Karl Strauss Supports Pink Boots Society with Two Collaboration Brew Days and Beer Release

SAN DIEGO, CA— Karl Strauss Brewing Company has long been a proud supporter of Pink Boots Society through participation in yearly collaboration brews, funding of scholarships & donations, and active involvement in local PBS chapters. Fresh off hosting the San Diego Pink Boots monthly chapter meeting at their Tasting Room earlier this year, Karl Strauss continues their commitment to the nonprofit organization with a beer release from – not one but two – brew days in celebration of women, diversity, and the local beer community.

On Thursday March 7th at their Anaheim brewpub, the Karl Strauss crew rolled up their sleeves for a brew day led by Brewer Jarrod Davis. The following day on International Women’s Day, more KARL team members brewed at their La Jolla brewpub led by Brewer Melissa Sanchez.

“Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day gives everyone the opportunity to have a hand in all parts of the brewing process, from conception to completion. I think it gives everyone not only an appreciation for the finished product, but also a sense of pride and accomplishment.” – Brewer Melissa Sanchez, Karl Strauss Brewing Company

More than twenty Karl Strauss team members joined for the brew days. This year’s beer recipe was created by Davis and Sanchez, who wanted to highlight 2019’s Pink Boots Hop Blend from Yakima Chief Hops. Bitter In Pink is a San Diego-style ESB, an Extra Special Bitter that’s then hopped to the max (as well as dry-hopped) to emphasize that Pink Boots blend of Loral, Glacier, Mosaic, Sabro, and Simcoe hops. The name was chosen by Karl Strauss brew day participants.

Bitter In Pink San Diego-style ESB will be pouring at Karl Strauss’ Tasting Room & Beer Garden, Brewpubs, and at select craft beer accounts throughout California beginning Monday, April 1st. Karl Strauss will make a donation to Pink Boots Society in support of their mission: To assist, inspire, and encourage women beer professionals through education. For more information on their efforts, visit www.pinkbootssociety.org.

For more information about Bitter in Pink, or with any other media inquiries, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.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. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers

Lone Tree Brewing Co. Cucumber Wheat Returns For Spring

LONE TREE, CO— Lone Tree Brewing Company Cucumber Wheat returns to the Colorado and Kansas markets for the 2019 spring season this week. This refreshing seasonal will be available in canned 6-packs and as part of Lone Tree’s seasonal mixed pack beginning April 1.

With cool, crisp cucumber flavor bolstered by a pale wheat malt backbone, Cucumber Wheat has a fresh aroma reminiscent of real garden cucumbers and a clean, balanced finish. This beer is the quintessential patio sipper to welcome the spring season.

Cucumber Wheat will be available on draft and in canned 6-packs at craft savvy establishments throughout Colorado beginning this week, and in Kansas markets in coming weeks. This beer is also one of the four beers in Lone Tree’s Brewer’s Bundle mixed 12-packs. It will hit the taps at Lone Tree Brewing Company with cans for sale out of the tasting room today, March 29.

For more information about Cucumber Wheat or Lone Tree Brewing Company, 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 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.

Locavore Beer Works Releases Colorado Rockies Brew Fest Winner Split the Baby on March 30

LITTLETON, CO— Locavore Beer Works brings back a fan favorite just in time for baseball season. Combining lemons and blueberries in one thirst-quenching brew, Split the Baby Lemon Blueberry Wheat Ale releases on Saturday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The Littleton-based brewery has received a couple of wins at the Colorado Rockies Brew Fest for Blackberry Betty in 2016, and Split the Baby at the 2018 festival. After taking the top honors in 2018, Rockies fans will be able to enjoy Split the Baby at The Rooftop at Coors Field during the entire month of April.

“Winning the Rockies fest was huge for us. Not only is there a bunch of great beers, but the voting is done by the fans themselves,” says Andy Nelson, Co-Owner of Locavore Beer Works. “Watching those folks having a great time enjoying your beer at a Rockies game? Nothing feels quite like that, and it’s a great opportunity to get in front of people who might not get down to Littleton.”

Coming in at an approachable 5.5 percent ABV, Split the Baby is brewed with real blueberries and lemon zest.

Split the Baby Lemon Blueberry Wheat Ale releases on draft at the Locavore taproom on March 30. 6-pack cans will be available at the taproom and participating liquor stores, including Tipsy’s Liquor World in April while supplies last.

“Split the Baby is truly a crushable beer that pairs well with sunshine and baseball,” says Nelson. “We hope you love it as much as we do!’

For more information about Split The Baby or Locavore Beerworks, contact Chea Franz at chea@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT LOCAVORE BEER WORKS

Locavore Beer Works is a family and pet friendly craft brewery located in Littleton just west of Santa Fe Dr on Bowles. Nestled in the Columbine neighborhood, Locavore Beer Works provides a comfortable, friendly, and inviting atmosphere with ample seating (160 seats) and an outdoor patio with a fire pit. With twenty beers on tap, our microbrewery specializes in handcrafted beers ranging from bourbon barrel-aged offerings to cask ales. You can also find popular beers like Lilly Hammer IPA and Blackberry Betty Belgian Wit available in cans. As the first brewery in Littleton to be established in a business zone, Locavore Beer Works is the place to be! For more information, visit www.locavorebeerworks.com.

Ska Brewing and Rancid Collaborate on Brewstomper Golden Ale

DURANGO, CO— Introducing Brewstomper Golden Ale, brewed by Ska the brewery and Rancid the band. This crushable crowd-pleaser is set to debut at The Bash Music & Craft Beer Festival early this summer. In April, the brewery and the band will brew the beer for release at the first show, headlined by Rancid, in Phoenix on May 11.

“Rancid and Op Ivy (both founded by Matt Freeman and Tim Armstrong), provided the soundtrack to our lives as we were planning out the brewery in the early ‘90s,” said Dave Thibodeau, co-founder of Ska. “Their music, along with a heavy dose of an unnamed American light lager, really are the roots of what has become Ska’s World Headquarters today.” 

Both the beer and its can design, taken from Rancid’s second album Let’s Go, evoke a sense of punk rock nostalgia, bringing you back to the days of sweaty, indie garage shows and oodles of easy drinking beers,” said Thibodeau. “This is a beer concept we should have brewed up a long time ago, and we have Rancid to thank for making it happen.”

“Working with Ska was really was a no-brainer,” said Freeman. “They make great beer and they‘ve got that Do-Shit-Yourselves ethos that’s woven into all of our DNA.”

It’s been no secret that the Ska Brewing crew are massive Rancid fans, with not-so-subtle nods to Freeman and Armstrong over the years via beers such as Hoperation Ivy and most recently Rue B. Soho— but it wasn’t until Ska’s sales characters, Kristen Muraro and Arlo Grammatica “found” their way backstage at a Rancid show that discussions of collaboration began. Many beers and a couple shows later, Brewstomper Golden Ale will debut this summer. 

At 5% ABV Brewstomper is a crisp, refreshing golden ale designed to be enjoyed with music and friends, the type of beer that doesn’t dominate the conversation, it simply enhances it. While the hops and malt work quietly backstage without bravado, the show certainly couldn’t go on without them. 

Brewstomper Golden Ale will be the featured beer throughout the summer at the 2019 Bash Music & Craft Beer Festival, with Rancid as headliners joined by Pennywise, The Mighty Mighty BossToneS, L7, and more. Brewstomper will also be available in cans throughout all of Ska’s markets. 

For more information about Brewstomper Golden Ale, 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.

Elevation Beer Company Launches Distribution in Utah

PONCHA SPRINGS, CO— Elevation Beer Co. is enjoying “Life Elevated” as they expand their distribution into The Beehive State via M&M Distributors. Elevation is now available across Utah, the third state to be included in Elevation’s distribution footprint following the brewery’s expansion into Wyoming in 2018.

Select 6-packs of Elevation’s beers are available in state liquor stores including year-round core beers— 8 Second Kölsch and Elevation Pilsner— and special release 6-packs of Apis IV Honey Quadruple followed by Raspberry Gulch later in the season. Elevation plans to include additional year-round and specialty brands to their Utah distribution in the near future.

“One of my favorite memories was in Utah spending time with my best friend Blake in the Great Basin Desert staring at the La Sal mountains, reading Edward Abbey, and drinking questionable beer,” reminisces Elevation founder, Carlin Walsh. “We’re excited to be a part in creating similar memories for Utahns and visitors alike (minus the “questionable beer”). The state laws are challenging and anticompetitive at best, but we are up for the challenge to bring our beer to some of our favorite places. I cannot think of many other places as romantic to drink an 8 Second than while immersed the Utah desert and mountains.”

ABOUT 8 SECOND KÖLSCH
Head Brewer Christian Koch fell in love with this style of beer while visiting Cologne, Germany. Elevation 8 Second Kölsch is brewed to be a true representation of this easy drinking crisp ale. First brewed as a special beer for our local rodeo, it quickly became a hit. Now a staple in their core brand, 8 Second is perfect for an everyday craft beer.

ABOUT ELEVATION PILSNER
Elevation Pilsner pours light gold, with aromas of honeysuckle and German noble hops. Moderately dry and slightly bitter, this beer has all of the traits you have come to expect from a celebratory lager. It is fermented cold, in America, near mountains, using difficult procedures, and you know it is ready to drink when it is in your hand.

ABOUT APIS IV
Apis IV is a Dark Belgian-Style Ale brewed in the Trappist tradition. With a touch of locally sourced honey, 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.

For more information about Elevation Beer Co. and their distribution footprint 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 now Utah. Go higher at elevationbeerco.com.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Railroad Earth and Amasa Hines Added to 2019 Bonfire Block Party Lineup – More To Be Announced

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Railroad Earth and Amasa Hines will join the lineup, bringing the total number of musical acts announced to 10.

EAGLE, CO— Bonfire Brewing and Optimum Events announced that five more bands have been added to their 2019 festival lineup, bringing the total amount to 10 bands announced so far. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Railroad Earth and Amasa Hines will all play on one of two main stages on Broadway, while Vail Valley favorites, The Evolution and The Sessh will play the Bonfire Stage located on Second Street. Tickets are now on sale for the 5th annual Bonfire Block Party, taking place May 31 through June 2, 2019 in Downtown Eagle, CO.  Three more bands will be announced in the weeks leading up to the Block Party.

Previously announced bands include the North Mississippi Allstars, J. Roddy Walston & The Business, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Ripe and The Lil Smokies – all groups are festival veterans around the country, but each are making their first-time appearance at the Bonfire Block Party. 

“We’re really proud of how the lineup has shaped up this year,” says Ted Wenninger of Optimum Events, co-producers of the Bonfire Block Party. “We go into the booking season with a pretty heavy wish-list, not knowing what we’ll get on the other side, but this year’s bookings have come together exceptionally well. We really think there’s something for everyone over these two days of live music, Bonfire beer, food vendors and everything else Eagle has to offer.” 

Tickets to the 2019 Bonfire Block Party are on sale now and include two-day general admission, two-day Sili packages, a VIP experience and a special add-on event, the Sunday Sayonara closing concert and brunch. Kids 12 and under are free for general admission and 2 and under are free for the VIP experience and Sunday Sayonara event. A portion of all Bonfire Block Party proceeds will benefit Eagle County nonprofit organization, The Cycle Effect.

For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.bonfireblockparty.com.

If You Go:
What: 2019 Bonfire Block Party
Where:  Downtown Eagle, CO
When: Friday, May 31 - Sunday, June 2, 2019
Cost: $40 - $140

More: www.bonfireblockparty.com

The Empourium Opens Doors in Denver's Berkeley Neighborhood

DENVER, CO— The Empourium, Denver’s newest independent brewery, will open its doors in the Berkeley neighborhood beginning March 29.

Located in the heart of North West Denver on the corner of Tennyson Street and West 42nd Avenue, the Empourium is designed as a warm, welcoming, and lively hub for residents and travelers alike with a goal of providing clean, sessionable beers.

“We always wanted to be a neighborhood brewery,” explains Co-Owner and Head Brewer Greg Fetzer. “Being a neighborhood brewery we want to know our customers by name and understand their beer preferences. It’s important that customers are able to walk in and feel like this is their brewery.”

Located alongside César Chávez Park, Empourium is home to a 1500 square foot tasting room with 12 taps, a sprawling mural by Drew Button across the entire west wall, and large south facing windows which lead to a spacious dog-friendly patio. Separated by a glass wall, is the brewery’s ten barrel brewhouse used to brew a wide variety of sessionable beers. Bang-A-Rang Brut IPA; Peace, Love & Pale Ale; Krusher Cream Ale with peaches apricots, and vanilla beans; Gettin' Schwifty Saison, and Conditions of My Parole Coffee Blonde will be the first beers available.

In addition to an emphasis on customer service, The Emporium aims to center their focus on sustainable, deliberate growth alongside their community.The brewery plans to take root in the Historic Tennyson St. Shopping District and participate in First Friday Art Walks, Totally Tennyson and other neighborhood-specific events.

“We looked at a number of neighborhoods throughout Denver and very few have the character and pride that Berkeley does,” explains co-owner Sara Fetzer. The neighborhood has done a great job of maintaining their unique district outside of Denver as a whole. You talk to the people that live there and there really is a sense of pride that comes with being a long Tennyson and in Berkeley. It's contagious!”

The Empourium is owned by Greg and Sara Fetzer, and partners Mike Cugini, and Justin Vallely. For more information about Berkeley’s craft brewery, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT THE EMPOURIUM

Located in the heart of Denver’s Berkeley Neighborhood, The Empourium is a gathering place for all— patrons and beer styles alike. Armed with true to style recipes and local pride, owners Greg and Sara Fetzer, Mike Cugini, and Justin Vallely focus their efforts to craft a warm, lively community hub centered around balanced, sessionable beers guaranteed to bring people together. Visit The Empourium at 4385 W. 42nd Avenue or online at theempourium.com

Funkwerks Launches Distribution in Chicagoland

FORT COLLINS, CO— Funkwerks joins The Windy City’s bustling beer scene this week with the addition of the Chicagoland area to its distribution footprint via Windy City Distributing and a series of launch events throughout Chicagoland. This announcement comes after Funkwerks’ additions of Ohio and Kentucky to its footprint earlier this month, bringing the count of states lucky to serve Funkwerks beer up to eleven.

Draft and 6-packs offerings of Funkwerks select year-round beers— Funkwerks Saison, Tropic King, and Raspberry Provincial— will be available in select, craft-centric establishments in the Chicagoland area along with the brewery’s newly released White 6-packs and their newest rendition of Winky’s Snack Packs that include Saison, Raspberry Provincial, and limited boutique releases, Miho, and Passion Fruit Provincial.

In addition to housing a thriving craft beer scene, Chicago is credited with bringing Funkwerks' founders Brad Lincoln and Gordon Shuck together while studying brewing at the Siebel Institute of Technology. “If it weren’t for Chicago, we wouldn’t have Funkwerks at all! We are excited to bring Funkwerks beer to the city that started it all,” explains Gordon Schuck.  

Funkwerks plan is to align their distribution footprint with their partners, Brooklyn and 21st Amendment, who currently distribute to Chicagoland. “We are looking forward to working with Windy City Distributing Company and we are excited to share our saisons and our light, tart, kettle sours to many different palates in the area”  said Brad Lincoln, Co-founder and President of Funkwerks.

Funkwerks will be distributed throughout the Chicagoland area including Chicago, Antioch, Huntley, Mundelein, Willowbrook, Woodstock, Des Plaines, Elmwood Park, Glen Ellyn, Glencoe, Highland Park, Mchenry, Naperville, Niles, Orland Park, River Grove, Schaumburg, Skokie, Brookfield, Arlington Heights, and several other cities.

CHICAGO LAUNCH EVENTS:
March 26 - The Long Room Chicago from 7 to 9 pm
March 27 - Map Room from 6 to 8 pm Siebel Institute Alumni Event with Gordon Schuck
March 28 - Monk’s Pub from 4 to 7 pm
March 28 - Bitter Pops from 7 to 9 pm
March 29 - The Beer Temple from 4:30 to 7:30 pm

Funkwerks’ beer is now available in select locations across Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, California, Nevada, Ohio, Kentucky, and now Chicago.

Contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com with any media inquiries about Funkwerks.

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 13 US states. Find the brewery online at funkwerks.com.

Woods Boss Brewing Celebrates Colorado Craft Beer Week, All Week

DENVER, CO— Woods Boss Brewing Company presents a week of shenanigans to celebrate Colorado Craft Beer Week, including three specialty barrel-aged beer releases, live music, and a workout to boot.

Join Woods Boss Brewing for the following week of events. Cheers to The State of Craft Beer!

Monday, March 18
Bring home a free 10oz pour with every Crowler purchase to kickoff beer week and a 500mL bottle of Monday’s barrel-aged release, Form & Function. Brewed with 40 pounds of fig puree and aged for 9 months on rum barrels, and, with more than two months on 25 pounds of organic Dominican cacao nibs and 40 pounds of dried cherries. Deep notes of figs, raisins, chocolate, and cherry dominate this beast. An exceptionally rare beer that weighs in at 15% ABV— it will warm and delight!

Tuesday, March 19
Don’t miss Your Time Open Mic with your host Niki or Tuesday’s barrel-aged release, Reviresco. Aged in Woodford Double Rye Barrels for 7 months, this 11% beer boasts torched sugar notes that linger atop semi-sweet caramel tones with soft cocoa and toffee molasses— all that flavor your palate before a cleansing finish. This massively smooth, rich and toasty Scotch Ale will leave you flourishing again. Available in 500mL bottles.

Wednesday, March 20
Wednesday is the Colorado Brewers Guild’s Pint Glass Day and Woods Boss is proud to support. Woods Boss will host Acoustic Wednesdays w/Keith Hicks and release its third barrel-aged beer for the week, The Dreams that Stuff are Made of. Brewed the day after Steven Hawking departed for the great unknown, Woods Boss named this in honor of a ground breaking visionary. This 8.3% brew is the color of late summer straw, this crisp, dry, earthy and citrusy and tropical funky farmhouse will leave you reaching for the cosmos, or at least another pour! Brewed with a base of Marris Otter malt (because why not!), Styrian Goldings, East Kent Golding, Saaz, and a wee bit of Mosiac hops for a twist! This version was fermented with two strains of Brett and then aged for 7 months in second use soured wine barrels.

Thursday, March 21
Head to Woods Boss on Thursday of Colorado Craft Beer Week for the Mindful March to Support Love Your Brain, and a showing of The Crash Reel on the big screen at 7pm.

Friday, March 22
Aloha Fridays! $1 Off All Craft Beer, people! Add some live Goatz! Colorado Country-Folk and you’ve got yourself a Friday evening in Denver.

Saturday, March 23
Earn those weekend beers or work off the barrel aging at Brewery Boot Camp to start out Saturday morning.

Sunday, March 24
Round out beer week with live music from Ben Hammond - The Funk Is Back.

For more information about Woods Boss Brewing’s Colorado Craft Beer Week events, and with any other inquiries, contact Chad Moore at chad@woodsbossbrewing.com.

ABOUT WOODS BOSS BREWING

Woods Boss is more than just a name – it’s a lifestyle inspired by the principals of outdoor ethics and conservation. The Woods Boss kicks it with a much-deserved brew, in good company, and gears up to get back on the trail. After your adventure join us in the taproom with more than 20 unique craft beers on tap and frequent live music to relax with friends new and old, and online at woodsbossbrewing.com.

Bonfire Block Party Festival in Eagle Hosts 2019 Lineup Release Shindig on Tuesday, March 19

The Runaway Grooms will perform live music at Bonfire Brewing in Eagle on Tuesday, March 19 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. as part of the Bonfire Block Party’s 2019 Lineup Release Shindig.

EAGLE, CO— The music lineup for the 2019 Bonfire Block Party in Eagle will be released on Tuesday, March 19. 11 bands on three stages will be featured at the 5th annual music and beer street party Friday, May 31 – Sunday, June 2, 2019. General admission, VIP experience and Sunday Sayonara closing concert and brunch tickets are on sale now. The Runaway Grooms will perform live music at the Release Shindig on Tuesday, March 19 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Bonfire Brewing in Eagle. Entry to the Shindig is free.

 The Bonfire Block Party previously announced that North Mississippi Allstars, J. Roddy Walston & The Business, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Ripe and The Lil Smokies will perform during the two-day street festival. Other music acts will be announced on Tuesday, March 19, followed by the Shindig that same day. Attendees purchasing Block Party tickets of any level at the Release Shindig will have no ticket fees and will receive one free beer from Bonfire Brewing.

The Runaway Grooms is a Vail Valley-based trio that covers a variety of musical styles from classic rock to Americana folk, from country to psychedelic rock. The Grooms provide a refreshing take on classic hits from the 60s on. 

A portion of all Bonfire Block Party proceeds will benefit Eagle County nonprofit organization, The Cycle Effect. For more information and to purchase Bonfire Block Party tickets online, visitwww.bonfireblockparty.com.

If You Go:
What: 2019 Bonfire Block Party Lineup Release Shindig
Where:  Bonfire Brewing, Eagle
When: Tuesday, March 19  4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
More: www.bonfireblockparty.com

Funkwerks White Now Available in 6-Packs Year Round

FORT COLLINS, CO— Following an exclusive release in the latest iteration of Winky’s Snack Packs, Funkwerks is proud to release White in 6-packs and on draft across the brewery’s distribution beginning in March.

Refreshing and crisp, White is a Belgian-style Wit, pale in color and opaque with a creamy white head as a result of ample amounts of wheat used in the recipe. The addition of raw oats gives this brew a smooth mouthfeel while providing a clean, dry finish. Brewed to be an easy-drinking 4.8% ABV and an optimal thirst-quencher, White is delicately balanced with a perfect blend of spices which accentuate its Belgian yeast characteristics.

In 1995, Funkwerks Co-founder and Head Brewer, Gordon Schuck spent the majority of his time bike racing and little time drinking flavorful beers. During this time, a close friend introduced him to Celis White, a Belgian-style witbier with origins in the revival of the style through the US. Celis was the first beer that really stood out to Schuck and helped spark his passion for craft beer. In 2003 Schuck began home brewing with an attempt to recreate Celis White as his first recipe.

Meanwhile, Funkwerks Co-founder and President, Brad Lincoln was traveling around the US stopping at various different breweries and trying all the beers he could. While at a small brewery in Bozeman, MT, Lincoln noticed that everyone in the brewery was drinking the same white ale. He asked the beertender what he recommended and unsurprisingly, he recommended their white. Lincoln ordered the same white ale and it remained in his mind as something special.

These separate experiences with white-style beers lead Gordon and Brad’s desire to brew White when Funkwerks first began. Over the years the recipe has changed, the beer has come and gone and come again—but it has always been called White. “White beers are generally difficult to brew because you want them to be balanced, drinkable, and subtle,” explains Schuck. “We’ve made a White beer since we first opened, changing the recipe every time, trying to brew something that gives us that same feeling that we felt with our white beer experiences.” Brad Lincoln adds, “White is our Everest of beers; each time, we have gotten closer to the summit. It’s now, after almost a decade of working on this beer, that we may have finally conquered it.”

For more information about Funkwerks or this new year-round offering, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT FUNKWERKS

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

Ska Brewing Celebrates 20th Year of Mexican Logger

DURANGO, CO— The always anticipated release of Ska Brewing Mexican Logger is possibly premature with Purgatory Mountain under 10 feet of snow, but here regardless. For twenty years now, this beer’s release has served as Durango’s unofficial kickoff into springtime. 

Mexican Logger was Ska’s first session beer when the recipe debuted in 1999. It became Colorado’s first craft lager in a can in 2011, and then won back-to-back Great American Beer Festival® awards in the International Style Pilsner category in 2015 and 2016.

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

Find Mexican Logger on tap and available to-go at Ska Brewing on Wednesday, March 20. Durango-based “Western garage” band Lawn Chair Kings will serenade the tasting room with skank-inducing rock-country-punk hybrid tunes at 5pm. 

Mexican Logger will be available through spring and summer in canned 6-packs across Colorado, Arizona, Southern California, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Utah.

For more information about Ska Brewing or its beloved Mexican Logger, 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.

Ska Brewing's Pearody Returns For Spring

DURANGO, CO - Ska Brewing’s Pearody Ale hits the brewery’s World Headquarters in cans this week and will be more widely available this year in 12 oz 6-packs across Ska’s 13-state distribution footprint seasonally while supplies last. 

A crisp, refreshing ale brewed with pears, this beer is hopped with Perle, Tettnang, and Citra hops. Pearody’s champagne-like qualities stem from its creation as a celebratory beer for the City of Durango’s 40th Snowdown festival last year. “I get asked all the time when we’re bringing Pearody back, and now I have an answer,” says Ska Sales & Marketing Director Kristen Muraro. “This beer was so popular that we decided to share it with all of our markets.” 

Packed full of fresh fruit and hop flavors and sitting at a sessionable 4.5% ABV, this beer is a clutch sidekick for any winter or springtime activity. 

Pearody will be available seasonally in canned 6-packs across Colorado, Arizona, Southern California, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Utah.

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.

CraftBeer.com Readers Name Freshcraft Best Beer Bar in Colorado

DENVER, CO— The results are in— CraftBeer.com has named Freshcraft one of the Best Beer Bars in America after conducting a nationwide poll with their readers. Freshcraft takes top honors as the best beer bar in Colorado. Craftbeer.com readers were asked to nominate their favorite craft beer bar in their state last December; nearly 7,000 votes were casted to select favorites in each region.

“Being voted one of the best beer bars in the USA means a lot, especially with so many other amazing beer focused establishments in Colorado.,” said Jason Forgy, owner of Freshcraft. “Every day our crew comes in and tries to create a great food and beer experience for our guests. It is humbling and validating that the people that voted for us at Craftbeer.com recognized our efforts.”

Founded in 2010, the Denver-based restaurant and craft beer bar was built on the principle that great beer paired with delicious scratch-made comfort food is best served side-by-side. A destination spot for craft beer lovers and foodies alike, Freshcraft offers a laid-back vibe offering high-quality craft beers, a meticulously curated wine, spirits and cocktail program without the pretension, and elevated comfort food with the unique backdrop of Lower Downtown Denver (LoDo). Find more information about this accolade here.

For more information about Freshcraft, contact Chea Franz at chea@radcraftbeer.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 bottles and cans from some of the most noteworthy brewing companies in Colorado and beyond. Find Freshcraft online at freshcraft.com.

Funkwerks Launches Distribution in Ohio and Kentucky

FORT COLLINS, CO— Funkwerks is heading east with the expansion of its distribution footprint to include two new US states—Ohio and Kentucky. The new expansion will introduce Funkwerks’ niche-specialized craft beers on draft, in 6-packs, and in variety 12-packs available via Heidelberg Distributing in Ohio and Kentucky this week.

Draft and 6-pack offerings of Funkwerks select year-round beers— Funkwerks Raspberry Provincial, Saison, Tropic King, and their newly released White — will be available in select, craft-centric establishments across Ohio and Kentucky followed by the latest rendition of Winky’s Snack Packs that include Saison, Raspberry Provincial, Deceit, and White.

“We are excited to bring our beer to both Ohio and Kentucky,” explains Funkwerks Co-founder and President, Brad Lincoln. “Both of these areas seem to be teeming with people craving more craft beer and we think Funkwerks will be a great fit.”

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

March 5 - XYZ Tavern from 7-9pm, Cleveland, OH
March 6 - Bob’s Bar at 6pm, Columbus, OH
March 7 - Pint House at 6pm, Columbus, OH
March 8 - Market District Kingsdale at 6pm, Columbus, OH
March 8 - Buckeye Beer Engine from 5-8pm, Lakewood, OH

March 26 - Louisville Beer Store from 5-7pm, Louisville, KY
March 26 - Kaiju at 7pm, Louisville, KY
March 27 - Shamrock Bar & Grille (Patchen) from 5-7pm, Lexington, KY
March 28 - Sapphire Room at 7pm, Covington, KY

Funkwerks’ beer is available in select locations across ten states including Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, California, Nevada, and now Ohio and Kentucky.

For more information about Funkwerks and their expanded footprint to Ohio and Kentucky, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT FUNKWERKS

Founded in 2009 by brewers Gordon Schuck and Brad Lincoln, Funkwerks is a specialty craft brewery specializing in Saison, Sour, and Belgian-style craft beers made in their small brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado. The 2012 winner of the Small Brewery of the Year Award at the Great American Beer Festival, Funkwerks beers are available in 10 US states. Find the brewery online at funkwerks.com.

Deerhammer To Release Exclusive Run of Elevation Apis IV Quad Barrel Finished Bourbon

BUENA VISTA, CO— Today Deerhammer releases a spirit that represents one of Colorado’s most compelling craft brewery-distillery collaborations: Elevation Apis IV Quad Barrel Finished Bourbon.

It starts with a beer, like all good whiskey stories do. Apis IV is a Dark Belgian-Style Ale brewed in the Trappist tradition and is one of the oldest recipes at Deerhammer’s neighbor, Elevation Beer Company in Poncha Springs. With a touch of locally sourced honey from Beekeepers Honey Boutique in Salida, the name Apis is a nod to the hardworking genus of the honeybee that help make this beer possible. Boasting notes of plum, fig, and molasses, Apis IV has a medium to heavy mouthfeel and finishes with subtle floral hops.

Deerhammer used Elevation’s Apis IV barrels to finish a batch of its Bourbon, already aged for two years in charred new oak. This barrel quickly became the honey barrel (or the beloved barrel) at the distillery and was an obvious choice when selecting an exclusive spirit to be sold at Total Wine & More in Denver, Colorado.

“This is one batch of bourbon with a very interesting journey from grain to bottle,” says Deerhammer Owner and Head Distiller, Lenny Eckstein. “I’ve never known of another spirit go into a beer barrel with such complexity to contribute to the bourbon. It’s almost like a fortified wine cask finish— the fruit notes that mingle with the malt are unreal.”

Beginning today, Deerhammer’s Elevation Apis IV Quad Barrel Finished Bourbon is available at Total Wine & More. This very limited quantity is for sale while supplies last.

For more information about this spirit, Deerhammer, or Elevation Beer Co., contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT DEERHAMMER

Steeped in Tradition. Crafted in Colorado. Amy and Lenny Eckstein founded Deerhammer in 2010. Drawn to Buena Vista, Colorado by the whitewater currents of the Arkansas River, their passion for whiskey is driven by that same adventurous spirit. As artisans and business owners, Amy and Lenny’s process is defined by a deep curiosity for the history of spirits and a thoughtful analysis of each individual step of the distilling process. Deerhammer's cornerstone contribution to the field of 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 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.

Station 26 Celebrates 303 Day With 303 Lager

DENVER, CO — 303 Lager, Station 26 Brewing Co.’s newest canned offering, is now on shelves across Colorado’s Front Range. This craft lager replaces the brewery’s Colorado Cream Ale in its Mixed Twelver and on shelves as the lightest member of Station 26’s canned family.

303 Lager is a crisp, golden lager designed for easy drinking. Brewed with 2-row and Munich malts and Saphir hops, the beer comes in at 5.0% ABV.

The building, the beer, and the overall concept at Station 26 are deeply rooted in the local community. With 303 Lager, the brewery has set out to brew a beer that is as easy-going as its home town. Station 26 will accordingly celebrate 303 Day with a weekend of 303 Lager tappings around Denver, including the following:

Friday, March 1: Enjoy happy hour deals on 303 Lager at various establishments across Denver, including Cheba Hut, Lowry Beer Garden, Mead Street Station, and more. There is a complete list at station26brewing.co.

Saturday, March 2: 303 Lager Bar Crawl. Join Station 26 representatives from 2:00  to 6:30pm on Saturday for a 303 Lager crawl around five iconic Denver establishments: Freshcraft, Falling Rock Tap House, Cherry Cricket Downtown, Larimer Beer Hall, and Star Bar. Drink one at each stop on the punch card, and receive a box full of special Station 26 swag at the final destination.

Sunday, March 3: Happy 303 Day! 303 Lager will be $3.03 per pint at the Station 26 tasting room.

For more background on 303 Lager or with any questions about Station 26 Brewing Co., contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT STATION 26 BREWING CO.

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

Elevation Beer Co. Releases their first Unclear IPA in Specialty 6 Packs of 12 oz. cans

PONCHA SPRINGS, CO—  The future of craft beer is unclear, and Elevation Beer Co. is embracing the haze with their latest special release and first dive into the world of Juicy Hazy IPAs. This special release IPA will be available on draft and in six packs of 12 oz. cans beginning Friday, January 15 across Elevation’s distribution footprint while supplies last.

Unclear IPA is crafted with a simple grain bill— Two Row, Crystal 15, rolled oats, and flaked oats— to give the explosion of topical hop varieties an appropriate canvas to strut their stuff. Huge late hop additions and over the top dry hop with Azacca and Eldorado hop varieties provide mango, pineapple and stone fruit flavors with a touch of bitterness from a tiny bit Centennial hops used in the boil.

“We love hops around here and we are really excited to be working with El Dorado and Azacca on this one,” says Elevation Co-Founder and Director of Brewing Operations, Christian Koch. “By keeping the grain bill on the lighter side, we really let the flavors of these two hops shine. We also cranked up the flaked grains, including flaked barley and flaked wheat, to higher levels than we ever have before. The result is super refreshing and drinkable beer a really pleasant body. A new brewer favorite!”

For more information about Elevation Beer Co. or their Tropical IPA, 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.

Comrade Brewing Donates Over $8K to Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund

DENVER, CO— Comrade Brewing Company is proud to announce a $8,818.50 donation to the Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund to support general community relief efforts for the catastrophic wildfires that roared through Butte County in Northern California on Nov. 8, 2018.

In November, Comrade Brewing joined over 1,400 craft breweries across the United States to brew Resilience IPA with the intent to donate 100 percent of sales to support victims of the Camp Fire.

“We jumped at the opportunity to support Sierra Nevada and their national fundraising campaign after learning about the devastation and thinking of all those affected,” explains Comrade Brewing founder, David Lin. “Reception has been tremendous from the Colorado community. There were numerous people, who don’t drink beer, that heard about this collaborative effort and came to the brewery to “buy” pints and just donate without taking the beer.”

Comrade’s iteration of Resilience IPA was tapped at the brewery on December 15 and was available for just over 2 months.

Marks Lanham, Comrade’s Brewmaster, stated, “This beer wouldn’t have been possible without the logistics from Sierra Nevada Brewing and the generosity of our raw materials suppliers. BSG CraftBrewing, and Yakima Chief Hops donated ingredients and Lightning Labels donated supplies.” Comrade also donated yeast and hops for the beer.

Make your donation at: https://www.goldenvalley.bank/Community-Foundation.aspx

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, 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 collaboration beers with fellow brewing companies. Comrade’s trophy case now sports 2014 & 2015 silver medals and a 2018 bronze medal from Great American Beer Festival® and a 2016 World Beer Cup® gold award, among others. Find the brewery online at comradebrewing.com.

Thirsty Monk Portland Taps Crooked Stave Collaboration, BBR IPA

PORTLAND, OR— 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 at its Portland location today. This collaboration, the Brett Brut Rose IPA otherwise known as BBR IPA, is available on draft only while supplies last.

When Crooked Stave owner and founder Chad Yakobson visited Thirsty Monk in Denver 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 Portland 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.