Craft Industry COVID-19 Update - March 31, 2020

Photo by The Brewtography Project

"Trust is the lubrication that makes it possible for organizations to work." —Warren Bennis

The craft barley community is taking one for the team. In the United States, many of these businesses have been deemed essential by most government authorities— which means that many of the agriculture and service industry professionals in our community are out on the front lines.

(That’s not the case for every country, and we’ll get into that with some of our friends across the globe next week.)

We never realized how much we take our third spaces for granted.

We trust these establishments with our family gatherings, our first dates, our last dates, our meeting agendas, coveted catch-ups between friends, and so much more. COVID-19 gave us a harsh wake up call that it’s about time we show the service industry it can trust us back.

Let’s keep the lights on for craft. Let’s do so safely, with positivity and resilience. Here are a few ways you can help, with much more to come…

• Restauranteur Connection rounded up more than 20 relief programs for restaurants and their employees in this helpful article.

•  IGC Hospitality launched a program to ensure that out-of-work hospitality workers don’t go hungry. Family Meal will provide FREE meals to anyone in the industry. 

• Our dear friends at The Brewtography Project will give you a FREE BOOK if you send them your receipt for $50 or more at your local craft brewery. Learn more about their generosity here.

If you know of a community or nonprofit effort that supports hospitality businesses in need, we want to hear about it. Comment here, or email us so we can help get the word out.

Hang in there, everyone. One day at a time.

— The RadCraft team

Laws Whiskey House to Release Award-Winning 6-Year Bottled in Bond San Luis Valley Rye

DENVER, CO— After a top-notch showing at the World Whiskies Awards in February where the Denver-based distillery was the category winner for American Rye Whiskey (12 years and under), Laws Whiskey House proudly released its 6-Year Bottled in Bond San Luis Valley Rye. This time-honored new whiskey will be available this month at premium retailers in California, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Texas. 

“The world-class quality of our whiskey stems from the grains we get from the Cody Family Farm in Alamosa,” says distillery founder Al Laws. “The heirloom San Luis Valley rye varietal is a standout as it distills into a distinctive spirit that gets better every year.” 

Colorado’s first-ever Bonded Rye Whiskey is now two years older. This rye expression was first released after aging four years, and Laws is now proud to present it again after two additional years of aging. It was crafted from Colorado Malting Company’s  San Luis Valley rye grain harvested from a single season, shaped by Laws as the single distiller, and then aged in our federally-bonded rack house for six years. You will find sweet grass with honey on the nose, cooling notes of wild mint and fennel, followed by deeper accents of sea salt, orange tea and brown sugar on the palate. It finishes with a rich and buttery mouthfeel, accompanied by tobacco notes.  

In addition to the newly released 6-Year Bottled in Bond San Luis Valley Rye, Laws Whiskey House also has a number of bonded single grain expressions including 6-Year Bottled in Bond Four Grain Bourbon, Henry Road Bonded Malt Whiskey, Bottled in Bond Centennial Straight Wheat Whiskey and Bottled in Bond Straight Corn Whiskey.

For more information about Laws Whiskey House or their award-winning 6-Year Bottled in Bond San Luis Valley Rye, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT LAWS WHISKEY HOUSE

Established in 2011, Laws Whiskey House is a purpose driven, grain to bottle whiskey distillery founded on the principle that the soul of its whiskey is comprised of the people who grow it, the people who make it, and the people who drink it. Using the traditional method of open-air, on grain fermentation, Laws' whiskeys feature high altitude grown American mother grains and mountain spring water while aging in 53-gallon charred American oak barrels. With a collection of award winning whiskey, including several Bottled in Bond expressions, Laws Whiskey House invites you to visit their tasting room in Denver's historic Gates neighborhood and enjoy the Laws experience. For more information visit www.lawswhiskeyhouse.com.

Craft Industry COVID-19 Update - March 24, 2020

Photo at Root Shoot Malting by The Brewtography Project

“You aren't alive if you aren't in need.”  — Henry Cloud

Wise words above by leadership expert and psychologist— a combination of skill sets I certainly need in my life right now, and I can’t imagine I’m alone in that statement. Sudden, widespread Instagram reinforcement that we’re all in this together couldn’t be more true right now, trite as it may already be.

The craft barley community has long been known for camaraderie, and the Coronavirus can’t touch that.

#COVIDcanttouchdis, amiright?!

In effort to bring y’all together from afar, provide critical resources, and to help remind ourselves why we do this every damn day, we’re working on a Coronavirus relief hub for the craft community. It’s a scramble that’s changing by the hour, but here’s what we’ll promise you today:

• A page on our COVID-19 newsfeed if you’re a brewery, distillery, or maltster — to keep track of your evolving changes in response to virus precautions. Eventually these individual company pages will be organized by state and other categories so they are more accessible. For now, each small business that sends us this information will get a custom link for easy sharing. Submit yours to karen@radcraftbeer.com.

• Regular updates on our newsfeed.. If you have a question or a tip for a news share please email karen@radcraftbeer.com.

• Weekly updates on this Craft Industry COVID-19 report that we’ll publish every Tuesday for the foreseeable future.

• Resources, tools, and opportunities for supporting the wellness and stability of your staff and your business. Sign up for our email newsletter, Craft Marketing, to get these resources delivered to your inbox.

Thank you for reading. Stay resilient, friends!

— Emily Hutto, RadCraft Founder & CEO

Craft Industry COVID-19 Update - March 17, 2020

Photo at Root Shoot Malting by The Brewtography Project

After multiple states announced yesterday mandated COVID-19 prevention closures affecting all of our partners and colleagues, we’ve intensely deliberated on what the hell we can do to help. We live by the words Rise to the occasion, and do so with your skillset. Hardly the St. Patrick’s Day we had imaged, but here we are.

Craft breweries and distilleries have jumped into action adjusting their tasting room hours and sales strategies. There’s a lot we can still do, even from our homes, to ensure the longevity of these businesses.

RadCraft is committed to keeping our community in the know as COVID-19 develops. Today we started a craft and service industry specific newsfeed covering all things COVID-19. Our mission is to support breweries, distilleries, maltsters, and service professionals in the wake of a pandemic, and keep you posted on how you can help. Stay informed at radcraftbeer.com/covid19.

We are actively seeking volunteer contributors for this newsfeed. Please email coop@radcraftbeer.com with inquiries about how to share your content or keep this feed flowing.

Thank you for your support of the craft community during this unprecedented dumpster fire.

-Emily Hutto, RadCraft Founder & CEO

Craft After Dark Canceled Alongside Craft Brewers Conference

Photo by Garrett Allen

SAN ANTONIO, TX— Following last week’s cancellation of the 2020 Craft Brewers Conference and World Beer Cup, Ska Fabricating announced today the cancellation of Craft After Dark on April 21. 

Craft After Dark hosts Ska Fabricating, Ska Brewing, Wild Goose Filling, and presenting sponsor American Canning have canceled this CBC anchor event in response to recommendations about public gatherings during this state of national emergency. 

The hosts of Craft After Dark extend gratitude to the headlining band, Galactic, and all of the event sponsors who collaborated to make it possible. 

“While this event and CBC as a whole are gatherings that we eagerly look forward to every year, our concerns about and commitment to health and safety echo those passed down by the BA, state and local governments,” says the Ska Fab team. “We will be announcing follow-up communications regarding what we'll be doing in place of these events, and we look forward to the next time we're able to connect with all of our favorite industry folks on the scale that CBC provided. Thank you all for understanding, and please take care of yourselves and others. For more information on how you can help to stop the spread of COVID-19, familiarize yourself with the CDC’s guidelines.”

For more information about this announcement, contact Emily Hutto at coop@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.

ABOUT SKA BREWING

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

ABOUT WILD GOOSE CANNING

With decades of experience in brewing, canning, and bottling craft beverages, Wild Goose Filling Systems provides filling systems for beer, cider, kombucha, cannabis, wine, and other ready-to-drink beverages. Having pioneered the first craft canning and bottling systems on the market, Wild Goose systems have patented technology that maintains the highest quality levels for packaged beverages. Their expertise in engineering and focus on craft beverages sets them apart from other systems on the market. With unmatched efficiency, operational control and excellence in customer service, Wild Goose provides canning and bottling systems to thousands of customers around the globe. To find out more, visit wgcanning.com.

Canceled: Block Party Preview Vail Ale House on March 13

The Mammoths

UPDATE on March 12, 2020: This event is canceled as a COVID-19 precaution.

EAGLE, CO– Buy fee-free tickets for the 2020 Bonfire Block Party this Friday, March 13 at Vail Ale House. 

From 8pm to 12am this Friday, guests at Vail Ale House can snag these ticket prices, the cheapest of the year if they didn’t make it to the Lineup Release Shindig. From 9pm on, enjoy a preview of this year’s event with live music by The Mammoths, who will also play Block Party in June. 

Kind Hearted Strangers will also play, and Vail Ale House will serve beers on tap from all three breweries in Bonfire’s pilot Block Party brewery collaboration: Woods Boss Brewing, Strange Craft Beer Co., and Vail Brewing Company. 

Woods Boss is sending The Oswald Hazy IPA; Strange Craft is sending Cherry Kriek, and Vail Brewing Company is sending Blur NEIPA. Bonfire Brewing will also have three beers on tap. More details about the Brewery Collaboration will be announced later in the year.

Bonfire Block Party 2020 includes  performances by Sam Bush, The Record Company, Dumpstaphunk, The Main Squeeze, The Broadcast, The Runaway Grooms, and House with a Yard. They join Keller Williams Grateful Grass, The Mammoths and Mo Lowda & the Humble. Five  more bands coming soon.

Ticket options for Bonfire Block Party currently on sale include Two-Day General Admission tickets, Two-Day Sili-Package tickets, regularly priced Two-Day VIP Experience tickets, and Bloodies & Bluegrass brunch tickets, which include bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas. This multi-day street festival in downtown Eagle, Colorado takes place Friday, June 12 through Sunday, June 14 as a kick-off to summer. Kids 12 and under are free for General Admission, and two and under are free for the VIP Experience and Sunday’s Bloodies & Bluegrass event.

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

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with all media inquiries about Bonfire Brewing and Bonfire Block Party.

IF YOU GO:

What: 2020 Bonfire Block Party

When: Friday, June 12 - Sunday, June 14

Where:  Downtown Eagle, CO

Cost: $40 - $140

More Information: visit www.bonfireblockparty.com

Root Shoot Malting Spearheads Craft Malt Seal in Colorado

Photo at Woods Boss Brewing Company

LOVELAND, CO— As an advocate and Member Malthouse for the Craft Maltsters Guild’s Craft Malt Certified Seal program, Root Shoot Malting is excited to announce Colorado’s twelve new craft malt certified breweries. 

City Star Brewing, Comrade Brewing, Grist Brewing, Iron Mule Brewery, Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery, Joyride Brewing, Launch Pad Brewery, Mockery Brewing, Station 26 Brewing Co., Timnath Beerwerks, Woods Boss Brewing Company, and Guanella Pass Brewing Co. are the newest Member Breweries in the Craft Malt Certified Seal program, which allows brewers and distillers to communicate their use of and support for distinctive, locally produced raw materials. 

These breweries have demonstrated their commitment to locally grown and roasted barley by joining this membership program, and they’re proud to do so. “We joined because we buy malt from Root Shoot Malting. It's important to support our local economy and a fellow manufacturer like ourselves,” says David Lin, Chairman & Founder at Comrade Brewing in Denver. “We were impressed with their dedication to quality, along with their malting facility. Root Shoot helps differentiate our beer while meeting the customers’ desire for local products.”

Photo at Comrade Brewing

Jordan Fink, Co-Founder and Head Brewer of another Denver brewery, Woods Boss Brewing, is another advocate for the Craft Malt Seal. “We have a deep and abiding commitment to sustainability, community, education, personal relationships and of course, making amazing beer,” he says. “To that effect, we developed a partnership with Root Shoot Malting pretty much right out of the gate and at this point, almost all of our base malt is supplied by them. Given the opportunity to join the Craft Maltsters Guild and be able to showcase our participation through the use of the Seal was a no-brainer for us. It allows us to promote the folks who supply our grain, what they do, and showcase our beer all at the same time.”

Another of the country’s leading maltsters and craft malt membership crusaders, Riverbend Malt in Asheville, North Carolina, has also encouraged 12 breweries to join the Craft Malt Seal. Learn more about the Seal at craftmalting.com.  

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Root Shoot Malting.

ABOUT ROOT SHOOT MALTING 

Root Shoot Malting’s family of farmers grow, harvest and malt the finest grains to give brewers and distillers high-quality taste in every glass. Opened in 2016 on 1,500 acres of Olander Farms’ irrigated land in Loveland, Colorado, Root Shoot harvests alfalfa, wheat, corn, rye, and barley. Root Shoot gives breweries and distilleries the ability to procure local, consistent and high quality craft products. Find this craft maltster online at rootshootmalting.com.

Ska Street Brewstillery to open in Boulder on March 16

Photo by The Brewtography Project

BOULDER, CO—  Ska Street Brewstillery will open to the public on March 16, followed by a grand opening celebration slated for April 9. 

A joint project of Ska Brewing and its sister company, Palisade’s Peach Street Distillers, Ska Street Brewstillery in Boulder will include a restaurant, a 10 BBL brewing system, a 450-liter still, thirty taps for serving Ska beers, a mixology program, and all of the music-inspired silliness the has established Ska and Peach Street as iconic Colorado destinations.

The Ska Street Brewstillery menu will include vegetarian and vegan options, as well as the farm-to-table ethos championed by Peach Street and executed by recently hired Head Chef Travis Messervey. The taproom will pour all of Ska’s flagship beers — including Modus Hoperandi IPA, True Blonde Ale, Pinstripe Red, and Pink Vapor Stew— as well as experimental one-offs and other specialties brewed on-site, along with whiskey, gin, vodka, and other spirits also made at the facility. 

Join Ska Street Brewstillery at 1600 38th Street in Boulder on its first day open to the public on Monday,  March 16 at 11am. Business hours are 11am to 10pm Monday through Friday, 10am to 10pm Saturday, and 10am to 9pm Sunday.

Ska Street will be open during regular business hours through the month, and will celebrate its grand opening on April 9. The brewstillery will share more information about this party soon.

For more information about Ska Street Brewstillery, Ska Brewing, or Peach Street Distillers, 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.

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 Peach Street at www.peachstreetdistillers.com for more about the spirits and the spirits squad.

Thirsty Monk Takes Flight with Taproom Partnership at Asheville Regional Airport

ASHEVILLE, NC— In a partnership with Vino Volo, the award-winning airport wine bar operator and retailer throughout North America, Thirsty Monk Brewery beers will soon be available on draft and to-go at Asheville Regional Airport. 

Thirsty Monk will co-brand a comfortable space with local Asheville flair just to the right of the TSA security checkpoint inside the gate area. This traveler lounge will offer beers on tap, packaged beer to-go, and a selection of curated food offerings alongside Vino Volo’s wine program. Currently the opening is slated for the end of summer 2020.

More than a year in the making, this is Thirsty Monk’s first partnership with an internationally recognized company, and could serve as a model for partnerships in other cities seeking to further extend local personality into airports.

“When I first reached out to the Asheville Regional Airport about how we could go about opening a Thirsty Monk taproom — their team was so receptive and connected me with Vino Volo,” says Barry Bialik, Thirsty Monk CEO. 

“After a year of ideas, discussions, and straight up reality checks, everything is now a go to move forward with the Asheville Regional Airport’s first local brewery taproom and Vino Volo wine bar. I am so proud that our airport staff recognizes the importance of adding local character, and so pleased to have been able to collaborate with Vino Volo’s truly world class team,” says Bialik.

As Asheville Regional Airport grows with new destinations added continually, Thirsty Monk’s partnership with Vino Volo is perfectly poised to host visitors to and from Western North Carolina—taking one of Asheville’s most iconic breweries along with them on their travels. 

For more information about Thirsty Monk’s partnership with Vino Volo, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

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.

Oh Hi Beverages and Two Six Craft Distributors Announce Colorado Front Range Partnership

DURANGO, CO— Oh Hi Beverages and Two Six Craft Distributors announced today a new partnership that brings Oh Hi’s sparkling CBD seltzer line to Colorado’s Front Range. These canned seltzers will be available in 12 oz. 4-packs and on draft at select Colorado craft establishments beginning this month. 

Oh Hi canned the first of its new CBD line in the same four flavors as their THC seltzers: Pomegranate, Grapefruit, Lemon Lime, and Ginger Basil Limeade, each with 15mg of fast-acting flavorless CBD isolate. Distribution is currently available through Ska Brewing and Southwest Beverage Company around Southwest Colorado, and now on the Front Range via Two Six Craft Distributors.

“We are very excited to bring Oh Hi CBD seltzers to a wider audience,” says Oh Hi Co-Founder Matt Vincent. “The ability to distribute this to many more traditional retail venues presents a lot of great opportunities to try Oh Hi CBD and experience the great flavor of the cannabis-infused beverages that Oh Hi is known for.”

Denver’s Station 26 Brewing Co. expanded its business model to include a distribution arm, Two Six Craft Distributors, in November of 2019. Oh Hi Beverages joins a portfolio that includes Station 26 products and Arvada-based New Image Brewing.

In December of 2019, Oh Hi Beverages first canned its CBD seltzer line to be distributed in Southwest Colorado through the Ska Brewing distribution network. It can be purchased at Colorado retailers including grocery and liquor stores. Soon Oh Hi CBD seltzers will be available for purchase on Oh Hi’s website. Oh Hi’s THC line can be purchased at Colorado dispensaries.

“We’re thrilled to bring Oh Hi CBD seltzers to the Front Range,” said Justin Baccary, Founder + President of Two Six Craft Distributors. “It’s exciting to have an alternative option in our portfolio for those seeking delicious and well-made non-alcoholic craft beverages.”

For more information about Oh Hi Beverages and its THC and CBD seltzers, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. Contact sales@ohhibev.com with distribution inquiries. Contact Todd Luther at todd@station26brewing.co with questions about Two Six Craft Distributors. 

ABOUT OH HI BEVERAGES

Founded in 2018, Oh Hi Beverages crafts canned THC and CBD seltzers in Durango, Colorado. Oh Hi Beverages is the brainchild of Aaron Miles and Jonny Radding, the co-owners of Durango Organics, and Matt Vincent, one of the co-owners of Ska Brewing and the founder of Ska Fabricating. Collectively Aaron, Jonny, and Matt bring a breadth of business, entrepreneurship, technical, and both cannabis and beverage-specific experience to this new hard seltzer company. Learn more about Oh Hi Beverages at ohhibev.com.

Westbound & Down Opens Westbound General in Downtown Idaho Springs

IDAHO SPRINGS— Westbound & Down announced today the grand opening of their new grab and go shop at the brewpub in downtown Idaho Springs. Westbound General will open to the public on Saturday, March 7.

This news comes fresh off Westbound & Down’s debut of packaged cans that will be distributed through their partnership with Culture Beverage across Colorado. These canned brands, which include Colorado Pale Ale, Westbound Double IPA, and Chicago Peaks Kolsch, will be available to-go from the new shop. 

In addition to beer to-go, Westbound General will offer award-winning java by Colorado’s Sweet Bloom Coffee, new brewery merchandise, and other functional, locally curated goods for neighborhood shoppers and travelers alike. The new space is a fun, casual extension of the brewpub— with clean, upscale yet approachable aesthetic designed by award winning space creator Kevin Nguyen of Regular. 

Westbound General will celebrate its grand opening this Saturday  at Westbound & Down in downtown Idaho Springs. All cans and crowlers to-go from the new shop will be discounted 20% all day, and guests can enjoy free drip coffee from Sweet Bloom Coffee. The shop will be open daily from 7am to close. 

Westbound General, an ideal stop for mountain explorers to fuel up before their adventures, is the newest member of Westbound & Down’s family of Colorado beer destinations, which also includes their award-winning Brewpub in Idaho Springs.

For more information about Westbound General or Westbound & Down Brewing Company, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT WESTBOUND & DOWN BREWING CO. 

Westbound & Down Brewing Company runs a small but mighty 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— all in a welcoming atmosphere where people can gather to share the Colorado beer experience. Westbound & Down was honored to receive the Midsize Brewpub of the Year award at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival®. Come along for the journey at westboundanddown.com.

Laws Whiskey House Appoints David Cronin as Director of Sales Eastern Division

Photo by The Brewtography Project

DENVER, CO— Laws Whiskey House, the award-winning Denver based distillery, is pleased to announce the appointment of David Cronin to the newly created role of Director of Sales – Eastern Division. Mr. Cronin assumed his position effective March 1, 2020 and will report directly to Patrick Larkin, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Laws Whiskey House. 

In his role, David will be responsible for leading the Eastern United States Laws business development to advance the sales & distribution footprint for the entire Laws Whiskey portfolio along the Eastern seaboard. 

“David’s experience, insight and sales acumen aligns perfectly with our brand and organizational strategy,” says Larkin. “Having a game-changer like David as part of the Laws sales and marketing team will lead us into uncharted territories of success throughout the Eastern United States.”

Cronin who has worked across the beverage industry for 25+ years joins the Laws team from Palm Bay International, where he served as East Sales Director and oversaw Palm Bays comprehensive portfolio of imported wines and spirits. He’s previously held Senior Executive level sales roles at VOSS Artesian Water, Republic National Distributing Company, and Washington Wholesale. Cronin received his Bachelor of Liberal Arts from Rhode Island College, and currently resides with his family in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Contact David at david@lawswhiskeyhouse.com with Eastern seaboard sales inquiries. Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Laws Whiskey House.

ABOUT LAWS WHISKEY HOUSE

Established in 2011, Laws Whiskey House is a purpose driven, grain-to-glass whiskey distillery founded on the principle that the soul of its whiskey is comprised of the people who grow it, the people who make it, and the people who drink it. Using the traditional method of open-air, on grain fermentation, Laws' whiskeys feature high altitude grown American mother grains and mountain spring water while aging in 53-gallon charred American oak barrels. With a collection of award-winning whiskey, including several Bottled in Bond expressions, Laws Whiskey House invites you to visit their tasting room in Denver's historic Gates neighborhood and enjoy the Laws experience. For more information visit www.lawswhiskeyhouse.com.

Root Shoot Malting and Traverse Image Introduce 100 Year Lease Documentary

Photo by Traverse Image

LOVELAND, CO— Colorado-based Root Shoot Malting and Traverse Image are proud to introduce their new documentary 100 Year Lease, created to convey the importance of family farms and conservation of Colorado agriculture. They will kick off a series of events at Colorado breweries to support this film beginning next week, in effort to save family farms one beer at a time. 

100 Year Lease is the product of three years in the making, all dedicated to the education about and preservation of the American family farm. The film was shot by Traverse Image and will be branded by Colorado-based MTN Creative. 

This new film features moving cinematography and storytelling about the preservation of local agriculture. “We rely on the land, and Mother Nature—  and that's what we want to take care of,” says Todd Olander who co-owns Root Shoot Malting. “This business requires land, we need to be able to grow the barley to feed it, and we need to have that resource— the land— to grow it. Our mission is to put a plan in place so we can always have farmland.” 

Root Shoot and Traverse Image will screen the short film for the first time on Thursday, March 5 at the Poudre Pub Talks at High Hops Brewery in Windsor. Guest speakers Todd and Steve Olander, Farmers and Co-Owners of Root Shoot will join us to talk about their family history of farming in Northern Colorado and the future of farmlands on a rapidly developing Front Range. Guests can enjoy beer on tap brewed with Root Shoot malt to boot. This event is free and open to the public, and guests should RSVP on Facebook. 

Root Shoot and Traverse Image intend to work with their brewery and distillery partners throughout 2020 to create gatherings and conversations around the 100 Year Lease documentary. More film and trailer screenings will be announced in coming weeks. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Root Shoot Malting or their 100 Year Lease documentary project with Traverse Image.

ABOUT ROOT SHOOT MALTING 

Root Shoot Malting’s family of farmers grow, harvest and malt the finest grains to give brewers and distillers high-quality taste in every glass. Opened in 2016 on 1,500 acres of Olander Farms’ irrigated land in Loveland, Colorado, Root Shoot harvests alfalfa, wheat, corn, rye, and barley. Root Shoot gives breweries and distilleries the ability to procure local, consistent and high quality craft products. Find this craft maltster online at rootshootmalting.com.

ABOUT TRAVERSE IMAGE

Traverse Image is a Colorado digital film company with a focus on documentary films about the natural world. Traverse Image believes that films can inspire monumental change— the passionate company is  tenacious in their pursuit of bringing powerful stories to life through film. Get inspired at traverseimage.com.

The Empourium To Release Obey Session IPA For First Friday in March

WHAT: The Empourium will release Obey Session IPA on Friday, March 6 as part of the Tennyson neighborhood’s First Friday activities. The evening will include a photography session by Holly Gerard for the brewery #POURtrait challenge.

Ever seen Shepard Fairey's Obey Giant street art? It was the inspiration behind Obey Session IPA, a 4.5% ABV IPA that’s a harmonious mix of old school and new school. Strong malt backbone holds up to copious amounts of late hopping goodness of Centennial and Chinook hops. This IPA is bursting with flavors and aromas of pineapple, grapefruit, and a hint of pine.

Enjoy an Obey Session IPA as you strike a pose in front of the brewery’s original Drew Button mural. Customers are encouraged to post their photos on instagram tagging The Empourium and the artist @dbuttonink, with the #POURtrait hashtag. Submissions are due by April 10, with the winner announced at the first anniversary party on April 18. The winner scores free beer for a year from The Empourium, brewery swag, a framed print of the original hand-drawn mural concept, and a fresh RadCraft t-shirt.

Holly Gerard of Aperture and Ales Photography (@apertureofales) will be onsite from 5 to 7pm to capture #POURtrait photos. Find an album of images on The Empourium’s Facebook page after the event.

Little Red’s Kitchen will be onsite serving up some delicious grub. Find more details in this Facebook event.

WHEN: Friday, March 6 from 12 to 11pm; Aperture of Ales #POURtrait Session from 5 to 7pm

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

Contact Erin Hamrick at erin@radcraftbeer.com for more information about this First Friday release, the #POURtrait challenge, or with any other inquiries about 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.

Laws Whiskey House Announces California Distribution Partnership

DENVER, CO— Laws Whiskey House, the award winning Denver based distillery, is excited to announce an exclusive strategic distribution partnership with Wine Warehouse, a California Distributor of Spirits, Wine and Beer. Effective immediately the entire Laws Whiskey portfolio including its flagship Four Grain Straight Bourbon & San Luis Valley Straight Rye along with three Bottled in Bond expressions will be available throughout the Golden State.

“The whiskey is delicious and the "No Shortcuts" attitude is right up our alley,” says Brandon Bartlett, Director of Spirits at Wine Warehouse. “We couldn't be happier to have Laws as a new addition to the premium spirits book at Wine Warehouse!" 

Laws Whiskey House currently has 15 distribution markets throughout the United States including California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas.

“Wine Warehouse has such an impressive portfolio and track record,” says Al Laws, founder of Laws Whiskey House. “A perfect partner to help our distillery take the next step into a robust whiskey market like California.” 

For more information about Laws Whiskey House, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT LAWS WHISKEY HOUSE

Established in 2011, Laws Whiskey House is a purpose driven, grain-to-bottle whiskey distillery founded on the principle that the soul of its whiskey is comprised of the people who grow it, the people who make it, and the people who drink it. Using the traditional method of open-air, on grain fermentation, Laws' whiskeys feature high altitude grown American mother grains and mountain spring water while aging in 53-gallon charred American oak barrels. With a collection of award winning whiskey, including several Bottled in Bond expressions, Laws Whiskey House invites you to visit their tasting room in Denver's historic Gates neighborhood and enjoy the Laws experience. For more information visit www.lawswhiskeyhouse.com.

Root Shoot Malting Wins 2020 Craft Malt Cup for Light Munich

FORT COLLINS, CO— Root Shoot Malting are the proud recipients of a 2020 Craft Malt Cup, third place in the Light Munich category. They received the award earlier this month during this second annual competition at the third annual Craft Malt Conference.

This competition is open to American maltsters, this year with two categories (up from one the previous year): Light Munich and Pale Malt. Twenty two malthouses entered, with 22 entries in the Pale Malt category, and 14 in the Light Munich category. Quality analysis was conducted on all samples by the Montana State University Malt Quality Lab to ensure entries met the specs for each category. Samples then underwent a blind hot-steep method wort tasting in numerous locations around the United States by qualified sensory panels that included brewers, distillers, Cicerones, and malting experts.

"Malt Houses participating in this years Malt Cup received the full analytical evaluation of their malt as well as detailed sensory feedback from DraughtLab,” says the Director of the Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab at MSU. “This feedback provided rare insight for each groups entry as well as comparison to other malts within the style category. Our aim is to provide an invaluable service to the Craft Malt Industry through the Malt Cup competition."

In the inaugural year of the Craft Malt Cup, Root Shoot Malting won first place for their Genie Pale Malt. The Loveland-based maltster is excited to take home this honor two years in a row, a testament to the quality of their product and a huge compliment from trusted industry advisors. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Root Shoot Malting.

ABOUT ROOT SHOOT MALTING 

Root Shoot Malting’s family of farmers grow, harvest and malt the finest grains to give brewers and distillers high-quality taste in every glass. Opened in 2016 on 1,500 acres of Olander Farms’ irrigated land in Loveland, Colorado, Root Shoot harvests alfalfa, wheat, corn, rye, and barley. Root Shoot gives breweries and distilleries the ability to procure local, consistent and high quality craft products. Find this craft maltster online at rootshootmalting.com.

Bonfire Block Party Presents 2020 Lineup with Release Shindig

EAGLE, CO– Bonfire Brewing and Optimum Events announced today seven additions to the 2020 Bonfire Block Party lineup. The brewery celebrates with live music tonight at its Release Shindig in the tasting room.

Playing at the Boneyard, Hardscrabble, and Bonfire stages will be Sam Bush, The Record Company, Dumpstaphunk, The Main Squeeze, The Broadcast, The Runaway Grooms, and House with a Yard. They join Keller Williams Grateful Grass, The Mammoths and Mo Lowda & the Humble. 

"I'm so thrilled about the lineup we've been able to put together for this year's event,” says Amanda Jessen who co-owns Bonfire Brewing. “The level of talent is beyond anything we've ever had at Bonfire Block Party, and I'm counting down the days until we're dancing in the street and sharing the excitement with our friends and neighbors in Eagle, and beyond!" 

Tonight from 4 to 10pm, Bonfire is hosting the annual Lineup Release Shindig in the taproom. This event includes no-fee ticket purchases, and a free pint for each ticket purchased. Broken Revival takes stage from 7 to 10pm.

Tickets for Bonfire Block Party are on sale now and include Two-Day General Admission tickets, regularly priced Two-Day VIP Experience tickets, and Bloodies & Bluegrass brunch tickets, which include bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas. This multi-day street festival in downtown Eagle, Colorado will take place Friday, June 12 through Sunday, June 14. Kids 12 and under are free for General Admission, and two and under are free for the VIP Experience and Sunday’s Bloodies & Bluegrass event.

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

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with all media inquiries about Bonfire Brewing and Bonfire Block Party.

IF YOU GO:

What: 2020 Bonfire Block Party

When: Friday, June 12 - Sunday, June 14

Where:  Downtown Eagle, CO

Cost: $40 - $140

More Information: visit www.bonfireblockparty.com

Lone Tree Brewing Company Presents 2020 Beer Release Calendar

LONE TREE, CO— Committed to producing unique and well-balanced beers in the coming year, Lone Tree Brewing is proud to release their 2020 beer calendar. This year the brewery will feature seven new beers and five familiar favorites.

Lone Tree will add a tasty new IPA to their year-round lineup that pays homage to the comeback of a revered style: the clear IPA. This West Coast-Style IPA will be available in early spring.  

Strawberry Kiwi Blonde is a brand new seasonal that launches in April. The Lone Tree brewing team tested multiple recipes before landing on this 5.2 percent ABV, highly drinkable and refreshing beer with fruity notes that are perfect for the transition into summer.

New Zealand IPA, Lone Tree’s first new IPA of 2020 from the Hoppy Little Trees Project, Lone Tree’s rotating IPA series, will make its debut in March. This special beer, which was inspired by Jerry Siote of Lone Tree’s trip to New Zealand, features hops sourced solely from the highly sought after hop regions of New Zealand.

“Driving through the countryside of Nelson and seeing acres of hop farms side-by-side with wine vineyards was an amazing experience and illustrates how unique the growing conditions really are there,” says Jerry Siote, Lone Tree Director of Brewhouse Operations. “With such a small amount of acreage available for their hops, I realized how lucky we are to acquire and brew with these amazing varieties that craft brewers all over the world seek out.” 

A nod to the wonderful work of the New Zealand cooperative growers with a world-class hop tradition, New Zealand IPA has a medium-bodied and golden colored malt profile that upholds the bold characteristics of Waimea, Pacific Jade, Motueka and Kohatu hops. Strong flavor and aroma profiles from the beer contribute fresh tropical fruit, "Mojito" lime, black pepper and overall citrus notes, as well as a crisp, hoppy finish with a balanced bitterness.

Another beer that will come out of the Hoppy Little Trees Project is Juicy IPA, a new crushable 6.5 percent IPA will arrive just in time for fall. The brewery will release another IPA coming out of this series for colder months. Details about this release will be available in coming months.

Branching Out, the brewery’s small-batch, specialty beer series, will welcome back Pineapple Sour in the spring. Last year, this crisp, tart blonde ale with a subtle pineapple finish had beer drinkers clamoring for more. At 4.5 percent ABV, this refreshing, sessionable beer arrives just in time for the summer. Continuing with the fruit theme, Lone Tree will release new beer Golden Berry Ale in the summer. With the addition of blackberries and raspberries, this traditional Belgian Golden Strong Ale has fruity flavors that burst through. Finally, Winter Warmer, a traditional British Old Ale spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and clove will be available in fall, and Horchata Stout will return to close out 2020.

Other fan favorites include the annual release of the infamous Hop Zombie Imperial Red IPA, a tasting room only offering, as well as Vanilla Caramel Amber, both in the fall.

“As always, our most anticipated release of the year, Hop Zombie, has become quite the event in the tasting room with fans beyond the grave,” says Dennis Stack, Lone Tree Director of Sales and Marketing. “And don’t forget about Vanilla Caramel Amber, the perfect winter favorite after an epic day on the slopes.”

These beers will be available on draft and in canned six-packs at Lone Tree Brewing as well as within the brewery’s distribution footprint. 

For more information about Lone Tree Brewing Company or their 2020 releases, contact Chea Franz 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 across its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.

Ska Distributing Expands Beverage Offerings to Include Spirits, CBD Seltzer, and Cider

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing’s distribution arm is expanding its beverage offerings beyond beer to include spirits from Peach Street Distillers, CBD seltzers from Oh Hi Beverages, and ciders from Fenceline Ciders. These new additions to the portfolio will be available across Southwestern Colorado. 

Launched in 2005 by Ska Brewing co-founders Bill Graham and Dave Thibodeau, Ska’s sister distillery Peach Street Distillers will now offer an array of its bottles through Ska Distributing, including Goat Vodka, Jackelope Gin, Smoked Rye Whisky, American Single Malt Whisky, Amaro, Fruit Brandy, Barrel aged Gin, and Colorado Straight Bourbon in all its forms (Barrel Strength, 5 Year, 10 Year and Colorado Straight). "To say the stoke is high is an understatement,” says Peach Street Founder and Ska Brewing Founder Bill Graham to be able to sell and deliver our own goods to my own backyard with the guys I've worked with for years?!? Of course we are going to do this and do it in the best way." 

Co-founded in 2019 by Ska Brewing co-owner Matt Vincent and the owners of Durango Organics, Oh Hi Beverages is a Durango-based cannabis drinks company that crafts THC and CBD seltzers. Ska Distributors will distribute Oh Hi’s CBD seltzer line, which includes Pomegranate, Ginger Basil Limeade, Lemon Lime, and Grapefruit flavors. The cans are available as 12 oz. 4-packs. “We are really excited to partner with Ska Distributors to bring our CBD line of beverages to Southwest Colorado,” says Vincent, who also founded Ska Fabricating in 2012. “It's a great relationship that shares the synergy of all the families it represents. CBD Seltzers are a new category and we are very excited to introduce it to SW Colorado and have Ska Distributing as our partner in doing this."

Founded by Sam Perry and Neal Wight in 2018 in Mancos, Colorado, Fenceline Ciders works with historic orchards to produce its ciders, which include the canned Seedling and Catkin Hopped ciders available now through Ska Distributing as 12-oz. 4-packs. “I am very excited to be working with Ska Brewing and I don't think Fenceline Cider could have found a better partner,” says Sam Perry who co-owns Fenceline. “Ska’s work ethic, commitment to quality, and mold-breaking attitude are all in line with Fenceline's core values. Ska's knowledge of the regional craft beverage market will be a huge asset to Fenceline as we grow.  It's an honor to be a part of their distribution lineup.”

Ska Brewing is also pleased to report the coming addition of wine to its distribution portfolio, and will announce details in coming months. 

For more information about Ska’s non-beer additions to its distribution network, or the who Legion of Ska sister companies including Peach Street Distillers, Ska Fabricating and Oh Hi Beverages, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Ska Brewing Company is the premiere craft distributor for Southwestern Colorado, committed to serving independently owned companies. In addition to their own award-winning beers, The Hard Seltzer, and non-alcoholic Skagua, they distribute other beers from Telluride Brewing, Left Hand Brewing Co., Bristol Brewing, Stone Brewing, Marble Brewing, La Cumbre Brewing Co., Bosque Brewing, and Sweetwater Brewing. Ska services on and off-premise accounts in Durango, Telluride, Ridgway, Ouray, and Pagosa. Find Ska online at skabrewing.com.

Laws Whiskey House’s 6-Year-Old Bottled in Bond San Luis Valley Rye Named Best American Rye Whiskey 12 Years and Under at 2020 World Whiskies Awards

NEW YORK, NY— Laws Whiskey House took home top honors at the World Whiskies Awards on February 11 in New York City. Laws Whiskey’s Bonded San Luis Valley Straight Rye was the category winner for American Rye Whiskey (12 years and under).

In addition to this prestigious award, Laws Whiskey House also received a bronze medal in the non-Kentucky category for their 6-Year Bottled in Bond Straight Four Grain Bourbon.

“As an American whiskey focused distillery, producing an unapologetic straight rye whiskey has been an obsession here at Laws Whiskey House from the beginning,” says Al Laws founder of Laws Whiskey House. “Being at the top of this rye category in the World Whiskies Awards three out of the last four years is pretty great and humbling—a testament to the flavorful heirloom variety of rye we use from the San Luis Valley in Colorado grown by the Cody family”

The Bottled in Bond San Luis Valley Rye has been well received in many markets over the last few years; the new 6-year-old Bottled in Bond San Luis Valley Rye is set for release in several markets in March. 

“The San Luis Valley Rye we grow for Laws is lovingly attended to by our multi-generational family farm,” says Josh Cody of Colorado Malting Company. “The rye is part of our family. It is at our table when we gather, in our field through the San Luis Valley winter and finished properly by our family at Laws Whiskey.” 

The World Whiskies Awards are the global awards selecting the very best in all internationally recognized styles of whiskies. The World Whiskies Awards select, reward and promote the world’s best whiskies to consumers and trade across the globe.

For more information about Laws Whiskey House and the distillery’s award-winning whiskey, contact Chea Franz at chea@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT LAWS WHISKEY HOUSE

Established in 2011, Laws Whiskey House is a purpose driven, grain-to-bottle whiskey distillery founded on the principle that the soul of its whiskey is comprised of the people who grow it, the people who make it, and the people who drink it. Using the traditional method of open-air, on grain fermentation, Laws' whiskeys feature high altitude grown American mother grains and mountain spring water while aging in 53-gallon charred American oak barrels. With a collection of award winning whiskey, including several Bottled in Bond expressions, Laws Whiskey House invites you to visit their tasting room in Denver's historic Gates neighborhood and enjoy the Laws experience. For more information visit www.lawswhiskeyhouse.com.