Year-Round Brands

FORT COLLINS, CO —Now available in Colorado and across Funkwerks’ eight-state distribution footprint are new 6-packs of its year-round brands.

Six-packs of Funkwerks year-round beers— Funkwerks Saison, Tropic King, Raspberry Provincial, and Pineapple Provincial will replace the brewery’s original 4-packs. Select Funkwerks’ Limited Releases will remain available in 750ml bombers in select states. 

“As we grow and expand into other markets we wanted to become more accessible to the consumer. Transitioning from 4-packs to 6-packs allows us to focus on our top sellers and distribute those brands more widely across multiple markets” explains Brad Lincoln, Funkwerks President and Co-Founder. 

“This is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Lincoln continues. “We have worked closely with our distribution partners over the past 8 months to bring us to this next step in our mission to bring our favorite styles of beer to a wider audience.”

This new package format is currently available in Arizona, Texas, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Missouri and will be rolling out through the month of April in Colorado stores. 

For more information about Funkwerks and their new 6-packs contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT FUNKWERKS

Founded in 2009 by brewers Gordon Schuck and Brad Lincoln, Funkwerks is a niche craft brewery specializing in Saison, Sour, and Belgian-style craft beers made in their small brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado. The 2012 winner of the Small Brewery of the Year Award at the Great American Beer Festival, Funkwerks beers are available in eight US states. Find the brewery online at funkwerks.com.

Lone Tree Brewing Company Introduces 12-Packs; Releases 2018 Cucumber Wheat

photo by Colin Bridge

LONE TREE, CO — Lone Tree Brewing Company is proud to announce the addition of mixed Brewer’s Bundle 12-packs to their lineup of year-round packaging. Twelve-packs will be hitting stores this week with an all-star line-up of beers including Mexican Lager (2017 GABF® Gold), Peach Pale Ale, and Double IPA. The packs will also feature a rotating seasonal release beginning with Lone Tree’s refreshing Cucumber Wheat. 

The first of batch of Brewer’s Bundles include the following beers, which are all also available across Colorado in canned 12 oz. 6-packs. 

Mexican Lager - 5.3% ABV, 27 IBU 

A large percentage of flaked corn contributes a slight sweetness balanced with a clean, crisp finish. 2017 Great American Beer Festival® Gold Medal, 2015 Great American Beer Festival® Silver Medal. 

Peach Pale Ale - 5.8% ABV, 40 IBU

Our in-house pale ale recipe brewed with real peaches. Subtle fruit flavor complements the Cascade, CTZ & Simcoe hop additions.

Double IPA - 8% ABV, 80 IBU

Big and bold, this IPA provides a flavor profile of earthy hop bitterness and a strong tangerine/ citrus aroma. Utilizing seven hop additions in the boil from six different hop varieties, followed by four-variety dry-hop makes this a beer for hopheads everywhere. 

Cucumber Wheat - 5.2% ABV, 25 IBU

Cool, crisp cucumber flavor bolstered by a pale wheat malt backbone. Seasonally available April through September. 

The new packaging displays the Brewers Association Independent Seal. Lone Tree mixed 12-packs are available at the brewery’s tasting room and can be found across Colorado later this week.

For more information about Lone Tree Brewing and their mixed 12-packs 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.

Peach Street Distillers Wins Three 2018 American Distilling Institute Judging Awards

PALISADE, CO— Peach Street Distillers was honored with three awards from the American Distilling Institute’s 2018 Judging Awards yesterday, bringing its total count of ADI awards to 22.

Peach Street’s Pear Brandy received a Silver Medal in the ADI Fruit Brandy Category. The distillery's Oak Aged Pear Brandy is made from 100 percent pears grown a matter of blocks from the distillery Itself. The pears are crushed, pressed, and fermented onsite before they age two years in French oak barrels.

Colorado Straight Bourbon received a Bronze Medal in the Straight Bourbon Category. This Bourbon is made with 60 percent Palisade corn that is grown, harvested, and milled a mere 3.5 miles from the distillery’s front door. It is mashed and fermented onsite and aged in new American Oak barrels for 2 to 3 years.

Amaro, the newest offering from Peach Street, won a bronze medal in the ADI Amaro Category. Amaro’s base spirit is a locally made Limberger Varietal Wine distilled onsite and proofed to 90 proof with 29 botanicals macerated to make a beautifully assembled Digestif.

“We do all of these crushes, mashes and ferments onsite – and kind of the hard way, at that,” says Peach Street Head Distiller Davy Lindig, “So it’s really cool to be recognized for your hard work. The crew is stoked! I’m stoked for certain!”

Peach Street Distillers has now been awarded 22 ADI medals in total— nine gold medals, six  silver and seven bronze. The American Distilling Institute accepts entries in all classes and categories of craft spirits from small, independently owned distillers, blenders, bitters makers, and producers of aperitif and fortified wines. Each year, both United States and international entries are tasted blind and evaluated by expert panels of judges made up of distillers, journalists, bar owners, bartenders, retailer, wholesalers, distributors and importers. Learn more about the awards at distilling.com.

For more information about Peach Street Distillers’ 2018 ADI awards or the winning spirits, 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 independently owned and operated distillery. Visit the distillery online at peachstreetdistillers.com for more about the spirits and the spirits squad.

Bonfire Brewing Completes Artwork Refresh with New Brush Creek Blonde Ale and Firestarter IPA Cans

EAGLE, CO— Bonfire Brewing’s can redesign is now complete with the introduction of new Brush Creek Blonde Ale and Firestarter IPA 12 oz. cans set to hit stores in six packs this week. Bonfire began this artwork refresh last year with new Demshitz Brown Ale and Kindler Pale Ale cans followed by the release of WtFO Double IPA cans earlier this month.

Coming in at 4.8 percent ABV and 13 IBU, the Brush Creek Blonde is the lightest offering from Bonfire. This American Blonde Ale uses German-style specialty malt and Simcoe hops for a malty and slightly fruity iteration of the style. The new label art features the town of Eagle complete with a depiction of the Bonfire tasting room and the namesake creek, fed by springs and snow-melt high in the Sawatch Mountains that provides 100 percent of the water for all Bonfire beer.

Firestarter IPA is Bonfire’s flagship IPA and workhorse. A new iteration of the Firestarter recipe, packed with Loral, Amarillo, Centennial, and Summit hops debuts in mid-April. This American IPA gets the fire going quickly with its citrus hop character and refreshing dry finish at 6.6 percent ABV and 72 IBU. The can art depicts a serene morning scene in a wilderness of possibilities. 

These refreshed brands, which are also regularly available on draft at Bonfire’s tasting room, are available now.

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.

Denver’s Thirsty Monk Brewery To Open Monday, Launch Food Flights

photo by Colin Bridge

DENVER, CO— Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer bars, opens its greatly anticipated Denver brewery and tasting room Monday in City Park West.

This Denver opening comes with the launch of Thirsty Monk’s Food Flights, selections of small, snack-sized portions expertly curated by Certified Cicerones® to pair perfectly with your chosen beer style. Thirsty Monk offers six Food Flights— Belgian, Light, Medium, Dark, Sour, and Hoppy— in an elevated box lunch-style presentation that includes four food items (a protein, a cheese, a grain, and a preserve) sourced from Uptown neighborhood restaurant partners, including Humboldt Farm, Fish, Wine; Patxi's Pizza; Jack's Uptown Grille; and Olive & Finch.

On draft currently are Thirsty Monk’s flagship lineup of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales that includes Abby Blonde, Past Life Amber Ale, Screaming Monk IPA, Clever Monk Saison, Wiser Monk Table Beer, and Easy Gose among others. Thirsty Monk Head Brewer Brian Grace, based in Denver, has been helping connect the Colorado and Asheville craft beer magics to further elevate Thirsty Monk’s quality beer offerings, and is hard at work designing the brewery’s new upcoming sour and barrel-aged programs.

“There is a such a strong Colorado - Asheville connection bound by beer. As several Colorado breweries have chosen to make the Asheville area their second home, Thirsty Monk is thrilled to be the first North Carolina brewery to make Colorado its second home. And Denver’s City Park neighborhood now truly does feel like my personal second home. This is absolutely where I would live,” says Barry Bialik, Thirsty Monk CEO.

Thirsty Monk is located in the former Deep Draft Brewing space along Restaurant Row at 1604 E 17th Avenue. The brewpub will celebrate its grand opening on Monday, March 26 at 4pm. Regular hours will be Monday - Thursday 4pm to midnight; Friday - Saturday noon to 1:30am; and Sundays noon to 10pm. 

For more information about Thirsty Monk contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT THIRSTY MONK

Founded in 2008 Thirsty Monk currently operates four locations in Asheville, North Carolina including Thirsty Monk Downtown, Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park, Top of the Monk Craft Cocktail Bar, Brother Joe’s Coffee Pub, as well as Bazi Bierbrasserie in Portland, OR and now its Denver brewery and tasting room. Find the company online at monkpub.com.

Intentional Brett, Nordic Farmhouse Saison, and Piña Collaba— Beers You've Got To Try at the 5th Annual Collaboration Festival

Collaboration Festival 2017, photo courtesy The Brewtography Project

Named America's most creative beer festival by Food & Wine, Collaboration Fest is back for the fifth year offering more beers brewed with craft malt than ever before.

More than 10 collaborations were made with Root Shoot Malting Company’s brewery partners crafted beers with Loveland-grown and malted barley for this year’s Collaboration Fest. These beers include Ursula Brewery's and Westbound & Down Brewing Company's Farmhouse IPA  that was brewed using 100 percent Root Shoot malts and Citra, Moutere, and Loral Cryo hops; and two hazy IPAs by Lost Highway Brewing Company, with Berthoud Brewing and Peacemaker Brewing, respectively.

Plot your beer festival map. Taste these projects before they're gone...

Strange Craft + Freetail Brewing Co.

Strange Craft got the Collab Fest ball rolling early, the day after GABF to be exact. Jason Davis, the Director of Brewing Ops at Freetail Brewing stuck around after the festival for Denver’s first snow day of the season to help brew what will go down in history as Strange Craft’s first intentional Brett beer. Don’t ask about the unintentional ones. StrangeTail Seven is a malt-forward English IPA was finished in a Red Wine barrels inoculated with a different variety of Brettanomyces in each barrel.

Lone Tree Brewing Company + Cannonball Creek Brewing Co.

Craft malt liquor— it’s all the rage right now. And Collab Fest participants will get to taste one of the finest, crafted by the Billy Dee fans over at Lone Tree Brewing Company with their friends and fellow 40-lovers Cannonball Creek Brewing. This tall beauty was brewed with a traditional grain bill consisting of mostly pilsner malt paired with flaked corn, flaked rice and some dextrose sugar to lighten the body of the beer. A massive amount of Hallertau Blanc and Vic Secret hops went into this boil and asa dry hops, which made this malt liquor as "juicy' as your favorite hazy IPA. Weighing in at 7.6 percent ABV and 35 IBU, this beer pushes the envelope of what a malt liquor can be.  

Station 26 + Sleeping Giant Brewing Company, Wibby Brewing

Station 26 Brewing Co. collaborated with Sleeping Giant to create Nordic Farmhouse Tripel Double IPA brewed with White Wheat, Pilsner, Vienna, and CaraBelge malt, Candi Sugar, and hopped with Cascade, Citra, and Mandarina Bavaria. 

Station 26 has also collaborated with Longmont-based Wibby Brewing to craft a Biere de Mars with the perfect balance of malt, hops, and an Inland Island yeast induced spiciness. Station 26 founder, Justin Baccary, suggested the idea of using a French Ale strain from Inland Island and Ryan Wibby was excited about using a different yeast strain and brewing with some more interesting, aromatic hops making this a truly collaborative and unique drinking experience.

Station 26 at Wibby Brewing, photo courtesy The Brewtography Project

Bonfire Brewing + Zuni Street Brewing, Invasive Species Brewing

There’s a childhood story— well, a lot of them— behind this collaboration brew. “We all grew up together,” says Jim Rabun who brews for Bonfie Brewing, “and so it’s been great to get back together with TJ and Willy and come up with a beer inspired by all of us.” This beer is kind of like a light Porter, or a dark Belgian recipe, brewed with chocolate malt from Proximity Malting and fermented with Zuni's house Belgian yeast strain. “We decided on this beer because we are into brewing dark beers and Zuni is great at Belgian's so we decided to combine to two together,” adds Rabun.

Bonfire also worked with Florida based Invasive Species Brewing on a Hazy Piña Colada IPA, appropriately named Piña Collaba. This lighter bodied IPA displays the tropical flavors from Denali and Motueka hops, Pineapple, Coconut, Passionfruit, and an addition of Lactose for more mouthfeel and increased sweetness.

Ska Brewing + Ratio Beerworks

From the hearts of a bunch of punks who love great music and great beer comes this new twist on a White IPA. Magnetic North Norwegian White IPA hits with a classic wheat base, dry hopped with Mandarina Bavaria and Amarillo. The Nordic Farmhouse yeast strain gives notes of orange with a dry finish to this bright, citrusy, making Magnetic North a true Spring crusher. 

Holly Gerard shared her Magnetic North brew day shots on her badass beertography blog and Instagram feed, Aperture of Ales. Check them out here.

Funkwerks + New Image Brewing Co.

Meet Arnie, a Kettle Sour with black tea and lemon peel. This beer will cleanse your palate after a long day of diverse flavors. Don’t wait until the end of the fest to get it, though!

Eddyline Brewery + High Alpine Brewing Co. 

High Stoke Scotch Ale is a collaboration between Eddyline Brewery and High Alpine Brewing Company. A big malty nose gives way to a very slight herbal hop aroma. Rich caramel malt flavors dominate the palate, finishing with the slightest smoke impression. Mouth feel has a soft tactile feel on the tongue. Deliciously drinkable and gets even better as it warms in the glass.

Strange Craft + Fiction Beer Company

The Stranger Than Fiction is a strong Saison was brewed with oats and spelt before it fermented with a blend of Strange Craft's house Belgian yeast and Brettanomyces and barrel aged on plums and blackberries. See what they did there? 

Strange Craft + Metropolitan State University

Strange Craft also brewed a third Collab Fest beer with Metropolitan State University creating Nitro Raspberry Porter, a traditional English Porter finished on Raspberries.

Stranger Than Fiction brew day at Fiction Beer Company, photo courtesy The Brewtography Project

Ska Brewing Debuts Mod Project #4: Berliner Weisse

The fourth beer in Ska Brewing’s Mod Project hits stores across the brewery’s distribution footprint this week. 

“Meet Berliner Weisse, my favorite spring offering,” says Ska Brewing Sales & Marketing Director Kristen Muraro. “This beer is so bright and refreshing, and only 4.5 percent ABV.” 

Berliner Weisse has a light citrus aroma with a hint of champagne. The flavor of Ska’s Berliner Weisse starts out with a refreshing tartness that evolves into a crisp lemony character that finishes dry with a hint of melon— and no bitterness. It’s fairly simple, and pretty darn perfect for springtime shenanigans.

Berliner Weisse follows Pink Vapor Stew, Tart Mexican Logger, and Sour Apple Gose from the Mod Project at Ska. The project delivers assorted, seven-barrel-batches of blended and experimental offerings, with varying levels of tartness to complement the blend of local fruits used in producing them. The Mod Project is available in 12 oz. cans in Colorado, Arizona, Southern California, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. 

For more information about Ska Brewing’s Mod Project, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces over a dozen award-winning beers. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans including Modus Hoperandi, Mexican Logger, Euphoria and Pinstripe. For information (a lot of it), music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Eddyline Brewery Releases 2018 Grapefruit Yanker IPA; Expands Buena Vista Tasting Room

BUENA VISTA, CO — Eddyline Brewery is excited to announce the release of its seasonal Grapefruit Yanker IPA, a grapefruit infused version of its best selling Crank Yanker IPA. 

“Grapefruit Crank Yanker, blew it out of the park for us last year, and we decided to extend its run in 2018,” say’s Eddyline CEO Brian England, “It sold out much faster than we anticipated and we had fans and accounts asking us all winter when it would come back.”

The beer comes in at 7.2 percent ABV with a small addition of mango to give it an extra citrus punch.

“It is the perfect beer to kick off spring, and we plan on making it well into the summer,” says England, "We are excited to be doing what we do best, making great beer for any adventure.”

Eddyline is currently finishing the remodel of its Buena Vista tasting room, adding more seats to help accommodate the area’s bustling increase in business. 

“Buena Vista has seen an incredible increase in visitors since we first opened in 2009,” adds England. “We had guests lining out the door all summer and hope by adding a few more seats we can help quench the thirst of the hikers, bikers, and rafters that come in for a well earned pint after a day in the great outdoors.”

Grapefruit Crank Yanker IPA is available at Eddyline’s Buena Vista locations, and in 16 oz. cans across Colorado in cans beginning this week.

For more information about Eddyline Brewery, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT EDDYLINE BREWERY

Eddyline Taproom & Brewery is one of Colorado’s fastest growing microbreweries. Since 2009, Eddyline has been focused on creating unique ales and lagers of the highest quality while representing the state’s outdoor enthusiasts. Our 16-ounce cans are infinitely recyclable, preserve the quality and freshness of the beer and are easily transportable for your favorite outdoor adventures. Eddyline works closely with local groups to help improve trails, river parks, and strongly believes in being an active steward of the local Chaffee County community. Find the brewery online at eddylinebrewing.com.

Bonfire Brewing Releases New WtFO Double IPA Cans

EAGLE, CO — Bonfire Brewing’s packaging redesign continues with the introduction of WtfO Double IPA in 12 oz. cans, set to hit stores in six packs this week. Bonfire began this artwork refresh last year with new Demshitz Brown Ale and Kinder Pale Ale cans.

WtFO is a Double IPA named after WFO, a previously unnamed run at Vail Mountain, and with a nod to the experimental nature of the beer, which contains an ever changing slate of lupulin in all its forms. The debut cans feature Summit, Citra, Amarillo, and Mosaic hop varietals for notes of grapefruit, tropical fruit, and tangerine.

“We've used, and may use again, lupulin powder in the beer,” explains Bonfire Co-Owner Andy Jessen. “We'll dabble with fresh hops if available, and could also explore the use of hop oils and concentrates. Who knows? In any event, we expect it to change regularly as we use this beer to explore the boundaries of the style.” The new WtFO cans display a dazzling cosmos overlooking a mountain corridor, encapsulating the spirit of experimentation and the great state of Colorado.

Bonfire plans to release cans of WtFO in their home market of Eagle County beginning this week, with shipment to additional markets around the state the following week. WtFO is also regularly available on draft at Bonfire’s tasting room.

Redesigns for Firestarter IPA and Brush Creek Blonde Ale 12 oz. cans are set to follow the release of WtFO and will be available beginning April 2018.

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.