Bruz Beers Releases 2021 Brut La Grande

DENVER, CO— Bruz Brut La Grande is back! Since 2016, Bruz Beers has crafted a signature rendition of the Belgian originating Bière Brut style, with subtle differences from batch to batch. As one of the only breweries on the globe crafting this style of beer, Bruz is excited to share it with friends and family this season.

Brut La Grande is a pale golden color with a dense off-white head. Its perfumy aroma yields notes of lemons, apricots, allspice, and black pepper. Its complex flavor profile hints at tart apples, peaches, citrus, vanilla and exotic spices. 10.5 percent in ABV, Brut La Grande is light and airy with a silky mouthfeel, creamy pinpoint carbonation and a tart, bone-dry finish. Every sip is a celebration!

In 2002, Bière Brut (sometimes referred to as Champagne beer) hit the market for the first time. It was met with much critical acclaim as an extraordinary new beer style. Bière Brut is a very pale beer with delicate aromas and flavors (fresh apples, pears, ginger, mint, thyme, lemon and allspice), alcohol in the 11.5 percent range, a silky texture and a spectacular creamy, moussey white head with lots of "Belgian lace". While it resembles Champagne in many respects, many aficionados find it considerably more interesting than the French bubbly. Bière Brut brewers did not set out to make a Champagne substitute; they set out to make a great beer with unique character. Read more on the Bruz blog about this style.

Bruz Owner Ryan Evans says, “the Bière Brut style has always fascinated me. It is a beautifully delicate beer that is amazingly smooth and drinkable. The layers of flavor make it an experience to drink. Coupled with high natural carbonation, Brut La Grande is truly a special experience. In a world dominated by IPA's, it's nice to have such an experience.”

This nine month labor of love will be available today in both tasting rooms on draft and in 750mL bottles to-go. Each pour is accompanied with a piece of Belgian chocolate. Brut La Grande is released just once a year, and only available while supplies last.

For more information about Brut La Grande, contact info@bruzbeers.com

ABOUT BRUZ BEERS

The acclaimed Bruz Beers was named “Top 25 Craft Breweries in Colorado” by Yelp, and it is dedicated to brewing traditional Belgian-style beers and innovative Belgian-inspired brews. It offers a wide range of Belgian-style seasonal and limited releases on tap at its two Denver area locations or for takeaway in crowlers, bottles and cans. Visit Bruz online at www.bruzbeers.com.

Riverbend Malt House Announces 10 Year Harvest Beers Crafted With Sunset Wheat Malt

ASHEVILLE, NC— Riverbend Malt House and a number of its brewing customers are excited to announce a lineup of specialty beers featuring the new Sunset Wheat Malteer.com/news/riverbend-sunset-wheat-malt, in celebration of the malt house’s last decade in business. 

Earlier this month, Fonta Flora Brewery released the first of these beers, a Belgian Dark Strong-inspired ale affectionately named Bière de Riverbend. This bière, brewed with 100 percent Riverbend malts, was inspired by and adapted from the very first beer Fonta Flora ever put in bottles nearly six years ago. 

These world-class brewing companies will debut beers made with Riverbend’s 10 Year Harvest malt in coming weeks and months:

Bhramari Brewing Co., Rauch Weisse

DSSOLVR, Wheated Mild

Fullsteam Brewery, Winter IPA 

Green Man Brewery, Wheat Wine

Standard Beer + Food, Hefeweizen

Sunset Wheat is in stock and available for purchase, and Riverbend is eager to work with additional craft breweries on #Riverbend10 recipes featuring this malt. Place an order for Sunset Wheat by emailing orders@riverbendmalt.com.

Riverbend has published a 10 Year Harvest recipe, a Sunset Wheat-based Pale Ale.  Homebrewers across the Southeast are encouraged to create their own 10 Year Harvest Pale Ales to celebrate the past 10 years of Riverbend Malt and the craft malt community that the local malthouse has helped to create. Find the recipe here. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@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 malt house 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. 

Mortal Kombucha Launches in Colorado King Soopers

BOULDER, CO––  Mortal’s natural, organic, non-gmo and absolutely delicious non-alcoholic Mortal Kombucha is now available in nearly 50 Colorado King Soopers stores across the state.

Previously available in other stores across Colorado, Boulder-based Mortal is rapidly expanding its sales footprint across the country and in its home state of Colorado. King Soopers will offer four of Mortal’s kombucha flavors throughout select Colorado locations. 

King Soopers stores will launch with Black Sage made with Blackberry & Sage, Black Magic - a charcoal maple lemonade, Marg Simpson that strongly tastes like a non-alcoholic margarita and aPearantly It’s Love made with pear, rose, ginger and lemon. All flavors are certified organic, contain no sweeteners or artificial flavors and are full of probiotics.

“As a different kind of kombucha company we pride ourselves on creating really palatable and approachable flavors that have a broad appeal outside the natural category. At Mortal, we deliver what consumers want from beverages - healthy, low sugar and fun, without any compromise on flavor,” says Mortal CEO and Founder Becca Schepps "By launching into a partnership with King Soopers, we're expanding our efforts to destigmatize kombucha and show consumers healthy doesn’t have to taste bad or be boring. We are excited to see the response.” 

Mortal Kombucha has all the foofoo of ordinary booch PLUS all the stuff that’s awesome: bubbles, fruit, and a power packed punch of b-vitamins, antioxidant destroying free radicals and symbiotic nutrients. From zingy ginger, to floral chili, to activated charcoal lemonade, there’s a gut-healthy flavor in the Mortal portfolio for everyone. 

Find Mortal Kombucha on the company website kombucha finder, and shop online to boot. Get $1.00 off your next bottle of Mortal Kombucha at King Soopers here, through the end of the year.

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Mortal. Download brand assets 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.

Barnett & Son Brewing Wins Big at the 2021 Denver International Beer Competition

PARKER, CO — Barnett & Son Brewing was one of the most decorated breweries at the 2021 Denver International Beer Competition (DIBC) last week, taking home five medals that span a range of beer styles.

These wins come off the heels of many previous successes at DIBC. Barnett & Son’s winning streak began in 2016 with their Saoirse Irish Red Ale (a silver medalist this year) and has continued with multiple medals in 2018, 2019, and now in 2021.

This year’s medal winners are:

GOLD - Falling Skye Scottish Ale - Full of rich and malty character from special Gleneagles Maris Otter barley, imported from Scotland, and just a hint of whiskey. Falling Sky also won Bronze in 2018 and 2019.

SILVER - Oktoberfest Märzen - A rich and malty Lager with a balance of clean Hersbrucker hop bitterness.

SILVER - Nevermore Pumpkin Ale - A spiced Amber Ale, clean and malty with just enough hop bitterness to balance the spices - nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger - and of course, real pumpkin. This beer is gone for the season– look for it in 2022. 

SILVER - Saoirse Irish Red Ale - A red and malty Irish-style Red Ale with approachable hop bitterness that rests on the palate. Saoirse also won silver in 2016 and 2019, and bronze in 2018.

BRONZE - Newlin Gulch Gold - A light, refreshing, and easy drinking Blond Ale.

All of these beers are currently available at the Barnett and Son tasting room.

For more information about Barnett & Son Brewing and their wins at this year’s Denver International Beer Competition, 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.

Continued Expansion Unfolds at Living The Dream Brewing; Newly Canned Beers and New Tanks En Route

LITTLETON, CO– Living The Dream continues its expansion this season with new canned additions to their year-round portfolio of beers available across the Front Range, and increased capacity to boot.

Tasting room favorites Fly Reel Amber and Mountain Drive American Ale have scored themselves their own SKUs and are now available for sale at the Living The Dream tasting room, and at bars and retail locations in canned 6-packs. Get to know them here:

Fly Reel Amber

As deep and smooth as the South Platte River, Fly Reel Amber is a traditional Amber Ale perfect for your boat cooler or your back porch. A deep color with 4.1% ABV, balanced malt and hop presence, and dry finish makes this amber perfect for red ale lovers and anglers alike. 

Just last week, Fly Reel took home a silver medal from the 2021 Denver International Beer Competition. 

Mountain Drive American Ale

There’s almost nothing better than crisp mountain air, except maybe a crisp American ale. Mountain Drive is a back-to-basics crisp, light, and refreshing American Ale and the perfect easy drinker. With a 4.8% ABV and a subtle hop profile, it’s ideal for kicking back and keeping cool. 

“With the success of Powder Run Vanilla Cream Ale and 7-Speed IPA in the market, we wanted to continue to round out our year round offerings,” says Living The Dream Founder Jason Bell. “Mountain Drive and Fly Reel cans are the first of a slow roll out to our portfolio— we are excited to grow in a responsible way, staying focused on our people and our community along the way.” 

Four new tanks (three fermentation tanks and one brite) make these new offerings possible, and sustainable. These additions to the brewhouse will increase Living The Dream’s brewhouse capacity to 3500 BBL annually. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Living The Dream. 

ABOUT LIVING THE DREAM BREWING CO. 

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.

Murphy & Rude Partners With Three Notch’d Brewing as Dedicated Specialty Malt Supplier

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA— Murphy & Rude Malting Company is proud to announce Three Notch’d Brewing Co. as one of several partners making significant commitments to utilizing Virginia-grown and malted grain to add the valued elements of freshness, terroir, and a more sustainable supply chain to the beers they produce. 

Murphy & Rude is the primary speciality malt provider for Three Notch’d, which utilizes its wide range of high-kilned, crystal, and dry roasted malts, including C15 and C80, Vienna and Munich 9, and a custom blend of its Milk Chocolate and Baker’s Cocoa roasted malts, to name a few. Since 2018, Three Notch’d has integrated nearly 65,000 pounds of Murphy & Rude specialty malts across their portfolio of flagships, seasonals, and special releases.

“From color, to flavor, to aroma, Murphy & Rude's wide variety of specialty malts are a key contributor to the wide variety of beer we're able to craft,” says Founding Brewmaster of Three Notch’d David Warwick. “Our No Veto Brown Ale may be one of the very best showcases of Murphy & Rude's quality malting techniques. This beer is layered with depth and complexity from Munich 9, which lays the foundation; then tiered with Biscuit malt, Brown malt and finished with their Baker's Cocoa. Somehow, bready, biscuity, toffee, nutty, chocolate, and slight coffee notes can all co-exist on your palate without it being muddled.” 

No Veto Brown Ale is among an array of Three Notch’d flagships that garner their locality, sense of place, and fresh flavors from Murphy & Rude malt. 

“Having a fresh product is vital to our business, and we proudly boast that we are Virginia's Freshest Beer, so Murphy & Rude's specialty malts have become a staple in every beer we make,” adds Warwick. “The barley is grown right down the road, then goes straight to the malthouse, then immediately thrown on a truck less than 10 minutes from our loading dock. It doesn't get any fresher than that!” 

The Three Notch’d Fresh Beer Club is a monthly Beer Membership featuring two different or new varieties of Three Notch'd beer each month handpicked by Warwick, with at least one selection guaranteed to have been packaged within the last two weeks.

Beyond freshness, quality, flavor, and locality, Three Notch’d chose Murphy & Rude to continue their education on what Warwick calls the “heart and soul of every beer.” Rob Mullin, the Production Manager at Three Notch’d, agrees, adding “One reason we appreciate our close relationship with Murphy & Rude is for the knowledge Jeff and his team provide to our brewers.” 

Find Three Notch’d beers in bottle shops and grocery stores in Virginia and in select locations in Washington, DC. 

Peruse the Murphy & Rude Flavor Guide HERE. 

Complete and submit a New Account Form. 

Order by emailing orders@murphyrudemalting.com.

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with any questions about the Murphy & Rude and Three Notch’d partnership, or with any media inquiries about the malthouse. 

ABOUT MURPHY & RUDE MALTING CO. 

At Murphy & Rude Malting, our name captures our attitude. With malt production processes rooted in traditional methods (our ol' dog Murphy) and then combined with innovation and adventurous creativity (Rudy, or Rude...the puppy), we create radical malts for differentiating products. Our focus is this: obsess over the attributes of flavor-, color-, and aroma-influencing specialty malts and then produce them from a variety of small grains grown both in and around Virginia. By applying a wide range of germination, kilning, stewing, crystallization, and drum roasting applications, we deliver malt with personality. Murphy & Rude Malting is a hand-in-glove supplier of fresher, more flavorful ingredients closer to home.  With batch flexibility that comes with 200-ton annual capacity, our small scale positions us as the perfect partner in the creative process that fuels innovation in craft beer and spirits. As a specialty malthouse, Murphy & Rude is committed to providing a diversity of specialty grains to craft breweries and distilleries as traceably and thoughtfully as possible. Find us online at murphyrudemalting.com.

Goat Patch Brewing Partners with Sleeping Giant Brewing for Wider Colorado Distribution

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO– Goat Patch Brewing has partnered with Sleeping Giant to expand distribution of their Hazy IPA into select craft-centric locations on Colorado’s Front Range. This new partnership will bring Hazy IPA kegs to market for on-premise consumption this weekend and going forward.

While Goat Patch prepares to purchase a production facility of their own closer to the brewery, Sleeping Giant is currently helping to brew their Hazy IPA to support Goat Patch’s wholesale demands throughout the city. 

Additionally available through Goat Patch’s self-distribution arm are flagships Blonde Ale, Stout, American Wheat and two-time Great American Beer Festival® award winning It Takes A Tribe Red Ale. Goat Patch fans can also look forward to more specialty beers as production space is freed up at their current site.

“Our team could not be more excited to be joining the ranks of other well respected brewing companies who have partnered with Matt and his team at Sleeping Giant,” says head brewer and co-owner Darren Baze. “From their state-of-the-art equipment to their dedicated staff of brewing professionals, we are confident in Sleeping Giant’s ability to masterfully brew our Hazy IPA.” 

For more information about Goat Patch Brewing Company and their expanded distribution, contact Cate Baze, Goat Patch co-owner, at cate@goatpatchbrewing.com. 

ABOUT GOAT PATCH BREWING CO.

Goat Patch Brewing Company started like all great ideas - good friends with a common passion sitting around a kitchen table dreaming about the future. Even before their name (which eventually became a nod to the beard style of Co-Owner and Head Brewer Darren Baze), they all agreed on a shared set of values: balanced brews, community engagement, and adventure. Now with 2019 and 2020 GABF® medals among other recognitions, they are proud to play a part in bringing award-winning craft beer to their community. Find the brewery online at goatpatchbrewing.com.

Lone Tree Brewing to Release Mustard Style Rye with Kiki’s Spreads at Fifth Annual Fall Market

LONE TREE, CO— Lone Tree Brewing will host their fifth Annual Fall Market on Saturday, October 16 from 11am to 4pm. They will release a collaboration beer with one of the market vendors, Kiki’s Spreads, to mark the occasion.

Not only boasting Lone Tree’s usual delicious brews and relaxed brewery atmosphere, this event offers guests an outdoor art and craft market in the brewery parking lot. A wide variety of local vendors will be present, and everything from handmade soaps to local meat and produce will be available for perusing and purchase while guests sip on the freshly tapped Rye So Flustered.

While beer mustard can be picked up at just about any grocery store, mustard beer is much harder to find. Enter: Rye So Flustered, a rye beer brewed with four whole jars of Kiki’s Original Chickpea Mustard Spread (one in the mash, another in the boil, and the last two during fermentation), this beer is light bodied and dry finishing. The subtle spice of the rye blends beautifully with the tangy mustard kick from Kiki’s and added mustard seed and coriander. Its distinctive flavor is a perfect match for browsing the local markets in the early fall weather.

Kiki’s Spreads will also be present and offering samples of their chickpea spreads, along with tents from Two Ravens Soap, Light Provisions, Mountain Gypsea, Gypsy Souls, Wooden That Be Nice, 5280 Can Art, Burlyman Woodworks, LLC, Catellier Made Leather, Spooky Bat Designs, Poppy Colorful Art, J.A.D.E. Healing, Brother Mel's BBQ, and laserlab.io. 

The Mac N Noodles food truck will also be on site, providing guests with a diverse menu of artisan crafted macaroni and cheese.

For more information about Lone Tree Brewing Company, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@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.

ABOUT KIKI’S SPREADS

Born out of a desire for a substantial snack that would be healthy, delicious, and that the vast majority of folks could enjoy, Kiki’s Spreads are the unexpected flavor addition food didn’t know it was missing. Kiki’s Spreads are different, hearty, and not just a hot dog topper. From pretzels, hard boiled eggs, wraps, and zoodles, to cheeses, meats, fish, or straight out of the jar, Kiki’s pairs well with life! Check out Kiki's fresh re-brand, learn about new releases, shop the spreads, and learn more at kikisspreads.com.

Ska Brewing Mexican-Style Lager Dark Returns

DURANGO, CO–  The days of seasonal disappointment over the loss of Ska Brewing Mexican Logger are over. Mexican-Style Lager Dark returns today, and will be available through the cold season. 

Smooth and malty, this dark-colored lager is balanced with a mild bitterness from Tettnang, Cascade, and Saaz hops. Subtle caramel flavors and a touch of roast on the finish round it all out, giving it that warm darkness perfect for the chillier days ahead.

“We knew we needed an easy-drinking beer that could hold its own in the fall and winter months when Mexican Logger goes into hibernation,” says Ska Brewing COO Steve Breezley. “We spent three winters perfecting Mexican-Style Lager Dark— a true labor of love, and of lagers.”

In traditional Ska fashion, this tasting room favorite necessitated availability in a can. Following a brief late-season appearance in 2021, this fall marks Mexican-Style Lager Dark’s full-season debut. It will now be available until Mexican Logger returns in the spring. Look for it across Ska’s nine-state distribution starting October 5. The beer is on tap at Ska’s World Headquarters in Durango through fall and winter. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com for more information about Ska Brewing and Mexican-Style Lager Dark’s return.

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.

Bootstrap Brewing Announces Sparkalicious Greyhound Hard Seltzers in 6-packs

LONGMONT, CO — Bootstrap Brewing announced today their Greyhound Sparkalicious Hard Seltzer is now available in 6-packs.  As one of the three delicious flavors in Bootstrap’s Sparkalicious Hard Seltzer Party Pack, Greyhound has risen to the top as a fan favorite.

“We’ve received so many requests from customers asking if they can buy cases of Greyhound that we knew we had a winner with this one and needed to release it on its own,” explained Steve Kaczeus, Owner/Brewer at Bootstrap Brewing.  “We’ve also won 3 awards for this flavor in the short time since its release which is further confirmation for us.”

Hard seltzers are light, refreshing, low calorie, low in ABV, gluten-free, and are expected to become a $2.5 billion beverage category by 2021. They’re also a go-to drink for the Kaczeus’, who currently offer three Sparkalicious flavors (4.5% ABV | 0 IBUs), all made with real fruit and inspired by classic cocktails. You can find every flavor in a 12-pack called the Sparkalicious Party Pack.

ABOUT THE SPARKALICIOUS PARTY PACK

The Sparkalicious Greyhound, Sunrise, and Cosmo are sold in a special Sparkalicious mixed Party Pack. Unlike many hard seltzers on the market that use oils, resins, or extracts derived from natural sources to impart flavor to the beverage, Bootstrap’s hard seltzers are all made with real fruit, creating a more natural delicious flavor with vibrant colors. 

“When we decided to make Sparkalicious, we wanted a hard seltzer we would enjoy drinking ourselves, and we wanted to use real fruit,” said Kaczeus. “We then decided to create flavors based on cocktails we like to drink.” 

For more information about Greyhound Sparkalicious 6-packs 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. 

Riverbend Malt House Debuts Sunset Wheat Malt

ASHEVILLE, NC— Just in time for autumn, Riverbend Malt House welcomes a new sunset-hued malt variety into its portfolio. Sunset Wheat Malt is now available for purchase by brewers and distillers across the Southeast.

This new malt is rooted in the same high quality soft red winter wheat that we use for our flagship Appalachian Wheat. From there we explored a warmer kilning regime similar to a Munich-style. This technique uses large volumes of warm, moist air to develop the building blocks for color and flavor development. The result is a malt that is reminiscent of cookie dough finished with a dash of baking spice. 

“We've been exploring the flavor of Southern grown grains for a decade now, and Sunset Wheat marks the next chapter for us,” says Brent Manning, Co-Founder and Director of Product Development. “We know brewers and distillers are always on the lookout for something that is rich, complex, and still highly functional.” 

Sunset Wheat Malt weighs in at 9 SRM and 90 percent extract. Diastatic power is 108. Try this malt in a wide array of styles ranging from German Weisse beers to high gravity English-style ales.

Browse the Riverbend malt library here and place an order by emailing orders@riverbendmalt.com. All malt orders in October will include a free Riverbend 10 Year Harvest t-shirt, while supplies last. 

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. 

Craft Maltsters Guild Debuts Opportunity: 2022 Advanced Class in Craft Malt Production

PORTLAND, ME— The Craft Maltsters Guild will offer a four-day intensive workshop in the days leading up to the 2022 Craft Malt Conference in Portland, Maine (CMC 2022).

Startup and experienced maltsters, as well as other parties in the malt supply chain, will gain theoretical and practical knowledge in malting technology at the 2022 Advanced Class in Craft Malt Production. It will be held February 14-17, 2022 at the Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland, Maine, in the days leading up to the annual Craft Malt Conference. Industry veterans, Hugh Alexander, owner and operator of Scotland’s Balnamoon Maltings & Brewery, and Hannah Turner, Director of the Montana State University Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab, will bring real world experience, research and data, and deep passion as instructors.

“There are few opportunities for those interested in craft malt production to learn the ins and outs of that process so they often have to learn as they go,” says Guild Executive Director Jesse Bussard. “Because of this lack of educational opportunities, the Guild has stepped in to develop classes for our members and the community-at-large to help advance the field.”

Participants will develop knowledge in malting barley and in its characteristics, including learning and controlling the different steps of the malting process; determining the defining characteristics of malt quality and the influence of processing parameters; and learning the technology and methods used to produce craft malt. They will receive a certificate of completion at the end and will be armed with knowledge that will help them further their professional pursuits.

Craft Maltsters Guild members can enjoy the discounted class fee of $1600 while the non-member rate is $2000. Register for the class here. 

Join the Craft Maltsters Guild or renew here to get the member rate.

For more information about the 2022 Advanced Class in Craft Malt Production, contact Jesse Bussard at director@craftmalting.com. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about the Craft Maltsters Guild. 

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS

Born and raised in Zambia, Hugh Alexander received an honors degree in Brewing and Biochemistry 1st Class from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, studying under the late great Anna Macleod. He spent years working in the research laboratories of Harp Lager (a subsidiary of Guinness) and as the Chief Chemist for Crisp Malt. Since 1984 Hugh has been engineering and producing micro malting equipment for companies worldwide including Diageo and James Hutton Institute (UK), Asahi (Japan), Nestle (Switzerland/Singapore), AB-InBev (South Africa), as well as many European and American Universities and establishments. Hugh currently owns and operates Balnamoon Maltings and Brewery, which services a local Scottish castle in the whisky production area of Speyside.

Hannah Turner is the Director of the Montana State University Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab. The lab services the MSU breeding program and industry through research, outreach, education, and by providing thousands of data points each year on barley, malt, and beer. Hannah has degrees in Environmental Horticulture and Plant Science, with her M.S. focusing on the genetic control of starch production in cereals. In her current role, Hannah conducts research on important issues such as the impact of the steeping regime on malt quality, genetic control of barley endosperm hydration, and method development to improve breeding program selection for malting varieties. Hannah is dedicated to elevating the barley value chain via education and presents frequently to groups from farmer to brewer.

ABOUT THE CRAFT MALTSTERS GUILD

Formed in 2013 by eight craft malthouses, the Craft Maltsters Guild’s mission is to promote and sustain the tradition of craft malting in North America, provide services and resources to the Association’s members, and uphold the highest quality and safety standards for Craft Maltsters. Learn more about the Craft Maltsters Guild at www.craftmalting.com.

Lone Tree Brewing Brings Back a Fall Favorite: Vanilla Caramel Amber

LONE TREE, CO— Lone Tree Brewing is releasing their seasonal Vanilla Caramel Amber on October 1, just in time for the transition into fall colors.

This sweet sounding beer actually gets its sweeter notes not from added sugar, but from a large amount of Crystal 60 malt in the grain bill and Madagascar vanilla beans. It’s a caramel-colored, traditional American Amber with a good helping of hops to balance out the vanilla.

A full-bodied but drinkable amber, Vanilla Caramel Amber is just 6% ABV with a subtle bitterness and a melting sweetness on the finish. It’s smooth flavor is perfect for scarf wrapped nights under chilly skies.

Vanilla Caramel Amber will tap at Lone Tree’s tasting room on September 30th. It will be available in kegs and canned 6-packs in Kansas and across Colorado’s Front Range, I-70 corridor, and Southwest region, so everyone can sink into fall with a subtly sweet and perfectly smooth Amber— statewide and beyond.

Contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com for more information about Lone Tree Brewing and their seasonal beer program.

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.

Lone Tree Brewing Hop Zombie Returns for One Day Only Release

LONE TREE, CO— When Imperial Red IPA is ready, the dead will walk the Earth. Or, at least, make their way to Lone Tree Brewing Company to try a taste.

Fan favorite Hop Zombie will be released on draft and in cans on October 30th, just in time to stock up for Halloween. A tasting room only release, this year’s Hop Zombie cans will be available to purchase individually, in 6-packs, or by the case— but only while supplies last. There will be a very limited amount of themed glassware and custom t-shirts available for purchase as well.

Those looking to get spooky for the holiday should show up early, as this beer tends to sell out in just one day.Another early bird incentive: The first ten people in line will go home with a free limited edition zombie glass.

Deep red in color, Hop Zombie IPA is complex and bold in flavor and aroma. Rich malts are balanced by huge hop flavor and aroma created by a total of eight different hops— Citra, Columbus, Cascade, Mosaic, Simcoe, Amarillo, Centennial, and Motueka. 

Packing all the punch of an undead monster, Hop Zombie rounds in at a whopping 8.9 percent ABV and 90 IBUs. It’s not for the faint of heart, even if it’s namesake doesn’t have one.

For more information about Hop Zombie Day 2021, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY

Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree’s cans are sold across the state of Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants across its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.

The Empourium Brings Back Fresh-tober Fest to Denver’s Berkeley Neighborhood October 9

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

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

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

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

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

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.