New Crystal 50 Malt Is The Darkest Offering Yet at Riverbend Malt House
Riverbend Malt House has been hard at work creating the new Crystal 50 malt to fit the needs of brewers and distillers in the Southeast.
ASHEVILLE, NC— Riverbend Malt House now has a new answer to the frequently asked question, What’s the darkest malt you make?
Introducing Riverbend Crystal 50 malt.
Riverbend Malt House Crystal 50 is an acquiescence to the requests of many breweries across the Southeast for a malt product dark enough to enhance Stouts and Porters, and light enough to for Vienna and Dark Lager recipes.
“We’ve learned from the temperatures and times and moisture levels from double-kilning informed the recipe development for this new crystal,” says Riverbend Co-Founder Brian Simpson. “That move from caramelization to crystallization offered bigger, richer flavors and additional color, around 50 SRM. We truly crystallized the materials so if we were to cut 90 percent of our grains open and take a look at the inside they’re actually crystallized and that’s much different than some of the Cara Munich products that are out there on the market.”
Crystal 50 malt delivers syrupy smooth toffee notes supported by hints of coffee and dark chocolate. “I notice a richer, extended finish that dries up quickly— like drinking a liquified piece of toffee with dark fruit sweetness on the nose,” says Riverbend Co-Founder Brent Manning.
After close to a year of research and development, Riverbend Malt House is excited to offer this Crystal 50 Malt to its portfolio as a year-round release.
One of the first beers brewed with this new style was a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale clone, Spinnaker Pale Ale, made by Plankowner Brewing in South Carolina. “There’s been a huge comeback in the West Coast style of IPA, and without a good malty backbone that style can suffer without the use of Crystal Malt,” says Plankowner Head Brewer Kyle Grove. “Having this malt style available from Riverbend helps us commit to our Craft Malt Certified™ seal and dedication to buying local.”
Contact your sales representative or email sales@riverbendmalt.com to place an order of Crystal 50.
Media inquiring about Riverbend Malt House can contact hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT RIVERBEND MALT HOUSE
Riverbend Malt House is on a quest to connect Southeastern family owned farms and fermenters. Co-Founders Brent Manning and Brian Simpson launched Riverbend, the first craft malt house east of the Mississippi River, in Asheville, North Carolina in 2010. Buoyed by a 70,000 square foot production facility and state of the art equipment, Riverbend Malt House helps breweries and distilleries large, small, and in-between stand out with flavor, locality, and community in an increasingly competitive landscape— all the while challenging the status quo of corporate, big-agriculture malt. Learn more at riverbendmalt.com.
Deerhammer Progeny Series No. 4, Vino Verso, Now Available
The next edition of the Progeny Series at Deerhammer takes form as a collaboration with the highly acclaimed Carboy Winery, one of Colorado’s largest and most well-known wine operations.
BUENA VISTA, CO— The next edition of the Progeny Series at Deerhammer takes form as a collaboration with the highly acclaimed Carboy Winery, one of Colorado’s largest and most well-known wine operations. Release No. 4 is an expression of the distillery’s flagship American Single Malt aged in three different casks from Carboy Winery Littleton, just one of their four locations throughout the state. This collaboration is available in Colorado while supplies last.
A celebration of Colorado and its innovative spirit, The Progeny Series is a lineup of small-batch spirits created through partnerships between Deerhammer and other crafters in The Centennial State. Thus far the series has included a whiskey and chocolate pairing with Cultura Chocolate; a Redstone Meadery mead-barrel aged Single Malt Whiskey called Honeycomber; and Cask Savant, a Bierschnapps distilled from Crooked Stave Hop Savant hoppy Brett beer.
For Progeny Series No. 4, Deerhammer Founder Lenny Eckstein set out to acquire a range of freshly harvested Carboy barrels to lend a secondary finishing note to Deerhammer’s highly decorated American Single Malt whiskey. After an initial three-year maturation in toasted/charred new oak, Vino Verso embarked on a secondary journey of an additional two years commingled within three distinct Carboy cask types: Albariño, Bourbon Barrel Cider, and Gewurztraminer Brandy (Blend Composition: 65% Albariño, 10% Cider, 25% Brandy). The resulting whiskey evokes cherry pie filling, cinnamon raisin bread, hibiscus tea, and toasted oak aroma, the flavors of grilled peaches, freshly baked sourdough, lavender, and blackberry jam— with more toasted oak, dried apple slices, leather, honeysuckle, and grape skins on the finish.
"The extraordinary facet of this collaboration was the distinct flavor profiles extracted from three unique aging vessels,” says Carboy Director of Winemaking Tyzok Wharton. “Lenny and his team have crafted an elegantly layered experience with this blend— the floral notes from the Albariño and cider casks carry through to butterscotch panna cotta on the palate, from the Gewurztraminer brandy casks. The texture is ethereal. And the patience required for this release... worthwhile."
Vino Verso is available in limited 750ML bottles at select Colorado retailers with an SRP of $59.00. It’s also available as a pour at all Carboy Winery locations while supplies last.
For more information about Deerhammer and the Progeny Series, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT DEERHAMMER
Steeped in Tradition. Crafted in Colorado.
Amy and Lenny Eckstein founded Deerhammer in 2010. Drawn to Buena Vista, Colorado by the whitewater currents of the Arkansas River, their passion for whiskey is driven by that same adventurous spirit. As artisans and business owners, Amy and Lenny’s process is defined by a deep curiosity for the history of spirits and a thoughtful analysis of each individual step of the distilling process. Deerhammer's cornerstone contribution to the field of American craft spirits, Single Malt Whiskey, has become the company's flagship product. Deerhammer also distills Whitewater Whiskey, Buena Vista Brandy, and Dutch Style Gin. Find the distillery online at deerhammer.com.
ABOUT CARBOY WINERY
Modern-day pioneers of Colorado wine, Carboy Winery is a passionate group of winemakers and restaurateurs. Since 2016 our award-winning wines have helped lift the Colorado wine industry into prominence as a wine region ripe with possibilities. Through ambitious winemaking and innovation with new varietal wines, sparkling wines, and wine seltzers, Carboy is slowly turning a state known for its beer into one that creates exciting and adventurous wines. Year after year, our commitment to Colorado viticulture continues to grow. One of the largest producers in the state, we craft impactful wines that reveal the extraordinary terroir and unmistakable typicity of Colorado's Grand Valley and Washington's Horse Heaven Hills AVAs. Come visit any of our four Colorado locations in Littleton, Denver, Breckenridge, and Palisade.
Stay up to date on the latest Carboy Winery news, join the wine club, or host your next event with us! Visit us online at carboywinery.com or follow us on Instagram.
Maine’s Blue Ox Malthouse Expansion To Augment Northeastern Small Grains Supply Chain
This Blue Ox Malthouse expansion will ease supply chain difficulties that Northeastern craft breweries and distilleries experience by allowing for more robust resilient supply options.
LISBON FALLS, ME— Construction is underway for a major Blue Ox Malthouse expansion that will triple the operation’s malting floor space and quadruple its processing capacity. The Blue Ox team is thrilled to respond to the growing consumer demand for truly local beers and spirits while combating supply chain challenges that brewers and distillers experience.
This expansion will ease supply chain difficulties that Northeastern craft breweries and distilleries experience by allowing for more robust resilient supply options.
Having outgrown its current facility, Blue Ox purchased the building it previously leased a section of. Once completed, this upgrade will include two malting floors totalling nearly 8000 square feet. In addition to providing more robust resilient supply options, this expansion will achieve the goals of staying dedicated to floor malting while making work less physically demanding, enabling Blue Ox to hire staff of more diverse physical abilities. It will also allow the malthouse to offer a more diverse lineup of malt products, and work with a wider array of small farms without compromising quality, consistency, or performance of its existing products.
Blue Ox Malthouse was founded with the intention to serve as a liaison between Northeastern agriculture and consumers of craft beer and artisanal spirits.
“After ten years of being on the scene, Blue Ox Malthouse is undertaking this step to connect farms to locally produced beers and spirits in the Northeast region,” says Blue Ox Founder Joel Alex. “We weren’t built to be vertically integrated, but instead to make space for a mid-sized accessible market for rotation crops. Enriching our business with more capacity and improved equipment helps us stay niche and devoted to our mission of provide opportunities for breweries and farms to create meaningful collaborations”
Completion of the Blue Ox Malthouse expansion is slated for early in the New Year. The malthouse will celebrate with an open house gathering for their customers this winter. Alex and his team plan to invite the community to tour the malthouse to see the value it’s bringing to the food and beverages we all enjoy in Maine and beyond.
Media inquiring about Blue Ox Malthouse can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT BLUE OX MALTHOUSE
Launched in April 2013 by community organizer and homebrewer-turned-maltster Joel Alex, Blue Ox Malthouse is Maine's first malting operation and was founded with the mission of creating more robust resilient and equitable regional food systems.. Blue Ox Malthouse seeks to push possibilities in craft beer and spirits by supporting shorter supply chains and thoughtful farming practices.. Reinvigorating a centuries-old floor malting techniques and tradition, Blue Ox is committed to these community-focused methods while constantly innovating to serve as a model for sustainable rural economic development. Learn more at blueoxmalthouse.com.
Craft Maltsters Guild Shares 2023 State of the Industry Update
The Craft Maltsters Guild introduces Alice Blayne-Allard as the new Executive Director and gives an update on the state of the industry.
NATIONAL— In recognition of National Craft Malt Week (September 22-29, 2023) and the ten-year anniversary of the trade association for the small grains movement, the Craft Maltsters Guild membership met this week to introduce the Guild’s new Executive Director Alice Blayne-Allard and share the results of its recent malthouse survey.
Blayne-Allard brings with her a life-long passion for local sourcing and a breadth of malt-relevant knowledge from agricultural marketing to cooperage. Most importantly, her extensive non-profit leadership and administration experience will be instrumental in supporting the craft malt community in its next big push for market share. “I’m that consumer who goes into a brewery or distillery and asks where the grains are sourced,” she said in the meeting. “One of my key objectives is to expand consumer awareness and raise understanding of why craft malt matters.”
The 2023 membership survey covered many topics including maltster education, products, distribution, and marketing. Here are the key takeaways from its results:
The majority (52%) of respondents consider themselves experts of the production or use of craft malt. “Had we taken this survey several years ago this number might have been lower,” said Brian Estes, LINC Malt Co-Owner and Partnerships Director and Vice President of the Craft Maltsters Guild Board of Directors. “Our membership continues to make tremendous strides in expertise and knowledge, which translates to knowledge and understanding of our customers too.”
Survey respondents distribute their products across a broad geography and in a variety of formats of finished beers and spirits. “Some malthouses are working in a hyper-local way, and many respondents are also sending malt out of state and to broader geographic regions,” said Hillary Barile, Rabbit Hill Farms Head Maltster and Board of Directors President. “That means people are appreciating craft malt not just for its hyper-locality but also for flavor, alignment of business objectives, and more.”
Media interested in learning more about the Craft Maltsters Guild and its programs like the Craft Malt Certified™ seal and annual Craft Malt Conference can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT THE CRAFT MALTSTERS GUILD
Formed in 2013 by eight craft malthouses, the Craft Maltsters Guild’s mission is to promote and sustain the tradition of craft malting in North America, provide services and resources to the Association’s members, and uphold the highest quality and safety standards for Craft Maltsters. Learn more about the Craft Maltsters Guild at www.craftmalting.com.
Lone Tree Brewing Wins Third GABF Medal For Mexican Lager
With 284 entries, Light Lager was the third highest entered category at this year’s competition
Photo © Brewers Association
LONE TREE, CO— Lone Tree Brewing is now a proud three-time recipient of medals in the Great American Beer Festival® (GABF) American Light Lager category.
The first of these medals was a silver in 2015. Then in 2017, Lone Tree became the first independently owned craft brewery to win gold in the style category. This lager’s easy-drinking 5.3% ABV and accolades have grown its fan fame over the years, and helped to popularize the Mexican Lager style. As of this summer, customers can now purchase this flagship in a 12-pack in Colorado and Kansas.
With 284 entries, Light Lager was the third highest entered category at this year’s competition and the most entered lager category.
“This category at GABF has exploded in recent years!,” says Lone Tree Founder John Winter. “We are excited to continue to build on the momentum we are seeing with light lagers in the market, and so proud to serve this award winning lager to our patrons as a company flagship.”
Media inquiring about Lone Tree Brewing Company can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@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 are sold across the state of Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants across its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
The Fall (Beer) Season Is Here; Lone Tree Brewing To Release Vanilla Caramel Amber
Lone Tree Brewing Company fall seasonal beer, Vanilla Caramel Amber, coming soon in Colorado and Kansas.
LONE TREE, CO— Fall Equinox symbolizes the coming of autumn, and at Lone Tree Brewing it marks the near release of the popular fall seasonal Vanilla Caramel Amber. Look for it on shelves and on tap in Colorado and Kansas come October.
“The vanilla comes from beans and the caramel comes from caramel malt in this recipe,” says Lone Tree Sales & Marketing Director Dennis Stack. “This American Amber Ale is a fan favorite for its rich, autumnal flavors balanced with generous hop additions— and the cozy vibes that come along with it.”
Vanilla Caramel Amber will tap at Lone Tree on Thursday, September 28. Find it there as a rotating tap room during the upcoming cold months, and in canned 6-packs to-go. It will also be available on tap in select locations and in cans across Colorado and Kansas beginning in October. Locate Lone Tree beer with their website beer finder.
Media inquiring about Lone Tree Brewing Company can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@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 are sold across the state of Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants across its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
Show Living The Dream Brewing How You’re Living The Dream Outside To Win A Trip To Durango, Colorado
Living the Dream Brewing announces its 2023 Living the Dream Outside winter excursion giveaway.
DURANGO, CO— Living The Dream Brewing is excited to announce its 2023 Living The Dream Outside video contest in partnership with Visit Durango and RadCraft. The brewery is accepting video submissions for a chance to win a winter excursion to Durango, Colorado in early 2024.
For nine years now, Living The Dream Brewing has celebrated the people, places, and activities in Colorado with its outdoor-inspired brand. Each beer can depicts scenes captured on adventures in the Centennial State, and the brewery encourages their fans to share their beers in the wild with the hashtag #livingthedreamoutside.
Now through November 30, 2023, craft beer lovers can submit their videos that answer the question How are you living the dream outside? for a chance to win a winter excursion to Durango, Colorado. The winner selected will receive complimentary lodging and a snow sport adventure for two, as well as Living The Dream beer— and lots of it.
How To Enter:
Tag @livingdreambrew, @visitdurango, @radcraftbeer, and #livingthedreamoutside in an Instagram video that answers the question How are you living the dream outside?
Participants are welcome to submit more than one video for more chances to win.
Videos must be submitted by 11:59pm on November 30, 2023.
Participants must be 21 years of age or over.
By submitting video(s), participants give Living The Dream Brewing permission to re-share.
Media inquiring about Living The Dream Brewing can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT LIVING THE DREAM BREWING CO.
Living the Dream Brewing is a craft brewery established in 2014 in Littleton, our home base for adventure in Colorado. Built on a foundation of brewing beer using only the finest ingredients, Living the Dream celebrates the people, places, and activities of the Centennial State. Live the life you have imagined. Visit Living The Dream online at livingthedreambrewing.com.
ABOUT VISIT DURANGO
Visit Durango is an independent nonprofit organization operating with the mission to promote Durango and La Plata County’s multitude of tourism attractions, events and services. The unbeatable combination of the iconic San Juan Mountains, art galleries, culinary fare, cultural and historic sites make it the perfect base of operations to explore Southwest Colorado. Experience Visit Durango’s full-service visitor center at the Durango Welcome Center, located at Main Avenue and 8th Street in the heart of historic downtown Durango, or online at durango.org. Follow @visitdurango on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
Riverbend Craft Malt Showcase Returns To Brick Store Pub September 21
Don’t Miss Georgia’s Largest Lineup Of Beers Made With Craft Malt From Riverbend Malt House
DECATUR, GA— Brick Store Pub will host the second annual Riverbend Craft Malt Showcase on Thursday, September 21. This tap takeover will boast a stylistic range of 15 beers brewed with malt from Riverbend Malt House.
WHAT
Craft breweries across the Southeast have united to build this one-of-a-kind tap list that includes a wide array of beer styles such as German-style Lagers crafted for Oktoberfest season, IPAs, cask ales, and much more.
This event will feature beers made by many of the region’s tastemakers— Akademia Brewing Company, Arches Brewing, Beacon Beer Co., The Brutalist, Cellarest Beer Project, Cherry Street Brewing Co., DSSOLVR, Fonta Flora Brewery, Fullsteam Brewery, Leveller Brewing Co., NoFo Brew Co., Redlight Redlight in collaboration with Alga Beer Co., Southern Brewing Company, TrimTab Brewing Co., and Zilicoah Beer Co.
"We're thrilled to host so many of our favorite breweries here at the Brick Store Pub to showcase Riverbend Malt House's incredible malts,” says Neil Callaghan, Brick Store Pub’s Beer Director. “The Riverbend team has brought together a killer line-up of beers to showcase the quality of their craft malt offerings and create a unique experience for our guests to learn about the malting process and taste the difference that Riverbend's products make in ales and lagers.”
WHERE & WHEN
125 E Court Square
Decatur, GA 30030
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Taps flowing at 6pm
Media interested in covering this event can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT BRICK STORE PUB
Since 1997, the Brick Store Pub has been celebrating craft, community and culture to it’s Decatur, Georgia neighborhood. With an internationally renowned beer program featuring thousands of vintage ales and lagers and a kitchen offering beer-inspired cuisine, the Brick Store Pub has carved a distinctive niche for itself over its quarter century history. It is currently ranked as the #1 Beer Bar in North America by RateBeer.com and has been recognized by dozens of media outlets as an international beer destination.
ABOUT RIVERBEND MALT HOUSE
Riverbend Malt House is on a quest to connect Southeastern family owned farms and fermenters. Co-Founders Brent Manning and Brian Simpson launched Riverbend, the first craft malthouse east of the Mississippi River, in Asheville, North Carolina in 2010. Buoyed by a 70,000 foot production facility and state of the art equipment, Riverbend Malt House helps breweries and distilleries large, small, and in-between stand out with flavor, locality, and community in an increasingly competitive landscape— all the while challenging the status quo of corporate, big-agriculture malt. The malt house was just named number 2804 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in America. Learn more at riverbendmalt.com.
Southwest Fresh Fest at Billy Goat Hop Farm Returns September 23
Montrose, Colorado’s Second Annual Celebration of Local Hops and Regional Beer to take place on Fall Equinox at Billy Goat Hop Farm.
MONTROSE, CO— Billy Goat Hop Farm is thrilled to bring back Southwest Fresh Fest for the second year. This showcase of all fresh-hopped beers with live music, food trucks, and yard games will take place on the farm on Saturday, September 23rd from 2 to 6pm.
Fresh hop, or wet hop, beers are brewed with hops that come straight off the bine and into the brew— usually within 24 hours— instead of being dried and pelletized. “They're special because they're only available at harvest time and are best imbibed immediately,” say Billy Goat Hop Farm Owners, which makes this festival an extra special celebration of the freshest beers to be found in the Four Corners.
Breweries pouring include Avery Brewing Company, Base Camp Beer Works, Colorado Boy Pizzeria & Brewery, Elevation Beer Company, Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, Grateful Gnome Sandwich Shoppe & Brewery, Horsefly Brewing Company, Mountain Tap Brewery, Primitive Beer, Stronghouse Brew Pub, The Steel Bender Brewyard, Wren House Brewing Company, and Yampa Valley Brewing Company.
Beyond the beer, Southwest Fresh Fest, guests can enjoy local food trucks and live music from the Drew Dvorchak Band and the Still House String Band, tour the hop farm, and get down on yard games. TelluRides will provide free shuttle rides to and from Montrose and the farm.
Ticket prices are as follows: The Full Sha-Bang - $30 in advance and $35 day-of; Designated Driver or Under 21 - $15; Under 12 are free. Tickets are on sale now at southwestfreshfest.com.
The Southwest Fresh Fest is made possible by the local community and sponsors including Colorado River District, Maxfield - Peterson, P.C., AgWell, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, RadCraft, TelluRides, CropwoRx, West of 105, Valley Food Partnership, Visit Montrose, Colorado Grain Chain, and Northwest Rafting Company.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Southwest Fresh Fest or Billy Goat Hop Farm. Download press images here.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST FRESH FEST
Southwest Fresh Fest is the first and only fresh hop beer festival in the Southwest, hosted at Billy Goat Hop Farm in Montrose, CO on September 23rd. Attendees and brewers alike can enjoy fresh hop beers from across the region in a rad complimentary taster glass. There will also be a Pickin’ Party with live bluegrass music, local food trucks, farm tours, and games… not to mention the panoramic views from the San Juan Mountains to the Grand Mesa. Come out for the festivities and stay for the recreation, beauty, and good beers abound. Join the fun at Billy Goat Hop Farm and celebrate harvest at Southwest Fresh Fest.
Buy tickets, sign up to pour beer, or sponsor at southwestfreshfest.com.
ABOUT BILLY GOAT HOP FARM
Billy Goat Hop Farm is the largest hop farm in the Southwest, providing superior quality fresh, whole cone, and pelletized hops directly to craft brewers. Starting in 2017, they've grown to 32 acres that produce 9 varieties of amazing hops. Owners and farmers Chris and Audrey pride themselves on creating genuine farmer-brewer relations and bringing true craft into their process. Combining traditional hands-on practices and state-of-the-art technology, they use less water and chemicals which transcends into a healthier ecosystem, soil, and hop plants. Brewers enjoy the bright aroma and subtly unique flavor profile imparted from Colorado's terroir, and the passion poured into every step of the process. Know your farmer, Love your beer.
Learn more at billygoathopfarm.com.
Ska Brewing Modus Hoperandi’s Big Brother, Double Modus, Rolls Into Colorado Just in Time For Little Bro’s 15th Birthday
Ska Brewing Releases Double Modus Double IPA, Now With Even More Modus
DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing Modus Hoperandi is often coined Colorado’s IPA. It’s a bold combination of hoppy and malty and bitter and smooth that has stood the test of time. After its first release in 2008, it quickly rocketed to become Ska’s flagship beer and remains their best-selling beer to this date— a feat nearly unheard of in today’s modern craft beer climate. Now in celebration of its 15th anniversary milestone, Ska is releasing a “double” version of its iconic IPA just in time for Labor Day Weekend.
“Modus Hoperandi has always been a beer along the lines of the classic West Coast style of IPA’s, and staying true to its namesake, we really didn’t change the recipe for Double Modus,” said Ska COO Steve Breezley. “We simply doubled it. Now at 9% ABV, the same big, striking citrus and pine hop character is there, but we turned it up to eleven. Double the Modus, Double the fun.”
“We’ve been talking about this beer for more than a decade but its bold character really seemed like it commanded a 16-ounce can, and until this year we didn’t have that capability,” says Ska Brewing Co-Founder Dave Thibodeau. “Now we do, and now’s the time.”
Double Modus in 4-packs of 16-ounce cans is hitting shelves exclusively in Colorado on September 1 with the draft release taking the stage at Ska’s 28th Anniversary Party the following weekend. Ska’s remaining markets will receive the release toward the end of 2023.
For more information about Ska Brewing Double Modus or any of Ska’s other award-winning beers, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 and 16 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.
Fresh Beer, Iconic Music, and Art All Over: Ska Brewing Is 28 Years Old
DURANGO, CO— Many of Ska Brewing’s friends in the beer, music, and art industries will gather on September 8 and 9 in Durango, Colorado to celebrate 28 years of Ska beer. The weekend of shenanigans will include an art show by the one-and-only Nan Coffey, multiple collaboration beers, and the annual Brewers Invitational and Anniversary party that Fishbone will headline.
Now for the second year, San Diego-based contemporary artist Nan Coffey will make a ska-punk-rock pilgrimage to Durango to help Ska kick off the anniversary weekend with an art show on the second floor of Ska’s World Headquarters. Nan’s style that she calls “Art All Over” has caught the interest of many Ska and Punk bands who she’s produced art for over the years, including The Specials, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Tim Armstrong of Rancid, Less Than Jake, Frank Turner and of course, Fishbone. Meet Nan, get signed prints, and get the party started on Friday, September 8 from 4 to 7pm.
Tickets are still available for the Ska Brewing Brewers Invitational and Anniversary slated for Saturday, September 9. The celebration will feature headliner Fishbone with guests Catbite and The Dendrites, as well as 28 of Ska’s brewery friends pouring their beers. Several of these beers are collaborations made with Anarchy Brewing, Goldspot Brewing, and Guanella Pass Brewery especially for the occasion. Guests can also sample some of Ska’s newest beer releases: Double Modus Hoperandi and its fresh hopped sister featuring Billy Goat Hop Farm hops, Ska Cold Pale, and the 2023 batch of Oktoberfest.
For more information about Ska Brewing’s 28th anniversary weekend celebration, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. Media inquiring about The Art of Nan Coffey can contact Coffey at info@nanwashere.com.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.
Riverbend Malt House Named On Inc. 5000 List Of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America For Second Year
The Southeast’s first craft malt house Riverbend Malt House has grown 116 percent since 2020, earning a placement on the Inc. 5000 list for the second consecutive year.
ASHEVILLE, NC— Today Inc. Magazine named Riverbend Malt House 3992 on the list of the 5000 fastest growing private companies in America. Riverbend ranked #96 on the list of fastest growing North Carolina companies.
2023 marks the second consecutive year that Riverbend has made the Inc. 5000 list, one of the most prestigious rankings of the nation's fastest-growing private companies, representing top tier independent small businesses in America. Inc. 5000 status is conferred based upon a company’s cumulative revenue growth over the preceding three years. At Riverbend Malt House, the revenue growth over the past three years was 116 percent.
“We are gratified to make the Inc. 5000 fastest growing list for the second consecutive year,” remarked Scott Hickman, Riverbend’s CEO. “High quality malt, carefully made from grain sourced from local, family owned farms clearly continues to be a value proposition that appeals to our craft brewing and distilling customers. In an increasingly crowded space, using— and talking about— quality ingredients is proving to be an effective way for our customers to stand out.”
A full list of winners including Riverbend Malt House can be found on the inc.com website.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries.
ABOUT RIVERBEND MALT HOUSE
Riverbend Malt House is on a quest to connect Southeastern family owned farms and fermenters. Co-Founders Brent Manning and Brian Simpson launched Riverbend, the first craft malthouse east of the Mississippi River, in Asheville, North Carolina in 2010. Buoyed by a 70,000 foot production facility and state of the art equipment, Riverbend Malt House helps breweries and distilleries large, small, and in-between stand out with flavor, locality, and community in an increasingly competitive landscape— all the while challenging the status quo of corporate, big-agriculture malt. Learn more at riverbendmalt.com.
Craft Maltsters Guild Announces 2024 Craft Malt Conference Destination with Request For Session Proposals
The Craft Maltsters Guild has selected the University of California Davis Conference Center the location for the 2024 Craft Malt Conference on February 23 and 24, 2024.
INTERNATIONAL— The Craft Maltsters Guild has selected the University of California Davis Conference Center in Northern California as the location for the 2024 Craft Malt Conference that will be held on February 23 and 24, 2024.
The Guild’s Board of Directors, Marketing & Events Working Group, and 2024 Craft Malt Conference Planning Committee is working in collaboration to execute this gathering of university, agriculture, malt, and beverage professionals from across the globe. The Craft Malt Conference is the only conference of its kind, offering workshops and seminars specifically focused on malt research, topics, and best practices.
The Craft Maltsters Guild seeks proposals from professionals across the malt supply chain to present their research and expertise to our membership on topics including but not limited to agriculture and agronomy, small grains breeding, scientific research, technical and applied elements of the malting process, sensory, flavor, marketing, and industry DEI. Find the proposal requirements and submit at craftmalting.com. Submissions are due by Friday, September 8.
More information about the 2024 Craft Malt Conference will be published in coming months. Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com to request media credentials to the conference and with queries about the Craft Maltsters Guild.
ABOUT THE CRAFT MALTSTERS GUILD
Formed in 2013 by eight craft malthouses, the Craft Maltsters Guild’s mission is to promote and sustain the tradition of craft malting in North America, provide services and resources to the Association’s members, and uphold the highest quality and safety standards for Craft Maltsters. Learn more about the Craft Maltsters Guild at www.craftmalting.com.
Lone Tree Brewing Is Ready For Oktoberfest
The Lone Tree Brewing Oktoberfest celebration is slated for Saturday, September 9. Find Lone Tree Oktoberfest in cans across Colorado.
LONE TREE, CO— Lone Tree Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest is tapped and canned for the season. This popular lager is now available across Colorado while supplies last.
This fan favorite lager is a traditional German-style Oktoberfest made with European malts and Hallertau Mittelfruh hops. It’s 5.5% ABV, malt-forward and amber-colored with rich toasty, bready flavors, minimal bitterness, and a dry finish. This recipe was inspired by Head Brewer Dennis O’Harrow’s time traveling in Germany.
Oktoberfest is available on tap and in canned 12oz. 6-packs at the brewery in Lone Tree, and at select locations in Colorado. Lone Tree Brewing will feature this beer and tap a Weizen to be served at the tasting room only during their 2023 Oktoberfest celebration slated for Saturday, September 9. Lager lovers can also find Lone Tree Oktoberfest at the Keystone Bluegrass & Brews Festival on August 7 and 8, and Castle Rock Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 16.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Lone Tree Brewing Co.
ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING CO.
Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery to open in Lone Tree, Colorado in Denver’s South Metro area in 2011, and has remained a local staple for a decade. Lone Tree creates community around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers that are sold in cans and on draft across Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
Ska Brewing Cajoles Cooler Temperatures With 2023 Oktoberfest Lager
Ska Brewing produces limited quantities of Oktoberfest Lager to share across its markets with ample time to stock up before fall celebrations begin.
DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing is sorry to be the ones to break it to you, but despite continued 100-degree days in Colorado, summer is just about over. The good news, though, is that with this near turn of the season comes the release of brewery’s famed Oktoberfest Lager.
Now for the sixth year, Ska Brewing Oktoberfest is available in cans for a limited time. Crafted with all-European Munich and Vienna malts and classic German lagering techniques, this amber-brown hued lager is nutty, bready, and toasty with a clean, neutral yeast flavor on the finish. When it first debuted in 2018, Ska Oktoberfest received a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival® in the Vienna-style Lager category. It has also earned awards at the European Beer Star and The Stockholm Beer and Whiskey Festival.
“The changing of the seasons is a big deal in Colorado where we experience all four, so we like to bookend the warm months with Oktoberfest to signify our trajectory into the fall. We’re really hoping Oktoberfest is a harbinger of cooler weather after the heat wave that Colorado has experienced this summer,” says Brewery Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau. “And if this heat keeps up… then at least Oktoberfest is still extremely refreshing.”
Like the Oktoberfest festival in Germany, this lager will last until the end of September— but not much longer. Ska produces limited quantities of Oktoberfest to share across its markets with ample time to stock up before fall celebrations begin. It will also be served at select festivals, including the San Juan Brewfest in downtown Durango on August 25, Telluride Blues & Brews in downtown Telluride on September 15-17, and at the Ska Anniversary and Brewers Invitational going down on September 9 at the brewery World Headquarters.
For more information about Ska Brewing’s Oktoberfest Lager or any of their internationally renown beers, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.
Dark Sky Brewing Office Supplies Double Hazy IPA Gives School Supplies To Arizona Students
Office Supplies Double Hazy IPA will be released at Dark Sky Brewing on Friday, July 21 in tandem with the school supplies drive for Arizona Helping Hands. On Tuesday, August 1, a Dark Sky tap takeover at Gilbert’s Beer Barn will feature Office Supplies and another school supplies drive.
FLAGSTAFF and GILBERT, AZ— Before it became a brewery, Dark Sky Brewing’s original building on Beaver Street housed an office supplies store. To pay homage to this history and to give area students access to the school supplies they need, the brewery crafted Office Supplies Double Hazy IPA.
Office Supplies Double Hazy IPA will be released at Dark Sky Brewing on Friday, July 21 in tandem with the school supplies drive for Arizona Helping Hands. The beer will be available on tap and in cans to-go, as well as in cans across the brewery's Arizona distribution footprint.
On Tuesday, August 1, a Dark Sky tap takeover at Gilbert’s Beer Barn taproom and bottle shop will feature Office Supplies and some Are you smarter than a 5th grader? trivia too. Beer Barn will host a school supplies drive as well, with donations going to San Tan Elementary School.
Both supply drives go through the end of August. This effort is one of many monthly activities that the brewery’s nonprofit organization Dark Sky Community executes to support causes they care about.
Media inquiring about Dark Sky Brewing and Dark Sky Community can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT DARK SKY BREWING
Established in 2014 by Larami and Ryan Sandlin, Dark Sky Brewing has become a downtown Flagstaff institution that builds community through craft beer, food, and philanthropy. Named in honor of its home, in the world's first International Dark Sky Place, Dark Sky Brewing is crafting a beer selection that is as unique and beautiful as every star, meteor, and comet they can see from their backyard. The microbrewery size allows the freedom to brew everything from traditional recipes to experimentally fun brews with exotic ingredients. Committed to making that home a better place by giving back, the Dark Sky Community nonprofit organization was founded out of the brewery to serve as a launching base for other nonprofits to raise more funds and awareness. Learn more about the beers, food, and philanthropy at darkskybrewing.com.
Living The Dream Brewing Turns Nine
Living The Dream Brewing will celebrate its 9th anniversary on July 22 and 23 with nine specialty beer releases, foodd trucks, dog friendly activities, and the return of their annual birthday cornhole tournament.
LITTLETON, CO— Living The Dream Brewing will celebrate its 9th anniversary on July 22 and 23 with nine specialty beer releases and the return of their annual birthday cornhole tournament. The South Metro Denver brewery invites beer lovers, kids, and dogs to join for this 90’s themed family-friendly weekend.
Among the anniversary beer releases will be some returning favorites like Belgian Quad and ROCKER Spirits Port Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout; variations on returning beers such as a 3-Speed Pale Ale; and brand new creations like Mojito Gose, Cranberry Lime Blonde, and a Mixed Barrel Sour Ale that’s been aging since 2016. Also included in this lineup will be a ROCKER Spirits Bourbon Barrel-Aged Tripel with Plum and Ginger, and two beers aged in barrels from Arvada’s Talnua Distillery: Barrel Aged Belgian Quad with Fig, and Barrel-Aged Barleywine. Sign up for Living The Dream’s weekly newsletter to receive more information about the beer list.
The largest Living The Dream cornhole tournament of the year will take place on Saturday, July 22 at 2pm. Guests can sign up when they arrive. Also on Saturday, Wag N' Wash will be set up with a doggy pool, treats, and giveaways for four-legged friends who join for the celebration.
Food vendors for the weekend include the Big Stuff Food Truck, Motor City B’s Pizza, Uptown & Humboldt, Luchador Food Truck, Savage Jerky, and Gelato & Co.
Tongue Tied Design will be printing t-shirts starting at noon each day. Customers can choose their color and one of four custom designs made exclusively for the anniversary.
It’s really amazing to think Living the Dream has been around for nine years,” says company Founder Jason Bell. “When we opened, we wanted to connect to the community and share our passion for brewing great beer. It has been immeasurably more than that. We have made so many great friends while getting to do what we love. It really doesn’t get any better than that!”
Media interested in attending Living The Dream’s 9th anniversary can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT LIVING THE DREAM BREWING CO.
Living the Dream Brewing is a craft brewery established in 2014 in Littleton, our home base for adventure in Colorado. Built on a foundation of brewing beer using only the finest ingredients, Living the Dream celebrates the people, places, and activities of the Centennial State. Live the life you have imagined. Visit Living The Dream online at livingthedreambrewing.com.
Goat Patch Brewing Company Celebrates 6 Years as the Home of Balanced Brews
To mark its 6th birthday, Colorado Springs’ Goat Patch Brewing will be throwing a celebration featuring beer releases, live music, giveaways, and more!
Colorado Springs, CO— Goat Patch Brewing Company has been brewing up award winning, balanced brews for 6 years. To mark this birthday, the Colorado Springs based brewery will be throwing a celebration featuring beer releases, live music, giveaways, and more!
Although the birthday is on Saturday, July 29th, they will be celebrating all weekend. Here’s the lineup of the festivities:
FRIDAY, JULY 28TH
Beer Release [5 PM]: Paint Mines Interpretive Double IPA
Representatives from El Paso County Parks will be on site with information. $1 from every bottle sold during the run of this beer will be donated back to El Paso County Parks.
Live Music [6-9 PM]: Joe Johnson and Friends
Food Trucks: Chef Bob’s Lobstah Trap [3-8 PM], Ricky’s Island Cafe [4-9 PM]
Activities: Elevation Hydration on site with IV drip options [5-7 PM]
SATURDAY, JULY 29TH
Firkin Release [11 AM]: Cherry Limeade
Beer Releases [12 PM]: Dingo Dayner Guava Blonde, Brendtoni’s Amber Lager, Goat Patch Punch, Purploid Blueberry Kettle Sour
Live Music: U-Turn Brass Band [1-4 PM], Chauncy [6-9 PM]
Food Trucks: Witty Pork’s Woodfired Pizza [11 AM-9 PM], Lori Lynn’s Cookies & Cream [2-6 PM], Tepex [3-8 PM]
Activities: Bleating Heart Initiative Class of 2023 Giant Check Presentation to The Honor Bell Foundation and Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing [5 PM], Bleating Heart Initiative Class of 2024 Announcement [5:15 PM], Face Painting, Bubble Station, Lawn Games, Elevation Hydration on site with IV drip options [1-5 PM]
SUNDAY, JULY 30TH
Live Music [5-7 PM]: Redraw the Farm
Food Trucks: Roc N Ro Sushi [11 AM-3 PM], American Eagle Sandwiches and More [3-8 PM]
Giveaways (contest will run from Thursday-Sunday evening - winners announced on Sunday): Crowler Card, Loyalty Card (10 beer punch card), 3 Beer for a Year Cards (one crowler for each week of the year)
ABOUT GOAT PATCH BREWING COMPANY
Goat Patch Brewing Company started like all great ideas - good friends with a common passion sitting around a kitchen table dreaming about the future. Even before their name (which eventually became a nod to the beard style of co-owner and head brewer Darren Baze), they all agreed on a shared set of values: balanced brews, community engagement and adventure. Now with 2018 and 2020 GABF medals, a World Beer Cup medal in 2022, and numerous other recognitions, they are proud to play a part in bringing award-winning craft beer to their community. Find the brewery online at goatpatchbrewing.com.
Silver - World Beer Cup® (2022) For It Takes A Tribe Red Ale
Silver - Great American Beer Festival® (2020) For It Takes A Tribe Red Ale
Bronze - Great American Beer Festival® (2018) For It Takes A Tribe Red Ale
For all awards and accolades, please visit www.goatpatchbrewing.com/story
Riverbend Malt House Earns 2023 Living Wage Certified Employer Status
For the sixth consecutive year, Riverbend Malt House has earned Just Economics’ Living Wage Certified Employer status for paying all of its 16 employees a salary at or above the living wage rate established by the county.
ASHEVILLE, NC— For the sixth consecutive year, Riverbend Malt House has earned Just Economics’ Living Wage Certified Employer status for paying all of its 16 employees a salary at or above the living wage rate established by the county. Additionally, Riverbend continues to pay 100 percent of employee health insurance premiums, commencing on the first day of employment.
Since 2007, Just Economics has worked to educate and advocate for a just and sustainable local economy that works for all in Western North Carolina. Its Living Wage Certification program was developed to help local businesses define “living wage” in the evolving economic context of Western North Carolina and to provide independent certification of living wage claims by local companies.
“Riverbend is proud to continue its longstanding policy of paying certified living wages in 2023,” says CEO Scott Hickman. “We do it because it’s the right thing to do, and beyond that we enjoy the benefits of a higher quality, more motivated employee team with lower turnover.”
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Riverbend Malt House.
ABOUT RIVERBEND MALT HOUSE
Riverbend Malt House is on a quest to connect Southeastern family owned farms and fermenters. Co-Founders Brent Manning and Brian Simpson launched Riverbend, the first craft malt house east of the Mississippi River, in Asheville, North Carolina in 2010. Buoyed by a 70,000 square foot production facility and state of the art equipment, Riverbend Malt House helps breweries and distilleries large, small, and in-between stand out with flavor, locality, and community in an increasingly competitive landscape— all the while challenging the status quo of corporate, big-agriculture malt. Learn more at riverbendmalt.com.
Dark Sky Brewing featuring Yarnell 19 Beer for the 10th Anniversary of the Yarnell Hill Fire in Honor of Eric Marsh Foundation
All proceeds for the Dark Sky Brewing Yarnell 19 West Coast IPA brewed in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the 19 Heroes from the Yarnell Hill Fire will go to the Eric Marsh Foundation as well as other Wildland Fire organizations.
FLAGSTAFF and SCOTTSDALE, AZ— Starting Friday June 24, Dark Sky Brewing will showcase a special Yarnell 19 West Coast IPA on draft and in cans in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the 19 Heroes from the Yarnell Hill Fire. All proceeds from this beer will be donated to the Eric Marsh Foundation as well as other Wildland Fire organizations.
On Thursday, June 30 all day Scottsdale’s Rift Wine + Tap will host a fundraiser for the Eric Marsh Foundation featuring Dark Sky Brewing beers on tap. All beer proceeds will be donated to EMF, and guests will have the chance to win Dark Sky Brewing, Rift merchandise, and other prizes in a raffle that will take place at 7pm. The winner does not need to be present to win.
This event is one of many monthly activities that the brewery’s nonprofit organization Dark Sky Community executes to support causes they care about.
The Eric Marsh Foundation (EMF) is a passion project that supports wildland firefighters and their families in the event of a line of duty death or other trauma; and it’s especially important to Dark Sky Brewing owners Larami & Ryan Sandlin, who grew up in Prescott with some of the firefighters lost in the Yarnell 19 fire. This event marks the exact date 10 years since that fire. Learn more at ericmarshfoundation.org.
Media inquiring about Dark Sky Brewing and Dark Sky Community can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT DARK SKY BREWING
Established in 2014 by Larami and Ryan Sandlin, Dark Sky Brewing has become a downtown Flagstaff institution that builds community through craft beer, food, and philanthropy. Named in honor of its home, in the world's first International Dark Sky Place, Dark Sky Brewing is crafting a beer selection that is as unique and beautiful as every star, meteor, and comet they can see from their backyard. The microbrewery size allows the freedom to brew everything from traditional recipes to experimentally fun brews with exotic ingredients. Committed to making that home a better place by giving back, the Dark Sky Community nonprofit organization was founded out of the brewery to serve as a launching base for other nonprofits to raise more funds and awareness. Learn more about the beers, food, and philanthropy at darkskybrewing.com.