The Empourium Brings Back Fresh-tober Fest to Denver’s Berkeley Neighborhood October 9
Fresh-tober Fest quickly became one of the Berkeley neighborhood’s favorite festivals in 2019, and after a pandemic hiatus it’s back with even more beers.
DENVER, CO— The Empourium Brewing Co. will bring back the Fresh-tober Fest fresh hop festival on October 9, and this year they’re closing down a section of Tennyson Street so festival goers have even more room to enjoy beers from seven additional local Denver breweries, food trucks, and live music.
Fresh-tober Fest quickly became one of the Berkeley neighborhood’s favorite festivals in 2019, and after a pandemic hiatus it’s back with even more beers. The Empourium will tap its famed fresh hop beer, Now & Forever, a 6.2% ABV IPA that radiates hop freshness from Cashmere hops sourced from Hop Head Farms in Michigan.
The Empourium has invited seven of its brewery friends to serve their fresh hop creations at Fresh-toberfest. The $25 presale ticket scores each guest a pour of each featured beer from Barquentine Brewing, Call to Arms Brewing, Comrade Brewing, De Steeg Brewing, FlyteCo Brewing, Goldspot Brewing and Joyride Brewing. The ticket price increases to $30 the day before the festival. Day-of, guests can purchase additional full pours for $6 each.
This alternative Oktoberfest celebration will also feature eats from Little Red’s Kitchen and Pho King Rapidos, and live music. The event benefits the St. Francis Center, a refuge for men and women who are homeless in the metro Denver area. Fresh-tober Fest will include a jean drive again for this organization, for which guests are encouraged to bring a new or gently used pair of jeans to donate.
Don’t miss Fresh-tober Fest on Saturday, October 9 from 12 to 6pm in front of The Empourium, located at 4385 W 42nd Ave, Denver, Colorado 80212.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer for the complete Fresh-tober Fest beer list and to connect with The Empourium for an interview about this second annual festival.
ABOUT THE EMPOURIUM
Located in the heart of Denver’s Berkeley Neighborhood, The Empourium is a gathering place for all— patrons and beer styles alike. Armed with true to style recipes and local pride, owners Greg and Sara Fetzer, Mike Cugini, and Justin Vallely focus their efforts to craft a warm, lively community hub centered around balanced, sessionable beers guaranteed to bring people together. Visit The Empourium at 4385 W. 42nd Avenue or online at theempourium.com
Bootstrap Brewing Stick’s Pale Ale Earns Another Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival
Bootstrap Brewing’s Stick's Pale Ale just won a gold medal in the American-Style Pale Ale category at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival®, among 150 other competitors for that medal.
Photo © Brewers Association
LONGMONT, CO— Bootstrap Brewing’s Stick's Pale Ale just won a gold medal in the American-Style Pale Ale category at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival®, among 150 other competitors for that medal.
Considered to be the Oscars of the American brewing industry, GABF® scores beers based on how well they represent each beer-style category, with winners landing gold, silver, and bronze placements if they meet or exceed those standards.
A GABF veteran, Stick’s won gold in 2016 in the same category. and has won numerous other medals at competitions around the country for it’s smooth, delicious flavor profile. A true American Pale Ale, Stick’s is citrusy and dry hopped with Mosaic hops for a bright and bitter finish that is categorically delicious.
This win comes on the heels of several other achievements for Bootstrap, including multiple medals at the U.S. Open Beer Championship, the USA Beer Ratings, and the U.S. Beer Tasting Championship.
“This was such an awesome moment for the entire Bootstrap team,” explains owner/brewer Steve Kaczeus. “It’s hard enough to win one gold medal in a popular GABF beer category let alone 2 gold medals. In developing the recipe, I wanted to make sure Stick’s had great flavor and awesome aroma using Galaxy and Mosaic hops.
“It took me several iterations but it obviously got there. It’s my favorite porch pounder,” Kaczeus added.
For more information about Bootstrap Brewing’s Stick's Pale Ale, contact Leslie Kaczeus at leslie@bootstrapbrewing.com.
ABOUT BOOTSTRAP BREWING COMPANY
Home to best-selling and award-winning craft beers such as Insane Rush, Lush Puppy, Stick’s Pale Ale, Chillax, and Wreak Havoc, Bootstrap Brewing is an independent, adventurous brewery in Colorado dedicated to producing a wide range of ales and lagers. More information can be found on our website at bootstrapbrewing.com.
Lone Tree Brewing Peach Pale Ale Earns Hardware at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival
Long time creators of fruit beer, Lone Tree always uses real fruit flavor that adds clean, bright notes to any style and earns awards ranging from GABF to state based competitions.
LONE TREE, CO— Over the weekend, Lone Tree Brewing was honored with the bronze medal in the American Fruit Beer category at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival® for their Peach Pale Ale.
As the penultimate brewing competition in the United States, GABF® compares submissions to it’s category specific parameters, awarding a possible three medals for bronze, silver, and gold based on how well that year’s submissions match up.
In a category of 133 entries, Peach Pale Ale’s subtle fruit-forward flavor stood out. Made from real ripened peaches paired with a refreshing citrus aroma, this beer is a deep golden color with a medium body, approachable bitterness, and a finishing stone fruit flavor.
"It's exciting to see one of our longest running beers get this kind of recognition," says Dennis Stack, Lone Tree’s Sales & Marketing Director. "True to our style of brewing, the base pale ale is a solid brew on its own but we like to put a subtle twist on it with the addition of peach."
Long time creators of fruit beer, Lone Tree always uses real fruit flavor that adds clean, bright notes to any style and earns awards ranging from GABF to state based competitions.
For more information about Lone Tree Brewing’s Peach Pale Ale, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING CO.
Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery to open in Lone Tree, Colorado in Denver’s South Metro area in 2011. Lone Tree creates community around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers that are sold in cans and on draft across the state of Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
Tried and True, Ska Brewing’s True Blonde Ale Earns More Accolades at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival
Ska’s True Blonde is the oldest and most decorated beer recipes, already holding four GABF medals, and two World Beer Cup® awards.
Photo © Brewers Association
DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing’s True Blonde Ale earned a silver medal in the English Ale category at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival®.
The most prestigious professional beer competition in the country, GABF® scores brews on a tabulation scale, with winners landing gold, silver, and bronze placements if they stack up. In a competition featuring 9,680 beers in 97 categories, True Blonde’s silver medal distinguishes it as a beer that maintains close adherence to the style and displays excellent taste, aroma and appearance.
Ska’s True Blonde is the oldest and most decorated beer recipes, already holding four GABF medals, and two World Beer Cup® awards. It has also been recognized at numerous other events, including the Colorado State Fair, the L.A. International Beer Competition, and the Good Food Awards.
True Blonde a crisp, medium-bodied blonde ale that is crafted with honey from Durango’s specialty honey producer, Honeyville. A little sweet and a lot delicious, True Blonde has established itself as a true staple in the world of American craft brewing.
“What a fantastic wrap up to an incredible week!” Dave Thibodeau, Ska’s Co-Founder and CEO, exclaimed during the GABF Awards Ceremony and a week after Ska celebrated its (25th and) 26th anniversary. “True Blonde was the very first beer we ever brewed and we poured our first two kegs exactly 26 years ago at Telluride Blues and Brews.”
For more information about Ska Brewing’s True Blonde Ale or any of Ska’s other award-winning beers, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans including Modus Hoperandi, Mexican Logger, Euphoria and Pinstripe. For information (a lot of it), music, and a good time, visit skabrewing.com.
Bootstrap Brewing Announces The New Adventure Series Rotating 6-Packs
Bootstrap Brewing announced today the release of their brand new Adventure Series 6-packs which will begin shipping September 13th.
LONGMONT, CO — Bootstrap Brewing announced today the release of their brand new Adventure Series 6-packs which will begin shipping September 13th. The Adventure Series will rotate through a variety of styles that have previously only been available in the tasting room plus feature brand new recipes never released before.
The first release of the Adventure Series is an ESB-style Amber Ale that has been on tap in the tasting room since the brewery opened in June of 2012. “I’m extremely excited about this one because our Amber is a strong favorite of mine, and I’ve only been able to enjoy it outside of the taproom in growlers or Crowlers. Not ideal when I’m riding my horse and want to enjoy a beer at a favorite stop,” explains Owner Leslie Kaczeus.
In parallel with Bootstrap’s previous can designs, the Adventure Series features a variety of animals indigenous to the Rocky Mountains to reflect the company’s love of outdoor adventures. “Amber pairs so well with tubing down your favorite lazy river,” Kaczeus adds.
Bootstrap’s 5.6% ABV, 28 IBUs ESB-Style Amber combines a blend of malts from light to dark along with various Cascade hop additions to make a fresh, crisp, hoppy beer. It’s also crafted to reduce gluten.
“We’re still deciding which styles we’ll feature in forthcoming releases in the rotation and are contemplating our Cherry Gose, Foreign Stout, a new super Hazy IPA or possibly our new pickle beer that we can’t seem to keep on tap,” explained Owner/Brewer Steve Kaczeus. “We love to let our customers weigh in on the vote too, so whatever we release will be one of their favorites for sure.”
For more information about the Adventure Series or Bootstrap Brewing, contact Leslie Kaczeus at leslie@bootstrapbrewing.com.
About Bootstrap Brewing Company
Home to best-selling and award-winning craft beers such as Insane Rush, Lush Puppy, Stick’s Pale Ale, Chillax, and Wreak Havoc, Bootstrap Brewing is an independent, adventurous brewery in Colorado dedicated to producing a wide range of ales and lagers. More information can be found at http://www.bootstrapbrewing.com.
Ska Brewing Mesa Guava IPA Comes to Year-Round Canned Fruit-ion
Ska Brewing will bring the Southwest-inspired flavors of its Mesa Guava IPA to all of its distribution states this week.
DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing will bring the Southwest-inspired flavors of its Mesa Guava IPA to all of its distribution states this week.
Mesa Guava IPA first debuted as a limited batch in cans in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona earlier this year. Now it’s back due to popular demand, joining the year-round portfolio and hitting all of Ska’s markets.
This new IPA was born through a brainstorm with Whole Foods. Fitting for both its Central American roots from which ska music originates and its compatibility with hop-forward flavors, guava was selected as this IPA’s key ingredient. Bold notes of Trident, Strata, and Idaho 7 hops meet tropical undertones in this balanced, medium-bodied beer.
“The fruit reinforces this beer’s sense of place at Ska and in the Southwest,” says Ska Brewing Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau. “Follow the mesa country to where the fruit originated from, and you’ll find the cultural inspiration for Ska Brewing.”
“I’ve been wanting to do something with guava as long as I’ve lived in the Southwest,” adds Kristen Muraro, Ska’s Sales and Marketing Director and 20+ year Durango local. “I’m excited, too, because this beer will be the first to join Ska’s year-round canned beer portfolio since the release of Double Hazy IPA cans earlier in spring.”
Mesa Guava IPA debuts at Ska’s World Headquarters in Durango on Friday, September 10. It will be available in 6-packs in all eleven of Ska’s distribution states on a year-round basis.
For more information about Ska’s newest IPA, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.
Bottleshare and Woods Boss Brewing Company Release Clarity Through the Haze IPA during CBC 2021
Friday, September 10, will see the release of Clarity Through the Haze when Woods Boss opens at noon; Glenn will be on hand to discuss Bottleshare and the collaboration.
DENVER, CO— One of craft beer’s biggest weeks has arrived, and 2021 Craft Beer Conference (CBC) events are popping up all over Denver.
Woods Boss Brewing Company, located just eight blocks from the Colorado Convention Center, will kick off their festivities on Wednesday, September 8 at 6 pm mountain time. Join Hopsnews, a philanthropic-centered beer podcast, as it hosts an online discussion centered around the Bottleshare and Woods Boss collaboration, Clarity Through the Haze IPA. The podcast can be accessed via Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Twitch.
Christopher Glenn, Bottleshare founder, will join Jordan Fink, Woods Boss co-owner, to discuss the collaboration, the story behind it, and how Bottleshare has harnessed the compassion of the craft beer industry and directed it right back to that industry, raising tens of thousands of dollars for those who need it most.
Glenn created Bottleshare as a way to “pay it forward,” to help those who had once helped him following a life-changing, brain-altering accident. According to the copy on the can itself, Clarity Through the Haze speaks to finding “clarity… of purpose through the clouds of experience.” It’s a beer with tropical notes that mark its New England influence but stands firmly in the clear, clean, slightly piney West Coast IPA territory.
Friday, September 10, will see the release of Clarity Through the Haze when Woods Boss opens at noon; Glenn will be on hand to discuss Bottleshare and the collaboration. Fifty percent of the sales from both drafts and 4-packs of the collaboration will be directed to Bottleshare’s vitally important support fund.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com for more information about Woods Boss Brewing or this collaboration.
ABOUT WOODS BOSS BREWING COMPANY
Woods Boss is more than just a name – it’s a lifestyle inspired by the principals of outdoor ethics and conservation. The Woods Boss kicks it with a much-deserved brew, in good company, and gears up to get back on the trail. After your adventure join us in the taproom with more than 20 unique craft beers on tap and frequent live music to relax with friends new and old, and online at woodsbossbrewing.com.
ABOUT BOTTLESHARE
Bottleshare is a fundraising and fund distribution nonprofit organization for the craft beverage industry. We grant out emergency funds to members of the craft beverage industry when they experience extreme hardships that prevent them from working or producing an income.
Living The Dream Brewing and Whole Foods Release Zap! Smash! IPA
Zap! Smash! was crafted with Zappa Hops, named in honor of Frank Zappa, and Colorado-grown Root Shoot Genie Pale Malt.
LITTLETON, CO– Living The Dream Brewing is excited to release an experimental IPA in collaboration with the Highlands Ranch, Colorado Whole Foods branch. Zap! Smash! is now available for locally minded beer lovers.
Zap! Smash! was crafted with Zappa Hops, named in honor of Frank Zappa, and Colorado-grown Root Shoot Genie Pale Malt. This refreshing 5.4% IPA yields flavors of mango, passionfruit, citrus, and pine.
“Whole Foods reached out to us when their Highlands Ranch Store took on a full liquor license, and we were thrilled to partner with them on beer to celebrate their commitment to supporting local. We decided on a single malt and single hop beer, or S.M.A.S.H, beer featuring Colorado’s own Root Shoot Malting, and highlighting Zappa hops— a native North American hop variety,” explains Living The Dream founder Jason Bell. “The name came about as Zappa and SMASH reminded us of the old superhero shows where the action was accentuated by the large word bubbles like POW, BAM, etc.”
Zap! Smash! is now available in limited quantities in 12oz. canned 6-packs at the Living The Dream’s tasting room. Find it at Whole Foods South Denver Metro locations beginning September 15, while supplies last.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Living The Dream.
ABOUT LIVING THE DREAM BREWING
Living the Dream Brewing is a craft brewery established in 2014 in Littleton, our home base for adventure in Colorado. Built on a foundation of brewing beer using only the finest ingredients, Living the Dream celebrates the people, places, and activities of the Centennial State. Live the life you've imagined, and join us at livingthedreambrewing.com.
Barnett & Son Brewing Celebrates Oktoberfest in Parker, September 17-18, 2021
At Barnett's Oktoberfest, you are not only joining beer lovers from around the world, but you are becoming a part of our seven year tradition, and counting.
PARKER, CO— It’s the best time of year at Barnett & Son Brewing Company, when the brewery taps its traditional German-style Märzen. This year’s Oktoberfest celebration will be complemented with the release of Dunkel Weizen, stein hoisting competitions, and stellar food truck offerings.
The celebration kicks off Friday, September 17 with the Poutine Me food truck. On Saturday, September 18, guests can enjoy eats from the Schnitzelwirt food truck that serves authentic German Schnitzel, Spätzle and Strudel. A stein holding competition will be held each evening at 6:30pm. Winners will receive fabulous prizes, including Crowlers and merchandise.
Barnett & Son created custom steins for this celebration that will be for sale out of the tasting room while supplies last. Fill yours with the traditional Oktoberfest Märzen— a rich and malty 5.6% ABV Lager with a balance of clean Noble hop bitterness— or the 5.4% ABV Dunkel Weizen— with sweet wheat maltiness, notes of banana and clove esters from yeast, and a hint of chocolate.
“Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival and has been an important part of Bavarian culture since 1810. At Barnett's Oktoberfest, you are not only joining beer lovers from around the world, but you are becoming a part of our seven year tradition, and counting. After a summer of lagering, we’re very excited to raise our steins in good company, and we hope you’ll join us. Prost!”
For more information about this annual Parker Oktoberfest Celebration at Barnett & Son Brewing, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT BARNETT & SON BREWING
Barnett and Son Brewing Co has been brewing high quality beer since 2014 in Parker, Colorado and is best known for their welcoming atmosphere, an expansive tap list, and dog-friendly patio. With recipes developed from owner Andrew Barnett’s homebrew recipes and influenced by his extensive international travel, everyone is sure to find a beer to make them feel at home. For more information, visit barnettandsonbrewing.com. Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us.
Mortal Expands Nationwide & Completes First Raise to Fund Rapid Growth
Triple digit sales growth, new markets and store placements across the United States, the completion of their first fundraising round, and the launch of hard kombucha in Colorado
BOULDER, CO— Mortal, a Boulder-based beverage company producing Mortal Kombucha and Mortal XXX Hard Kombucha is poised for its best year in business yet. Among its milestones are triple digit sales growth, new markets and store placements across the United States, the completion of their first fundraising round, and the launch of hard kombucha in Colorado. Read on in this Mortal 2021 Mid-Year Review.
SALES & DISTRIBUTION
It’s not every day a small batch beverage brand explodes (in a good way) across the country, and Mortal has its distribution partners KeHE and UNFl to credit to the rapid growth already achieved in 2021: up nearly 500% YOY. Mortal’s eight kombucha flavors— Black Sage, Marg Simpson, Black Magic, Apparently It’s Love, Power Melon, Sour Ginger, Chill Flower, and Dem Apples — are now available in Southern California, the Pacific Northwest, the Northeast, the Mid Atlantic, and the Midwest, spanning 40 States in the U.S..
Thirsty fermentation lovers can now find Mortal in new stores, too. These placements include Whole Foods in the Pacific Northwest, Mother’s Markets and Erewhon Market in Southern California, Down To Earth in Hawaii, Harmon’s in Utah, and Jungle Jim’s International Market and Woodman’s Market in the Midwest. Shop online and find a local retailer at mortalkombucha.com/where-to-buy/.
MORTAL XXX HARD KOMBUCHA
Earlier this year, Mortal introduced the Mortal XXX Hard Kombucha line that includes Cucumber Cool Off, Pineapple Kapow, Guavaloha Punch, and Lavender Afternoon. Each flavor is vibrant, fun and totally crushable. It has a 5.2% ABV, which walks a fine line to the rebellion that is indulging in a second. The eco-conscious decision to make the hard kombucha in 355mL cans is to make it not only recyclable, but easy to travel with for camping or enjoying around the pool.
Available in 4-packs and distributed exclusively by Colorado Craft Distributors, Mortal XXX Hard Kombucha is now available across Colorado in cans and kegs for both on and off-premise sales. It can be found in all Whole Foods and Natural Grocers stores that carry alcohol as well as a handful of independent liquor stores throughout the state.
LOOKING FORWARD
In August, Mortal completed its first-ever fundraising round on a convertible note. The investment was made up of strategic investors with expertise in beverage, brand and distribution. Canard Ventures, a Boulder, CO based venture firm with a portfolio of early-stage brands across many sectors participated as well as Manna Capital Partners out of Louisville, Kentucky.
“The Mortal brand has a lot of vision when it comes to emerging categories in beverage. We're excited to partner with Mortal and help them amplify their efforts. ” said Kevin Attkisson, partner Manna Capital Partners.
The completed convertible round will support retail expansion on both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic fronts, as well as considerable investment into marketing.
“Brands are everything in this category,” said Lon McGowan, founder of Canard Ventures, “and Mortal has been able to quickly establish itself as an outstanding brand on the shelves in this extremely competitive category."
In addition to investment partners, Mortal attributes success to strong partnerships in all aspects of their business— including premium ingredient producers, world-class Scoby cultivators, hard-working, strategic distributors; and everyone in between.
Looking towards the future, Mortal plans to expand its brand from kombucha into more functional beverage spaces.
Contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Mortal.
Press Assets can be downloaded HERE.
ABOUT MORTAL
Founded in 2017 by Becca Schepps, Mortal is a big, agro, juiced up, supersized, scoby slashing, fruit-fist of fury that wants to hook you up with some bada** bro-biotics. It isn’t sunrise salutation sipping functional beverages. It’s smack your face off, rip your guts out, feed it some good stuff, and then shove ’em back in prebiotics bubbles. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Mortal Kombucha is currently available across 40 states, in retailers such as WholeFoods, Natural Grocers, Woodmans and Northwest Grocers. Mortal Kombucha’s harder counterpart is Mortal XXX. It’s organic, gluten-free, rice-free, real hard kombucha, flavored and supercharged with all-natural, organic ingredients. It’s all the foofoo probiotics you love about ordinary kombucha, now with 5.2% ABV. It’s just the right amount of rebel.
Learn more about Mortal and track down their booch at mortalkombucha.com, or follow the enterprise on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
LFG: An Event Celebrating Females and Femmes in the Craft Beer Industry
On Friday, September 10th from 4:00-5:00 pm mountain time at Prost Brewing Company & Biergarten, the Pink Boots Denver Chapter is hosting LFG - an event celebrating females and femmes in the craft beer industry.
DENVER, CO — On average, 73% of craft brewery workers are male, including owners and management (Brewers Association, 2020). While this might not seem like a big deal to many, to female-identifying members of the craft beer industry, the weight of this unbalanced power dynamic is felt on a daily basis. Advocacy and support for females and femmes in the craft beer industry is something that the Pink Boots Society© puts front and center within the organization.
The Pink Boots Society© was created to assist, inspire and encourage women fermented/alcoholic beverage industry professionals to advance their careers through education. The Pink Boots Society© is a non-profit organization with international membership. Pink Boots Society© Membership is open to all women (cis, trans, female-identifying, and non-binary individuals) who meet various levels of professional association within the fermented/alcoholic beverage industry.
On Friday, September 10th from 4:00-5:00 pm mountain time at Prost Brewing Company & Biergarten, the Pink Boots Denver Chapter will host an event alongside Brouwerij Huyghe (of Delirium Tremens fame), Prost Brewing, On Tap Credit Union, Probrew, and the North American Guild of Beer Writers during the 2021 Craft Brewers Conference in Denver, CO.
LFG (let’s f-ing go!) is an evening of celebrating females and femmes in the craft beer industry, and showing support for future generations of female-identifying industry members. Freelance author and independent journalist Tara Nurin will be reading an excerpt from her book, “A Woman’s Place Is In The Brewhouse,” as well as featuring some local Colorado women that participated in the project. She will also be providing insight about how she researched the subject for the first ever book dedicated to the history of women in beer. Make sure to bring some extra funds with you to the event too, as she will also be signing autographed advance copies of the book.
After the private event, be sure to stick around the main taproom of Prost for a Live Stream of the 2021 GABF Awards from 5:00-6:30 pm.
Prost Brewing will be releasing a limited edition Pink Boots Brew on the day of the event, with proceeds benefiting Pink Boots Denver. Brouwerij Huyghe will be selling Deliria as well, their special strong blonde ale that benefits National Breast Cancer Foundation. On Tap Credit Union has generously provided appetizers for the private portion of the evening.
Space is limited and you must purchase your tickets before midnight on September 3rd, 2021. Admission is FREE for all current Pink Boots Society members and $25.00 for non-members.
Learn more and purchase your tickets here: https://notyourhobbymarketing.lpages.co/lfg-cbc-event
Riverbend Malt House Hits Recycling Milestone: 100,000 Pounds of Rootlets Repurposed For Southeast Agriculture
Riverbend sends the remaining husks— or rootlets— from each batch of malt to nearby farms to be repurposed as animal feed.
ASHEVILLE, NC— Riverbend Malt House is proud to announce its milestone of 100,000 pounds of rootlets repurposed for the nearby ecosystem of local farmers.
While not usable in the malting process, Riverbend sends the remaining husks— or rootlets— from each batch of malt to nearby farms to be repurposed as animal feed.
“This process completely closes the loop in terms of sustainability,” says Riverbend Malt House CEO Scott Hickman. “Consistent with our Malt With A Mission philosophy, kindness to the environment is important. If we create waste we want to turn it into a byproduct, or reduce the amount of waste created.”
In this case, the byproduct makes for happy cows at North Carolina farms like J4 Cattle Company in Morganton. "Our herd of steer eat close to a ton of rootlets every week. The young calves enjoy it too," says owner Robin Jackson. “This has been a great partnership all the way around."
Rootlet repurposing is one of Riverbend’s many tactics for lessening their environmental impact, which includes the reduction of 1,064,030 pounds of CO2 in ten years through local sourcing within 500 miles of the malthouse.
Contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Riverbend Malt House.
ABOUT RIVERBEND MALT HOUSE
Riverbend Malt House is on a quest to connect Southeastern family owned farms and fermenters. Co-Founders Brent Manning and Brian Simpson launched Riverbend, the first craft malthouse east of the Mississippi, in 2010. Buoyed by a 70,000 foot production facility and state of the art equipment, Riverbend Malt House helps breweries and distilleries large, small, and in-between stand out with flavor, locality, and community in an increasingly competitive landscape— all the while challenging the status quo of corporate, big-agriculture malt. Learn more at riverbendmalt.com.
Bootstrap Brewing Continues Upward Growth in Challenging Times
Sales and Investments in Innovation Drive Brewery Growth 23-percent YOY
LONGMONT, CO — Despite the trend of decline in sales volume at craft breweries across the country, Colorado-based Bootstrap Brewing Company continues to celebrate success. Bootstrap has reported a +23 percent increase in sales YOY while the Colorado craft market overall is reported to be down double digits.
Bootstrap Brewing attributes its growth to increased sales of flagship beers, expansion of distribution territories, the release of innovative new products, and national account execution and programming. “I’m fortunate to work with such an outstanding and hard-working team at Bootstrap” explained Geoff Hess, Director of Sales. “Every day their passion and dedication to producing high quality craft beer in a can reminds me of the good ole days! Our attention to detail and focus on the consumer experience is the reason we are experiencing a groundswell of momentum.”
Sales Growth*
Bootstrap Brewing saw a 25.7-percent growth in 2020 and a 541 percent increase in barrels produced since 2015. The company expects to grow another 10 percent or more in volume this year.
Brands are experiencing YOL Growth:
The company’s flagship beer Insane Rush IPA
Lush Puppy Juicy IPA
Mixed Beer Party pack
Additionally…
Overall distribution is up +29 percent
Off premise National Account Business is up +71 percent
New Distribution Territories
Bootstrap Brewing added four new distribution partners in the first half of 2021 that now serve Southwest Colorado, Northwest Wyoming and Eastern Kansas. The company has additional agreements in place to soon begin shipping to Kansas City in both Kansas and Missouri, Utah and Idaho.
Innovations and Beer Launch
The company released new products and packaging options:
Spring 2020: Bootstrap releases 2 innovative 12 packs:
The Sparkalicious Party Pack features 3 flavors of delicious hard seltzers that emulate favorite cocktail flavors. Real fruit used in Sparkalicious Hard Seltzers sets them apart giving the products natural color and flavors.
Mixed Beer Party Pack features five of their award-winning craft beers and 2 of the popular Sparkalicious hard seltzers. The mix of beer and seltzer in the same pack is a unique offering making it an easy grab-and-go option for households desiring a variety of options.
Winter 2020: Bootstrap releases Strapless Non-Alcoholic IPA and Gold in 6 packs. The innovative manufacturing process uses low temperature and low pressure to evaporate, separate and filter the beer, allowing for optimization of quality and flavor. Strapless non-alcoholic beers are made to taste like traditional craft beers while providing the ability for longer days on the trail or longer nights with friends.Summer 2021: Bootstrap releases Insane Rush IPA 12 pack
Contact Geoff Hess about Bootstrap sales at farmergeoff@bootstrapbrewing.com.
Contact Leslie Kaczeus with media inquiries at leslie@bootstrapbrewing.com.
ABOUT BOOTSTRAP BREWING COMPANY
Home to best-selling and award-winning craft beers such as Insane Rush, Lush Puppy, Stick’s Pale Ale, Chillax, and Wreak Havoc, Bootstrap Brewing is an independent, adventurous brewery in Colorado dedicated to producing a wide range of ales and lagers. More information can be found on our website at bootstrapbrewing.com.
Data Sources:
*Internal Brewery Shipments & Colorado IRI Food
*VIP Depletion Data
Living The Dream Brewing Takes Home Three 2021 Can Can Awards
Living The Dream Brewing was honored at this year’s Can Can Awards with not one, but three medals for its 7 Speed IPA, Ice Climber Double IPA, and Powder Run Cream Ale.
LITTLETON, CO– Living The Dream Brewing was honored at this year’s Can Can Awards with not one, but three medals for its 7 Speed IPA, Ice Climber Double IPA, and Powder Run Cream Ale.
The Can Can Awards is the premiere beer competition focused solely on canned beers. The 2021 awards had 173 Brewery Participants who submitted 788 cans for review in 82 categories. Fifty seven judges, 49 of whom are BJCP and or Cicerone Certified, and 23 stewards determined the winners.
Living The Dream’s 7 Speed IPA took Gold in the American IPA category. With 7 different aroma hops and 4 different malts, 7-Speed is a classic, floral and citrus-forward Pale Ale that emphasizes the flavors of Citra, Simcoe, Meridian and Mosaic and creates a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
Ice Climber Double IPA was awarded silver in the Double IPA category. This bold but balanced West Coast-style IPA has a refreshing tropical fruit aroma with a sturdy malt backbone and a repeatable dry finish.
Powder Run Cream Ale, Living The Dream’s flagship and most decorated beer, took silver in the Fruit, Herb, and Spice category. Powder Run is crafted with premium malted barley, flaked corn, Noble hops, and a touch of lactose that creates creamy mouthfeel. Its yeast is highly attenuative to balance out the sweetness of the corn and added vanilla.
“It’s always great for our team when they get recognized for their talent and hard work,” says Living The Dream Founder Jason Bell. “Every day they strive to be better than before.”
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Living The Dream.
ABOUT LIVING THE DREAM BREWING
Living the Dream Brewing is a craft brewery established in 2014 in Littleton, our home base for adventure in Colorado. Built on a foundation of brewing beer using only the finest ingredients, Living the Dream celebrates the people, places, and activities of the Centennial State. Live the life you've imagined, and join us at livingthedreambrewing.com.
Lone Tree Brewing Cans 2021 Oktoberfest
This small batch will be available only while supplies last on Colorado’s Front Range, and it will tap at the brewery on September 18 during its fall market series.
LONE TREE, CO— Lone Tree Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest German-style Märzen will debut in cans next week. This small batch will be available only while supplies last on Colorado’s Front Range, and it will tap at the brewery on September 18 during its fall market series.
This is the first time Lone Tree has offered this German-style Lager in cans. Enjoy the changing of the seasons with this bull-bodied, clean-finishing Lager rich with malt-forward, toasty flavors.
On Saturday, September 18 from 11 to 4pm, several local vendors will sell their goods at Lone Tree’s Fall Market taking place in the brewery parking lot. This autumnal event will feature live polka music from 2 to 6pm, eats from the H3SH3R BBQ food truck, and full and half Liter pours of the freshly tapped Märzen.
For more information about Lone Tree Brewing Company, their 2021 seasonal beer releases, or their tasting room events contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING CO.
Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery to open in Lone Tree, Colorado in Denver’s South Metro area in 2011. Lone Tree creates community around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers that are sold in cans and on draft across the state of Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
Oh Hi Beverages Joins Republic National Distributing Company Portfolio; Oh Hi CBD Seltzer Line Now Available In Eight States
This partnership will add seven states— Alaska, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas to Oh Hi’s distribution footprint.
DURANGO, CO— Republic National Distributing Company announced last week the addition of Oh Hi CBD drinks to its portfolio that will take place in mid-August. This partnership will add seven states— Alaska, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas to Oh Hi’s distribution footprint.
Oh Hi CBD seltzers are available in canned 12oz. 4-packs in four flavors: Pomegranate, Lemon Lime, Ginger Basil Limeade, and Grapefruit with 20mg of CBD
RNDC is thoughtful and innovative in their approach to CBD sales,” says Jonny Radding. “We’re proud to be an early adopter of the new category of CBD beverages in one of the first national distribution houses forward thinking about cannabis drinks in their portfolio.”
Launched in 2018 in Durango, Colorado with a combined 25 years of experience in cannabis and beverages among its owners, Oh Hi went to market with a THC seltzer line. The Pomegranate THC seltzer variety took gold at the Cannabis Cup that same year. Oh Hi then branched out with a popular line of CBD seltzers featuring the same flavors as the THC line, as well as a high dosage, functional THC drinks line called Budtender’s Reserve.
Oh Hi CBD seltzers are also available in Oklahoma through OKCannaBev (who also produce and distribute the THC line) and in Michigan through Oath Distributing.
Contact sales@ohhibev.com to learn more or place an order.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries.
ABOUT OH HI BEVERAGES
Founded in 2018, 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 cannabis seltzer company. Learn more about Oh Hi Beverages at ohhibev.com.
ABOUT REPUBLIC NATIONAL DISTRIBUTING COMPANY
RNDC, a world-class distributor of fine wines, spirits, and now CBD products in North America, has operations in the District of Columbia and 31 states across the United States. To learn more, visit www.rndc-usa.com or contact Reace Smith, Vice President, Corporate Communications at reace.smith@rndc-usa.com.
Munich’s Oktoberfest is Cancelled Again, Ska Brewing German-Style Lager Returns Nonetheless
Oktoberfest lovers across the country can find this beer in six-packs of 12-ounce cans in one of Ska’s 11 distribution states while limited supplies last.
DURANGO, CO— Oktoberfest in Munich may be cancelled for the second year in a row, but Ska Brewing is here to fill the void— or at least fill pints of their award-winning German-style Lager while supplies last. This famed lager will tap at Ska’s World Headquarters in Durango on Friday, July 30.
Although the cancelling of Oktoberfest because of COVID-19 leaves a bitter taste in one’s mouth, this beer is anything but. This malt-forward, easy drinking craft lager is made with 100 percent German-sourced Munich and Vienna malts that yield amber-brown color with nutty, bready, toasty notes. It finishes clean with a neutral yeast flavor. Here’s what some of Colorado’s media outlets have to say about this beer:
“Not only did this malty brew — nutty, clean and with just a touch of rounded sweetness — manage to set itself apart in a category that already includes a wide variety of stellar examples of Vienna-style lagers, especially in Colorado, but it won gold at the Great American Beer Festival®.” – Denver Westword
“A pointed caramelized-sugar, floral, and burnt-crust nose offers a hearty swagger. The sip follows through with big but dry well-toasted bread, an earthy hop through line, and a heavily toasted light bitter malt finish.” — Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine
The first batch of Oktoberfest that came out in a can in 2018 struck gold with the recipe at the Great American Beer Festival® in the Vienna-style Lager category. It has also been honored at the European Beer Star and The Stockholm Beer and Whiskey Festival.
Ska will kick off Oktoberfest season Friday, July 30 at 4pm at its World Headquarters, where The Container Restaurant will serve German-style brats to boot. Next week, Oktoberfest lovers across the country can find this beer in six-packs of 12-ounce cans in one of Ska’s 11 distribution states while limited supplies last.
For more information about Ska’s Oktoberfest, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.
Rustic Brew Farm Adds Sprouted Rye Flour To Rustic Provisions Line
Like the entire Rustic Provisions line, this new flour is 100 percent whole grain, with unmatched flavor from freshness and terroir.
Photo by Melissa Larrick
MARYSVILLE, OH— Rustic Brew Farm’s Sprouted Rye Flour is now available to restaurants and retailers for purchase in Ohio.
This healthier flour is made from non-GMO rye grown and stone ground at Rustic Brew Farm. This soft rye malt has higher levels of caramelized sugars, which lean into darker bread loaves and pizza crusts. Like the entire Rustic Provisions line, this new flour is 100 percent whole grain, with unmatched flavor from freshness and terroir.
Earlier this year, Rustic Brew Farm expanded its Rustic Provisions brand with sprouted flours, including Sprouted Corn Flour, Sprouted Wheat Flour, and Diastatic Malt Powder. All of these products, including the new Sprouted Rye Flour, are available for purchase at Rustic Brew Farm and online. Ohioans and visitors can also taste these flours in various products at Rise Bakehouse in Bellefontaine, OH and Kitschen Bakery in Marysville, OH.
Contact Matt Cunningham at matt@rusticbrewfarm.com with sales inquiries.
Media interested in learning more about Rustic Brew Farm can email Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT RUSTIC BREW FARM
Rustic Brew Farm sprouted out of a 4th generation family farm to specialize in growing craft brewing, distilling and baking ingredients. Utilizing an on-the-farm custom malthouse and stone flour mill, Rustic Brew Farm bridges the gap from farm to pint, dram, and now plate with quality brewing and cooking ingredients such as craft malt, premium hops, and stone ground flour. Learn more and shop online at rusticbrewfarm.com.
Riverbend Malt House Adds 2-Row Pilsner Malt To Cumberland Series
Cumberland Pilsner joins the Riverbend Malt House Tennessee origin malt lineup.
ASHEVILLE, NC— Riverbend Malt House is expanding the Cumberland Series of Tennessee-grown malt offerings with a 2-Row Pilsner variety that is now available for purchase by breweries, distilleries, and homebrew supply shops in the Southeast.
The Cumberland Pilsner debut is the second malt in this series, following the Cumberland Corn Malt™ that Riverbend first released in 2019. This 2-Row Calypso selection was grown at Teeter Farm and Seed Co. in Clarksville, TN. When malted it weighs in at 2 SRM with high extract and superior diastatic powder, perfect for brewing Helles-style Lagers.
With the demand for locally grown and malted grains comes cravings for diversity of flavor, which Riverbend has been committed to exploring since its start. The addition of Cumberland Pilsner builds nuance into Riverbend’s breadth of 2 and 6-Row base malts sourced from family farms across the Southeast region.
"Our customers are interested in exploring the terroir of the South and Cumberland Pilsner offers the next step in our single origin series,” says Riverbend’s Co-Founder Brent Manning. “This variety delivers more biscuity, bread crumb flavors and sweeter aromatics when compared to our Chesapeake Pilsner released earlier this year."
For more information about the Cumberland Series, this new Pilsner variety, or any of Riverbend’s malts, contact orders@riverbendmalt.com. Please reach out to Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries.
ABOUT RIVERBEND MALT HOUSE
Riverbend Malt House is on a quest to connect Southeastern family owned farms and fermenters. Co-Founders Brent Manning and Brian Simpson launched Riverbend, the first craft malthouse east of the Mississippi, in 2010. Buoyed by a 70,000 foot production facility and state of the art equipment, Riverbend Malt House helps breweries and distilleries large, small, and in-between stand out with flavor, locality, and community in an increasingly competitive landscape— all the while challenging the status quo of corporate, big-agriculture malt. Learn more at riverbendmalt.com.
Barnett & Son Brewing Co. Named Parker’s Best Brewery 6 Years Running
Just in time for Barnett & Son Brewing Company’s 6th anniversary, Parker Chronicle readers voted the community brewery the best in town for the 6th year running.
PARKER, CO— Just in time for Barnett & Son Brewing Company’s 6th anniversary last month, Parker Chronicle readers voted the community brewery the best in town for the 6th year running. This year Barnett & Son was also voted best bar.
Parker Chronicle is among the family of Colorado Community Media outlets that reaches more than 350,000 community members that invites its readership to vote annually on the Best of the Best of their communities.
“We got into this business dedicated to making beer for the great people of Parker and its visitors, so this is a big honor for us,” says founder Andy Barnett. “Especially after this last year, we’re proud to be a place that our community trusts for its gatherings.”
The complete 2021 Best of The Best list is available here.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcrafbeer.com with media inquiries about Barnett & Son Brewing Co.
ABOUT BARNETT & SON BREWING
Barnett and Son Brewing Co has been brewing high quality beer since 2014 in Parker, Colorado and is best known for their welcoming atmosphere, an expansive tap list, and dog-friendly patio. With recipes developed from owner Andrew Barnett’s homebrew recipes and influenced by his extensive international travel, everyone is sure to find a beer to make them feel at home. For more information, visit barnettandsonbrewing.com. Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us.