Elevation Releases Apis IV Quad Aged in Red Wine Barrels
After resting in red wine barrels for 4 months, one of Elevation Beer Company’s oldest recipes is now available.
PONCHA SPRINGS, CO— After patiently resting in red wine barrels for 4 months, one of Elevation Beer Company’s oldest recipes— the Apis IV Quad— hits the Colorado and Wyoming marketplaces in 750mL bombers this week as an exciting variant on their classic Quadruple.
Apis IV is a Dark Belgian-Style Ale brewed in the Trappist tradition. With a touch of locally sourced honey from Beekeepers Honey Boutique in Salida, CO the name Apis is a nod to the hardworking genus of the honeybee. Boasting notes of plum, fig, and molasses, Apis IV has a medium to heavy mouthfeel and finishes with subtle floral hops.
This year’s special barrel-aged Apis IV release was aged for 4 months in David Arthur Meritaggio blend barrels imparting a brilliant deep ruby color with a tan head and aroma notes of port wine, golden raisin, fig, and honey.
Red Wine Barrel-Aged Apis IV is available on Colorado and Wyoming shelves in limited quantities while supplies last. Get it on draft while you can at Elevation’s tasting room in Poncha Springs.
For more information about the history of Apis IV or this new red wine rendition, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT ELEVATION BEER CO.
Proudly operating in the remote mountain town of Poncha Springs (just 17 miles from Monarch Mountain), 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, Wyoming and soon Utah. Go higher at elevationbeerco.com.
J. Roddy Walston and Ripe Join Music Lineup for 2019 Bonfire Block Party Festival in Eagle
J. Roddy Walston & The Business and Ripe join the music lineup for the annual street party.
J. Roddy Walston & The Business and Ripe have been added to the 2019 Bonfire Block Party lineup. General Admission and VIP Experience tickets are on sale now for the event taking place May 31 – June 2, 2019 in Eagle.
Eagle, CO— Bonfire Brewing and Optimum Events have added two additional bands to the music lineup for the annual street party slated for Friday, May 31 through Sunday, June 2, 2019. J. Roddy Walston & The Business and Ripe join The Lil Smokies, North Mississippi Allstars and Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, all previously announced as festival talent. Six more bands will be announced by March 19 and Two-Day Early Bird GA and VIP Experience tickets are now on sale.
Roots and southern rockers, J. Roddy Walston & The Business have been road warriors since their formation in 2002 in Richmond, Virginia. Regulars on big festival stages like Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits, J. Roddy and the band have experienced explosive growth in their fan base thanks to their incredible live shows and studio recordings.
Bringing an edge to the party, Ripe’s high-energy, feel-good music has garnered them live and streaming fans alike. Their breakout album Hey Hello (2015) put them on the charts and their tracks “Pretty Dirty (In the Fading Light)” and “Goon Squad” have each clocked around 2 million Spotify streams, and regular appearances at Levitate and Summer Camp Music Festivals have solidified Ripe’s spot on the music scene.
Tickets for the 2019 Bonfire Block Party are on sale now and include limited Early Bird Two-Day General Admission tickets, Two-Day VIP Experience tickets and Sunday Sayonara closing concert tickets. VIP and Sunday Sayonara tickets are expected to sell out. The Block Party includes 11 bands performing on three stages, Bonfire Brewing craft beer and local food vendors, all in the streets of Downtown Eagle, CO. Kids 12 and under are free for General Admission and 2 and under are free for the VIP Experience.
A portion of all Bonfire Block Party proceeds will benefit nonprofit partner, The Cycle Effect. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.bonfireblockparty.com.
If You Go:
What: 2019 Bonfire Block Party
Where: Broadway and Second Streets, Eagle
When: Friday, May 31 - Sunday, June 2, 2019
Cost: $30 - $140
Thirsty Monk Debuts First of Several Crooked Stave Collaborations, BBR IPA
The first of several Thirsty Monk and Crooked Stave collaborations will tap in Denver in coming weeks and months.
DENVER, CO— Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer and craft cocktail bars, will tap the first of several collaboration beers with Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project this week. This collaboration, the Brett Brut Rose IPA otherwise known as BBR IPA, is available on draft only while supplies last at Thirsty Monk’s Denver location.
When Crooked Stave owner and founder Chad Yakobson visited Thirsty Monk to taste beers before this collaboration, the Brut IPA was his favorite. Thirsty Monk’s Head Brewer Brian Grace worked at Crooked Stave as Head Brewer for several years, and he’s excited about the opportunity to continue to work with Yakobson and crew.
“We talked about the Brut style and how we both thought that using German hops instead of the typical IPA hops that people are using would lend a more wine-like aroma and make the style more along the lines of what we like to drink,” Grace says. “The hibiscus and rose petals were something that Chad and I have talked about using over the years when I worked at Crooked Stave so we went for it! These additions, along with Hallertau Blanc, Huell Melon, Mandarina Bavaria, Centennial and Amarillo give the beer a pink hue and floral, citrus and berry-like aromas. Naturally, any collaboration with Crooked Stave should include Brettanomyces…. the conversations continued from there and this beer was born.”
BBR is the first of several Thirsty Monk and Crooked Stave collaborations to tap in Denver in coming weeks and months.
For more information about Thirsty Monk and Crooked Stave’s collaboration beers, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
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 and now Monk’s Flask), Denver, and Portland, Oregon. Thirsty Monk’s award-winning, modern-rooted Belgian ales are showcased in the company’s expertly-crafted food menus, which include beer style-centric Food Flights and beer-paired burgers. Find the company online at monkpub.com.
ABOUT CROOKED STAVE
Founded in Denver, CO in late 2010 as an artisan beer project, Crooked Stave is the culmination of brewmaster and “Brettanomyces Guru” Chad Yakobson’s open source master’s research, The Brettanomyces Project. Crooked Stave’s progressive approach to brewing blends science and art through creativity and passion. The resulting creations, most of which use Brettanomyces yeasts and mature in oak, are beers of extraordinary complexity. The brewery has also started receiving accolades of late for it’s non-sour beers, specifically its new line of “Private Reserve” barrel-aged Imperial Stouts. Learn more at crookedstave.com.
Brink Brewing Celebrates Award-winning Second Year in Business
Brink Brewing is celebrating two years in business following a notable year of awards and accolades.
CINCINNATI, OH— Brink Brewing, 2018 Great American® Beer Festival Very Small Brewery and Brewer of the Year, is celebrating two years in business following a notable year of awards and accolades. Brink will be celebrating their second anniversary starting on February 15 with an exclusive bottle release of their 2019 Anniversary Blend followed by a weekend of celebrations.
This past year, Brink Brewing produced 650 BBL —a 45 percent increase from 2017 which included 97 batches and 50 new recipes. With these beers Brink Brewing won a multitude of awards ranging in scale from local to international competitions.
Awards won by Brink Brewing during their second year in business include a 2018 World Beer Cup bronze medal (Milk Stout); a gold medal (Sweet Stout), silver medal (English-Style Mild Ale), Very Small Brewery of the Year, and Very Small Brewer of the Year at The Great American Beer Festival®; gold (England / Hazy IPA), silver (Milk Stout), bronze (English Mild), and best Southwest Brewery at the Ohio Craft Brewers Cup; gold (Brown Ale), gold (English Mild), gold (Scottish Ale), and 2nd Place Overall Nation Champions at the US Open Beer Championship.
For their Anniversary weekend, February 15-17, Brink Brewing will be releasing a coveted lineup of special releases including their 2019 Anniversary Blend bottle release beginning at 3pm on Friday, February 15.
This special second anniversary blend was carefully crafted between their First Anniversary Blend (38.5%), 2017 Barrel Aged Kelly’s Candy Barley Wine (32%), 2018 Armored Heart Russian Imperial Stout (13%), 2017 Barrel Aged Duncan Clan Stout (10%), and 2018 Night Cap Holiday Porter (6.5%) along with Deeper Roots Losantiville cold steeped coffee and copious amounts of vanilla beans.
Brink will also be tapping the following draft-only releases throughout the weekend:
Friday, February 15
Business Meeting Oatmeal Stout with Raspberry and Vanilla Beans
Maple Bacon Moozie Milk Stout
2017 Barrel Aged Bulldog Ole Ale
Father G's Bees Brown Ale with Honey and Maple Syrup
Graham cracker Berlin Wall Berliner Weisse
Saturday, February 16
2017 Barrel Aged Kelly's Candy Barley Wine
Father G's Bees Honey Brown Ale with Maple and Blueberry
Coffee Doughnut Debbie Jean Blonde
Mint Oreo Moozie Milk Stout
Business Meeting Oatmeal Stout with Raspberry and Vanilla
Sunday, February 17
Barrel Aged Duncan Clan Scottish Ale
Toasted Coconut King Cake
Quadruple Dry-hopped JBoy
Barrel Aged Barrel Thieves and Hired Guns with extra EXTRA vanilla
Business Meeting Oatmeal Stout with Raspberry and Vanilla
Father G's Bees Brown Ale with Maple Syrup and Honey
For more information on Brink Brewing and the success of their second year in business, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
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.
Barrels & Bottles Brewery to Tap Pliny the Younger from Russian River Brewing Company
Pliny the Younger finds its way to Barrels & Bottles Brewery for one day only.
GOLDEN, CO— Eureka! Gold is struck one again in the foothills of the Rockies as the coveted, extremely rare release of Russian River Brewing Company’s Triple IPA, Pliny the Younger finds its way to Barrels & Bottles Brewery and on tap Sunday, February 17 for one day only.
Pliny the Younger will grace Barrels & Bottles beginning at 1pm. The brewery will begin distributing tickets at 11am which will guarantee holders an 8 oz. pour for $8 and is redeemable until 5pm on February 17. All tickets will be given on a first come first served basis.
Elite Brands of Colorado will be donating proceeds from all sales of Pliny the Younger will benefit Sense of Security— an organization dedicated to the support of Coloradans living with breast cancer by providing aid for housing, food, transportation, and other basic living expenses of patients. In addition, Barrels and Bottles will be donating $1 for every pint of Pliny the Younger sold.
In addition to a special tapping of Pliny the Younger, Barrels & Bottles will also have Russian Rivers famed double IPA, Pliny the Elder available on tap throughout the day while supplies last
For more information about Barrels & Bottles and their world-class tap list contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
About Pliny the Younger
Pliny the Younger is considered a “triple” IPA, simply meaning that it is higher in alcohol and has tons of hops. The alcohol should finish at about 10.25%, although it is remarkably dry for the amount of malt used in the recipe. It is loaded with hop flavors, bitterness, and aromatics. The hops used in this year’s recipe are of excellent quality from the 2018 harvest: Warrior, Amarillo, Simcoe, Centennial, CTZ, Chinook, Crystal, and Citra. Russian River brewed Younger for the first time in 2005 as a winter seasonal, building upon the Pliny the Elder recipe while pushing the envelope with malt, hops, and alcohol just to see how far they could go!
About Barrels & Bottles Brewery
Zach and Abby George opened Barrels & Bottles on 12th Street in downtown Golden in October 2013. The brewpub has 27 beer taps, 24 wines on tap, and a slushie machine for serving its infamous wine slushies. Barrels & Bottles also serves farm-fresh food menu with cheese platters, baguettes, and various beer-friendly small plates. The brewpub was named Golden Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year in 2014. Find Barrels & Bottles online at barrelsbottles.com.
Spice Trade Brewing Company Refreshes Flagship IPA, Sun Temple
Introducing a redesigned label and perfected recipe for Sun Temple IPA.
ARVADA, CO— Spice Trade is celebrating the progress of the New Year and their flagship IPA with a redesigned label and perfected recipe for their Sun Temple IPA. The newly refreshed Sun Temple IPA is now available in the market across Spice Trade’s distribution footprint.
Sun Temple was originally developed by Spice Trade’s head brewer, Jeff Tyler, for years as a homebrew recipe in Boston during the initial “haze craze” before the trend made its way across the country and into mainstream brewing. Sun Temple was designed to be an explosion of hop flavor, using El Dorado, Citra, and Simcoe hops to deliver notes of peach, mango, and candy without the full-bodied thickness possessed by some of the style’s peers.
The new Sun Temple cans pop off the shelf in a vibrant array of orange and red to match the intensely vibrant flavors you’re sure to find inside each 12 oz. can.
“We're excited to launch this finely tuned recipe with a new can design,” says Tyler. “There are a lot of technical challenges with packaging such a hop forward beer. Since the first day of canning we have been subtly tweaking the Sun Temple recipe and brewing procedure to make this beer taste just like the draft version. Late last year we fine tuned the recipe and brewing procedures to perfectly highlight this beer’s huge hop flavor while maintaining a stable haze and body.”
ABOUT SPICE TRADE BREWING
Spice Trade Brewing produces unique beer styles inspired by culinary ingredients and traditions from around the world. Formerly Yak & Yeti Brewpub, Spice Trade is now a stand-alone brewery operating out of Yak & Yeti Restaurant in Arvada Colorado under the direction of Head Brewer Jeff Tyler who joined the company in summer 2016. The brewery handcrafts a wide variety of beer in small batches on a 7 barrel brewhouse with a focus on high quality, ingredient centered beer. Find Spice Trade online at spicetradebrewing.com.
Monk’s Flask Celebrates Grand Opening in Biltmore Park
Monk’s Flask brings together the worlds of beer and spirits, celebrating the synergy between the two.
ASHEVILLE, NC— Monk’s Flask, Thirsty Monk's wood-themed cocktail bar in Biltmore Park, celebrated its official grand opening yesterday. Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer and craft cocktail bars, announced Monk's Flask as the latest addition to its family of venues, specializing in craft cocktails, wine by the glass and bottle, beer and spirit pairing flights, and a curated food menu.
Monk’s Flask brings together the worlds of beer and spirits, celebrating the synergy between the two. This common ground between spirits, beer, and wine is featured at Monk’s Flask through the aging vessels of their barrel-aged beer program. Wooden barrels adorn Monk’s Flask, and the building also houses Thirsty Monk Brewery’s sour and fruited mixed fermentation beers under the direction of Head Brewer Brian Grace.
Monk’s Flask celebrated its soft launch in December, and is now open regular hours: 4PM to midnight Tuesday - Thursday, 4PM to 1AM Fridays and Saturdays, 4PM to 10PM Sundays, and closed Mondays.
Monk’s Flask is located at 2 Town Square Blvd, #160, in the adjacent space to the current Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park. For more information about Monk’s Flask or any of Thirsty Monk’s other locations, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
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 and now Monk’s Flask), Denver, and Portland, Oregon. Thirsty Monk’s award-winning, modern-rooted Belgian ales are showcased in the company’s expertly-crafted food menus, which include beer style-centric Food Flights and beer-paired burgers. Find the company online at monkpub.com.
RadCraft Announces New Content Manager, Aaron Sprengeler
Aaron Sprengeler is RadCraft’s first addition to its leadership team since its launch in 2012.
photo by The Brewtography Project
DENVER, CO— RadCraft, a Colorado-based company dedicated to supporting the communications needs of crafters of malted, fermented barley, announced today that its new Content Manager. Aaron Sprengeler joins the executive team after more than a year on staff.
Sprengeler worked as an intern at the Brewers Association and Social Media Coordinator at Dry Dock Brewing Company before joining RadCraft in 2017. He is the company’s first addition to the leadership team since its launch in 2012. “I’m so fortunate to have joined RadCraft in its startup phase,” he says. “I decided to work in this industry for the people (the beverages are a close second). Emily and the team at RadCraft have cultivated a tribe that could only exist in the craft industry, and it is my privilege to spend each day helping to bring out the best of each member through their rich stories.”
“Aaron has proved integral to our overall company marketing strategy, and a sound social media resource for our brewery partners,” says RadCraft Founder and CEO Emily Hutto. “His thorough, wholistic approach to content development keeps us all in check. It’s an honor to welcome him to RadCraft’s executive team.”
Sprengeler dwells in Denver, Colorado with his puppy Maple. He spends as much of his time in Colorado’s mountains as possible, usually climbing its rocks. Contact him at aaron@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT RADCRAFT
Founded in 2012 by craft beer journalist Emily Hutto, RadCraft is the craft beer co-op. Dedicated to serving the communications needs of crafters of malted, fermented barley, RadCraft is an agency of record and full-service marketing house for craft breweries, distilleries, and malting companies. Learn more at radcraftbeer.com and join the tribe across social media platforms @radcraftbeer.
Karl Strauss and Drake’s Release Collaboration Beer in Celebration of Their 30th Anniversaries
Karl Strauss Brewing Company and Drake’s Brewing Co. celebrate 30 years of pioneering the craft beer industry.
SAN DIEGO, CA— Karl Strauss Brewing Company and Drake’s Brewing Company join forces as they celebrate 30 years of pioneering the craft beer industry in California and beyond. Introducing Level 30 Complete, a collaboration (and joint anniversary) beer. This Hazy IPA is brewed with Simcoe, Cascade, Mosaic, and Amarillo hops. Citrus and sweet fruit aromas are backed by a juicy finish.
“We’ve always respected our friends at Drake’s and the fact that we’re both celebrating our 30 th Anniversaries this year made this the perfect time to collaborate on a brew. Level 30 Complete is a delicious example of a Hazy IPA, and the name summarizes how proud we both are to have made it to this milestone!” – Matt Johnson, Brewmaster, Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Level 30 Complete Hazy IPA is available on draft and in 16oz cans throughout California during the month of February – just in time for San Francisco Beer Week up north and Karl Strauss’ 30th Anniversary celebrations down south. For more information about Level 30 Complete, visit www.karlstrauss.com.
ABOUT LEVEL 30 COMPLETE HAZY IPA
1989’s greatest creation had to be the Game Boy—but hey, the opening of a couple scrappy breweries could be a close second. Karl Strauss and Drake’s began the brewing quest at Level 1 (the difficulty setting? Hard mode.) After grinding for 29 years, we’ve come together to celebrate our 30th Anniversaries and bring you this 1up in beer form. Level 30 Complete is a Hazy IPA brewed with Simcoe, Cascade, Mosaic, and Amarillo hops. Citrus and sweet fruit aromas are backed by a juicy finish. Venture forth, beer in hand. It’s dangerous to go alone, drink this!
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 Boat Shoes Hazy IPA. 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.
ABOUT DRAKE’S BREWING CO.
Drake's Brewing Co. is an independent craft brewery located in San Leandro, Calif., that's been dedicated to bringing people together over great beer since 1989. Drake’s has become known over the years for consistently producing a wide variety of hop-forward craft beers. From the groundbreaking 1500 Pale Ale to innovative creations like the Denogginizer Double IPA, and a growing collection of artisan barrel-aged and sour beers, the brewery’s commitment to quality and integrity shines through in every beer. Go to drinkdrakes.com for more information.
Bonfire Brewing Patio Expansion Now Complete
Prepare for the Vail Valley’s sun-filled spring days with the completed construction of Bonfire’s newly-expanded tasting room patio.
EAGLE, CO— Bonfire Brewing prepares for the Vail Valley’s sun-filled spring days with the completed construction of their newly-expanded tasting room patio. The expansion was made possible, in part, by an amendment to the Town of Eagle’s land use regulations which passed in September, 2018 and opens for patron use beginning the first week of February.
Voted Best Patio in 2017 by Vail Daily readers, the latest expansion to Bonfire’s patio features a renovation of the previous space along with a connecting addition on the west side of the tasting room. The patio expansion increases Bonfire’s customer area by over 700 square feet. The western expansion features a garage door opening to the inside with additional bar seating lining both ends.
“We’re excited and proud of this expansion coming to fruition. It has been in the works for quite some time and should really enhance the Bonfire experience, especially in the warmer months,” explains Bonfire co-founder, Andy Jessen. “Full utilization of our space, enhancing the entry to downtown Eagle, and hopefully bringing more people to town and our tasting room is a great accomplishment by our team, our construction partners, and town staff.”
Bonfire Brewing is formulating plans for a party this coming spring to celebrate the grand opening of the new patio. You can stay tuned to their Facebook page for details and additional updates as they apply the finishing touches to the project.
For more information about Bonfire Brewing or their tasting room expansion, 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.
Karl Strauss Celebrates 30th Anniversary With City Proclamation, Beer Releases & Retro Merch
At the center of the festivities will be a city declaration naming February 2 an official Day in History by Mayor Kevin Faulconer and the city of San Diego.
SAN DIEGO, CA — On February 1, Karl Strauss Brewing Company kicks off a month long celebration of 30 years pioneering craft beer with an impressive line-up of limited release beers, an epic party & retro merchandise. At the center of the festivities will be a city declaration naming February 2— the anniversary date of KARL opening for business— an official Day in History by Mayor Kevin Faulconer and the city of San Diego.
The declaration was made official by a proclamation from the Mayor’s office and will be announced on Saturday, February 2nd at KARL’s Tasting Room & Beer Garden in Pacific Beach during the brewery’s anniversary party. “I applaud Karl Strauss Brewing Company for advancing the art of brewing in San Diego and around the world, and congratulate them for 30 years of achievement and success,” stated Councilmember Chris Cate, City of San Diego.
Part of KARL’s month long celebration includes releasing a barrel aged Imperial Stout, a collaboration beer with Drake’s Brewing Company and a series of throwback beers from their 1989 beer recipe book.
The 30th Anniversary Barrel Aged Imperial Stout was aged in rye whiskey barrels for twelve months and is graced with rich aromas and flavors of chocolate, toffee, and espresso tied together by a warm, lingering finish. This big & boozy beer comes in at 14.4% ABV and will be available in draft and 500ml bottles across California.
The collaboration beer release with Drake’s Brewing Company is a hazy IPA brewed with Simcoe, Cascade, Mosaic, and Amarillo hops. The beer is aptly named “Level 30 Complete”, honoring the fact that both breweries turn 30 years young in 2019. This juicy IPA will be available in draft and 16oz cans across California.
Small batches of four throwback KARL beers will also be released at the company’s Brewpubs and Tasting room each Thursday night in February. These beers will feature their original beer names and recipes which were pulled from KARL’s 1989 recipe book.
On Saturday, February 2nd at KARL’s Tasting Room & Beer Garden in Pacific Beach, the brewery will throw their annual anniversary party, Changing of the Barrels. Event attendees will get unlimited tasters of 30 different beers, a tantalizing spread of food pairings, commemorative glassware, a limited edition hand-bottled 500ml of the 30th Anniversary Imperial Stout, and a chance to taste the 31st Anniversary beer before it spends a year in barrels.
And all month beer drinkers can get retro merchandise including glassware and T-shirts showcasing KARL’s old school graphics.
To learn more about KARL’s 30th celebration plans, 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 Boat Shoes Hazy IPA. 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.
Advice from the Trail: Creature Comforts on Building a Brewery Brand
Before Creature Comforts Brewing Company became Georgia’s craft beer darling, the brand was a source of the Decatur neighborhood’s lure.
We’re excited to continue our RadCrafter series! Each volume of Craft Marketing showcases a Featured Crafter— a craft marketing professional who is crafting content, telling stories, and curating resources about the beer industry. RadCrafters are helping to shape and share the culture that is craft beer.
For this edition we reached out to Chris Herron, co-founder and CEO at Creature Comforts and picked his brain about beer, brewing, and what it takes to build a strong brand that resonates with consumers in today’s craft beer market
Before Creature Comforts Brewing Company became Georgia’s craft beer darling, the brand was a source of the Decatur neighborhood’s lure. Launched underground by offering samples of homebrew to bars. Each beer had its own psychedelic creatures drawn by friend Julian Bozeman which he called “Creature Comforts”. Beer drinkers were curious, and they sought out the latest creations— the artwork too. The Creature Comforts brand was born.
Block & Larder To Shut Its Doors Saturday
“It’s time to refocus our efforts on Freshcraft.”
DENVER, CO— Denver restaurateurs and brothers Jason, Aaron, and Lucas Forgy announced today their plans to close Block & Larder.
Several years after the successful launch of Freshcraft, the Forgy brothers opened the in-house finish butchery restaurant Block & Larder in Denver’s Tennyson neighborhood in 2015. “We’ve enjoyed serving this great neighborhood, and we are grateful for the incredible support of our customers, staff, and community,” says Jason Forgy. “It’s time to refocus our efforts on Freshcraft.”
Block & Larder will close on Saturday, January 26. The restaurant will operate regular business hours with special discount menus in the meantime.
If you have questions about Block & Larder’s closing, or what’s to come at Freshcraft, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT BLOCK & LARDER
Block & Larder is a Tennyson neighborhood bar & grill, opened by the owners of Freshcraft in 2015. Placing emphasis on sourcing the highest-quality meats, Block & Larder’s menu features in-house butchery, balanced by fresh salads, desserts, and a carefully curated wine, craft beer, cocktail list, and spirits selections. Learn more at blockandlarder.com.
ABOUT FRESHCRAFT
Quickly after Freshcraft’s 2010 opening in Denver’s LoDo neighborhood, the craft beer bar and scratch kitchen established itself as one of the Mile High City’s best craft beer bars. A destination spot for craft lovers, Freshcraft sports twenty taps and more than 100 selections of bottled beers from some of the most noteworthy brewing companies in Colorado and beyond. Find Freshcraft online at freshcraft.com.
Spice Trade Brewing Releases Tamarindus Indica in 12 oz. Cans
Brewed with Belgian candi sugar and the exotic tamarind fruit popular throughout India.
ARVADA, CO— Spice Trade Brewing follows the anticipated specialty release of their Red Wine Belgian Dubbel with a seasonal release of the red wine barrel-aged variant’s base beer, Tamarindus Indica Belgian Dubbel, in 6 packs of 12 oz. cans. Tamarindus Indica is now available across the front range in Spice Trade Brewing’s distribution footprint.
Brewed with Belgian candi sugar and the exotic tamarind fruit popular throughout India, Tamarindus Indica weighs in at 7.5% ABV and pours a deep amber color. Complex notes of plum, tart raisins, and bubblegum with a slight tobacco earthiness with a balanced and mildly malt forward finish.
Tamarindus Indica is available seasonally in 6 packs of 12 ounce cans and on draft through the winter months while supplies last.
ABOUT SPICE TRADE BREWING
Spice Trade Brewing produces unique beer styles inspired by culinary ingredients and traditions from around the world. Formerly Yak & Yeti Brewpub, Spice Trade is now a stand-alone brewery operating out of Yak & Yeti Restaurant in Arvada Colorado under the direction of Head Brewer Jeff Tyler who joined the company in summer 2016. The brewery hand-crafts a wide variety of beer in small batches on a 7 barrel brewhouse with a focus on high quality, ingredient centered beer. Find Spice Trade online at spicetradebrewing.com.
Elevation Beer Co. Debuts Oil Man Imperial Stout Variants
Break your dry January and instill new resolutions to “drink better beer” with the release of new variants of Oil Man Imperial Stout.
PONCHA SPRINGS, CO— Elevation Beer Co. is ready to break your dry January and instill new resolutions to “drink better beer” with the release of new variants of Oil Man Imperial Stout. Coffee, Coconut, and Vanilla variants of the breweries famed barrel-aged Imperial Stout will be available beginning January 18 in limited 750mL bottles across the brewery’s distribution footprint while supplies last.
“I only drink Oil Man a couple times a year, but when I do it is a great beer to get introspective on life with.” explains explains Elevation founder and CEO, Carlin Walsh. “It is named after my Grandfather who was a successful Oil entrepreneur starting in the 50’s – this beer is a nod to entrepreneurship, and a celebration of taking risks and being ballsy. These variants are a strong reflection of market feedback and our desire to create something familiar but new to delight and educate your palate."
Oil Man is Elevation’s seasonally available bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout designed to take the edge off your post-powder day adrenaline high and cure cabin fever alike. This beer pours a deep black with an unbelievable coffee-colored head. Aromatics of sweet malt and bourbon envelop the nose. The malt profile continues through the palate from beginning to end with subtle hints of chocolate, coffee, and of course, bourbon. A big beer for malt and bourbon lovers alike, Oil Man and it’s new variants are some of Elevation’s most sought-after brews.
Coffee Oil Man uses 15 pounds of freshly roasted Honduran coffee beans from the brewery’s friends at the Buena Vista Roastery. These hours-old whole beans were bagged and steeped in the beer until the flavors were perfect and lend of chocolate and roasty flavors, coffee, and bourbon!
Coconut Oil Man was aged for two weeks with 150 lbs (10 lbs/BBL) of organic coconut. More than half of the coconut was hand toasted to add rich toasty notes to the beer.
Vanilla Oil Man uses four pounds of real Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans to the batch creating a big vanilla aroma and flavor and velvety mouthfeel.
For more information about Elevation Beer Co. and the new Oil Man Variants, 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.
Deerhammer Awarded 2019 Good Food Award for Cultura Cask Finished American Single Malt Whiskey
2019 marks the ninth year of the Good Food Awards and the second consecutive year Deerhammer has been recognized as a winner.
BUENA VISTA, CO— Deerhammer Distilling is the proud recipient of the 2019 Good Food Award in the spirits category for their Progeny Series: Cultura Cask Finished American Single Malt Whiskey. The distillery was recognized with the honors at the organization’s annual awards ceremony at the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center on Friday, January 11. This is the second win for Deerhammer Distilling at the Good Food Awards following a 2018 win for their American Single Malt Whiskey.
2019 marks the ninth year of the Good Food Awards and the second consecutive year Deerhammer has been recognized as a winner. This platform recognizes to tasty, authentic, and responsible food producers in 16 categories: beer, spirits, cider, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, coffee, confections, fish, honey, oils, pantry, pickles, preserves, snacks and elixirs. This year’s competition saw 2035 entries.
Deerhammer’s Cultura Cask Finished American Single Malt was one of 401 finalists for the 2019 awards, which included 22 other finalists in the competition’s spirits category.
“It is a huge honor to take home the Good Food Award for a second time,” explains co-founder Lenny Eckstein. “It’s especially meaningful for us to be recognized this time around for such an unconventional whiskey. So much of the American whiskey landscape is absolutely dominated by the same old standard styles and flavors that have been around forever. We do things differently at Deerhammer, and the Progeny Series whiskey that won this year is a great example of exactly that. We took our 2 year American Single Malt and finished it for an additional year in barrels that we seasoned with Guatemalan cacao nibs from Cultura Craft Chocolate.”
Spirits that meet the criteria for Good Food Awards entry must be made in the United States utilizing ingredients grown and sourced responsibly without the use of synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fungicides or fertilizers as much as possible, free of artificial ingredients, and distilled without GMOs.
For more information about Deerhammer Distilling, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT DEERHAMMER DISTILLING
Steeped in Tradition. Crafted in Colorado. Amy and Lenny Eckstein founded Deerhammer in 2010. Drawn to Buena Vista, Colorado by the whitewater currents of the Arkansas River, their passion for whiskey is driven by that same adventurous spirit. As artisans and business owners, Amy and Lenny’s process is defined by a deep curiosity for the history of spirits and a thoughtful analysis of each individual step of the distilling process. Deerhammer's cornerstone contribution to the field of craft spirits, American Single Malt Whiskey, has become the company's flagship product. Deerhammer also distills a Straight Bourbon, Hickory Smoked American Whiskey and Straight Rye Whiskey. Find the distillery online at deerhammer.com.
ABOUT GOOD FOOD AWARDS
The Good Food Awards (GFA) celebrate exceptional American craft food and drink producers who create distinctive, handcrafted, and sustainable products. The GFA brings together thought leaders from every sector of the food industry to choose the most delicious products from all regions of the country in a blind tasting. Products are evaluated by region, allowing the GFA to showcase the rich variety of terroirs of the nation’s food culture, elevating craft producers with the ultimate aim of stimulating local food economies. After the tasting, high-scoring producers are closely vetted for compliance with GFA requirements for sustainable production practices. Winners and runners-up are evaluated by the Good Food Foundation and announced each January at the Awards Ceremony. Learn more at goodfoodfdn.org.
Thirsty Monk Releases Second of Karma Series Beers, Monk's Cottage
This Belgian Strong Ale was brewed with Pilsner malt, floor-malted Dark malt, Munich, and Special Belgian malt.
DENVER, CO— Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer and craft cocktail bars, has tapped the second of their Karma Series beers at its Denver location. Monk’s Cottage is a Belgian Dark Strong for which proceeds will benefit nonprofits supporting affordable housing in Asheville and Denver.
This Belgian Strong Ale was brewed with Pilsner malt, floor-malted Dark malt, Munich, and Special Belgian malt that create a deep reddish-brown color and aromas of sweet malt, raisins, plums, banana and pipe tobacco. This beer tastes like rum cake with hints of cocoa powder covered banana and anise. It drinks easier than it's 8.75% ABV with a warm, malty finish.
A portion of the proceeds from Monk’s Cottage will support Beloved Community Village in Denver, and Pisgah Legal Services in Asheville.
“For our Winter Karma Series, our beer Monk’s Cottage will benefit Affordable Housing causes. The Colorado charity selected is Beloved Community Village- a small community of Tiny Houses that offers stable housing for formerly homeless folks,” says Barry Bialik, Thirsty Monk CEO. “Affordable Housing is near and dear to my heart. Thirsty Monk’s sister company Compact Cottages builds affordable housing, and I chair the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee in Asheville and grew up in subsidized affordable housing. Karma Series is our way of giving back and bringing attention to some passionate charitable organizations, all doing amazing service.”
Karma Series beers support nonprofit efforts that align with Thirsty Monk’s company values, featuring a unique beer brewed each quarter with a different charitable focus. The first of this series was Trail Monk that supported trail restoration earlier this fall, and next up will be beers benefitting LGBTQ awareness in the spring and children’s needs in the summer.
Contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com for more details about the Karma Series and Thirsty Monk.
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.
Ska Brewing Is A 2019 Good Food Awards Winner
Ska Brewing was among 21 finalists in the Good Food Awards beer category.
True Blonde at Honeyville in Durango
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Ska Brewing True Blonde was recognized as a winner at the 2019 Good Food Awards this evening at the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center.
Ska Brewing’s Sales & Marketing Director received the award on the brewery’s behalf. “We appreciate that the Good Food Awards supports collaborative products like our True Blonde Ale,” she says. “It’s an honor to say that the beer spoke for itself in the blind tasting.”
Ska’s True Blonde is one of its oldest and most decorated beer recipes. It’s a crisp, medium-bodied blonde ale that is crafted with honey from Durango’s specialty honey producer, Honeyville. True Blonde has been the recipient of four Great American Beer Festival® medals and two World Beer Cup® awards. It has also been recognized at the Colorado State Fair, the LA County Fair, the European Beer Star awards, the Australian International Beer Awards, and the L.A. International Beer Competition.
2019 marks the ninth year for the Good Food Awards, which include 16 categories his year. Ska Brewing was among 21 finalists in the beer category.
For more information about Ska Brewing or True Blonde Ale, or to schedule an interview with Kristen Muraro who received the award on behalf of the brewery, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include Mexican Logger, Modus Hoperandi, and Rue B. Soho. For information (a lot of it), more music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.
ABOUT GOOD FOOD AWARDS
The Good Food Awards (GFA) celebrate exceptional American craft food and drink producers who create distinctive, handcrafted, and sustainable products. The GFA brings together thought leaders from every sector of the food industry to choose the most delicious products from all regions of the country in a blind tasting. Products are evaluated by region, allowing the GFA to showcase the rich variety of terroirs of the nation’s food culture, elevating craft producers with the ultimate aim of stimulating local food economies. After the tasting, high-scoring producers are closely vetted for compliance with GFA requirements for sustainable production practices. Winners and runners-up are evaluated by the Good Food Foundation and announced each January at the Awards Ceremony. Learn more at goodfoodfdn.org.
A Celebration of Regional Malt: Proximity Malt and Ska Brewing Collaborate on Green Silo Saison
Named for Ska Brewing’s new green silo filled with Proximity Malt, this beer will be available in limited 12-ounce canned 6-packs.
DURANGO, CO— Last month Ska Brewing and Proximity Malt collaborated on a Dark Rye Saison, Green Silo Saison, to recognize their partnership. Named for Ska Brewing’s new green silo filled with Proximity Malt, this beer will be available in limited 12-ounce canned 6-packs on January 11.
Ska Brewing supports Proximity Malt’s commitment to shorten supply chains by providing local, sustainable, and consistently malted barley, so much so that they added a large green silo outside their tasting room to hold more Proximity Malt.
The Green Silo Saison was created by a conference call between the great minds of Ska Brewing, Proximity Malt, and Steve Dresler— a retired brewmaster from Sierra Nevada. Dave Kuske, Proximity Malt’s VP of Operations, described the recipe development process: “We wanted to think outside the box and showcase the spicy notes and characteristics of our chocolate rye with a brown Saison.“
Green Silo Saison finishes with all of the traits you’d expect from a Saison, with the delicate notes of silky chocolate, banana, and dark cherries. The spiciness on the nose has notes of subtle black pepper, allspice, clove and nutmeg— all from the use of malt, not additional spices.
“Proximity takes great pride in working as the intermediary between the brewers and the growers. We are excited to support their commitment to the region by working together and purchasing malt grown right here in our home state,” explained Ska Brewing’s CEO Dave Thibodeau. Ska utilizes Proximity’s base and specialty malts in many of its recipes.
For more information, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include Mexican Logger, Modus Hoperandi, and Rue B. Soho. For information (a lot of it), more music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.
ABOUT PROXIMITY MALT
Proximity Malt selects premium grain varieties and partners with local growers to ensure the best possible local supply. Creating efficiencies in the supply chain from field to glass reduces both costs and negative environmental impacts. Their advanced malting and roasting technologies also improve the quality, performance and flavor of malt. Proximity Malt operates malthouses in two locations: Monte Vista, CO and Laurel, DE— making them the first and largest malt company dedicated to the unique needs of craft brewing, distilling and culinary businesses. Learn more at proximitymalt.com.
Bonfire Block Party Announces Three Bands: Early Bird Tickets Now On Sale for 2019 Event
Bonfire Brewing and Optimum Events today announced the first three bands in their 2019 Block Party lineup.
North Mississippi Allstars, one of the featured bands at the 2019 Bonfire Block Party in Eagle.
Eagle, CO— Bonfire Brewing and Optimum Events today announced the first three bands in their 2019 Block Party lineup. The annual street party is slated for Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1, with a special Sayonara Sunday closing concert on June 2, 2019. The three bands, The Lil Smokies, North Mississippi Allstars and Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears will join eight additional bands, all to be announced by March 19. Early Bird tickets are now on sale.
The Lil Smokies perform their version of progressive bluegrass to an ever-growing Colorado fanbase. Their award-winning sound defies convention and is delivered with a rock ‘n’ roll punch. Grammy-winning North Mississippi Allstars bring their fatback funk and slippery soul to the 2019 Block Party. Their most recent album, Prayer for Peace hit number one on the Billboard Blues Album Chart. No strangers to large festival stages like Coachella and Bonnaroo, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears will not disappoint on the Broadway Main Stage with their hill country blues and southern soul that will shake you to your core.
Early Bird Two-Day General Admission tickets are on sale now and the street party includes 11 bands along with Bonfire Brewing craft beer and food vendors. New for 2019, the Block Party will feature three stages for the event. A limited number of Two-Day VIP Experience tickets are also available and include a dedicated viewing area, catered dinner each evening and access to a full bar. Kids 12 and under are free for General Admission and 2 and under are free for the VIP Experience.
A portion of all Bonfire Block Party proceeds will benefit nonprofit partner, The Cycle Effect. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.bonfireblockparty.com.
If You Go:
What: 2019 Bonfire Block Party
Where: Broadway and Second Streets, Eagle
When: Friday, May 31 - Sunday, June 2, 2019
Cost: $30/$40/$45/$140 (Early Bird & Regular Pricing)