The Empourium Releases The Nightman Cometh Schwarzbier for Tennyson First Friday

WHAT: The Empourium will release The Nightman Cometh Schwarzbier on Friday, February 7 as part of the Tennyson neighborhood’s First Friday activities. 

The Nightman Cometh Schwarzbier was inspired by the show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Whether you are a champion of the sun or a master of karate, this smooth, sessionable black lager is the perfect way to round out the winter season. It rocks hints of dark chocolate and roast that finish clean and dry. At only 4.9%, you should probably have another for good measure. 

Little Red’s Kitchen will serve a special Philly-themed menu for this First Friday tapping. Find more details in this Facebook event.

WHEN: Friday, February 7 from 12pm to 11pm

WHERE: The Empourium Brewing Company, 4385 W 42nd Ave, Denver, Colorado 80212

Contact Erin Hamrick at erin@radcraftbeer.com for more information about The Nightman Cometh or The Empourium Brewing Company.

ABOUT THE EMPOURIUM BREWING COMPANY

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

Ska Brewing Announces Brand Refresh; Rolls Out New Cans

DURANGO, CO— Fresh renditions of Ska Brewing Modus Hoperandi, Modus Mandarina, True Blonde Ale, Rue B. Soho, and Pink Vapor Stew cans are now hitting shelves across Ska’s distribution footprint as part of the company’s 2020 brand refresh.

Since Ska Brewing launched its brand 25 years ago, the comic book has always represented the company’s core values and mission. The company slogan characters brewing beers with character has come to life on Ska’s packaged brands, each can representing a different snippet of that original comic book story… until The Hazy IPA came along. 

When Ska debuted its first hazy beer in a can in 2019, they designed the artwork without a character or a punny name associated with the beer style as they have other year-round brands. Instead the artwork pops with bold colors and Ska’s trademark checkerboard stripe— a nod to the 2 Tone wave of Ska music— that wraps the can. These comic book elements ultimately inspired Ska’s entire can refresh, and can also be found on the design of Ska’s new canned seltzer line. 

Consistent with much of Ska’s other branding, the signature checkerboard stripe is included on each new can. While new cans will not feature characters from comic books, they will retain classic comic book elements such as the blamo and bold colors to really stand out on shelves. The new look will help provide a consistent and recognizable look across Ska’s family of brands. 

“We’ll never “rebrand” altogether because we feel branding is an evolution,” says Ska Brewing co-founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau. “We’ve been changing our brand since day one, but we’ll never stray too far from what it means to be Ska.” 

Find the same great Modus Hoperandi, Modus Mandarina, True Blonde Ale, Rue B. Soho, and Pink Vapor Stew recipes in new cans wherever you buy Ska beer. The brewery will announce more can artwork updates in coming months. 

For more information about Ska Brewing, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@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.

After a Few Laughs and Eye Rolls, Endo Brewing Company Expands Their Portfolio to Include Hard Seltzer

LAFAYETTE, CO — Endo Brewing Company will tap their first hard seltzer in their tasting room on Wednesday, January 22 at 3 p.m. The bike-themed brewery created the gluten-free, hard sparkling water so that all guests could enjoy well-rounded libations.

“Endo Brewing exists for the sole purpose of giving the cycle-riding weekend warriors, the beer enthusiasts, and our neighbors an amazing place to experience all things bicycle and beer. Nothing ruins that experience faster than having to exclude someone,” says Kevin Van Winkle, co-founder and head brewer at Endo Brewing.

Cheekily named I Roll, Endo Brewing first rolled their eyes at the thought of creating a hard seltzer and then decided to roll with it. Infused with copious amounts of berry and lime, I Roll Hard Seltzer is gluten-free, only 98 calories, and an approachable 4.4 percent ABV per glass—perfect for a refreshing post-ride quencher or if you want to wash down that extra slice of pizza guilt-free.

So ride into 2020 with more options; I Roll Lime and Berry Infused Hard Seltzer will be available at Endo Brewing’s tasting room starting on January 22.  

“We're not here to argue with you about your beverage choices; we'd rather put a pint in front of you and hear your laughable thoughts on owning that rigid fixie bike,” laughs Van Winkle.

For more information about Endo Brewing’s new hard seltzer or any of their beer offerings, contact Chea Franz at chea@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT ENDO BREWING

Founded in 2017 by two guys with a passion for craft beer and bikes, Endo Brewing Company is a community-driven neighborhood brewery located in Lafayette, Colorado. Housed in a former five-bay auto repair shop, Endo Brewing has converted this unique space into a vibrant tasting room offering quality beer in a warm and friendly atmosphere and a state-of-the-art bicycle repair shop behind the bar. Enjoy a handcrafted beer in a relaxed setting while you get your bike tuned up. Find us online at endobrewing.com. Cheers! 

Karl Strauss and Pure Project Release a Hazy, Murky Collaboration IPA

SAN DIEGO, CA— Karl Strauss Brewing Company is kicking off 2020 with the latest in their collaborations series - brewing an innovative IPA with their friends at Pure Project Brewing in San Diego.  Murky Poetry Hazy IPA will debut statewide on draft and in 16oz 4pk cans on January 16th. 

“Pure Project has quickly grown to be one of the most exciting breweries in San Diego and we have so much respect for what they’ve built. As brewers, we never stop learning, and crafting the recipe with their team was an opportunity for us to both share our knowledge and benefit from seeing how they approach the brewing process” says Karl Strauss Brewmaster Paul Segura.

Pure Project was equally as excited to brew a beer with Karl Strauss stating “We were honored to be involved with a pioneering brewing company that has done so much for the craft scene in San Diego and throughout the state of California.  We have much respect for all their beers and it was thrilling to brew at their facility in a true team, collaborative effort” said Mat Robar, Founder.

Inspired to push the envelope with their experimentation, both Karl Strauss and Pure Project brewed slightly different batches of this new collaboration on their respective brewhouses. Karl Strauss’ version is named as a nod to Pure Project’s “murky”— ie hazy— IPAs. Murky Poetry is a refreshing and tropical-forward hazy IPA brewed with Amarillo, Citra, Sabro, and Motueka hops that impart notes of guava, orange, and fruit punch; oats and wheat give this beer a soft, pillowy mouthfeel while locally sourced hand-crafted malts from Admiral Malting in Alameda, California lend unique flavor and local terroir. 

Pure Project’s release is named Liquid Allusion Murky IPA (a nod to Karl’s larger release), and debuted in early January 2020. Liquid Allusion features a different hop blend and Pure Project’s house Murky yeast strain that promotes aromas and flavors of fresh orange juice and lychee fruit. 

“Liquid Allusion is the debut of our hand selected Mosaic hops from Loftus Ranches in Washington,” says Pure Project Head Brewer Winslow Sawyer. “Mosaic is one of our favorite hops, and I can think of no better time to use it than working with the King of Mosaic – Karl Strauss Brewing Company.” 

Murky Poetry Hazy IPA is the first of four new collaboration beers coming from Karl Strauss in 2020. More information about this year’s collaboration  line-up will be announced in future months.

For more information about this indie beer collaboration, 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 and award-winning beer releases like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, Boat Shoes Hazy IPA and Red Trolley Ale. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.

Bierstadt Lagerhaus Remains Open, Releases Tmavé 13°, Expands Beer Hall, and Launches New Schnitzel Menu

Rackhouse Pub

DENVER, CO— Bierstadt Lagerhaus, nationally renowned, and The Colorado Sun’s 2019 Colorado brewery of the year, remains open. Not only do we remain open, on January 24 th , we have the audacity to release Tmavé 13°, a Czech Dark Lager, inspired by a May trip to Prague. Bierstadt now fields 5 calls a day asking if we are still open since the cidery in our building relocated their production space. Bierstadt wants to invite everyone back as we continue to Lagerhard for a Czech celebration of Lager, Goulash and Becherovka as our collaborators from Bagby Beer in Oceanside, CA fly in for the celebration.

The games, beer hall and liters of lager remain open and flowing, along with all the shenanigans everyone has come to expect. In fact, the beer hall is expanding-slightly-and will have some European-style food options as well as additional seating within the month.

As is known by nearly everyone and barely deserves repeating here, Lager beer is the finest accompaniment to food ever devised by our species. To this end, Bierstadt is changing its focus from really good food, to a transcendent marriage of schnitzel and Lager. Much drunken research was recently conducted in Germany to make sure our schnitzel was on point. Owners Chris Rippe, Ashleigh Carter and Bill Eye were forced to drink multiple liters of lager-often late into the night-to acquire schnitzel making secrets. Livers were bruised, but our schnitzel at Bierstadt is now as it was there. Some sacrifices are worth it.

Denver winery Deep Roots will open in the relocated cidery space. Bierstadt will remain fully operational, come get some.

ABOUT BIERSTADT LAGERHAUS

At Bierstadt we craft lagers the traditional way, and nothing more. Discover what we believe at bierstadtlager.com.

Keller Wiliams' Grateful Grass to Play Bonfire Block Party

Photo courtesy Keller Williams

EAGLE, CO– Bonfire Brewing and Optimum Events announced the first of 13 musical acts to play the eighth annual Bonfire Block Party slated for Friday, June 12 through Sunday, June 14, 2020. Keller Williams' Grateful Grass features Williams and an all-star lineup on one of the two main stages in Downtown Eagle, CO. Early Bird GA and VIP Experience tickets are on sale now.

Bluegrass and folk sensation Keller Williams is the ultimate musical collaborator with regular appearances as Keller & The Keels, with More Than a Little, the Hillbenders, The Travelin’ McCourys and more. Grateful Grass features “Loose interpretations of Grateful Dead songs done in a bluegrass style,” says Williams. “If you like singing along to Dead songs [and] dancing double time to the music, this is definitely your jam.”

Grateful Grass’ rotating lineup has included The Keels, Keith Moseley (String Cheese Incident), Jeff Austin (Yonder Mountain String Band), Reed Mathis (Tea Leaf Green), Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon), The Infamous Stringdusters and more. The Block Party Grateful Grass collaborators will be announced closer to the date.  

Tickets for the 2020 Bonfire Block Party are on sale now and include limited Early Bird Two-Day General Admission tickets, Two-Day VIP Experience tickets and Sunday Bloodies & Bluegrass brunch tickets. VIP tickets are expected to sell out and the Bloodies & Bluegrass event includes bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas. The Block Party features 13 bands performing on three stages, bar service including Bonfire Brewing craft beer and local food vendors – all in the streets of Downtown Eagle. Kids 12 and under are free for General Admission and two and under are free for the VIP Experience and Sunday’s brunch.

A portion of all Bonfire Block Party proceeds benefit nonprofit partner, The Cycle Effect. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.bonfireblockparty.com.

If You Go:

What: 2020 Bonfire Block Party

Where:  Downtown Eagle, CO

When: Friday, June 12 - Sunday, June 14, 2020

Cost: $30 - $120 (Early Bird Ticketing)

More: www.bonfireblockparty.com

Photo : Keller Williams' Grateful Grass will be one of the main stage headliners at the 2020 Bonfire Block Party in Downtown Eagle. The eight-annual street festival takes place June 12-14, 2020 and specially priced Early Bird tickets are on sale now at www.bonfireblockparty.com.

Dates Announced and Tickets on Sale Now for 2020 Bonfire Block Party in Eagle, Colorado

North Mississippi Allstars, photo by Robbie Prechtl

EAGLE, CO – Bonfire Brewing and Optimum Events once again team up for the eighth installment of the Bonfire Block Party, an annual street party slated for June 12 - 14, 2020 in Downtown Eagle. Specially priced Early Bird GA tickets, VIP Experience tickets and Sunday Bloodies & Bluegrass brunch tickets are on sale now. Holiday pre-sale tickets are sold out.  The Bonfire Block Party is the three-time winner of the Best of Vail’s Best Summer Festival and showcases nationally renowned bands, along with food vendors and Bonfire Brewing craft beer releases. As in years past, a portion of all proceeds benefit Eagle County nonprofit partner, The Cycle Effect. The limited Early Bird ticket sale offers the guaranteed lowest ticket prices for the 2020 event.

The Block Party features three outdoor stages and an expansive VIP experience for concertgoers. The Block Party VIP experience includes a covered tent with seating, dedicated viewing areas, complimentary catered dinner and a 2020 branded glow-in-the-dark Silipint tumbler or wine glass, which includes one free drink and a $1.00 discount off drinks all weekend long. New for 2020, the Block Party will sell wine and spirits at all general admission bars, in addition to hand-crafted Bonfire Brewery beers. While supplies last, the Block Party Early Bird pricing for two-day VIP tickets is $120 per person and two-day general admission tickets are $30. The Silipint add-ons are $19 and include a glow-in-the-dark Silipint tumbler or wine glass, one free drink and a $1.00 discount off all drinks for the weekend. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas, and children two and under are free in VIP.

The Sunday Bloodies & Bluegrass closing concert and brunch ticket price is $40 and includes a complimentary brunch by Big Delicious Catering. New for 2020, the Bloodies & Bluegrass ticket also includes bottomless Bloody Marys, Mimosa and Bonfire Brewing craft beers.

Nationally recognized music acts will appear on three outdoor stages over two days during the Block Party, the Boneyard and Haymaker main stages on Broadway, and the Bonfire Stage on Second Street adjacent to Bonfire Brewing. The full music lineup will be released in early 2020. Past musical acts include Twiddle, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Railroad Earth, Galactic, The Record Company, Sam Bush, North Mississippi Allstars and more. 

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

If You Go:

What: 2020 Bonfire Block Party

Where:  Broadway and Second Streets, Eagle

When: Friday, June 12 - Sunday, June 14, 2020

Cost: $30/$120 (special Early Bird pricing) $40 (Bluegrass & Bloodies closing concert and brunch)

More: www.bonfireblockparty.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.

Bonfire Brewing Releases Good Boy Peanut Butter Porter

EAGLE, CO— Bonfire Brewing canned a new beer from the Community Creator Series last week. Good Boy Peanut Butter Porter is available locally in canned 12 oz. 6-packs this week, followed by state-wide shipments in early January. Following strong positive feedback from its tap room customers, Bonfire plans to produce and package the beer through March 2020.

The base recipe of this new beer was inspired by their popular Tent Pole Vanilla Porter— Bonfire’s brewers upped the chocolate malt and added peanut butter flavoring resulting in a rich and tasty cold-weather treat. The name, “Good Boy,” is a nod to Bonfire’s association with all things dogs, and the common use of peanut butter as a puppy training reward.

Earlier this year, Bonfire launched the Community Creator Series of limited release beers with Après-Cot, followed by Pink-I Raspberry IPA, and GrapepHruit Kettle Sour IPA.

A nitro version of Good Boy will be available at Bonfire in weeks to come. 

For more information about Good Boy Peanut Butter Porter cans or the Community Creator series, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@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.

Ska Brewing Debuts Varietal 12-pack Featuring 3 New Flavors of The Hard Seltzer

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing is heading into the new year with a fresh, low-calorie option in cans. The brewery will tap its three new hard seltzer flavors at its World Headquarters today, and debut a 12-pack of these cans across the brewery distribution footprint in coming weeks. 

Seltzer, according to the feds, is still considered to be a “beer”. This “non-beer beer,” as Ska Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau calls it, is a response to much of the staff requesting the clear and refreshing beverage. “Beer is the driving force of Ska and our true first love,” Thibodeau says. “But the Crossfit kids on our sales team swear we’d be remiss not to offer their keto companions a low-carb alternative to one of the world’s oldest and most delicious beverages.”

The Hard Seltzer from Ska Brewing will be available in Hibiscus Lime, Black Raspberry, and Blood Orange flavors. These gluten-free and low-sugar hard seltzers will be packaged in 12-ounce cans, and only available as a 12-pack for the time being. They contain only 100 calories and 2 grams of sugar per can, and they weigh in at 5% ABV.

“I won’t lie that we thought seltzer brewing would be easy,” Thibodeau admits. “Turns out it was much more difficult that we imagined. It took a lot of Mod System batches to nail down our process in the brewhouse to achieve these flavors. I think I’ve tasted more seltzer in the last year than I think I might consume throughout the rest of my life.” 

These Mod System batches have been extremely popular in the tasting room, alongside Ska’s new non-alcoholic Skagua cans. “We’re stoked to offer our customers so many new options,” Thibodeau adds. “Now you can grab a 6-pack of Skagua to bring home for your kids, and once they go to bed, grab another and mix up a refreshing nightcap with your favorite locally produced spirit!”

For more information about Ska’s new seltzer offerings, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@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.

Thirsty Monk Presents the 7th Annual New Year’s Eve Keg Drop Celebration and Flask Luau at Biltmore Park

What: To ring in the New Year, New York City drops a ball, Atlanta drops a peach and Miami drops an orange. Asheville drops a keg! Thirsty Monk wants you to join in on the fun. Ring in 2020 with Thirsty Monk’s 7th Annual New Year’s Eve Keg Drop Celebration at Biltmore Park. This two-story golden keg will be lit up and glowing on New Year’s Eve and will descend at midnight. 

The Beer: Beers will be flowing as Thirsty Monk taps their fan-favorite Must Love Coconut IPA at midnight. This special beer makes an annual appearance on tap, especially for New Year festivities.

Escape from the typical IPA and be whisked away from winter to a tropical paradise with Must Love Coconut IPA. Brewed with toasted coconut and a blast of Citra and Centennial hops, this Belgian-style IPA is a totally tropical experience. 

Flask Luau: Next door, Monk’s Flask will join in on the festivities with a Luau New Year complete with a festive tiki cocktail menu and tropical beach vibes.

The Keg Drop Celebration is free to attend and ample parking is available for guests. Enjoy the viewing of the keg drop from either Thirsty Monk or Monk’s Flask patios!

When: Tuesday, December 31st at 5 p.m. to Wednesday, January 1st at 1 a.m.

Where: Thirsty Monk South at Biltmore Park Town Square (2 Town Square Blvd #160 & #170, Asheville, NC 28803)

ABOUT THIRSTY MONK

Founded in 2008, Thirsty Monk Brewery currently operates a family of brewpubs (Thirsty Monk Downtown, Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park, 2x4 Brew Pub) and cocktail bars (Monk’s Flask, Top of the Monk) in Asheville, North Carolina , Denver, Colorado and Portland, Oregon. Thirsty Monk’s award-winning, Belgian-rooted Modern Ales are showcased in the company’s expertly crafted beer-paired food menus and synergistic cocktail ingredients. Find the company online at monkpub.com.

Elevation Beer Company Oil Man Imperial Stout now available in 12-ounce cans

PONCHA SPRINGS, CO— For the first time in Elevation Beer Company history, the famed Oil Man Imperial Stout is available in cans. Twelve-ounce four-packs of this Bourbon barrel-aged beauty and its Coconut sister are available through the season while supplies last.

Oil Man is a great beer to get introspective on life with, named after Elevation Founder Carlin Walsh’s grandfather who was a successful oil entrepreneur. It 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. 

Coconut Oil Man was aged with ten pounds per barrel of organic coconut, more than half of which was hand toasted to add rich, toasty notes to the beer.

Oil Man and Coconut Oil Man cans will be available in 4-packs of 12-ounce cans across Colorado this season. 

For more information about Elevation Beer Co. and the new Oil Man cans, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT ELEVATION BEER COMPANY

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.

Westbound & Down Brewing Company Introduces New Cans

IDAHO SPRINGS, CO— Fresh off its Midsize Brewpub of the Year recognition at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival®, Westbound & Down Brewing Company announced this week the release of new cans and distribution beyond Idaho Springs

Westbound & Down will begin canning Colorado Pale Ale, a beer brewed to be enjoyed on outdoor mountain excursions; Westbound Double IPA, one of the company’s recent GABF medal winners; and Chicago Peaks Kolsch, originally a collaboration with Bierstadt Lagerhouse; named for the surrounding Chicago Peaks that include Mount Evans and Mount Bierstadt. Fans can celebrate these new cans at Westbound & Down on Friday, December 20 at the official can release at the Idaho Springs brewpub. Cans will also be available on December 21 at The Cultural Center, Westbound & Down’s shared barrel cellar in Northwest Denver.

These popular brands from the brewery will be available in 4-packs of 16 oz cans to-go from Westbound & Down’s Idaho Springs brewpub location, and at Westbound General that will open in 2020. There will be an announcement in coming weeks about this new provisions store.

“We have always wanted to can our products,” says Jake Gardner, Westbound & Down’s Head Beer Drinker. “The marketplace might be crowded, but there is always more room for excellent beer. We want to drink our beers on the go, and there seems to be a market for crushable beers in a can.”

Culture Beverage, an affiliate wholesaler partner of Shelton Brothers Importers, will pick up Westbound & Down’s kegged and bottled brands in 2020. Westbound & Down’s canned brands will be available in very limited quantities outside of its Idaho Springs brewpub and Westbound General locations.

For more information about Westbound & Down’s new cans, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT WESTBOUND & DOWN BREWING COMPANY

Westbound & Down Brewing Company runs a small brewpub in Idaho Springs, CO that prides itself in brewing well-executed beers in a wide array of beer styles to pair with great food. Brewed with a bit of Rocky Mountain air and served with a side of fresh powder, Westbound and Down’s beers have been awarded multiple accolades since their opening in 2015. In 2018, Westbound & Down and Amalgam launched The Cultural Center, a shared barrel cellar and tasting room celebrating the art and exploration of mixed culture fermentation with an emphasis on barrel-aged saisons and sour ales. In 2020, Westbound & Down will add the Westbound General store to its family of craft beer destination places in Colorado. Find the company online at westboundanddown.com.

Sleeping Giant and Boulder Beer Announce Partnership; New Manufacturing, Sales, and Marketing Relationship to keep Colorado’s First Craft Brewery On Shelves

DENVER, CO— Sleeping Giant, the first dedicated contract brewing company in the Western United States, announced today a new partnership with Boulder Beer Company that keeps Boulder beers in distribution without interruption. Sleeping Giant will be manufacturing Boulder’s brands and taking over distribution and marketing of the Boulder-based institution’s beers in the marketplace.

This news comes after Boulder Beer’s announcement in October 2019 to discontinue its widespread distribution and operate solely as a brewpub. This is still Boulder’s plan, with the new addition of Sleeping Giant as a manufacturing, sales, and marketing partner. Sleeping Giant approached Boulder after this announcement to discuss possibilities, and the two breweries quickly worked together to keep Boulder’s brands on shelves.

Going forward, Boulder Beer Shake, Mojo, Buffalo Gold, Hazed & Infused, Spaceman, and Due East will be brewed and packaged at Sleeping Giant, where state-of-the-art lab and brewing equipment will ensure the quality and consistency of Boulder’s brands and this 40-year-old namesake of Colorado beer. 

“This is an exciting time for Boulder Beer,” says Gina Day, Boulder Beer Company Owner. “We are thrilled to have the brand continue its legacy and to continue to supply our loyal customers through retail markets.”

“For Sleeping Giant, this partnership was an amazing opportunity on multiple levels,” adds Matthew Osterman, President & Founder of Sleeping Giant. “We couldn’t be more proud to work with such an iconic brand, the first craft brewery in Colorado. Further, our new relationship will allow Sleeping Giant to better understand the distribution, sales, and marketing side of the business. Developing this expertise will allow us to assist our contract brewing clients, and provide yet another value-add service to our portfolio.

For more information about this new partnership between Sleeping Giant and Boulder Beer Company, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT SLEEPING GIANT BREWING COMPANY

Sleeping Giant is the first dedicated contract brewing company in the Western United States. Catering to the craft beer community, Sleeping Giant offers a cutting-edge QA/QC program, approachable brew lengths, a variety of packaging options, and personalized customer service that sets it apart. Since the company was founded in 2015, it has supported the brewing and packaging needs of dozens of breweries across the country and grown to be Colorado's fourth largest independent craft brewery. Sleeping Giant made the 2019 INC 500 list and was also named a Colorado Companies to Watch this year. Learn more at sleepinggiant.com. 

ABOUT BOULDER  BEER COMPANY

Founded in 1979, Boulder Beer Company has been a pioneer in the craft brewing industry for 40 years. From their early days brewing in “The Goatshed” north of Boulder, to brewing and packaging for a regional audience out of their European-style brewhouse on Wilderness Place, to their recent move to scale down and focus on their brewpub operation, to now partnering with their friends at Sleeping Giant to keep the brands alive at the retail level, Boulder Beer’s passion for innovation and sustainability has seen them to their milestone 40th Anniversary and will continue their legacy in Boulder and the craft beer industry for years to come. For more information on Boulder Beer Company, contact Tess McFadden at tmcfadden@boulderbeer.com and follow @BoulderBeerCo on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Peach Street Distillers to Release Colorado’s First 10-Year Bourbon

PALISADE, CO— Peach Street Distillers is making Colorado history. For the first time ever, the state’s oldest independently owned distillery will release Colorado Straight Bourbon 10 Year Single Barrel, a bourbon that has been quietly resting in a dark corner in Peach Street’s rickhouse since October 2009. Notably, this magic was occurring during a time when distilling was much less popular of an endeavor in the Centennial state.

“Traditionally, longer aged Bourbon Whiskeys are from Kentucky where the humidity and daily shifts in temperature are not so extreme,” says Dustin LeMoine, Bourbon Lobbyist and Director of Sales at Peach Street Distillers. “Our little rickhouse in the Colorado desert sees very dry conditions and temperature swings of up to 40+ degrees per day. This combination draws the bourbon deep into the oak and keeps the spirit in the barrel active—further developing the flavor.”

Peach Street’s Colorado Straight Bourbon is made from sweet Western Colorado corn grown two miles down the road, pure Rocky Mountain water, and rye and barley from Proximity Malt in the San Luis Valley, our 10 Year Expression was aged in American Oak for ten years and bottled from a single barrel. “The result is a bouquet of flavors including cherry, cinnamon, hay, pipe tobacco, caramel and a heavy dose of leather and vanilla on the nose”, according to Head Distiller, Davy Lindig. Peach Street Distillers is proudly local which is why all phases of production— brewing, fermenting, distilling and aging— were done in Palisade, Colorado.

The 10-Year Colorado Straight Bourbon will join Peach Street’s award-winning lineup of Bourbon and Whiskey expressions including Colorado Straight Bourbon, 5 Year Single Barrel Colorado Straight Bourbon, Barrel Strength Colorado Straight Bourbon, Modus Hoperandi Hop Whiskey, American Peated Single Malt Whiskey and Smoked Rye Whiskey. 

Peach Street Distillers will host a release party for this historic whiskey on Saturday, December 7 starting at noon with a limit of two bottles per person. Retailing at $99.99 per bottle, each whiskey is wax dipped and includes a specialty, hand-tied bead. Limited quantities will also be available at participating retailers early to mid-December, just in time for the holidays. 

“There is literally no precedent for a Bourbon of this background or character,” says LeMoine.
“We’re only emptying two single barrels this year so get it while you can!”

For more information about Colorado Straight Bourbon 10 Year Single Barrel or Peach Street Distillers, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT PEACH STREET DISTILLERS

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

Now Available: Karl Strauss Ten Beers For Breakfast Maple Stout

SAN DIEGO, CA— Just in time for Thanksgiving, cold weather, and holiday toasting, Karl Strauss presents the 10th of its “Twelve Days” annual holiday ale series, Ten Beers For Breakfast. This Maple Stout is available in bombers and on draft beginning Thursday, November 21.

Ten Beers for Breakfast is a Maple Stout brewed with vanilla beans, rolled oats, and maple syrup. The tenth installment in the brewery’s “Twelve Days” holiday series has flavors of caramelized sugar, sweet chocolate, and roasted espresso backed by a creamy, full body. It will be available in bombers and on draft while supplies last.

The KARL “Twelve Days” tradition began in 2010, and continues each year to celebrate the holiday season. Here is the complete list of beers in this series:

2010 Parrot In A Palm Tree Baltic Porter 

2011 Two Tortugas Quadrupel Ale 

2012 Mouette à Trois Fruitcake Ale

2013 Four Scowling Owns Tripel

2014 Five Wee Heavy Bells Scotch Ale

2015 Six Suits A-Hangin Imperial Belgian Brown Ale

2016 Seven Sharks A-Circling Imperial Smoked Porter

2017 Eight Merry Mermen IIIPA

2018 Nine Bonfires Blazing Golden Stout

Learn more about the the “Twelve Days” series at karlstrauss.com and contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with additional media inquiries.

ABOUT KARL STRAUSS BREWING COMPANY

Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been proudly independent since 1989, pioneering the craft beer scene with innovative and award-winning 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.

Ska Fabricating Brings Sexy Cans Back; Lucky Winner of Photo Contest Will Head to 2020 Craft Brewers Conference

DURANGO, CO—  Ska Fabricating is bringing its #SexyCans campaign back for the second time in 2019. This photo contest celebrates the thriving online craft beverage community and the rise of canned beverage artistry around the world. Ska Fab will reward one lucky participant with an all-expense-paid trip to the 2020 Craft Brewers Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

Cans are quickly gaining popularity as infinitely recyclable vessels with a 360° canvas so everyone has a favorite can or two, either because of what's in it or what's on it. The #SexyCans contest is every drinker’s opportunity to turn a picture of that can into an awesome prize! Starting December 1, 2019, submit your favorite craft can photos to this contest by posting them to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #sexycans and tagging @skafabricating. Post as many entries as you like - the more, the merrier! Every participant will receive a package of winter Ska Fab schwag.

All entries are due by Sunday, March 1 with the winner announced Monday, March 2. All entrants must be at least 21 years old. The winner of this #sexycans photo contest will receive a trip for one to the 2020 Craft Brewers Conference, taking place in San Antonio, Texas from April 19 through 22. This prize includes flights, hotel accommodations, and a full conference badge. 

Badge holders at the 2020 Craft Brewers Conference are invited to join Ska Fabricating and friends at Craft After Dark on Tuesday, April 21 at The Rock Box. Galactic will headline this event with support from San Antonio’s rockin’ local talent. The nonprofit recipient will be announced in the coming months. 

For more information about #sexycans or Ska Fabricating, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT SKA FABRICATING

Founded by Ska Brewing Co-Owner Matt Vincent, Ska Fabricating automates packaging lines for craft businesses, specializing in depalletizers, palletizers, conveyance systems, rinsing, drying, fill detection and date coding products. With more than 800 customers worldwide, Ska Fab has the products and experience to help you increase your production while saving expense. Learn more at skafabricating.com.

Elevation Beer Co. Debuts Coffee Stout in Cans

PONCHA SPRINGS, CO— Introducing Coffee Stout from Elevation Beer Company. This latest seasonal  offering from the brewery is a Coffee Milk Stout made with coffee from Buena Vista Roasters.

Coffee Stout is a 5% ABV Milk Stout made with a blend of Organic Guatemala and Organic Timor beans. 

“We wanted to brew an easy drinking, cold weather beer and thought a 5% stout with a touch of milk sugar was just what we needed,” says Christian Koch, Elevation’s Head Brewer. “We can’t get enough coffee around here either so we decided steep some whole beans from our friends at Buena Vista Roasters.”

Koch grew up in Hershey, Pennsylvania and has long wanted to brew a beer with chocolate in the recipe. “The beer is coffee forward with subtle chocolate undertones from the light dose of Boulder-based Cholaca, pure liquid cocoa,” Koch says. “We are really happy with how this one came out.”  

Coffee Stout is available on draft and in canned 12 ounce 6-packs at the brewery tasting room, and across Colorado while supplies last. 

Calling all Colorado-based baristas! Replicate Elevation’s logo in your next latte art expression like the one on the seasonal Coffee Stout can, tag @elevationbeerco and share it with the #lattelogo to be entered to win an Elevation growler and a bag of barrel aged coffee beans from Buena Vista Roasters! All photo submissions are due by December 15, 2019. Participants must be at least 21 years of age to enter. There is no limit on number of submissions.

To learn more about this seasonal release from Elevation Beer Company, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcrafbeer.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, Wyoming, Utah. Go higher at elevationbeerco.com.

Thirsty Monk Head Brewer Brings Long History of Barrel-Aging Experience to The Woodshed Barrel House

The brewery’s barrel-aging program is a culmination of Brian Grace’s passion and experience

DENVER, CO– Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer and craft cocktail bars, announces the official launch of its Denver barrel house, The Woodshed. This barrel-aging facility houses Thirsty Monk’s budding sour beer and barrel-aging program led by Head Brewer, Brian Grace.

The Woodshed is home to two foudres, and a growing selection of other wine and spirit barrels. Grace is brewing black, red and golden base beers to be inoculated with wild yeast and bacteria before the addition of fruit and eventual blending and bottle conditioning. He will taste barrels individually as well as the blended variations, and is adamant that patience and forgiveness are key to producing a unique sour blend.

“Patience is required because we’re making sour beer the traditional way which takes a long time for the wild yeast and bacteria to create unique and deep characteristics of aroma and flavors,” says Grace. “Forgiveness is another important aspect because sometimes your barrels are not ideal, but they can develop over time if allowed to age in the wood longer. There have been a handful of barrels where I have tasted them one month and come back to them six months to a year later and they taste profoundly different!”

Prior to Thirsty Monk, Grace brewed at Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales in Michigan and Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project in Denver; The Woodshed will be yet another mile marker for the acclaimed brewer, who has been working on building a unique house character by collecting wild yeast and bacteria from the area around the brewery and barrel-aging facility.

“What is most exciting about the project for me is that there will be a house character that I hope will be appreciated by sour beer enthusiasts,” says Grace. “I am the most proud when people tell me they can identify that a beer is from a specific brewery because it holds a unique character that can only be found in beers from those cellars!”

The first release out of The Woodshed will be a pluot and blackberry Dark Strong-Based Sour. This is Grace’s first barrel-aged beer that was open-top fermented at the Woodshed and aged in California red wine barrels. The sour then rests in a foudre that previously held Moscato. 

Also on the horizon for Thirsty Monk is a rebrand. In 2020, the Monk will gain a number of friends, as Thirsty Monk Brewery re-launches its core lineup of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales with a new look and feel that brings tarot cards to life. This brand refresh showcases Thirsty Monk's soulful and intention-based culture, from innovative beer-making to community partnerships. Visitors can look forward to the introduction of can fills, specialty bottle releases, and “tarot readings” to showcase their beer flights with custom, collectible designs. 

If you have questions about The Woodshed or the beers it’s currently aging, contact Chea Franz at Chea@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), 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.

Endo Brewing Announces Results of First Crowdsourced Beer; Fuzzy Bunny Boysenberry & Cherry Blonde To Release November 27

LAFAYETTE, CO— Endo Brewing will add boysenberry and cherry to its Winter Blonde Ale recipe this season, as voted upon by brewery fans and loyal social media followers. This crowdsourced beer will tap on Wednesday, November 27 at 3 p.m. at Endo’s tasting room.  

Last month Endo brewed its Winter Blonde Ale recipe, and asked friends and followers to vote on what fruit addition they most wanted to taste in the recipe. They had one week to choose from sweet cherry, mango, passionfruit, pink guava, or boysenberry. A total of 58 voters participated, with 25 votes for boysenberry and 20 votes for cherry. 

“Because they were so close in votes, we tried a fifty-fifty blend of the two and captured all the best qualities of each fruit,” says Kevin Van Winkle, Endo’s Co-Founder and Head Brewer. “We’ve never tried asking people to weigh in on one of our recipes before. It felt like a true community effort, and we’re excited to taste it with everyone who voted and weighed in on its name.” 

WHEN: Fuzzy Bunny will tap on Wednesday, 11/27 at 3 pm at Endo Brewing. This small batch will only be available while supplies last. 

WHERE: Endo Brewing (2755 Dagny Way STE #101 Lafayette, CO 80026)

For more information about Endo’s first-ever crowdsourced beer recipe, contact Chea Franz at chea@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT ENDO BREWING

Founded in 2017 by two guys with a passion for craft beer and bikes, Endo Brewing Company is a community-driven neighborhood brewery located in Lafayette, Colorado. Housed in a former five-bay auto repair shop, Endo Brewing has converted this unique space into a vibrant tasting room offering quality beer in a warm and friendly atmosphere and a state-of-the-art bicycle repair shop behind the bar. Enjoy a handcrafted beer in a relaxed setting while you get your bike tuned up. Find us online at endobrewing.com. Cheers! 

Lone Tree Brewing Company Releases Northwest IPA and Winter Seasonals

LONE TREE, CO— Lone Tree Brewing Company is bringing back some fan favorites English Old Ale and Horchata Stout, two beers in the brewery’s Branching Out series, in cans for the first time. Meanwhile Northwest IPA, the brewery’s brand new seasonal offering will launch in early December.

“We call this a Northwest IPA because it features Cascade and Centennial hops, two Pacific Northwest varietals that have helped build the craft brewing industry” says Dennis Stack, Director of Sales and Marketing at Lone Tree Brewing Company. “We know there isn’t a ton of West Coast style IPAs in the marketplace right now so we’re thrilled to provide Northwest IPA as a seasonal offering.”

At 6.5 percent ABV, Northwest IPA is the newest beer coming out of Lone Tree’s Hoppy Little Trees Project. This West Coast style IPA has piney and floral notes that has a balance of bitterness and juiciness. Northwest IPA will be available on November 29 in the tasting room and within Lone Tree’s distribution footprint on December 2.

Horchata Stout, Lone Tree’s traditional Milk Stout with cinnamon, chocolate and lactose will be available on December 9 though fans of the beer can enjoy a couple of days earlier for Lone Tree’s 8-Year Anniversary Party on December 7. 

English Old Ale, a traditional British-style Old Ale spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice, will hit taps and shelves by mid-December. Both of these spiced beers are now available in cans to grab-and-go to your next holiday event.

A limited number of Lone Tree’s winter seasonals will be available across Colorado and Kansas. These beers will also be available at the brewery’s tasting room.

For more information about Lone Tree Brewing Company, contact Chea at chea@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.