Bonfire Block Party Announces Two-Day Music Schedule for Eagle, CO

New Orleans jam funk band, and Friday headliner, Galactic.  Photo by Jim Arbogast

Eagle, CO — Bonfire Brewing and Optimum Events present the fourth-annual Bonfire Block Party held Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2 in downtown Eagle, Colorado. Nine bands will be featured over two days, along with craft beer, food trucks and, new for 2018, a tented VIP Experience. Two-day general admission and VIP tickets are on sale now.

The Block Party kicks off on Friday with local bluegrass band, Hardscrabble at 4:00 p.m., followed by the first Main Stage act, blues rocker Nicki Bluhm at 4:30 p.m.Between two venue stages, the music is continuous, with Hardscrabble playing during all Main Stage set breaks. San Francisco-based Con Brio plays the Main Stage beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by headliners and jam funk sensations, Galactic at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday’s music starts early at 2:30 p.m. with Assembly of Dust on the Broadway Main Stage. Set breaks will be filled with Second Stage band, Duey & The Decibels, who first take the stage at 4:00 p.m. New Orleans legends, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Colorado favorite, Sam Bush make their encore Block Party appearances, beginning at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., respectively. Saturday’s event closes out with headliners, Grammy-nominated The Record Company, who Rolling Stone says, “kick up a raw rootsy racket.” The Record Company takes the Main Stage at 8:30 p.m.

2018 Bonfire Block Party general admission and VIP Experience tickets are available at www.bonfireblockparty.com. A portion of all Block Party proceeds benefit Eagle County nonprofit The Cycle Effect, who will be operating a bike valet during the event. 

2018 Bonfire Block Party Schedule

Friday, June 1:
3:30 p.m. - Gates Open
4:00 p.m. - Hardscrabble, Bonfire Second Street Stage
4:30 p.m. - Nicki Bluhm, Broadway Main Stage
6:30 p.m. - Con Brio, Broadway Main Stage
8:30 p.m. - Galactic, Broadway Main Stage
10:00 p.m. - Hardscrabble, Bonfire Second Street Stage – Late Night Set

Saturday, June 2:
2:00 p.m. - Gates Open
2:30 p.m. - Assembly of Dust, Broadway Main Stage
4:00 p.m. - Duey & The Decibels, Bonfire Second Street Stage
4:30 p.m. - Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Broadway Main Stage
6:30 p.m. - Sam Bush, Broadway Main Stage
8:30 p.m. - The Record Company, Broadway Main Stage
10:00 p.m. - Duey & The Decibels, Bonfire Second Street Stage – Late Night Set

What: 2018 Bonfire Block Party
Where:  Broadway and Second Streets, Eagle
When: Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2, 2018
Cost: From $20 (Two-Day GA) to $100 (VIP Experience)
More: www.bonfireblockparty.com

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

photo by Colin Bridge

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

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

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

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

For more information about The Hoppy Little Trees Project, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY

Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree's cans and 22-ounce bombers are sold across the state of Colorado, as well as Kansas and Nebraska. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants in its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.

Wit’s End Brewing Company Mai The Fourth Maibock Returns

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT WIT’S END BREWING COMPANY

At the dawn of the fourth wave of craft beer (in 2011), Scott Witsoe opened Wit’s End Brewing Company and hasn’t looked back since. Through the years Wit’s End has added some hardware on the walls including GABF® and World Beer Cup® awards, and forged a new partnership with Strange Craft that exists in the form of a co-tasting room and brewhouse near its original location in Denver’s Valverde neighborhood. Now brewed by Head Brewer Tyler Bies, Wit’s End flagship beers, such as Jean Claude Van Blonde and Green Man Ale, are available on draft at Strange Craft’s tasting room at 1330 Zuni St Unit M, Denver, CO 80204. Find the brewery online at witsendbrewing.com.

Bring Your Brewery Sticker To CBC 2018; Enter To Win Promote The Brew Marketing Resource Lounge Sweepstakes

photo by Colin Bridge

Don’t miss The Promote The Brew Marketing Resource Lounge at this year’s Craft Brewers Conference! Located on the first floor lobby (Lounge 1A) across from the breakout session rooms, this lounge is your one-stop hub for all of your craft brewery marketing needs.

The Promote The Brew Marketing Resource Lounge brings together industry leading resources such as Isaac Arthur and Cody Fague from CODO Design with Hands-on Branding, Emily Huto from RadCraft on Marketing Communications, Amy Oeding from Oeding Consulting to discuss retail merchandising profitably and Scott & Steve Schmidt from Promote The Brew with Promotional Marketing and The Market The Brew Podcast all in one location.

THE BUSINESSES

It's an honor to work with this world bunch of craft marketing colleagues. Click on each logo to learn more. 

THE SWEEPSTAKES

The Promote The Brew Marketing Resource Lounge is excited to raffle off a full suite of our partners’ products and services during this year’s conference. Bring your brewery sticker to stick to our life-sized cooler door for your chance to win this exceptional suite, valued at $3,635.00.

Find us at 2018 Craft Brewers Conference at the Music City Center on the first floor (street level) lobby (Lounge 1A) across from the breakout session rooms. The closest intersection is Korean Veteran's Boulevard and 5th Avenue S.

Stop in with your sticker for a chance to win, and to find out how we can help improve your business.

SEE Y'ALL IN MUSIC CITY!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT SKA BREWING

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

ABOUT JUMP UP RECORDS

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

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

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

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

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

For more information about Station 26, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT STATION 26 BREWING CO. 

Station 26 Brewing Co. brews craft beers in a 1960 fire station in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood. The brewery was founded in 2013 by Justin Baccary and friends. It’s an ideal first stop for travelers coming from Denver International Airport. Find the brewery online at www.station26brewing.co.

Funkwerks Expands Distribution Into Southern California

FORT COLLINS, CO — Funkwerks is proud to announce the expansion of its distribution to Southern California with draft and limited six-packs available via Stone Distributing beginning this week.

Draft and six-pack offerings of Funkwerks' year-round beers— Funkwerks Saison, Tropic King, and Raspberry Provincial— will be available in select establishments across Southern California.

“We have been so excited to hit the west coast for years, and it wasn’t until recently that we’ve been able to upgrade our brewery, produce more beer, and transport our beer longer distances without fear of sacrificing quality,” said Gordon Schuck, Head Brewer and Co-Founder.

“If you ask who the top distributors are in the United States, Stone in Southern California, lands at the top of that list, so it was an easy choice,” Brad Lincoln, President and Co-Founder explains. “We know our styles will fit in well in California’s community of craft-conscious consumers.”

Funkwerks’ new 6-packs will now be available in select locations across 9 states including Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, and now Southern California.

Be sure to check out Funkwerks' launch parties around Southern California this week:

Tuesday, April 10 - San Diego
Iron Pig Alehouse – 1520 Garnet Ave. San Diego (Pacific Beach), CA 92109 –  6:00 PM.
Neighborhood – 777 G Street San Diego, CA 92101 –  6:00 PM.

Wednesday, April 11 – L.A. Market
Mikkeller DTLA – 330 W. Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 –  6:00 PM.
Stout Burgers & Beer – 111 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401  –  6:00 PM.

Thursday, April 12 – Orange County Market
Mission Control – 515 N. Main St. Santa Ana, CA 92707 –  6:00 PM.

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

ABOUT FUNKWERKS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Funkwerks Launches 6-Packs of Year-Round Brands

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT FUNKWERKS

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

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

photo by Colin Bridge

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

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

Mexican Lager - 5.3% ABV, 27 IBU 

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

Peach Pale Ale - 5.8% ABV, 40 IBU

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

Double IPA - 8% ABV, 80 IBU

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

Cucumber Wheat - 5.2% ABV, 25 IBU

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

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

For more information about Lone Tree Brewing and their mixed 12-packs contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY

Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree's cans and 22-ounce bombers are sold across the state of Colorado, as well as Kansas and Nebraska. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants in its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.

Peach Street Distillers Wins Three 2018 American Distilling Institute Judging Awards

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information about Peach Street Distillers’ 2018 ADI awards or the winning spirits, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT PEACH STREET DISTILLERS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT BONFIRE BREWING

Craft enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers gather around Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, Colorado, where the beers are driven by quality, curiosity, and community. Founded in 2010, Bonfire continues on their path of sustainable growth with cans of their year-round beers available in liquor stores and restaurants across Colorado. Gather ‘round Bonfire online at bonfirebrewing.com.

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

photo by Colin Bridge

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT THIRSTY MONK

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

Ska Brewing To Release Mexican Logger April 4

Mexican Logger will be available at Ska Brewing’s World Headquarters in Durango on Wednesday, April 4, where you can catch Buster’s Ghost live at 5pm and pick up the season's first 6-packs of this beloved craft lager.

Ska brewed this beer for the first time long before Mexican lager was a hot craft beer style, back in 1999. Mexican Logger was Ska’s first session beer back then, long before session beers were a thing. The beer first hit cans more than ten years later in 2011, and then won back-to-back Great American Beer Festival® awards in the International Style Pilsner category in 2015 and 2016.

Ska Mexican Logger is crisp, clean, and refreshing — made for hot afternoons with a side of lime. The beer is a crushable 5 percent ABV, and brewed with a lager yeast strain from Mexico City. That same yeast strain now ferments Ska’s Rue B. Soho Grapefruit Lager as well.  

Mexican Logger will be available in 12 oz. cans and on-draft in Colorado, Arizona, Southern California, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah the first week of April.

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

ABOUT SKA BREWING

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

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

Collaboration Festival 2017, photo courtesy The Brewtography Project

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

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

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

Strange Craft + Freetail Brewing Co.

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

Lone Tree Brewing Company + Cannonball Creek Brewing Co.

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

Station 26 + Sleeping Giant Brewing Company, Wibby Brewing

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

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

Station 26 at Wibby Brewing, photo courtesy The Brewtography Project

Bonfire Brewing + Zuni Street Brewing, Invasive Species Brewing

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

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

Ska Brewing + Ratio Beerworks

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

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

Funkwerks + New Image Brewing Co.

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

Eddyline Brewery + High Alpine Brewing Co. 

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

Strange Craft + Fiction Beer Company

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

Strange Craft + Metropolitan State University

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

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

Bonfire Brewing Nominated for Vail Valley Business of the Year

The Vail Valley Partnership, the region's chamber of commerce, recently announced the nominees for the organization's 2018 Success Awards. Bonfire Brewing is among 15 nominees for the Business of the Year category. There are additional categories for New Business of the Year Award (for which Bonfire Brewing's next door neighbor Pickup's Pizza is nominated) and Small Business of the Year (for which Bonfire's friends and event collaborators Yoga Off Broadway is nominated). Congratulations to Bonfire Brewing, their friends in Eagle, and all of the exceptional businesses nominated for the 2018 awards. 

Read the full article in Vail Daily. 

Ska Brewing Debuts Mod Project #4: Berliner Weisse

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT SKA BREWING

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT EDDYLINE BREWERY

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

Bonfire Brewing Releases New WtFO Double IPA Cans

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT BONFIRE BREWING

Craft enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers gather around Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, Colorado, where the beers are driven by quality, curiosity, and community. Founded in 2010, Bonfire continues on their path of sustainable growth with cans of their year-round beers available in liquor stores and restaurants across Colorado. Gather ‘round Bonfire online at bonfirebrewing.com.

Lone Tree Brewing Welcomes Spring With 2018 Bière de Printemps

photo by Colin Bridge

LONE TREE, CO — Lone Tree Brewing Company’s 2018 batch of Bière de Printemps is now available in bombers while supplies last. This spring seasonal belongs to Lone Tree’s Branching Out Series of small-batch, specialty beers. 

Bière de Printemps, a Bière de Mars, is a palate-awakening French-style spring ale fermented with French Ale Yeast that yields spicy aromas and subtle citrus notes. It is brewed with Noble Hops and a touch of soft winter wheat. The bright lemon notes from this beer’s yeast finish out the experience and open the senses to the aromatics of spring. These first sips of springtime weigh in at 8 percent ABV and 25 IBU. 

Bière de Printemps was bottled for the first time in 2017, and this year it returns with refreshed artwork that was created during the brewery’s rebrand via Anthem Branding. It is available on draft at Lone Tree’s tasting room and in bombers across Colorado while supplies last.

For more information about Bière de Printemps contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY

Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree's cans and 22-ounce bombers are sold across the state of Colorado, as well as Kansas and Nebraska. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants in its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.