Living The Dream Brewing Taps Horchata Powder Run Cream Ale

LITTLETON, CO— The 2024 batch of Living The Dream Brewing Horchata Powder Run Cream Ale will tap tomorrow, and be available in canned 6-packs across Colorado soon.

Horchata is a seasonal variant of the award-winning Powder Run Cream Ale, a light bodied, creamy beer with notes of vanilla and a fluffy finishing mouthfeel. It gets a boost of spicy cinnamon from Colorado’s own Savory Spice Shop and milk sugar to create flavors of the traditional milk-based Mexican drink, Horchata, that’s made with cinnamon and sugar. 

“We found most Horchata themed beers to be Stouts and Porters, and felt the adaptation of our Powder Run Vanilla Cream Ale would be a better canvas for the traditional Horchata flavor profile we were looking for,” says Jason Bell, Living The Dream Brewing Founder. “Plus, it allowed us to feature the highest quality cinnamon from Savory Spice, one of our favorite companies to source ingredients from.”

Just in time for Cinco de Mayo weekend, Horchata Powder Run is available on draft and in Crowlers and cans to-go at Living The Dream. On Saturday, Motor City B’s will serve an Elote Pizza you don’t want to miss. 

Find Horchata Powder Run in limited canned six-packs across Colorado via Colorado Craft Distributors. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Living The Dream Brewing. 

ABOUT LIVING THE DREAM BREWING

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've imagined, and join us at livingthedreambrewing.com. 

Certified for Sustainability: 11 Investments For Craft Malt, Beer, and Spirits Producers To Consider

Words by Stevi Cameron, edited by Melissa Larrick; Photo by Rachel Cross

These eleven certification programs don’t just demonstrate your brewery, distillery, or malthouse commitment to the environment; they also display that promise to your customers. 

We know labels aren’t everything, but in these cases we’ve seen real world examples of how they make a difference. We commend our many partners who support these programs with their participation, and we encourage those of you who are curious to read on.

Sustainability translates in many different ways for companies of all sizes and identities. We think that’s a good thing. Whether their initiatives are rooted in agriculture or emissions reduction, recycling and repurposing, or even employee retention and continued education; they’re all in place for the greater good.

Without further ado, meet our choice sustainability certifications and some of the companies who endorse them. 

A Greener World

A Greener World (AGW) is a nonprofit organization providing several certification opportunities for businesses implementing and supporting sustainable practices in their production. Focused mostly on agricultural production, A Greener World’s growing family of trusted certifications includes  Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, Salmon Welfare Certified by AGW, Certified Grassfed by AGW, Certified Regenerative by AGW, Certified Non-GMO by AGW and Certified Organic by AGW (coming soon). 

For farmers and brewers alike, this suite of certification is something to get excited about. The process of getting certified by AGW streamlines auditing and certification of a wide range of practices, helping farms to make multiple meaningful claims through a single audit. With one visit farmers can demonstrate non-GMO, water-friendly, environmentally sustainable practices—and more. By obtaining an AGW Certification, businesses are identifying themselves as a sustainable option, making it easier for consumers to know they are shopping greener.

Salmon-Safe

 Salmon-Safe helps grain growers, farmers, and maltsters, like Mainstem Malt, to manage their impact on water quality and the biodiversity of the Pacific Northwest region. Not only does Salmon-Safe limit impact on the natural environment, but it also encourages the restoration and enhancement of habitats, making Salmon-Safe a great certification option for businesses and consumers with sustainability in mind. 

Craft Malt Certified Seal™

This program designed by the Craft Maltsters Guild aims to produce quality ingredients in a sustainable way, proving to be a great option for brewers and distillers who use at least 10 percent of craft malt in their grain purchasing program or specific recipes. The Craft Maltsters Guild will connect your brewery or distillery to a broader range of customers and resources by advocating for small-scale production, resourcing materials within a 5oo mile radius, and supporting independently owned businesses. The Craft Malt Seal assists customers in making decisions that align with their values. 

Cicerone™

How can having certified Cicerones in your brewery help the environment? Glad you asked. Breweries that have in-house Cicerone-certified staff members support the continued education of their teams and subsequently, their customers. Better educated servers and sippers equals more opportunity to discuss ingredients, sourcing, and processes that support our planet. The Cicerone certification empowers your business and your community by fostering trust.

B-Corp™

Getting certified with B-Corp and choosing to work with certified businesses, you can support a long-term commitment to ethical business practices. This certification that Mortal and Mainstem Malt maintain focus on businesses and their  impacts on employees, community, and the environment. B-Corp promises sustainable business choices by measuring employee benefits for the longevity of employee duration, and also how a business gives back to the community and environment with donations and other means of support. B-Corp assists in holding your business to the highest of standards.

1 % for the Planet® 

Membership to 1% for the Planet means committing 1 percent of your business’ profits to support climate change solutions. 1% for the Planet’s business membership connects your brewery, distillery, or malthouse (or prebiotic and kombucha company like Mortal!) with nonprofits worldwide that align with your values and frequently generate positive environmental solutions. With 1% for the Planet’s partnership advising process, your business will be accordingly paired with an approved environmental non-profit— so you can donate to a cause that fits your passions while also promoting your brand globally. 

Living Wage

Obtaining a living wage certification represents your company’s dedication to a healthy and holistic work environment, not to mention the retention of employees. The Living Wage Network connects your company with several accessible Living Wage certifications based on size and type of business— Riverbend Malt House, for example, is certified by Just Economics in Western North Carolina. Verifying that your company sustains a living wage promotes your business as an empowering workplace.

Regenified™

Regenified is a practice and outcomes-based land verification and product certification program driving the growth of regenerative agriculture and the adoption of certified products. This certification gives Riverbend, the first craft malt house in the South and now as of March 2024 the first Certified Regenified malt house on the planet, the unique ability to manage, store, and process Certified Regenified grains while maintaining full traceability.

Oregon Tilth®

Oregon Tilth promotes sustainable farming with its Organic Certifications. In the certification process, Oregon Tilth identifies the need and singularities of your company to help obtain an array of National Organic Program certifications. Because the transition from a non-organic farm to an organic farm can take time, Oregon Tilth also certifies for Transitional Organic. The certification ensures both sustainability in agriculture while also setting your business up for long-term success. 

Puget Sound Energy Green Power Program

Puget Sound Energy Green Power Program aids independent companies in using energy that comes from renewable resources. PSE can help lower pollution levels emitted by businesses or individuals in the PSE Green Power Programs. These programs, including Carbon Balance, Community Solar, Solar Choice, and Renewable Natural Gas, replace nonrenewable energy and install and maintain renewable energy, helping participants cut their emissions up to 50 percent. Monthly member fees range from $4 to $20 per month— which goes to supporting other local power generating projects that can make a sustainable impact.

Brewers Association Independent Seal® 

An important part of having a sustainable business is maintaining independence. Independent businesses often support local sourcing through more access to local farms, customers, and the community. The Brewers Association Independent Seal strives to help companies commit to their communities long-term with a stamp of their promise to display on public facing spaces and beer labels. And, seal or not, the BA offers a Sustainability Benchmarking Tool for its membership— just sayin’. 

Want to learn more about the companies certified with all of the programs above? We’re here to connect you. Give us a shout at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

RadCraft Partners With Empowered Streaming To Amplify #CraftSocialMedia Workshop Experience

INTERNATIONAL— RadCraft will bring back its virtual social media marketing workshops for breweries in 2024, this year with the amplification of streaming services from Empowered Streaming. 

The #CraftSocialMedia experience will be improved with enhanced video and audio, faster streaming, and expanded capacity for participants to communicate with speakers and one another. 

There are three #CraftSocialMedia workshops with expert speakers planned for 2024. The series kick off will feature Kayla Stinnett of Iron City Social presenting Social Media Marketing For Recurring Brewery Events on Friday, May 10 at 12pm MT. She’ll share tried-and-true strategies to promote recurring events while keeping them fresh and top of mind, all while on a budget. 

Details about these next two beer marketing workshops Social Media Management For Multiple Brewery Locations (August 16) and Social Media Automation That Sells More Beer (November 15) will be published in coming weeks.  

Register for the #CraftSocialMedia workshops at radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT EMPOWERED STREAMING 

Empowered Streaming was created to make virtual and hybrid events stress free for event planners. Behind the scenes, it’s run by a passionate set of studio musicians, engineers and videographers. During the pandemic, it became clear that the technical skills and sense of precision honed in music performance and studio work was very much needed in the corporate events space. Today, Empowered is responsible for the video and audio production for events all over the world, with a passionate crew dedicated to providing a fun and easeful experience for everyone involved.

ABOUT RADCRAFT

Beers and spirits should tell stories about brands, and RadCraft loves a good story. Founded in 2012 by Emily Hutto, RadCraft provides communications support for the beverage industry. From breweries and distilleries to maltsters and their affiliates, RadCraft’s partners are makers of thoughtful products and cultivators of radical ideas. Learn more at radcraftbeer.com. 

Bootstrap Brewing Exports to Europe

LONGMONT, CO– Bootstrap Brewing is excited to announce that it has begun exporting beer to Europe.

The company joined the Brewers Association’s Export Development Program earlier this year and attended its first Import Festival in February at the Beer + Food Attraction in Rimini Italy. At the show, owners Steve and Leslie Kaczeus were able to meet with importers and distributors to sample beer which directly resulted in partnerships formed with Beer Republic, a BrouwUnie Company based in the Netherlands and Great Brands of Sweden.

Bootstrap Brewing recently shipped its first pallet of award-winning beers to Beer Republic and they will begin hitting stores, bars and restaurants in the Netherlands and other European countries very soon.

“For the initial launch, we wanted all eight styles of Bootstrap’s canned products so we can introduce our customers to their full product line and see which ones are favored,” explained Steven van Eendenburg van Oosterhout of Beer Republic.

Then, in early April, Great Brands received news that 2 of Bootstrap’s beers, Medal AF IPA and Wreak Havoc Imperial Red, won placements in the Systembolaget’s tender which is Sweden’s state-owned retail monopoly run by the country.

“This is absolutely fantastic news for a brand-new supplier that has never shipped into our market to win 2 placements straight out of the gate,” explained Jörgen Hasselqvist, owner of Great Brands. “We’re excited to work with Bootstrap to promote their products in Sweden, Finland and Norway in the coming months.”

Bootstrap will attend more international shows to continue to develop relationships with more importers and distributors on other continents.

“This year, we’ll attend shows in the U.K., Sweden, Costa Rica, Japan and any other countries that make sense to continue this momentum,” explained Leslie Kaczeus. “We love to travel, and this new marketing emphasis is a perfect way to sell more beer while visiting countries we enjoy exploring.”

For more information Bootstrap Brewing, contact Leslie Kaczeus at leslie@bootstrapbrewing.com.

For more information about Beer Republic, contact Steven van Eendenburg van Oosterhout at steven@brouwunie.nl.

For more information about Great Brands, contact Jörgen Hasselqvist at jorgen@greatbrands.se.

ABOUT BOOTSTRAP BREWING

Home to best-selling and award-winning craft beers such as Insane Rush, Lush Puppy, Boat Snack, Medal AF, Stick’s Pale Ale, Chillax, Wreak Havoc, and Pickle Me Up, Bootstrap Brewing is an independent, adventurous brewery in Colorado dedicated to producing a wide range of ales and lagers. More information can be found on our website at www.bootstrapbrewing.com.

Lone Tree Brewing Presents Another Canned Spring Seasonal, Juicy IPA

LONE TREE, CO— On the heels of the limited release of Hefeweizen, Lone Tree Brewing Juicy IPA just hit cans for the spring season. Find it on tap at both Lone Tree Brewing locations, on tap and in cans across Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. 

Full-bodied, slightly dank, and entirely refreshing, Lone Tree Brewing’s spring seasonal Juicy IPA boasts 6.5% ABV and beautiful orange hues.

Lone Tree Brewing Director of Tasting Rooms Michael Webster explains that Juicy IPA is on par with the Colorado beer industry’s recent focus on the budding ‘Juicy IPA’ style arena that emphasizes a fruit juice effect over haze and often includes flavors of the Tropics. “Extensive data analysis spanning the past few years highlights the Juicy IPA as one of our most sought-after rotating beers within our tasting rooms," he says. “Our dedicated brew team has experimented with various blends of hops, malts, and yeasts to hone this recipe; and the culmination of these efforts has resulted in an IPA distinguished by a pronounced citrus-forward aroma, perfectly complemented by the bold, juicy flavors of the hops.” 

Lone Tree Juicy IPA is on tap at both locations in Lone Tree and Parker, and also to-go in canned 6-packs. Find it across Colorado and in select locations in Kansas this spring while supplies last. 

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 more than a decade. Now deeply rooted in this community, the brewing company is growing friends at its two tasting rooms– the original location near Park Meadows Mall in Lone Tree, and the recently opened Lone Tree Brewing Parker in the heart of Parker, Colorado. Find Lone Tree’s stylistically diverse lineup of canned beers in cans and on draft in Colorado and Kansas to enjoy with your buds. Visit the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.

Riverbend Malt House Becomes First-Ever Certified Regenified Malt House

ASHEVILLE, NC— Earlier this year, Riverbend Malt House became the first malt house to become third-party certified for its supply chain processing and manufacturing, ensuring the segregation and processing of Certified Regenified™ grains. This certification gives Riverbend, the first craft malt house in the South and now the first Certified Regenified malt house on the planet, the unique ability to manage, store, and process Certified Regenified grains while maintaining full traceability.

Regenerative Agriculture focuses on soil health as the foundation for supporting entire ecosystems. Practices such as no till farming and cover cropping minimize disturbance, which promotes carbon sequestration and reduces polluted runoff. It’s also much more than just a set of farming practices; it's a paradigm shift in how we view and interact with the land. By prioritizing soil health, water conservation, biodiversity and overall ecosystem vitality, regenerative practices offer a pathway to heal the earth and nourish both people and the planet.

Regenified, a practice and outcomes-based land verification and product certification program, recognizes and certifies those who adopt these regenerative practices, paving the way for a healthier planet and transparency across our food system. This group conducted an extensive supply chain audit of the malt house, and Riverbend received certification in March of 2024. Built on transparency and traceability of the Southeastern grain supply chain, Riverbend was well positioned to meet the requirements of the certification process. 

Riverbend's certification by Regenified underscores their commitment to regenerative agriculture. By achieving certification, Riverbend ensures the implementation of systems and processes necessary to segregate and process Certified Regenified grains. This certification not only upholds the integrity of the supply chain for Regenified products but also supports Riverbend's goal of achieving healthier soils and waterways while fostering supply chain integrity and supporting farmers and brands committed to regenerative agriculture. “The years ahead will generate exciting results that speak to improved biodiversity, reduced chemical and fertilizer use, and carbon sequestration,” says Riverbend Malt House Co-Founder Brent Manning. 

Turning towards Regenerative agriculture is “some icing on a wonderful cake of meeting and exceeding our environmental goals, which include agriculture that's closer to the end-user,” adds Riverbend Malt House Co-Founder Brian Simpson. “The commitments for Regenified’s certification are a big opportunity for us to really show up.” 

Riverbend will begin processing certified, locally sourced grain for brewers and distillers in the coming months. Long-term, the malt house will work with its existing growing partners in the Southeast to achieve certification. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Riverbend Malt House. 

ABOUT REGENIFIED 

Regenified is a practice and outcomes-based land verification and product certification program driving the growth of regenerative agriculture and the adoption of certified products. Regenified recognizes and certifies those who adopt regenerative practices, paving the way for a healthier planet and transparency across our food system. Get involved at regenified.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 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.

Ska Brewing Leads the Way in Sustainability with Pioneering Efforts This Earth Day: "Planet vs Plastics"

Durango, CO – In alignment with the 2024 Earth Day theme "Planet vs Plastics," Ska Brewing is proud to announce significant advancements in our sustainability initiatives, underscoring their commitment to environmental responsibility and innovative brewery practices.

As pioneers in the craft brewing industry, Ska has consistently led efforts to minimize environmental impact. The brewery has long utilized recycled materials—from jeans used as insulation to reclaimed bowling alley wood for tables to early  adoption of infinitely recyclable aluminum cans for beer packaging— and set industry standards for environmental stewardship. And just this year, the brewery doubled their investment in Colorado-grown grain, which now comprises 85% of Ska’s total malt usage.

Innovative Packaging Transformation

In a groundbreaking move, Ska has installed the CanCollar® Corsair™ machine, a first in North America for craft breweries, provided by sustainable packaging leaders WestRock. This state-of-the-art technology allows the brewery to transition from plastic can collars to paperboard solutions, dramatically reducing plastic usage by up to 95% for their multipack products. This transition is eliminating approximately four tons of plastic waste annually, significantly reducing the brewery's carbon footprint and waste.

Skampost Partnership with Table to Farm Compost

Building on their efforts to achieve a zero-waste goal, Ska Brewing has partnered with Durango’s Table To Farm Compost to repurpose all spent grain from the brewing process. Previously used as cattle feed or sent to landfills, their spent grain will now be composted, helping to reduce methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas. This partnership not only supports local agriculture, but also promotes circular economy practices by transforming brewing byproduct into valuable compost for community use.

Community and Environmental Impact

"Ska Brewing has never been content with the status quo," says Ska Brewing President Dave Thibodeau. "Our initiatives are about setting new benchmarks for sustainability in brewing. With these new systems, we are making significant strides towards becoming a zero-waste facility and further reducing our environmental footprint. This Earth Day, we are excited to demonstrate how the beer industry can lead in the fight against plastics and for the planet."

Ska invites their community and fellow brewers to join them in this vital movement towards more sustainable practices. Look for new QR codes on all of Ska’s cans for more information about their sustainability efforts and Earth Day initiatives, including opportunities to win upcycled merchandise from companies like Mindy’s Beer Gear and Thread Metal Stone. 

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Founded in 1995, Ska Brewing is a pioneer in the craft brewing industry, committed to producing the highest quality beer while advocating for environmental sustainability. Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing continues to lead with innovative practices and community-oriented initiatives, striving to support the planet and its people. For more information, please visit www.skabrewing.com. 

Mortal Hydration Becomes The Official Sports Beverage And Hydration Partner Of The Ironman And Ironman 70.3 North American Triathlon Series

TAMPA, FL / BOULDER, CO– IRONMAN and Mortal HydrationVentures today announced Mortal Hydration as the official sports beverage and hydration partner for the IRONMAN® and IRONMAN® 70.3® North American Triathlon Series. Varieties of the Mortal Hydration Drink Mix will be available on-course, giving athletes great-tasting and effective hydration at IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events in North America in 2024.

The new hydration mix is Mortal’s first beverage developed to help athletes during training and competition. After two years in development and testing by world-class athletes, Mortal’s flavor profiles have been refined to ensure that athletes will be hydrated and will never suffer from flavor fatigue with great tasting options. Each of the three varieties are both simultaneously sweet and tart, a perfect combo that encourages athletes to sip more often to combat chronic under-hydrating that impacts so many athletes. 

“Staying hydrated is the essential part of a challenging endurance event like an IRONMAN triathlon,” said Mortal founder Becca Schepps, a former collegiate rower and professional cyclist. “We’re so excited to offer Mortal Hydration’s high-performance electrolyte mix to IRONMAN athletes. It will ensure all athletes on course are seriously hydrated with a full electrolyte profile formulated to fight dehydration and set athletes up to have their best race possible.”

Mortal Hydration was formulated with the latest sports science and endurance sport fueling strategies in mind and offers athletes a hydration mix that tastes great and delivers the right balance of flavor, nutrients, and electrolytes. Mortal is designed to be integrated into a high-carb fueling strategy where athletes consume 80g to 100g of carbs per hour from concentrated nutrition and then use Mortal as part of a hydration strategy to replenish electrolytes. 

Mortal Hydration offers a full electrolyte profile and the ability to titrate sodium levels across three flavors – Margarita, Berry, and Mango. Each flavor has 10g of carbohydrates to help with electrolyte absorption and is available in both a regular variety with 450 mg of sodium citrate and 190mg of additional electrolytes (magnesium, potassium, and calcium), and a salty version with 925 mg of sodium citrate and 190mg of additional electrolytes – perfect for very hot days or heavy sweaters. 

“Understanding the evolving nutrition strategies of triathletes, we are pleased to be able to partner with Mortal Hydration to provide an effective electrolyte hydration option to pair with Maurten gels on course at our IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 North American events,” said Keats McGonigal, Vice President of North American Operations for The IRONMAN Group “It is often said nutrition is the fourth discipline of triathlon events, and importantly a strategy to stay hydrated with appropriate electrolyte intake can help athletes get to the finish line.”  

To allow athletes time to adjust to the new product offering, Mortal Hydration will be an on-course option added to previous electrolyte options, with a full exclusive roll out of the product on course beginning with July events. Sample packs will also be available for purchase in the official IRONMAN Merchandise store.

Mortal Hydration is available online via The Feed, and is available in a variety of packaging to suit every athlete's fueling needs. Athletes can choose from individual sachets, 25-packs for consistent replenishment, or explore all six flavors with packs of six samples. More information is available at www.drinkmortal.com. 

For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.   

####

ABOUT MORTAL

Founded by Becca Schepps and Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Mortal makes hydration products that quench thirst. Mortal Kombucha is currently available across all 50 states, in retailers such as Sprouts, Central Market, King Soopers, Foodtown, Mother’s, Lassens, Weis and Natural Grocers. Mortal Hydration is available in North America via The Feed. Learn more about Mortal at drinkmortal.com, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and X at @drinkmortal. 

ABOUT THE IRONMAN GROUP   

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf®, UTMB® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB®, Tarawera Ultra™ by UTMB® and Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB®, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world, providing participants the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business, and Orkila Capital, a growth equity firm focused on building great brands. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.

ABOUT ADVANCE      

Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 14,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.

Mortal Press Contact: Becca Schepps, 609.529.5300, becca@drinkmortal.com 

Riverbend Malt House Unveils Terroir With Speakeasy Malt For Distillers

ASHEVILLE, NC— Secret’s out— after much underground research and development, Riverbend Malt House now offers a malt style designed for distillers. Speakeasy distiller’s malt is now available for purchase.

Riverbend has relished their role as a provider of flavorful malts to distillers for over a decade, often providing that “secret sauce” that sets an American Single Malt Whiskey or bourbon apart from the crowd. The release of Speakeasy is our first offering designed specifically for the rapidly growing spirits category. 

The development of Speakeasy utilizes a barley variety that has shown great potential to deliver higher levels of enzymatic activity compared to other winter 2-row varieties. This variety coupled with an extended, cool germination and gentle kilning temperatures create the building blocks for this innovative malt style.

“Our Speakeasy malt is a balancing act,” says Riverbend Co-Founder Brent Manning. “It’s not just an enzyme package, but a rich, flavorful malt that is designed to convert corn in a Bourbon recipe while delivering notes of melon and honeysuckle. Speakeasy provides an avenue for craft distillers to explore whiskey recipes with local ingredients.” 

Read all of Speakeasy’s specifications at riverbendmalt.com. Distillers interested in purchasing Speakeasy malt can contact their Riverbend sales representative or place an order online. 

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 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.

Ska Brewing Celebrates 25 Years of Mexican Logger and Welcomes Patio Season to the Rockies

Durango, CO— Ska Brewing, a pioneer in the craft beer industry, is proud to commemorate 25 years of brewing its fan-favorite, award-winning beer, Mexican Logger, just in time for the official start of patio season in the Southwest. This year, it’s not just any comeback; it’s a silver anniversary celebration of lager love, and a tribute to no longer living in the lager closet.

“Twenty-five years ago, we decided we were tired of sneaking around, pretending we didn’t adore the crisp, refreshing taste of a good lager” says Dave Thibodeau, co-founder and closet Pacifico drinker turned proud Logger lover. “So, we did what any reasonable group of brewers would do – we crafted our own. The Mexican Logger was not just a beer; it was a declaration of independence from the tyranny of beer snobbery.”

The release of Mexican Logger, a cornerstone of the brewery’s portfolio, has become known as the “unofficial start to summer” also known as “The Beginning of Patio Season” around the region. Ska will once again host its second largest party of the year to commemorate the beer’s release at Ska Brewing World HQ on Wednesday, March 27th with live music by Baracutanga and a custom Ska Brewing Paddle Board giveaway. 

The award-winning beer has amassed a cult-like following and can only be found in Colorado and its surrounding states throughout the summer, only to disappear as quickly as it came. At a crushable 5.2% ABV, Mexican Logger is crisp, clean, and refreshing and showcases Saaz hops and a lager yeast strain from Mexico City. Whether enjoyed on a sunny patio or shared with friends at a backyard barbecue, Mexican Logger is the perfect companion for any summer occasion.

Six and 12-packs of Mexican Logger will hit shelves across Ska’s regional distribution footprint later this week. 

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Founded in the spirit of punk rock and a little bit of ska, Ska Brewing has been challenging the status quo and brewing beers that refuse to conform since 1995. From the iconic Mexican Logger to the rebellious Modus Hoperandi IPA, Ska Brewing is dedicated to crafting unforgettable beers that are as unique as the people who drink them. For more information, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Maine’s Blue Ox Malthouse Wins Two Malt Cup Awards For The Second Consecutive Year

LISBON FALLS ME– Blue Ox Malthouse received two Malt Cup awards during MaltCon2024 at UC Davis last month. It's the second consecutive year that Maine’s first maltster has won two medals in this prestigious malt quality competition.

“These awards are all because of our amazing team,” Blue Ox Founder Joel Alex said as he walked off stage at the UC Davis Conference Center with a second medal. He then quickly texted photos to a group chat, despite it being nearly midnight in Maine. Most of the team was awake and awaiting results.   

Now in its sixth year, the Malt Cup is the only malt quality competition of its kind. Malt samples are evaluated by 70 industry and expert judges, a process organized by the Craft Maltsters Guild in collaboration with the Montana State University Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab, and DraughtLab. The 2024 judges rigorously evaluated entries from 26 malthouses from across the world in six malt styles, awarding Blue Ox with a bronze medal in the Caramel category for its floor malted Caramel 20 malt, and a silver for its floor malted Yankee Pilsner malt in the Pilsen category. In 2023, Blue Ox Malthouse won Malt Cup awards for Pale (bronze) and Light Munich (bronze). Blue Ox Malthouse is the first and only New England malt house to-date to have received recognition in this competition.

Blue Ox Light Caramel 20 was floor malted from the AC Newdale 2-row barley variety. Caramel 20 has a candy sweetness with flavors of toffee and cajeta.  

Blue Ox Yankee Pilsner is a customer favorite. Also malted from the AC Newdale 2-row variety, this floor malted Pilsner malt style is created with a gentle kilning regime to yield a super light, grainy finish. Yankee Pilsner works perfectly in beer styles like NEIPA, Pilsner, and Saison. 

“To say it’s an honor to be awarded two medals in this year's Malt Cup feels like an understatement,” says Director of Malting Operations Benji Knorr. “It’s more than recognition; it helps our team justify the dedicated effort that we put into making quality floor malts and inspires us to make each batch better than the last. Importantly, it validates that world-class malt can be made by hand using locally-grown Maine grains.”

“This award recognizes our hardworking team here at Blue Ox. Our crew ultimately make all of this possible,” adds Knorr.

The Blue Ox team would like to extend special thanks to their partners at Porter Farms for providing consistent, quality barley that enables the malthouse to create floor malt that they are proud of.

If you’d like to purchase one of these award winning malts, or any of the other Blue Ox floor malts, you can visit the Blue Ox website contact page. 

Media inquiring about Blue Ox Malthouse can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT BLUE OX MALTHOUSE 

Launched in 2013 by homebrewer and community organizer-turned-maltster Joel Alex, Blue Ox Malthouse is Maine's first malting operation. Blue Ox Malthouse seeks to push the possibilities of craft beer and spirits, and support Maine agriculture by connecting these two groups through world class quality Maine-made malt. Reinvigorating a centuries-old floor malting tradition, Blue Ox is committed to growing the connection between brewers and farmers while striving to grow more sustainable food systems and serve as a model for sustainable and rural economic development. Learn more at blueoxmalthouse.com.

Bootleg Biology and Riverbend Malt House To Host Southern Lager Invitational at The Mule To Cap 2024 Asheville Beer Week

ASHEVILLE, NC— After the successful execution of the inaugural Southern Lager Invitational during the Craft Brewers Conference in Nashville– in a monsoon no less— Bootleg Biology and Riverbend Malt House are excited to bring this festival to Asheville in its second year. The Southern Lager Invitational will take place on May 25 from 5 to 9pm at The Mule at Devil's Foot Beverage's production facility, just a short drive from downtown. This event will cap Asheville Beer Week (May 16 - 26), themed ‘Craft and Creativity for Community’.

Open to interpretation, Southern Lager, an unofficial but emerging beer style, ​​tends to be a cold-fermented, dry-finishing, lower-ABV beer that pairs well with sweltering heat. At the second annual Southern Lager Invitational, craft brewers from across the South will serve their expressions of Southern Lager made with Riverbend malt and fermented with Bootleg Biology yeast to capture a sense of Southern terroir. 

Tickets are now on sale for the Southern Lager Invitational at devilsfootbrew.com. Festival entry includes samples of beers from more than 20 Southern breweries, including— 

1718 Brewing Ocracoke

Akademia Brewing Co.

Alga Beer Co.

Barrique Brewing & Blending  

Cahaba Brewing Co.

Cherry Street Brewing

Cellarest Beer Project 

DSSOLVR

Fait La Force Brewing (bonus collaboration with Leveller Brewing Co.) 

Fonta Flora Brewery

Fullsteam Brewery

Grand Central Brewhouse

Honor Brewing Co.

King State 

Little Animals Brewery

Oklawaha Brewing Co. 

Skeeta Hawk Brewing

Soul and Spirits Brewery

South Main Brewing Co.

The Southern Growl 

The beer menu and food truck list for Southern Lager Invitational will be published in coming weeks.

This second annual celebration of local lagers is made possible by our sponsor Boelter, who are providing custom 2024 glassware for festival participants.

Media interested in attending and or covering the Southern Lager Invitational can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT BOOTLEG BIOLOGY

Bootleg Biology is a full-service yeast lab for professional brewers and homebrewers. 

From our location in Nashville, TN, we’ve earned a reputation for creative cultures that meet the rigorous demands of a brewery while still satisfying brewers’ goals to push the envelope.

From crispy lagers and juicy IPAs to complex mixed fermentations, Bootleg has a culture for every brew. All of our yeast is made fresh, ensuring optimal viability and keeping you on schedule.

Our lab offers a wide range of quality control testing to ensure your product meets your high standards, including PCR testing for common contaminants, IBU testing, selective media plating and more. 

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.

Lone Tree Brewing Spring Seasonal Hefeweizen Taps At Tasting Rooms; Hits Colorado and Kansas Distribution

LONE TREE, CO— Lone Tree Brewing Company Hefeweizen is back for its third spring season in cans and on draft at the brewery’s two tasting rooms. This refreshing, German-style Hefe will be available across Colorado and Kansas in coming months. 

Inspired by the classic unfiltered, German wheat ale style and the nostalgia of European travel,  Lone Tree Hefeweizen is brewed with Noble hops and wheat, and fermented with Weihenstephan yeast. Its aroma and flavor are perfectly true-to-style, with notes of banana, spice, and clove. Medium-bodied and only 5.4% ABV, it’s an easy drinker to take along on any adventure. 

Lone Tree Hefeweizen is on tap at both locations in Lone Tree and Parker, and also to-go in canned 6-packs. Find it across Colorado and in select locations in Kansas through spring months. 

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 more than a decade. Now deeply rooted in this community, the brewing company is growing friends at its two tasting rooms– the original location near Park Meadows Mall in Lone Tree, and the recently opened Lone Tree Brewing Parker in the heart of Parker, Colorado. Find Lone Tree’s stylistically diverse lineup of canned beers in cans and on draft in Colorado and Kansas to enjoy with your buds. Visit the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.

Craft Maltsters Guild Announces 2024 Malt Cup Winners In MaltCon2024 Recap

DAVIS, CA – The Craft Malt Conference (aka MaltCon) took place at the University of California Davis in February. Organized by the Craft Maltsters Guild, the conference serves to gather stakeholders and grow the market for regional, artisanally-produced malted grain in geographies around North America and beyond. The Craft Maltsters Guild is pleased to report on its international attendance, six scholarship recipients, host of Malt Cup winners, and the recipient of the Soles of Malt award.

The conference itself consisted of two days of networking and technical sessions with some of the industry’s leading experts. Pre-conference events included a four-day Advanced Class in Craft Malt Production; a day of malt quality judging for the Malt Cup; and a welcome reception at Admiral Maltings in Alameda, where participants could tour a production-scale floor malting operation while sampling dozens of beverages made with craft malt from around the United States.

More than 150 individuals from 11 countries participated in this year’s conference across virtual and in-person formats. Of those, more than 120 attendees traveled from North America, Europe, and Asia to participate in the in-person programming

Approximately one third of MaltCon2024 participants represented malting operations. Brewery and distillery producers comprised about 9 percent of attendees. The remaining participants were university researchers, professors, sponsors and other allied trade professionals, and members of the media. Six farm operators were in attendance. 

Six scholarship recipients participated in this year’s conference:  Don Tse, Lee Dongwook & Katherine Olson (shared), Angelo Ruiz, Rodney Zinyemba, and LaShanda Poteat. Meet the 2024 scholars here. 

2024 MALT CUP 

The Craft Maltsters Guild’s Malt Cup remains the world’s only malt quality competition, inviting maltsters of all shapes and sizes to compete for the best malt in various common categories. This year’s Malt Cup expanded to six categories: Caramel, Light Munich, Pale Malt, Pilsen, Vienna, and Wheat. Entries in these categories came from 26 malthouses in five countries. Malt Cup entries were scored in three rounds by 70 judges, a process facilitated by the Montana State University Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab, and DraughtLab. 

Congratulations to Hogarth Malt, named Best in Show in the 2024 competition, who took the coveted traveling Malt Cup home with them to Alberta, Canada.

Here are the medal-winning malthouses by category:

Pilsen

• Gold – Hogarth Malt - Olds, Alberta

• Silver – Blue Ox Malthouse - Lisbon Falls, Maine

• Bronze – 3D Malt - Camrose, Alberta

Pale Malt

• Gold – Malteria Italiana Artigianale - Perugia, Italy

• Silver – Field Five Farm - Saanichton, BC

• Bronze – Root Shoot Malting - Loveland, Colorado

Vienna

• Gold – 3D Malt

• Silver – Murmuration Malts - Bloomfield, New York

• Bronze – Admiral Maltings - Alameda, California 

Light Munich

• Gold – Root Shoot Malting

• Silver – Hogarth Malt

• Bronze – Field Five Farm

Caramel

• Gold – Troubadour Maltings - 

• Silver – Red Shed Malting - Red Deer County, Alberta

• Bronze – Blue Ox Malthouse

Wheat

• Gold – Root Shoot Malting

• Silver – Riverbend Malt House - Asheville, North Carolina 

• Bronze – LINC Malt - Spokane Valley, WA

Watch the replay of the 2024 Awards Ceremony at maltcon.online. 

SOLES OF MALT AWARD

Given annually over the past seven years, The Soles Of Malt award was created in memory of craft maltster William Soles and stands for selfless and philanthropic stewardship of craft malt. Each year, a selection committee considers a wide range of craft malt community members and ultimately must make a tough decision. Congratulations to the 2024 Soles of Malt Award recipient, Dr. Patrick Hayes, Professor Emeritus at Oregon State University, who was nominated by multiple Guild members this year for his work furthering malt education, developing new barley varietals, and establishing the OSU Research Malthouse– among many other milestones in his career. Hayes says he’s been privileged to work with an evolving team of colleagues at Barley World until his retirement in 2023. 

SPEAKERS

The Craft Maltsters Guild extends gratitude to the 2024 Craft Malt Conference keynote speakers Dr. Patrick Hayes and Dr. Xiang Yin, Vice President for Corporate Quality and Innovation at the Rahr Corporation in Minnesota; and all of the experts who contributed their insights and research to this year’s programming. Speakers represented various roles in the small grains supply chain and intersecting industries, including barley breeders, farmers, maltsters, brewers, distillers, professors, students, and scientists. 

SPONSORS 

The Craft Malt Conference is made possible by generous organizations committed to supporting our members with their contributions. 

Presenting Partners

Malters Advantage

GlycoSpot

Supporting Partners

Kaspar Schulz

Laizhou Yingtai Machinery Co., Ltd

Buhler Group

Valued Partners

MSU Barley, Malt & Brewing Lab

RadCraft

Sudwerk Brewing Company

 Community Partner

Admiral Maltings  

SPECIAL THANKS

A special thank you is owed to several individuals who contributed substantial volunteer support via the Guild’s Conference Planning Committee: Harmonie Bettenhausen of Hartwick College, Campbell Morrissy of pFriem Family Brewers & Oregon State University, Glen Fox of UC Davis, and Curtis Davenport of Admiral Maltings. Harmonie and Campbell were particularly influential in the development of the conference program. Glen provided key support on behalf of the conference venue. Curtis ensured that conference attendees left feeling inspired about the impact and potential of regional craft malting facilities.

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about the Craft Maltsters Guild or the 2024 conference. Media assets are available for download here.

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. 

Riverbend Malt House Appalachian Wheat Malt Wins 2024 Malt Cup

ASHEVILLE, NC– Riverbend Malt House came home from MaltCon2024 with new hardware last month. The Craft Maltsters Guild awarded silver to Riverbend’s malted wheat in the new Wheat category of the Malt Cup, a prestigious malt quality competition that rigorously judges entries from all over the world.

2024 is the seventh year of the Malt Cup, which recognized craft maltsters for the quality and consistency in six malt varieties. Entries were submitted from 26 malthouses in five countries, and evaluated in three rounds by 70 industry judges. 

Riverbend’s Appalachian Wheat malt, popular among both brewing and distilling customers, received the silver medal in a brand new Wheat category. This malt is produced using soft red winter wheat and kilned with elevated temperatures to enhance aromas of freshly baked bread and toast. It’s a versatile style that augments grain bills across categories— from Lager to IPA to Wheated Whiskey. 

“Appalachian Wheat is like fresh baked bread,” says South Main Brewing Co-Owner and Head Brewer Nic Farley. “We use it in many of our beers for which we want a good haze, or to improve head retention.”

South Main and many other producers such as End Of Days Distillery, Fullsteam Brewery, Lookout Brewing, and Weldon Mills use Appalachian Wheat to craft their mainstay products. 

“This product has been a part of our lineup since the early days and we are excited to take home a medal for it,” says Riverbend Malt House Co-Founder Brent Manning. “We initially experimented with several heirloom varieties, but after several years of testing and trials we recognized that our process was driving more of the flavor than the variety itself. Definitely a surprise to both us and our customers!”

The flavor and performance of this malt have helped Appalachian Wheat take part in numerous trends over the years. From Hefeweizen to Gosé to NEIPA, this malt has stood the test of time.

Order Appalachian Wheat or any other of Riverbend’s malts for brewers and distillers, email orders@riverbendmalt.com. 

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 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.

Ska Brewing Announces the Launch of Southwest Coast IPA: The Brew That Bridges the Divide Between East and West

"Southwest Coast IPA: It's Not Just a Beer, It's a Direction."

DURANGO, CO— In an unprecedented move that promises to unite hop enthusiasts across the Four Corners of the United States, Ska Brewing unveils their latest creation: the Southwest Coast IPA. This groundbreaking New-World IPA is brewed with a mission—to bring together the bold, adventurous spirit of the West Coast IPA with the innovative hopping techniques of the East Coast, all while paying homage to the vibrant cultures and landscapes of the Southwest.

 "With the Southwest Coast IPA, we decided to throw the rulebook into the mash tun and brew something that resonates with the soul of the Southwest,” said Ska Co-Founder Dave Thibodeau. “Think of it as a hoppy road trip through the Four Corners, but you don't need to leave your barstool."

Crafted for those who navigate life by the compass of their taste buds, this innovative IPA is as daring as a cliff dive in the Grand Canyon and as refreshing as a snowmelt river in Colorado. The Southwest Coast IPA is bright and crisp; the addition of Bravo, Idaho 7, Columbus, Simcoe, and Strata hops create a harmonious blend of grapefruit and tropical fruit aromas that dance like a desert mirage on the palate.

Available in 16-ounce cans and only in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, the Southwest Coast IPA is set to make a splash in the craft beer scene. Whether you're scaling the mesas of New Mexico, exploring the red rocks of Utah, shredding the slopes of Colorado, or surfing the waves of your Arizona beachfront property, this beer is your perfect companion.

“The Southwest Coast IPA is here to challenge what you know about IPAs and take you on a flavor journey that's as vast and varied as the Southwest itself,” said Thibodeau. “Grab a pint, kick back, and let Ska Brewing take you on a tour of the Four Corners—one sip at a time.”

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Founded in Durango, CO, by a group of friends who loved brewing beer almost as much as they loved ska music, Ska Brewing has been on a mission to deliver fearless and bold beer since 1995. Known for their eclectic style, commitment to sustainability, and a penchant for fun, Ska Brewing continues to be a beacon of creativity in the craft beer industry. For more information about Ska Brewing or the Southwest Coast IPA, please visit skabrewing.com or follow us on social media.

Lone Tree Brewing In Parker, CO To Celebrate Grand Opening March 1

LONE TREE, CO— Lone Tree Brewing will open the doors in its second location in Parker, Colorado on Friday, March 1 with a community celebration and a tapping of a new Juicy-Hazy IPA. 

The new Lone Tree Brewing taproom will be open at noon on Friday at the new taproom, located at 18425 Pony Express Drive. Guests can look forward to the first sips of this year’s batch of Lone Tree’s award winning Mexican Lager, and twelve other Lone Tree beers on tap— and beer and merchandise to-go too. Lindsey Giffey will play live music from 4 to 7pm and the Outpost Eatery food truck will serve from 3 to 8pm.

Lone Tree Brewing’s second taproom is located in the former Barnett & Son Brewing Co. Barnett & Son Owner Andrew Barnett’s retirement catalyzed this transaction, explains Lone Tree Brewing Founder John Winter. “We want to congratulate our friend Andrew on this bookend of his career, and express our gratitude for his friendship for all of these years. Now it’s our turn to serve him on the other side of this bar.”

The Lone Tree brewing team will soon start brewing at its new location, expanding capacity for experimentation with more draft-only batches. 

Media interested in covering or joining at Lone Tree Brewing’s Parker Grand Opening 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.

North Carolina Maltster Innovates Malt Styles and Connects Grain To Glass; 2023 By The Numbers at Riverbend Malt House

ASHEVILLE, NC— The first craft malthouse in the South had a strong year of business growth, community development, and customer engagement in 2023. Here is the Riverbend Malt House 2023 Year In Review.

Production and Capacity

In 2023, Riverbend Malt House malted almost 4 million pounds of craft malt, which included flagship styles as well as custom and smoked malt for specialty projects. This number represents a growth of more than 20 percent over 2022.

The malt house added conveyance equipment that allowed for the filling of its first bulk truck orders in 2023. This exciting upgrade will allow them to fill silos across the region with top quality local malt.

In response to the growing demand for smoked malt, Riverbend additionally installed an unloader that will allow for more seamless transportation of smoked malts from their retrofitted shipping container smokehouse⁠. 

Local Farmers and Customers 

In 2023, Riverbend sourced grain from family-owned farms across the Southeast region, including North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky  Virginia, Georgia, and Florida—  all within 500 miles of the malthouse. Learn more in Riverbend’s video Craft Malt Powered By Family Farms. 

Riverbend sold malt to more than 300 breweries and distilleries in 2023, a figure that includes more than 70 new customers. 

Malt Innovation

Riverbend’s malt portfolio grew to include seasonal products that included the Hickory King Corn variety as an addition to Riverbend’s malted corn products. The malt house’s ongoing experimentation with kilning regimes coupled with customer demand yielded a new year-round Crystal 50 product as well. 

Riverbend’s ​​stock of Avalon 2-Row barley bred by the Eastern Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center increased exponentially in 2023, which allowed for the malt house to craft both a Pale and Pilsner styles of this variety.  “Adoption of Avalon has happened quickly throughout the Southeast and we were excited to have lots from North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee to work with this year,” says Riverbend Malt House Co-Founder Brent Manning.

2023 brought many custom malt projects to Riverbend Malt House, including a malt made with a custom water profile to mimic the water chemistry found in Belgium. This custom malt, Farmhouse Pilsner, was first crafted for Little Animals Brewery and Leveller Brewing collaboration beer. 

Malt With A Mission 

In total, Riverbend redirected approximately 200,000 pounds of waste from landfill in 2023.

In partnership with the local cattle operations, Riverbend composted 15 tons of organic waste and diverted 30,000 pounds of polywoven plastic from the landfills this year; a malt bag recycling program activated by the Asheville Brewers Alliance and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. 

Also in 2023, Riverbend was pleased to become the first malt house licensor for Beer To Bags, a North Carolina-based innovator in the upcycling space turning spent malt bags to create stylish totes.

Riverbend upgraded all 141 of our light fixtures to LED panels in September. Installing these panels will result in a 64% reduction in power consumption associated with factory lighting. These efficiency improvements resulted in a 12% reduction in energy consumption in Q4 2023 compared to 2022.

Riverbend Malt House made a donation to Waterkeeper Alliance for each of the 2023 customer surveys they received. 

Finally, Riverbend was pleased to donate Calypso barley seed to Community Malt spearheaded by Harlem Brewery. This is a collaborative initiative for Black and BIPOC farmers in North Carolina and Virginia who are cultivating small grains as a viable crop. ⁠

Events & Community

Riverbend Chesapeake Pilsner malt was selected as the single malt in the recipes at the 2023 Florida SMaSH Festival. This annual gathering, hosted by Hourglass Brewing and B.E.A.R.D. to raise funds and awareness for A Spoon Full of Hope, raised $16.027.74 in support of sustainable careers in the food industry; all the while showing off the prowess and creativity of Florida craft breweries. 

Riverbend Avalon Pilsner is the feature malt of the 2024 Florida SMaSH Festival. “We’re beyond excited to sample what will undoubtedly be a full-color spectrum of expressions of Avalon from so many different breweries,” says Manning. 

Riverbend was proud to be a part of five beers brewed around International Women's Day in support of the Pink Boots Society; the Birmingham brewers collaboration beer, BirmingHelles made with the first malting barley grown in Alabama at WK Farms in Hamilton AL, that Cahaba Brewing spearheaded; and a second year of the Brick Store Pub Craft Malt Showcase of Southern beers made with Riverbend malt.  

Riverbend and Bootleg Biology hosted the successful inaugural Southern Lager Invitational at Harding House Brewing Co. during the 2023 Craft Brewers Conference in Nashville. This celebration of classic and innovative lagers that feature Southern-grown ingredients will return in 2024, slated to take place on May 25 at The Mule in Asheville. 

Riverbend’s Co-Founder Brent Manning presented at the Craft Brewers Conference, providing a summary of the successful Farm To Tap festivals and guidance for successful event management. Manning also took part in several conferences, sharing 10 years of craft malt memories at various trade events, including the North Carolina Craft Brewers Conference and MaltCon2023. 

Awards & Accolades 

2023 marks the sixth consistent year of Riverbend’s Living Wage Certified Employer status from Just Economics. It also marks Riverbend’s second consecutive year named on the  Inc. 5000 list. In August, Riverbend was named number 3,992 of the fastest growing private companies in the country in this prestigious ranking. 

Throughout the year, many of Riverbend’s customers were recognized by multiple awards programs for beers made with Riverbend malt– including the Great American Beer Festival®, the World Beer Cup®, the U.S. Beer Open, the North Carolina and South Carolina Brewers Cups, the Florida Brewers Ball , and the Good Food Awards. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer 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 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.

Mexican Lager 12-Packs, 12 Years, and A GABF Medal: Lone Tree Brewing Publishes 2023 Year In Review

LONE TREE, CO— In 2023, Lone Tree Brewing won a coveted GABF® medal for its best-selling Mexican Lager, introduced 12-packs of said lager to distribution, contributed $4,500 to causes the brewery cares about, and celebrated 12 years in the Colorado craft beer business. 

Here is the 2023 Lone Tree Brewing Company Year In Review. 

Beer In Review 

Lone Tree brought back its popular Hefeweizen, Oktoberfest, and Vanilla Caramel Amber in seasonal cans in 2023, and also introduced the year-round SKU Blueberry Blonde and winter seasonal Brownie Stout across Colorado and Kansas. In the fall, the legendary Hop Zombie Imperial Red IPA crept on tasting room taps for one day only. In the winter, the brewery introduced Brownie Stout in cans.

This year Lone Tree also introduced 12-packs of its flagship and decorated Mexican Lager. This beer, Lone Tree’s top seller, won its third Great American Beer Festival® medal, a silver in the American Light Lager category at the 2023 awards. 

Production

Lone Tree produced 3,543 barrels of beer in 2023, using 239,000 pounds of grain and 3,600 pounds of hops. Lone Tree filled 570,048 cans last year.

Throughout the year, the brewery recaptured 130,820 gallons of water and reused pallet wraps that saved 400 pounds of plastic wrap from landfills.

Sales & Distribution 

Lone Tree sold beer across Colorado and Kansas through longstanding distribution partnerships; Western Distributing and Ska Brewing in Colorado, and Worldwide Beverage Group in Kansas.

Community and Events

Lone Tree’s philanthropic contributions totaled $4,500 in 2023. Among the recipients were Drink for Pink, Big Dogs Huge Paws, the Evans Scholarship Fund, Douglas County Libraries, the Honor Bell Foundation, and the Moving Mountains Animal Rescue. The third annual Douglas County School District Bridge Transition Program & Lone Tree Brewing car show raised more than $12,000 that helps facilitate the transition from school to the adult world through meaningful learning opportunities within the classroom and community. 

In 2023, Lone Tree presented its annual market series including the Summer, Oktoberfest and Fall Craft markets; each featuring more than 20 local craft vendors. 

Exciting for Lone Tree Brewing’s tasting room customers is the installation of a new photo wall that sports Lone Tree’s slogan, Take Root Grow Friends. Social media selfies are encouraged, with the hashtag #takerootgrowfriends. 

In December of 2023, Lone Tree celebrated 12 years in business with four specialty beers made for the occasion. The brewery extends gratitude to its friends and family for coming out to celebrate another successful year in business. 

Moving Forward 

“We’re always giving our portfolio close examination to stay nimble in the dynamic Colorado beer marketplace, and we’re pleased to see consumer demand for styles that we love to brew the most— including lagers, fruit beer, and traditional European styles,” says Lone Tree Brewing Sales & Marketing Director Dennis Stack. “We’re thrilled that our customers love Hefeweizen and Oktoberfest, two seasonals that sold out rapidly last year. Both of those beers will return in 2024, along with two new seasonal cans: Juicy IPA in spring, and building upon the momentum of the Mexican Lager category with Lime Mexican Lager in summer.” 

Lone Tree will celebrate the grand opening of its second location in Parker (at 18425 Pony Express Drive) on Friday, March 1. After years of searching for another space, the company is thrilled to expand in 2024. 

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.

Maine’s Blue Ox Malthouse 2023 Year In Review: 10 Years Of Maine Malt; Expansion, Beer Collaborations, and Two Malt Cup Awards

LISBON FALLS, ME— 2023 will go down as a historic year for Maine’s first malting operation, Blue Ox Malthouse. The company celebrated a decade in business this year, and broke ground on an expansion that will make it the largest floor malting operation in North America. Blue Ox is proud of its growing team and increasingly meaningful connections among Northeastern agricultural communities, and beyond. 

In March 2023, Blue Ox Malthouse was awarded two prestigious Malt Cup awards during MaltCon2023 in Portland, Maine. Blue Ox Floor Malted Pale and Floor Malted Light Munich malts earned bronze medals.

Also during the 2023 Craft Malt Conference, Novare Res Bier Cafe hosted an all craft malt tap takeover featuring several beers made with Blue Ox malt that the Beer Sessions podcast marks as one of the ‘best beer moments of the year’ in Episode No. 694. 

In addition to the Craft Malt Conference, Blue Ox participated in several events supporting Maine’s food systems, including Grain To Glass Freeport, the 2023 New England Beer Summit, and the National Barley Improvement Committee meeting.

In April 2023, Blue Ox Malthouse turned ten. Founder Joel Alex expressed his thoughts on a decade of Blue Ox malt on Instagram. ”What a wild ride. The last ten years seem like a blink of an eye, but if I think of how far we’ve come and moved the needle in connecting craft brewers to local ingredients and the impact on the farmer, I am really proud,” he adds. “It’s been a team effort and required the hard work of many people along the way–employees, customers, farmers, and community partners included.” 

Alex and team were thrilled to visit Porter Farms in Aroostook County and Crystal Springs Farm in Cumberland County, Maine during the 2023 harvest season. “We carefully select farm partners who steward the land with sustainable practices that make for the healthiest soil possible,” Alex says. “What starts at the seed supports the highest quality beer, spirits, and food products made with Blue Ox malt.” 

In the fall, Blue Ox began construction on a major malthouse expansion that will quadruple its production capacity. This growth will establish the malthouse as the largest dedicated floor malting facility on the continent; Not to mention, it will increase hiring capacity for staff of more diverse physical abilities and space and equipment to support a wider range of malt products, including roasted malts. 

The Blue Ox team is growing. This year, they were pleased to bring on Ian Goering as the malthouse’s Account Manager. Goering comes to the malthouse with 12+ years of experience in the New England brewing industry and with a diploma from the American Brewers Guild and experience at breweries in Maine and New Hampshire— most notably as Head Brewer at Tributary Brewing Company. He was most recently the head of production at Aprés. “He is an amazing knowledge resource for our customers,” says Alex. In total, Blue Ox Malthouse now has a team of six skilled malthouse professionals. 

2023 was a year of notable collaborations for Maine’s first malthouse. Maine breweries from across The Pine Tree State made collaboration beers featuring Blue Ox malt in support of the Maine Brewers Guild. In Delaware, Dogfish Head selected Blue Ox Vyenna Malt to create The Most Comfortable Logger In The Woods Vienna Lager with other Maine-grown ingredients, including wild blueberries, turmeric, ginger, and sage. 

Also in 2023, Blue Ox made the switch to entirely solar-generated power. The malthouse is proud to work with Perch Community Solar on this eco-friendly solution. 

Looking forward, Blue Ox is excited to build capacity to meet the growing demand for North American malt for craft breweries and distilleries. More details about the expansion will be announced in coming months. 

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.