Elevation Beer Co. False Summit Returns for Fall

PONCHA SPRINGS, CO— Elevation Beer Company’s barrel-aged Belgian-style Quad returns this year in 750mL bombers for the season. This Quadrupel Ale aged in Buffalo Trace Bourbon barrels has been one of the brewery’s seasonal, large-format offerings since 2013.

Aromas of dark fruits, vanilla, and bourbon seep off False Summit’s milk chocolate head. As the beer warms, notes of caramel, oak and dark Belgian candi sugar come more prevalent. This barrel-aged Quadruple, like the final stretch of a mountain’s peak, is complex and rewarding— an experience to be shared with good company. This beauty weighs in at 11.1% ABV with 30 IBUs.

False Summit is available in 750 mL bottles throughout Colorado and Wyoming, and on draft in limited volume seasonally while supplies last. The beer is also available on draft and in bombers to-go at Elevation’s tasting room in Poncha Springs.

For more information about or photography of False Summit, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT ELEVATION BEER CO.

Proudly operating in the remote mountain town of Poncha Springs, Elevation Beer Co. is more than just a beer company— we are a family, a community, and a collective of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Dedicated to creating sustainable, meaningful careers in rural Colorado, we take the preservation of our home as seriously as we do the quality of our beer. Taste our flagship 8 Second Kolsch and a lineup of other usual suspects and seasonals at our tasting room, and in canned 6-packs and specialty bombers across Colorado and Wyoming. Go higher at elevationbeerco.com.

Brooklyn Brewery Now Available In Colorado

Brooklyn Lager’s refreshed packaging

BROOKLYN, NY— Brooklyn Brewery, the eleventh largest independent craft brewer and a pioneer of the American craft beer revolution, is proud to announce Colorado as the latest addition to their distribution footprint. Brooklyn Brewery beers will be available across the State of Craft Beer® beginning November 1st.

“We’re excited to bring Brooklyn to the epicenter of the craft beer revolution,” says Brooklyn founder Steve Hindy. “I’ve spent many enjoyable times in Colorado, working with the Brewers Association and pouring beer at GABF®. It will be a pleasure to drink Brooklyn Lager there.”

Brooklyn's flagship Brooklyn Lager, Bel Air Sour, Defender IPA, seasonal releases, the Brooklyn Mix can variety 12 pack, and various draft-only Brooklyn Limited creations from brewmaster Garrett Oliver will join some of the industry's most beloved craft brands on taps and shelves across the state this fall.

Brooklyn is partnering with Elite Brands to distribute on the Front Range, and High Country Beverage in Northern Colorado and the Western Slope. Brooklyn shares a sales and distribution platform with Funkwerks and 21st Amendment, which will open distribution in Colorado before the end of the year.

“I finally get to drink my own beers in Colorado!” adds Dave Duffy, Brooklyn’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing and Colorado resident. “We’re honored to stand with some of the best brewers in the world and continue to build momentum for craft beer.”    

You are invited to join the Brooklyn Brewery team at these Colorado launch events:

Monday, October 29

The Mayor Of Old Town, Fort Collins; 6-9pm

Tuesday, October 30

Falling Rock Tap House, Denver; 5:30-8pm

Wednesday, October 31

Parry’s Pizza, Northglenn; 5-7pm

Romero’s K9 Club & Taphouse Dog Costume Party, Lafayette; 6-9pm

Tap & Handle, Fort Collins; 6-8pm

Thursday, November 1

Applejack Wine & Spirits, Wheat Ridge; 2-4pm

Argonaut Liquor, Denver; 3-6pm

Supermarket Liquor, Fort Collins; 4-6pm

Parry’s Pizza, Highlands Ranch; 5-7pm

Oskar Blues, Longmont; 5-7pm

Euclid Hall, Denver; 7-9pm

Friday, November 2

Bullfrog Liquor, Fort Collins; 4-6pm

Saturday, November 3

Mile High Wine & Spirits, Denver; 3-6pm

Tuesday, November 6

The Laureate Publick House, Loveland; 5-8pm

Wednesday, November 7

Choice City, Fort Collins; 5-7pm

For more information about Brooklyn Brewery in Colorado, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT BROOKLYN BREWERY

The Brooklyn Brewery is a leading global independent craft brewer and a pioneer of the American craft beer revolution. From our home in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, we draw inspiration from our local community of innovators and makers to spread the culture and creativity of craft beer to 29 states and 30 countries on 5 continents. Learn more at brooklynbrewery.com.

Karl Strauss Brings Back Collabapalooza For San Diego Beer Week

Collabapalooza 2017

San Diego, CA — Karl Strauss Brewing Company is throwing its second annual indie beer collaboration celebration! The brewery has rallied together 30+ independent local breweries to throw a killer party during San Diego Beer Week, all in celebration of the city’s collaborative brewing community. Collabapalooza was voted “Best Beer Event of 2017” by the readers of The West Coaster craft beer newspaper, and will make its highly anticipated return on November 10th, 2018.

Each participating brewery will pour two beers — a small batch or rare beer of their choice, as well as a beer brewed in collaboration with another independent San Diego brewery. In addition to unlimited samples of these one-off collaborations and rare releases, Collabapalooza will have food from local vendors available for purchase, live screen printed t-shirts, and a ton more to be announced in the coming weeks.

“We were really pumped about the feedback from last year! The event had great energy and the beer list was phenomenal, so we’re looking forward to seeing what our brewing friends have up their sleeves this year. It’s really something to see so many independent brewers join together and collaborate with one another. It’s what our community is all about!” — Paul Segura, Brewmaster of R&D, Karl Strauss Brewing Company.

Karl Strauss has been committed to supporting their local community since they helped kick off San Diego’s craft beer scene in 1989. Collabapalooza is a prime example of this support, as proceeds from the event will benefit both the San Diego Brewers Guild and the North Park Main Street Association.

The festival will take place on Saturday, November 10th from 1pm to 5pm in the parking lot behind the North Park Observatory. General admission tickets to the festival will include a commemorative Collabapalooza taster glass & unlimited 2oz samples starting at 2pm. An exclusive VIP session will be held from 1pm to 2pm offering priority access to the festival and the first tastes of the incredible beer list, along with a Collabapalooza t-shirt.

To learn more about Collabapalooza and purchase tickets to the festival, visit www.karlstrauss.com.

Participating Breweries

Collaborations with Karl Strauss

Pizza Port Brewing Co

Stone Brewing

Burgeon Beer Company

SouthNorte Beer Co

Thr3e Punk Ales Brewing

The Lost Abbey

Bay City Brewing

Pink Boots Society

Nickel Beer Co. & South Park Brewing

Plus the following collaborations amongst San Diego breweries

Abnormal Beer Co with Green Flash Brewing & Alpine Beer Company

AleSmith Brewing Company with Newtopia Cider

Amplified Ale Works with TapRoom

Bagby Beer Company with Benchmark Brewing Company

Bear Roots Brewing Co with Escondido Brewing Co

Benchmark Brewing Company with OB Brewery

Black Plague Brewing Company with Pat Korn of Cellar 3

Booze Brothers Brewing Co with Culver Beer Co

Burgeon Beer Company with Rip Current Brewing Company

Burning Beard Brewing with Nickel Beer Co

Coronado Brewing Company with BNS Brewing Co

Council Brewing Company with Gravity Heights

Duck Foot Brewing Co with Mike Hess Brewing Co

Eppig Brewing with Modern Times Beer

Fall Brewing Company with Barley Forge Brewing Co

Half Door Brewing Co with Benchmark Brewing Company

Mother Earth Brewing Company with Battlemage Brewing

North Park Beer Co with Burgeon Beer Company

Pure Project with Modern Times Beer

Resident Brewing Co with Thunderhawk Alements

Rouleur Brewing Company with Papa Marce’s Cerveceria

San Diego Brewing Company with Thorn Brewing Co

San Diego Brewers Guild featuring Capital of Craft IPA

Second Chance Beer Company with New English Brewing Company

South Park Brewing Company with Wild Barrel Brewing

SouthNorte Beer Co with Cerveceria Insurgente

Thorn Brewing Co with Thr3e Punk Ales Brewing

Thr3e Punk Ales Brewing with Chula Vista Brewery and Groundswell Brewing Company

ABOUT KARL STRAUSS BREWING COMPANY

Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been proudly independent since 1989, pioneering the craft beer scene with innovative beer releases like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, and Wreck Alley Imperial Stout. The brewery has won 110 medals since 2009 and was honored with the “Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year” award at the Great American Beer Festival in 2016. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.

Media Contact

Mark Weslar: mark.weslar@karlstrauss.com, 760.707.2426

Lone Tree Brewing Fall/Winter Brewer’s Bundle Is Here, Feat. Vanilla Caramel Amber

photo by Erin Hamrick

LONE TREE, CO— Lone Tree Brewing Company’s fall seasonal Vanilla Caramel Amber is back for the colder months, and now available as the seasonal addition to the Brewer’s Bundle mixed 12-packs. Brewer’s Bundles (which also include Mexican Lager, Red Ale, and Double IPA) were first launched earlier this year.

The following beers are available in Lone Tree’s current Brewer’s Bundles:

Vanilla Caramel Amber - 6% ABV, 30 IBU

Originally developed on John Winter's homebrew system, this beer’s autumnal flavors are created with crystal malt and Madagascar vanilla beans. The caramel notes in Vanilla Caramel Amber come from a large amount of Crystal 60 malt in the grain bill— no other caramel or other sugar is added to this beer. The base beer is a traditional American Amber with a good helping of hops to balance out the sweetness of the vanilla. Vanilla Caramel Amber was first released from Lone Tree in 6-packs in fall of 2017.

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.

Red Ale - 6% ABV, 32 IBU

A complex grain bill creates the rich and malty backbone of this traditional style with a light hop finish in this traditional Irish-style Red Ale.

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.

Brewers Bundle beers are all also available across Colorado in canned 12 oz. 6-packs. 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, and in select locations in Kansas. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants in its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.

Freshly Canned Elevation Beer Co. Señorita Hits Colorado and Wyoming

PONCHA SPRINGS, CO— Elevation Beer Company’s award-winning Horchata Imperial Porter, Señorita, returns for its second year in 12 oz. cans, now available in 6-packs and on draft across the brewery’s distribution footprint as a seasonal release through colder months.

Available just in time for Día de los Muertos and as these cooler autumn months call for big, rich, flavorful beers; this horchata imperial porter delivers aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, and sweet milk to stir up images of the delicious Mexican drink of this beer’s namesake.

Señorita pours an off-white head with a deep dark brown body and is carefully balanced with hop bitterness from the inclusion of Northern Brewer and Chinook Hops. Sweet chocolate malts and hints of cinnamon spice compliment 8.4% ABV and 25 IBU of this Imperial Porter.

When looking at the valley that passes through dramatic mountain ranges, the Ute likely called it ‘poo-paca’ (meaning ‘footpath’), a word that early Spanish explorers likely misheard as ‘Poncha.’ To Elevation, Poncha Springs has become the footpath for our lives – we brew SEÑORITA™ as a tribute to the traditional Spanish drink we love to sip looking out at Poncha Pass, pondering the history of this great place.

Señorita’s medal count includes a 2014 World Beer Cup® bronze award, 2014 Australian International Beer Awards bronze, and a 2014 European Beer Star Awards bronze.

Celebrate Señorita season at Elevation’s Cinco Días Antes del Día de los Muertos celebration at Elevation’s  tasting room on Friday, October 26. There will be a Senorita look-alike contest (prizes for best Senor and Senorita), Sugar Skull Painting, and $1.00 tacos.

For more information on Señorita Horchata Imperial Porter and Elevation Beer Co. contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com

ABOUT ELEVATION BEER CO.

Proudly operating in the remote mountain town of Poncha Springs, Elevation Beer Co. is more than just a beer company— we are a family, a community, and a collective of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Dedicated to creating sustainable, meaningful careers in rural Colorado, we take the preservation of our home as seriously as we do the quality of our beer. Taste our flagship 8 Second Kolsch and a lineup of other usual suspects and seasonals at our tasting room, and in canned 6-packs and specialty bombers across Colorado and Wyoming. Go higher at elevationbeerco.com.

Funkwerks Lands In Northern California with Tapping Events and the Brew Street Festival

FORT COLLINS, CO — Funkwerks’ beers are now available across the entire Golden State with its recent addition of Northern California to its distribution footprint. Funkwerks will be distributed via Bay Area Beverage Company and DBI in Northern California beginning October 1, 2018. 

Draft and 6-pack offerings of Funkwerks select year-round beers— Funkwerks Saison and Raspberry Provincial— are now available in select, craft-centric establishments in in NorCal including San Francisco, East Bay, San Jose, Napa, and Sacramento, along with the brewery’s latest rendition of Winky’s Snack Packs that includes Deceit, White, Raspberry Provincial, and Saison.

Funkwerks is excited to bring its Saison and other Belgian-inspired beers to one of the largest craft beer markets in the United States. “When I was younger my father lived in San Francisco. It’s exciting to be selling beer in the Bay, where I spent a large portion of my formative drinking years,” said Brad Lincoln, President and Co-Founder. 

Funkwerks invites you to join their team at the following launch events: 

October 2nd - The Good Hop from 3pm - 10 pm

October 3rd - Three Sheets Craft Beer Bar at 5pm

October 4th - Taplands Taproom, Bottle Shop & Neighborhood Brewery at 5pm

October 5th - Hop Grenade Taproom and Bottle Shop from 5pm - 9pm 

October 11th - Pangaea Bier Cafe at 5pm

October 13th - Brew Street Festival from 2pm - 8pm 

October 18th - BuzzWorks SF at 5pm 

Earlier this year Funkwerks began distributing in Southern California and most recently the Fort Collins-based brewery began selling its beers in Nevada, bringing its distribution state-count to ten. 

For more information about Funkwerks and their growing distribution footprint, 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 now available in ten US states. Find the brewery online at funkwerks.com.

Comrade Brewing Company Celebrates with Bronze Medal from 2018 Great American Beer Festival

DENVER, CO— Comrade Brewing, an internationally acclaimed brewery, collected a bronze medal for DEFCON Red Irish-Style Red Ale at the 32nd Great American Beer Festival® (GABF®) earning their third medal at the competition since 2014. The top three winners in the 102 beer-style categories were announced at an awards ceremony held September 22 at the Colorado Convention Center.

The award winning Irish-Style Red Ale underwent a name change in 2015 to REDCON. The beer is brewed with a blend of English crystal and chocolate malt and hopped with East Kent Goldings and presents a llight caramel sweetness, fruity esters and just a hint of chocolate with a light citrus nose. The beer is available year-round on draft and in Crowlers® and growlers to-go.

“We get a lot of recognition for our hoppy ales,” said chairman and founder David Lin. “We’re incredibly proud to bring home another medal for a brew with a lot less hops. There are thousands of exceptional beers in this year’s competition and this win is a testament to the quality, talent and consistency of our brewmaster, Marks Lanham and brewer, Mike Durland."

The 2018 GABF competition winners were selected by an international panel of 293 industry professionals judging from 8,496 entries submitted by 2,404 U.S. breweries along with 101 Pro-Am and 49 collaboration entries.

For more details on the GABF competition, including the 2018 winners list and photos, visit GreatAmericanBeerFestival.com.

For more information about Comrade Brewing and their award winning Irish-Red Ale, DEFCON, email contact@comradebrewing.com.

ABOUT COMRADE BREWING

Launched in 2014 by David Lin and Marks Lanham, Comrade Brewing is often noted as one of Denver and Colorado’s masters of the India Pale Ale style and home of the flagship Superpower IPA. Comrade also brews the World Beer Cup® winning Yellow Fever Chile Beer, the Koffee Kream Extra Coffee Milk Stout, and the REDCON Irish-Style Red Ale year-round as well an array of rotating seasonals and lots of collaboration beers with fellow brewing companies. Comrade’s trophy case now sports silver medals from the 2014 and 2015 Great American Beer Festival®, a 2016 World Beer Cup gold award, and a bronze medal from the 2018 Great American Beer Festival. Find the brewery online at www.comradebrewing.com.

Introducing Rockyard Brewing Gondolier Cherry Kriek in 22oz. Bombers

CASTLE ROCK, CO— Rockyard Brewing brings remnants of a medal-winning beer to life with their newly released Cherry Kriek-style sour ale, The Gondolier, now available in 22 oz. bombers in select locations on the Front Range.

Let The Gondolier bring a balance of sour and sweetness to your palate as it propels you through the familiar tastes of a golden sour base ale aged in cabernet wine barrels with tart red cherries.

Aged for 14 months in the same barrels as Rockyard’s 2017 GABF® Gold Medal winning Plum Creek Sour, The Gondolier is a bright, crisp, easy-drinking sour which finishes slightly sweet and pours with an alluring pinkish hue. The base was brewed with a mix of European pilsner and wheat malts with a touch of rolled oats and raw wheat. After primary fermentation with a saison yeast, it was transferred into cabernet wine barrels and topped off with nearly a pound of cherries per gallon of beer in each barrel.

“Our favorite attribute of the Gondolier is that even after 14 months aging on souring bacteria, it's not a pucker bomb,”says Rockyard Head Brewer Greg Fetzer. “We’d go so far as to say it’s a starter sour.”

The Gondolier label was designed by Denver artist Drew Button of D. Button Ink. It portrays a Venetian gondolier singing music notes resembling cherries. The character was created in reference to a time when Cherry Creek ran through Denver with the infrastructure designed to be navigable by gondola. Rockyard’s Artist, Drew Button put it best: “These boaters have distinct songs they sing as they cruise the canals to announce themselves to other boaters gliding down the narrow waterways. I have feeling this beer will leave you singing!”

The Gondolier is part of Rockyard’s Barrel Aged Series and will be available in 22 oz. bombers at select retail locations on the Front Range while supplies last..

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

ABOUT ROCKYARD BREWING

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

An Ode To Winter: Ska Brewing Euphoria Winter Pale Ale Returns Friday

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing’s seasonal Euphoria Pale Ale returns to the brewery’s World Headquarters on Friday, and hits shelves in twelve states next week. Ska is hopeful that winter is coming alongside this beer release.

Euphoria’s big malt backbone meets caramel sweetness and just a touch of chocolate, with epic grapefruit hop aroma and flavor provided by a huge dry hop addition that really make this seasonal beer shine. It all comes together as a warming, yet refreshing pale ale that powder junkies spend all year looking forward to. After the 416 Fire, this year especially. 

Euphoria was first brewed as a beer for Purgatory Ski Resort before Ska teamed up with their friends at Venture Snowboards located in Silverton, CO to brew the recipe and create a custom snowboard with Ska artwork. This tradition now returns for the twelfth year. 

“I’ve always said that hops are warming,” says Ska Brewing Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau. “As a winter Pale Ale, this beer is just a bit darker than your typical pale. It’s a great backcountry beer.” 

Kickoff the prospect of snowboarding season with Ska Brewing this Friday September 28 at the brewery’s World Headquarters at 5pm. Ska and Venture Snowboards will debut this year’s custom snowboard and host a Euphoria celebration in November— more information will soon be available about this event at skabrewing.com.

Find Euphoria in 6-packs in all twelve of Ska’s distribution states through colder months. Contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com with any more questions about this beer’s backstory or availability. 

ABOUT SKA BREWING

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

ABOUT VENTURE SNOWBOARDS

Founded in 1999, Venture is an independent, grassroots snowboard manufacturer based in Silverton, Colorado. Venture crafts high-quality, freeride snowboards and splitboards from scratch using sustainable woods and wind power. Learn more at venturesnowboards.com.

Thirsty Monk Takes Home First GABF Medal In Company History For Denver-Brewed Abby Blonde Ale

DENVER, CO— Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer and craft cocktail bars, was awarded a bronze medal for its Denver-brewed flagship Abby Blonde Ale in the Belgian and French-Style Ale category at the largest Great American Beer Festival® yet. This is the brewery’s first GABF award and Abby Blonde’s second medal this year.

Named after the brewery owner’s youngest child, Abby Blonde is a classic Belgian Style made with Franco-Belges Pilsner malt, wheat, and traditional sugar. Weighing in at 7.3% ABV, this slightly hazy, golden brew was fermented with Thirsty Monk’s in-house Belgian yeast strain, offering a plethora of flavors including banana and light clove.

When asked about how she felt about the win, young Abby announced that “It’s really hard to be famous. And Abby Blonde won a medal and Brother Noah didn’t.” Brother Noah is Thirsty Monk’s Belgian Chocolate Stout, named after Abby’s brother Noah. “I’ve got a unique form of sibling rivalry at my home,” says Barry Bialik, Thirsty Monk CEO. “Abby Blonde is one of our best selling beers and has medaled twice in the past year, but Brother Noah has higher Untappd reviews. And both kids know where their beers stand.”

“I am so proud of Brian, Norm, and Chris, our lead brewing team, and the entire Monk staff for their constant representation of our beers to our patrons. We are so honored to be recognized for our Abby Blonde this year,” continues Bialik.

For more information about Thirsty Monk or Abby Blonde, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT THIRSTY MONK

Founded in 2008, Thirsty Monk currently operates three locations in Asheville, North Carolina including Thirsty Monk Downtown, Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park, and Top of the Monk Craft Cocktail Bar; and Thirsty Monk Denver, CO and Thirsty Monk Portland, OR. The brewery family has been the recipient of several beer awards just this year, including a gold medal in the Belgian-Style Table Beer category in the Best of Craft Beer Awards  and gold and silver medals at the US Open Beer Championship. Find the company online at monkpub.com.

Last Minute Liquor Store Luck Leads to Ska GABF Gold

DURANGO, CO— Over the weekend, OG craft lager brewery Ska Brewing was awarded a gold medal for its Oktoberfest in the Vienna-Style Lager category at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival, but not without a little last-minute drama.

Ska listed their newly released Oktoberfest when filling out the original festival entry form, but were caught off-guard when it came time to ship the competition beers and they had none.  “The beer was so popular that we sold through it before we had a chance to hold any back to ship,” said Kristen Muraro, Sales and Marketing Director at Ska. “I had to run to the liquor store to buy one of the last 6-packs in Durango to ship to the competition.”

Ska’s Oktoberfest is crafted with 100 percent German-sourced Munich and Vienna malts that impart nutty, bready, toasty flavors, all balanced by Noble hops.  It finishes clean and crisp. Ska are proud producers of Colorado’s first craft lager in a can, Mexican Logger, and as Muraro notes, the Oktoberfest was a natural addition to Ska’s portfolio; “this classic style really took hold in the Americas when German-speaking immigrants brought their recipes and brewing practices to Mexico in the mid-19th century.”

Ska Oktoberfest is still available while supplies last on tap at the brewery’s World Headquarters in Durango, and will return again for the fall season in 2019.

Contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com for more information about Ska Brewing or their new, award-winning Oktoberfest craft lager.

ABOUT SKA BREWING

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

Karl Strauss Wins Sixth Gold Medal at 2018 Great American Beer Festival

Karl Strauss Brewing Company won another gold medal at last weekend’s Great American Beer Festival® (GABF) competition.

This year, GABF judges blind tasted over 8,800 different beers from 2,450 American breweries.

KARL won gold in the English-Style Summer Ale category for Liquid A/C. The beer was brewed at their satellite brewery in La Jolla. Liquid A/C also won bronze at GABF in 2016.

“We are honored to have won gold at this year’s GABF!  This medal is a testament to the talents of our brewing team.  Special shout out to our Head Brewer Lyndon Walker for this medal winning recipe.” says Matt Johnson, Brewmaster - Karl Strauss Brewing Company.

KARL has now won 13 medals at GABF since they started competing in 2009.  Liquid A/C is KARL’s sixth GABF gold medal. The brewery has also won GABF golds for Red Trolley, Windansea Wheat, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour and Honey Common.

To learn more about Karl Strauss Brewing Company’s award-winning prowess visit www.karlstrauss.com.

ABOUT KARL STRAUSS BREWING COMPANY

Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been proudly independent since 1989, pioneering the craft beer scene with innovative beer releases like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, and Wreck Alley Imperial Stout. The brewery has won 110 medals since 2009 and was recently honored with the “Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year” award at the Great American Beer Festival in 2016.

Media Contact:

Mark Weslar, mark.weslar@karlstrauss.com

Brink Brewing Recognized as 2018 Very Small Brewing Company of the Year; Wins Two GABF Medals

Photo © 2018 Brewers Association

CINCINNATI, OH— Over the weekend, Brink Brewing Company was named the 2018 Very Small Brewing Company of the Year by the Brewers Association at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival® after winning gold and silver medals for Moozie Milk Stout and Hold The Reins English Mild, respectively.

A great deal of effort goes into winning one let alone two GABF® medals, but rarely does that effort include a hospital stay. Kelly Montgomery, named Very Small Brewer of The Year, was in the hospital with a lung infection the weeks leading up to the dates scheduled to brew the batches submitted to this year’s competition. “We were honestly worried about making the deadline,” says Brink Brewing Co-Owner Sarah McGarry. “When he was released from the hospital Kelly jokingly said Eh, I think I’ve got just enough energy to squeeze out very small brewery of the year… “So, you can only imagine how stunned we were that it actually happened!”

Moozie is a rich Milk Stout. Like a chocolate milkshake without the straw, it features chocolate and coffee notes and is almost chewy thanks to the addition of lactose and flaked oats. This beer also boasts a bronze medal from the 2018 World Beer Cup®, silver at the inaugural Ohio Craft Brewers Cup earlier this year, a bronze from the 2017 Denver International Beer Competition and a gold medal from the 2017 U.S. Open Beer Championship after only being open for four months (one of the youngest breweries to place that year).

Hold the Reins is an English Mild, a classic “Session Ale” while still full flavored. Moderate sweetness, a bit nutty with a touch of caramel. Chocolate and roast notes give way to a dry finish. Last year Brink Brewing was awarded a gold medal for Hold The Reins in the same English Mild Ale category.

“Three GABF medals and Very Small Brewery of the Year in just 19 months of operation is even more than we ever could have hoped for, but tells us we are on the right track,” McGarry adds.

Moozie and Hold The Reins are available year-round on draft at Brink Brewing’s tasting room and at select craft-centric draft accounts in Cincinnati.

Contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com for media inquiries about Brink Brewing.

ABOUT BRINK BREWING

Brink Brewing Co is neighborhood Craft Brewery in the College Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati. Providing quality beers in a welcoming, comfortable taproom. In less than two year a of operation they have accumulated an impressive amount of awards that now include three medals at the 2017 Great American Beer Festival®, a Bronze at the 2018 World Beer Cup®, seven U.S. Open Beer Competition medals, three Ohio Craft Brewer Cup awards, and two Denver International Beer Competition awards. For more information visit brinkbrewing.com.

Wit’s End Brewing Takes Home Gold Medal from GABF As First StrangeWit Win

DENVER, CO— Over the weekend, Wit’s End Brewing Company was the proud recipient of a gold medal for Jean-Claude Van Blond in the Belgian-Style Blonde Ale or Pale Ale category of the 2018 Great American Beer Festival®.

Jean-Claude Van Blond is a 6.8% ABV Belgian-style Blonde Ale that weighs in stronger than typical Blonde Ales. It is brewed with mostly pilsner malts and a touch of oats, with late and generous Tettnang hopping. “The result is a spicy fruity beer that is very approachable and dry, but still has an underlying deep complexity for those of us who like to dissect flavors and swirl,” says Wit’s End Brewing Founder Scott Witsoe.

In 2014, Jean-Claude Van Blond won the gold medal in the Belgian-Style Blonde Ale or Pale Ale category of GABF®, and bronze for the same category at the World Beer Cup® that took place in Denver the same year.

Late in 2017, Wit’s End moved its production to the brewhouse at Strange Craft Beer Company on Zuni Street where the two brands now share the same Head Brewer, Tyler Bies. “I’m wondering what craft beer in Colorado would have lost if Scotty Witsoe and I hadn’t gotten creative and come up with our cohabitation alternative,” says Strange Craft Founder Tim Myers. “This win a great testament to Tyler’s brewing prowess and our capable brewhouse, demonstrating that we can replicate the same award-winning recipe time after time. It starts a new chapter in our unique craft brewing story.”

For more information about Wit’s End Brewing Company or its cohabitation at Strange Craft, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT WIT’S END BREWING COMPANY

At the dawn of the fourth wave of craft beer, Scott Witsoe launched Wit’s End in 2011 on a one barrel brew house. After 6 years in business, a Great American Beer Festival®  gold medal (the 2018 win mark’s Wit’s End’s second GABF accolade), a World Beer Cup® bronze medal, and many other amazing experiences, Scott decided it was time to evolve his business. In late 2017, Wit’s End Brewing Company moved its brewing operations to Strange Craft Beer Company where Tyler Bies is now head brewer of both brewing companies. Wit’s End will remain an artisanal Denver brand that continues to be fueled by dreams and inspired by the limitless potential of craft beer… join Wit’s End on the journey! witsendbrewing.com.

Odyssey Beerkwerks Hosts Arvada Firefighter Fundraiser and Beer Release, September 29

ARVADA, COLORADO– Odyssey Beerwerks is partnering with Arvada Fire Fighters Local 4056, Friends of Arvada Fire, and the Arvada Professional Firefighters Foundation to raise money for a 9-11 memorial at Arvada Fire Station #2. The fundraiser will take place at the Odyssey Beerwerks taproom (5535 W. 56th Ave, Ste. 107, Arvada) on Saturday, September 29 from 2-9pm and features the release of the Old Dodge Irish Red Ale, a beer brewed in collaboration with Arvada firefighters.

The party will kick off at 2pm with the official beer tapping at 3pm. Old Dodge Irish Red Ale is malt-focused ale that brings out the hearty flavors of fall with rich caramel and slightly roasted malts to create a solid foundation for a touch of smoked malt in the finish. The Old Dodge is named after Arvada’s first motorized fire engine from 1923, which will be on display during the fundraiser. 

Firefighters from Arvada and all over Colorado will be in attendance with Old Dodge pint glasses and t-shirts available for purchase. Food truck Pambasos will be serving up authentic Mexican fare all day and Denver-based band, The Duke Street Kings, will be playing rock and roll and blues later in the evening

“The Old Dodge beer release is extra special, because this beer was brewed with Arvada firefighters,” says Chris Hill, owner of Odyssey Beerwerks. “It was a fun day having them come and participate in all steps of the brewing process.” 

All proceeds from sales of the Old Dodge Irish Red Ale on September 29 will go towards the 9-11 Memorial fund along with a portion from sales of other beer styles.

For more information about Odyssey Beerwerks’s Old Dodge beer release or participation in the fundraiser, contact Chris or Deana Hill at info@odysseybeerwerks.com

ABOUT ODYSSEY BEERWERKS

Start a beer journey at Odyssey Beerwerks in Arvada, Colorado, where we’ve been brewing a wide variety of award-winning craft beers for locals and wanderers alike since 2013. Visit the taproom and enjoy fun and frequent events, live music, food trucks, and more. Find our beers on draft and in cans in liquor stores, bars, and restaurants across Colorado’s Front Range. Follow us online to keep up with our latest news and events: odysseybeerwerks.com, Facebook, and Instagram.


ABOUT FRIENDS OF ARVADA FIRE

The Friends of Arvada Fire Protection District (FAFPD), a 501c3 charity, was formed to raise money for and otherwise support the Arvada Fire Protection District (AFPD). Those members who formed FAFPD envision an organization that will reduce AFPD’s financial burden and allow AFPD to spend more of its time focusing on its mission of responding to emergencies within the community. The majority of FAFPD’s efforts are centered around fundraising and grant-writing. The money raised by FAFPD will be used to support AFPD both administratively and in connection with its Operations Division and various safety and educational programs supported by the Life Safety Division.

ABOUT ARVADA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION

The Arvada Professional Fire Fighters Foundation (APFFF), a 501c3 corporation, provides assistance to firefighters (or to their families) who have been injured or killed in the line of duty or are otherwise experiencing serious illness or financial hardship; supports the efforts of other nonprofit organizations that focus on treating burns or other fire-related injuries, as well as nonprofit organization that focus on other health-related issues that are commonly experienced by fire fighters; and supports schools and other youth-focused community organizations.

Bonfire Brewing Breaks Ground On Patio Expansion

breaking ground at Bonfire Brewing on September 17, 2018

EAGLE, CO—  Bonfire Brewing broke ground today on a major expansion of their tasting room patio following an amendment to the Town of Eagle’s land use regulations passed Tuesday, September 11. The patio is slated for completion in December.

In order for Bonfire Brewing to begin this greatly anticipated project, Eagle’s Mayor and Town Board of Trustees had to approve Ordinance 30-2018 amending Chapter 9.28 of the Eagle Municipal Code Concerning Encroachments. This amendment allows Bonfire, a private entity, to “encroach” into small portions of Eagle’s public right of way, making the new patio the first thing that visitors see when they head into town on Highway 6.

Voted by Vail Daily readers as the Valley’s Best Patio in 2017, Bonfire’s expansion will include additional seating, more room for live music, and the installation of garage doors that open onto the patio from the brewery’s west side. When complete, customers will experience wrap-around outdoor space for enjoying Bonfire beers outdoors.

The Bonfire Brewing patio expansion plan will increase tasting room customer space by more than 700 square feet. The projects is estimated to be complete by December of 2019.

For more information about Bonfire Brewing or their tasting room expansion, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

Front entrance mockup

west wall mockup

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.

Thirsty Monk Taps Trail Monk Fall IPA; First Beer of New Karma Series

Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer and craft cocktail bars, is proud to present a galvanized beer program to support nonprofit efforts that align with its company values with its new Karma Series— featuring a unique beer brewed each quarter with a different charitable focus.

To kick it off, Thirsty Monk introduces Trail Monk Fall IPA, a maple IPA and the first of the Karma Series, made to support the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation in Asheville, the 14ers Initiative in Denver, and Trailkeepers of Oregon in Portland. It will debut at Thirsty Monk Denver during Denver Beer Fest on Friday, September 14, at Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park in Asheville on Thursday, September 27 during the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Find Your Pint event, and a date yet to be determined at the Thirsty Monk Portland.

Trail Monk is brewed with Pilsner malt, red wheat, oats, and roasted chestnuts to create a hazy, burnt-orange color reminiscent of fall leaves. Cascade, EKG, Lemondrop and Hersbrucker hops create a unique and refreshing aroma of citrus, spice, and earth that’s fermented with Thirsty Monk’s house Belgian yeast adding baking spice and banana peel flavors. Maple syrup was added after fermentation to round out the aroma and provide a touch of maple sweetness to balance its bitterness and roasted chestnut finish.

A portion of each Trail Monk full pour sold in Thirsty Monk taprooms will be donated to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative and Trailkeepers of Oregon in Asheville, Denver, and Portland respectively.

“The K in Monk actually stands for Karma,” says Barry Bialik, Thirsty Monk CEO. “Thirsty Monk has been very successful with some of our organized fundraising campaigns in Asheville and we wanted to use our experience toward helping each of our cities in the best way our brewery can. What better way for a brewery to help raise money than to brew a beer? We look at the common needs our cities have and will feature a different beer and a different charitable cause each quarter, starting with our Fall beer and  a focus on outdoor trails.”

Trail Monk will have September debut dates in Asheville, Denver and Portland, and will be featured in various Karma Series fundraising events at Thirsty Monk Brewery taprooms throughout the season. Find details at monkpub.com/events.

The Karma Series is a quarterly connection to charities in Thirsty Monk’s markets that support causes the brewery feels most passionate about. Upcoming beers in the Karma Series will benefit affordable housing in the winter, LGBTQ awareness in the spring, and children’s needs in the summer.

Contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Thirsty Monk and its Karma Series.

ABOUT THIRSTY MONK

Founded in 2008, Thirsty Monk Brewery currently operates a family of brewpubs in Asheville, North Carolina (Thirsty Monk Downtown Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park), Denver, and Portland, Oregon. Thirsty Monk’s award-winning, modern-rooted Belgian ales are showcased in the company’s Cicerone-crafted food menus, which include beer style-centric Food Flights and beer-paired burgers. Find the company online at monkpub.com.

ABOUT THE NONPROFITS

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY FOUNDATION

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is the primary fundraiser and trusted steward of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Foundation is forever committed to preserving the past, enhancing the present, and safeguarding the future of America’s Favorite Journey™. Learn more at brpfoundation.org/.

COLORADO FOURTEENERS INITIATIVE

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative protects and preserves the natural integrity of Colorado’s 54 14,000–foot peaks —the “Fourteeners”— through active stewardship and public education. CFI partners with the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and passionate volunteers and donors nationwide to protect Colorado’s Fourteener ecosystems from harm while continuing to make the peaks accessible to hikers without burdensome restrictions and fees. Learn more at 14ers.org.

TRAILKEEPERS OF OREGON

Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and enhance the Oregon hiking experience through advocacy, stewardship, outreach and education. TKO also hosts the Oregon Hikers Forum and the Oregon Hikers Field Guide as part of its efforts. Learn more at trailkeepersoforegon.org.

Bonfire Brewing Steps Up For The Eagle River Park Project

EAGLE, CO— Bonfire Brewing is proud to announce a Class IV sponsorship and the largest donation yet to Eagle, Colorado’s River Park Project, launched to build four world-class whitewater features and an adjacent park area on the north side of the Eagle River. Bonfire’s contribution supports ongoing work to construct additional amenities, and secures the naming rights for the Eastern Firepit that serves as a central hub for the park.

The Eagle River Park project is nestled along the Eagle River near the Eagle County Fair and Rodeo Grounds, and Chambers Park, where once a dirt lot, fencing, and semi-trucks served as the gateway to the community. The Park is a central part of the Eagle River Corridor Plan established in 2015. Following adoption of the plan in April of 2016, town of Eagle voters approved a 0.5% sales tax to fund a variety of park and trail improvements including this project. 

Most recently, a group of local residents formed a fundraising committee to help finance various elements of the park that were not funded by the town's initial bond budget. “Without hesitation, Bonfire Brewing reached out to be the first major donor of the Park,” says Town of Eagle Trustee Matt Solomon. “The Eagle River Park has been on the wishlist of boaters and residents for decades. This amenity will truly connect the Soul of the River to the Heart of our Valley. This partnership with Bonfire Brewing is an eternal representation of this balance of nature and spirit.” 

The project was one of the first initiatives that Bonfire Brewing Owner & Co-Founder Andy Jessen worked on as a member of Eagle’s Board of Trustees when he was elected in 2014. Now serving a second term, Jessen reflects that “Watching this park come to fruition as a trustee, citizen, and business owner in Eagle has been perhaps the most gratifying experience I can recall during my ten years here. Given Bonfire’s long-standing commitment to community, there was never a question of if we would directly support making it a reality— just when, and how. Naming the firepit at the center of what will serve as a gathering spot for Eagle for decades to come was a no-brainer.”

For more information about The Eagle River Park project, visit eagleoutside.com/riverpark. If you would like more information about Bonfire Brewing’s local involvement, 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.

(Rad)Craft Night at Strange Craft, Monday September 17

RadCraft is taking over Monday night Craft Night at Strange Craft to kick off the 2018 Great American Beer Festival!

Colorado beer author Ed Sealover will join us to sign copies of his book Colorado Excursions with History, Hikes and Hops. From 6-6:15, 21+ guests can enjoy Strange Craft samples while Ed talks shop.

Guests can also enjoy a showcase local wood designer and manufacturer Spooky Bat Designs. Spooky Bat makes custom tap handles, coasters, wooden magnets, wooden bookmarks, and so much more.

The first 20 guests to arrive at this event get a free pretzel necklace-making kit to ready themselves for the Great American Beer Festival!

Funkwerks Announces New Winky’s Snack Pack; Winky’s Warehouse

FORT COLLINS, CO — Funkwerks is excited to announce the release of the latest iteration of their Winky’s Snack Pack. The new variety 12-packs include year-round offerings, Saison and Raspberry Provincial, as well as limited releases, Deceit and White— both available exclusively in this variety 12-pack after years of perfecting.

In addition to the new line up of beers, new Winky’s Snack Packs sport refreshed, innovative packaging complete with new graphics, punch out coasters on the sides of the box, limited edition stickers, and discount codes for Winky’s Warehouse.

“We’re so excited about this 12 pack for several reasons,” explains Funkwerks’ Co-Founder, Brad Lincoln. “Deceit and White are two exclusive release beers that we’ve worked on perfecting since the early days of Funkwerks. We also love the idea of interactive packaging, so we incorporated coasters into the 12-pack allowing consumers to punch out the coasters from its side and get a little extra use from the packaging before all the cardboard gets recycled.”

Want even more information about this new offering from Funkwerks? Check out this article by our friend Taylor Laabs at PorchDrinking.com: Fast Facts on Funkwerks’ New Winky’s Snack Pack.

ABOUT DECEIT

Funkwerks’ interpretation of a Belgian-style golden ale, Deceit is deceptively palatable. The alcohol content is deceptively masked by bold fruit and spice characteristics contributed by our unique Belgian yeast strain. This award-winning beer (2012 GABF® Gold, 2014 World Beer Cup® Silver, 2016 World Beer Cup® Bronze) is full of complexity and bright carbonation leading to a dry finish. 8.5% ABV.

ABOUT WHITE

This Belgian-Style Wit is refreshing and crisp. The opaque pale color and creamy white head result from ample amounts of wheat used in the recipe. The addition of raw oats gives a smooth mouthfeel yet finishes dry. This thirst-quenching brew was spiced with orange zest, coriander, and chamomile to build on the character of the Belgian yeast. 4.8% ABV.

ABOUT WINKY’S WAREHOUSE

Funkwerks has been hard at work expanding brewery merchandise this year including apparel, glassware, gift cards, and new bottle openers made locally by taproom regular, Cody Trigg— all found on Winky’s Warehouse, the brewery’s online store. Funkwerks offers free shipping on all orders through Winky’s Warehouse and have distributed a discount code inside each new Winky’s Snack Pack.

For more information about Funkwerks and Winky’s Snack Packs, contact Aaron Sprengeler 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 ten US states. Find the brewery online at funkwerks.com.