Pink Vapor Stew By Ska Brewing Is A 2023 Good Food Awards Winner
2023 marks the second year that Ska Pink Vapor Stew has won this prestigious competition celebrating tasty, authentic, and responsibly made products.
PORTLAND, OR– Ska Brewing Pink Vapor Stew was named a winner at the Good Food Awards ceremony on Friday, April 21. 2023 marks the second year that this beer has won this prestigious competition celebrating tasty, authentic, and responsibly made products.
Pink Vapor Stew was among 2,000 entries in the 2023 Good Food Awards. In January, the Good Food Foundation 501 (c) 3 announced it as one of 32 finalists in this year's beer category. Over the weekend, it joined 17 other beers in the winner’s circle.
Inspired by smoothies and crafted with real fruits and vegetables, Pink Vapor Stew is a fan favorite— for its subtle tartness, tropical hop notes, and bright pink hue. It’s available year-round in 12oz. 6-packs across Ska’s 11-state distribution footprint, and in select international locations.
Media inquiring about Ska Brewing can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.
Lone Tree Brewing Releases Award-Winning Mexican Lager in 12-Packs
Mexican Lager is one of 11-year-old Lone Tree Brewing’s classic recipes that has undoubtedly helped to familiarize the Colorado beer market with this now trending lager style.
LONE TREE, CO— After fielding requests for more of its most popular recipe for years, Lone Tree Brewing is finally giving customers what they desire: 12-packs of Mexican Lager.
Mexican Lager is one of the 11-year-old brewery’s classic recipes that has undoubtedly helped to familiarize the Colorado beer market with this now trending lager style. Lone Tree Brewing first packaged this crowd favorite, formerly known as Summer Siesta on draft, after its 2015 Great American Beer Festival® (GABF) win. It earned a silver medal in the American Style Lager category that year, making Lone Tree the first craft brewery to win in that style category (followed closely by Sycamore Brewing who won a bronze medal in the category). In 2017, Lone Tree Mexican Lager received the gold medal, the first time an independent brewery has come out on top in this style category. The lager got a new look in 2018 when the brewery refreshed its branding.
“We’ve gotten requests to package Mexican Lager in an accessible 12-pack for years now,” says Lone Tree Brewing Sales & Marketing Director Dennis Stack. “We anticipated that craft lagers by the dozen would go on trend across the Colorado beer scene soon, and it seems that time is now… just in time to celebrate Cinco De Mayo and the longer days ahead.”
Mexican Lager 12-packs will join 6-packs of the famed lager on shelves across Colorado and in select locations in Kansas in coming weeks.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Lone Tree Brewing Co.
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, and has remained a local staple for a decade. 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 Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
That Was Rad: The Empourium #POURtrait
Introducing That Was Rad, a series that tells the stories of projects that we’ve had the professional privilege to be a part of. First up: #POURtrait photos at The Empourium.
Hey y’all! It’s Em Hutto. While I type, I’m sipping a beautiful dark lager called The Nightman Cometh brewed by our friends at The Empourium Brewing Co. and sporting my favorite pair of yoga pants— also created by The Empourium. I’m here to launch a new series that tells the stories of projects that we’ve had the professional privilege to be a part of.
Introducing That Was Rad.
We stay busy celebrating the work of our partners, but it’s rare that we pause to celebrate our own. Some wise folks have advised us to do so lately… so here we go.
We’re kicking it off by showcasing our work with The Empourium Brewing Co., who just celebrated their fourth anniversary last weekend!
We’re proud to say that we’ve worked with this standout brewing company in Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood since their start. Co-Owners Greg and Sara Fetzer told us that when they opened their own brewery, we’d be one of their first marketing calls. Sure enough, they called and the rest is history.
Included in that history is the #POURtrait concept that we teamed up on to showcase the eximious mural by Drew Button that shines on the west wall of their tasting room. Our friends hired Drew to paint a mural that would anchor their space as a community hub. To capture this ethos, he pulled in vibrant colors of red and yellow, with each fragment spilling across the background as a golden grain, a sliver of fruit, a chunk of passion, a new idea—all together to create an explosion of potential bursting into the unknown. If there was a “Top Ten Brewery Murals” list out there (maybe we should create one), The Emporium’s would make the list every year.
So what is a #POURtrait?
It’s a selfie or a photoshoot in front of The Empourium’s gorgeous mural, preferably with a beer in hand. Back in February 2020, we activated this hashtag with a photo contest for the most creative submission. We also invited beer photographer extraordinaire Holly Gerard out to create an album of The Empourium’s guests posing in front of it during a First Friday celebration. This event was a blast, and we saw the hashtag appear on Instagram for weeks to come.
Check out some of Holly’s photos here, and in this Instagram post!
Over their four years in business, Greg and Sara have indeed anchored the Tennyson Street, Berkeley neighborhood, Denver, and Colorado beer scenes in their hospitable, dog-friendly space that serves truly world-class beers. First Friday celebrations have continued, as well as their annual Freshtober Fest that’s become a can’t-miss autumn event in the Mile High City. They collaborate with their neighbors, they give back to causes that they’re passionate about, and they have a lot of fun doing what they do.
Oh, and they make pristine, repeatable beers that win awards, too! In 2022, their Atari’s Lantern jasmine rice lager earned a bronze medal in the American-Style Lager category at the World Beer Cup®!
At RadCraft one of our mantras is great beer, better people. It’s an honor to work with a company that exemplifies these simple but powerful four words. Cheers to that, and cheers to them!
Bootleg Biology, Harding House Brewing Co., and Riverbend Malt House Present Inaugural Southern Lager Invitational During 2023 Craft Brewers Conference
Harding House and several other craft breweries in the South are currently fermenting lagers made with Riverbend malt and unique yeast strains from Bootleg Biology to serve at this innovative beer showcase.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE— Bootleg Biology, Harding House Brewing Co., and Riverbend Malt House have engaged the South’s leading tastemakers to craft their expressions of ‘Modern Southern Lager’ to kickoff the Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) on Sunday, May 7 at Harding House Brewing Company in The Nations neighborhood of West Nashville.
So what is a Modern Southern Lager? Open to interpretation, this unofficial beer style tends to be a dry-finishing, lower-ABV beer with a big frothy head and a hint of corn sweetness that is counterbalanced by relatively assertive hop bitterness. It pairs well with sweltering heat.
Think of this style as an update to the Pre-Prohibition Lagers that relied on 6-row barley and flaked corn to provide a lighter alternative to the all malt lagers from Europe. Now, new 2-row winter barleys are flourishing across the South and malt companies like Asheville’s Riverbend Malt House are offering craft brewers access to high quality, locally-malted barley and corn that update this style with bolder flavors.
Riverbend and yeast laboratory Bootleg Biology have encouraged craft brewers across the South to brew their answer to the question ‘What is a Modern Southern Lager’ to serve at a celebration of long, cold fermentation at this upcoming CBC event. They’ve teamed up with host Harding House Brewing, whose dedication to local agriculture shines in unique beers brewed with plants native to Tennessee and partnerships with organizations aiming to shorten supply chains.
Harding House and several other craft breweries in the South are currently fermenting lagers made with Riverbend malt and unique yeast strains from Bootleg Biology— including ARL: The Southern Lager Yeast— to serve at this innovative beer showcase. “When it comes to Pilsner,” says Jeff Mello of Bootleg Biology, “The South has something to say. The lager movement is strong in our region, and it will be defined in the glass at this event.” Look for Czech, German, and American styles reimagined with local ingredients!
Here is the current brewery list:
BarrieHaus Beer Co.
Barrique Brewing & Blending
The Brutalist in collaboration with King State Beer
Cahaba Brewing Co.
Cellarest Beer Project
Cherry Street Brewing
DSSOLVR
East Nashville Beer Works
Fait La Force Brewing collaboration with Our Mutual Friend
Fonta Flora Brewery
Fullsteam Brewery
Harding House Brewing Co.
Inner Voice Brewing
Little Animals Brewery
New Anthem Beer Project
Sceptre Brewing Arts
Soul and Spirits Brewery
TennFold Brewing
The Southern Lager Invitational will take place on Sunday, May 7 at Harding House Brewing Co. from 7 to 10pm. All CBC participants get free entry with proof of conference participation. This inaugural event is made possible by sponsors Boelter, who are providing custom glassware for all participants, and Dynamark. Bad Luck Burger Club will be slinging their famous smash burgers. Frothy Monkey Bakery will bring breads to taste made from spent Southern Lager grain.
Media interested in attending and or covering the Southern Lager Invitational can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT BOOTLEG BIOLOGY
Bootleg Biology is a full-service yeast lab for professional brewers and homebrewers.
From our location in Nashville, TN, we’ve earned a reputation for creative cultures that meet the rigorous demands of a brewery while still satisfying brewers’ goals to push the envelope.
From crispy lagers and juicy IPAs to complex mixed fermentations, Bootleg has a culture for every brew. All of our yeast is made fresh, ensuring optimal viability and keeping you on schedule.
Our lab offers a wide range of quality control testing to ensure your product meets your high standards, including PCR testing for common contaminants, IBU testing, selective media plating and more.
ABOUT HARDING HOUSE BREWING CO.
Homebrewer-turned-brewmaster Nate Underwood brought his passion for local agriculture into his brewing style at Harding House Brewing Co. This brewery is named after the nickname given to a house he lived in on Harding Place here in Nashville, the place where the inspiration for the brewery originated. Co-owned by Matt Fung-A-Fat, Tyler Pate and Cameron Jones, Harding House strives to better the community in which it exists. This includes providing quality jobs and creating new agricultural economies. Harding House is committed to using the brewery as a place for the people of Nashville to gather and grow together. Learn more at hardinghousebrew.com.
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 River, in Asheville, North Carolina in 2010. Buoyed by a 70,000 square 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.
Ska Brewing is first North American brewery to implement CanCollar® Corsair™ for plastics replacement in its packaging
Ska Brewing has never been keen on plastic packaging, but recently identified an alternative that supports its sustainability goals.
DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing has completed the installation of a CanCollar® Corsair™ provided by WestRock. Ska is the first craft brewery in North America to implement this automation solution, which will enable the company’s transition from plastic rings to a fiber-based solution for its multipack product wraps.
Ska has never been keen on plastic packaging, but recently identified an alternative that supports its sustainability goals.
Enter WestRock, a global paper and packaging leader dedicated to sustainability whose portfolio includes solutions for craft and artisanal beverage producers. The company’s CanCollar® Corsair™ machine automatically applies various CanCollar® paperboard-based multipack formats to 24-pack trays of product, which gives Ska the ability to package all of its canned brand offerings — including four-packs and six-packs — using a solution that reduces plastics consumption by up to 95 percent when compared to alternative plastic multipack options.
“The CanCollar, which promotes circularity, will immediately reduce the amount of plastic Ska contributes to the environment by approximately four tons per year,” says Ska Brewing COO Steve Breezley. “This contributes to a reduction in overall waste and the carbon footprint associated with the shipping and storage of our products. The innovation, ethos and ethics behind this solution are what we’re all about.”
The installation of the CanCollar® Corsair™ is one of Ska’s ongoing, never-finished efforts to build a more sustainable future,” says Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau. “We saw the opportunity to implement this fiber-based CanCollar and we’re jumping on it. We hope it will become the industry standard moving forward.”
From the choice of aluminum cans over bottles and the recycling of bowling alley lanes and old denim in the tasting room design, to the reduction of water consumption in the brewhouse and so many other initiatives to reduce waste, Ska Brewing has been a thought leader paving the way for environmental innovation over the course of its nearly 28 years in business. The brewery would love to share these strategies with anyone who asks.
Beer lovers can look for all of Ska’s canned brand offerings to sport recyclable fiber collars applied by the CanCollar® Corsair™ on shelves starting in April.
Media inquiring about Ska Brewing or their sustainability objectives can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. Questions about WestRock can be directed to Robby Johnson at robby.b.johnson@westrock.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.
ABOUT WESTROCK
WestRock (NYSE: WRK) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions, with more than 50,000 teammates in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Our integrated packaging capabilities offer end-to-end solutions to help customers address their greatest challenges.
Ska Brewing Keeps Spring Tradition Alive With 2023 Mexican Logger Release, Including 12-Packs
Now two dozen years old, Ska Brewing Mexican Logger returns for 2023 on tap, in cans, and in a brand new 12-pack.
DURANGO, CO– Spring weather in Southwest Colorado might be traditionally inconsistent, but one thing locals and visitors can count on is the release of Ska Brewing’s Mexican Logger to kick off the season. Now two dozen years old, this craft lager returns on tap, in cans, and in a brand new 12-pack to Ska’s World Headquarters on Wednesday, March 29.
Highly decorated and cult-followed, Mexican Logger first debuted on draft in 1999. Crisp and clean from cold fermentation, this beer is made with a yeast strain from Mexico City to honor the roots of this now popularized lager style. In 2011 it became one of, if not the, first American craft lagers to hit a can.
Now for the first time, this fan favorite is available in 12-pack format. The Ska team is excited to share this long-awaited and requested SKU, which customers can pick up at the Mexican Logger release party.
On Wednesday, March 29, Ska will welcome patio season with Mexican Logger’s 2023 release at 5pm— rain, snow, or shine. Baracutanga, a seven-piece band representing Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and the USA with a distinct Latin sound, will perform live while guests can enjoy beer and food specials. One lucky lager-lover will go home with a custom Ska Brewing paddleboard.
Twelve and 6-packs of Mexican Logger will arrive on shelves across Ska’s distribution footprint later this week, replacing its winter alternative Mexican-style Lager Dark.
Media assets for Mexican Logger are available for download here. Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with any questions.
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.
Maine’s First Maltster Blue Ox Malthouse Wins Two Prestigious Malt Cup Awards
Among the 90 total entries from 34 malthouses in four malt categories, Blue Ox received bronze Malt Cup awards in the Pale and Light Munich categories.
LISBON FALLS, ME— Blue Ox Malthouse was awarded two Malt Cup awards by the Craft Maltsters Guild on March 17 at the annual Craft Malt Conference held this month in Portland, Maine. This esteemed international competition is the only recognition program of its kind for the malting grain industry. The award comes at the 10 year anniversary of Blue Ox Malthouse’s incorporation to become Maine’s first malthouse.
Among the 90 total entries from 34 malthouses in four malt categories, Blue Ox received bronze Malt Cup awards in the Pale and Light Munich categories. Entries were scored by 200 judges that included barley breeders, brewers, distillers, maltsters, Beer Judge Certification Program participants, and Cicerones in three rounds of comprehensive analysis that included the hot steep process.
Blue Ox’s light, clean, and crisp Pale has mild sweet and grainy aromas and is fully modified for high extract and enzyme potential. It’s malted to elevate the foundation of lighter beer styles like Kolsch, Blondes and Pales. Their Light Munich style yields lightly toasted bread crust flavors rounded by a deep biscuity sweetness with hints of peanut butter. It’s malted to build character for many beer styles.
Both these styles are built of malting barley grown and sourced from Aroostook County Maine–consistent with Blue Ox Malthouse’s mission to support and build local robust, resilient, supply chains. Unusually, these products are also made using the traditional floor malting techniques–a hands-on artisanal approach in which grain is germinated on concrete floors and turned by hand. This method is more common in Europe and Blue Ox Malthouse is one of the few North American malthouses dedicated to using this style of production.
Now in its fifth year, the Malt Cup is facilitated by the Craft Maltsters Guild— the trade association supporting the work of craft malthouses across the globe— in collaboration with Montana State University’s Malt Quality Lab and sensory analysis company DraughtLab.
“We’ve known for years that we are making top quality, world-class products that present Maine and Maine grains in the best light possible. It is great to have that validated in such a competitive, high caliber competition,” says Joel Alex, Founder and CEO of Blue Ox Malthouse. Additionally Alex went on to say that “perhaps the most meaningful part for me is the recognition this gives our staff for the great work they do every day to bring these products to life. Winning for the first time while we were hosting the conference here in our home state with our tenth anniversary coming up next month is particularly special!”
Media inquiring about Blue Ox Malthouse can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT BLUE OX MALTHOUSE
Launched in 2013 by homebrewer and community organizer-turned-maltster Joel Alex, Blue Ox Malthouse is Maine's first malting operation. Blue Ox Malthouse seeks to push the possibilities of craft beer and spirits, and support Maine agriculture by connecting these two groups through world class quality Maine-made malt. Reinvigorating a centuries-old floor malting tradition, Blue Ox is committed to growing the connection between brewers and farmers while striving to grow more sustainable food systems and serve as a model for sustainable and rural economic development. Learn more at blueoxmalthouse.com.
Loveland Malthouse Completes a Near Sweep of International Malt Cup Awards
Root Shoot Malting is the only craft malthouse to win an award all five years of the competition’s existence and the only malthouse to medal in every category in a single year.
Image courtesy @activebeergeek; From left: Hannah Turner, MSU; Michael Myers, Root Shoot Malting; Craig Miller, Root Shoot Malting; Lindsay Barr, DraughtLab
LOVELAND, CO— On Friday, March 17, Root Shoot Malting, a 5th generation farm and craft malthouse out of Loveland, Colorado completed a near sweep of the 2023 Malt Cup awards presented at the annual Craft Malt Conference in Portland, Maine.
The Malt Cup competition, hosted by the Craft Maltsters Guild, is the only internationally recognized competition for the burgeoning craft malting industry. This year’s participants encompassed 6 countries, 19 states, and 3 provinces with representation from over 34 malthouses worldwide. The 2023 Malt Cup was the largest competition to date with 90 total entries in four malt categories: Pilsen, Pale, Vienna, and Light Munich. Malt Cup entries were scored in three rounds by 200 judges including universities, brewers, distillers, maltsters, and cicerones across 35 locations throughout the country.
Root Shoot Malting received four medals, winning gold in the Pilsen, Light Munich, and Vienna categories. They received a silver in the fourth category for their Pale Malt, and also took home the traveling Malt Cup for the overall Best in Show with their Genie Pilsen malt. Root Shoot Malting is the only craft malthouse to win an award all five years of the competition’s existence and the only malthouse to medal in every category in a single year.
“It is an absolute honor to be recognized at this level through this competition,” says Michael Myers, Root Shoot’s head maltster. “Our small team is pouring passion, energy, and thought into every step of our process and we feel that translates through to the end consumer.”
Founder and lead farmer Todd Olander agrees. “We believe our farming practices are directly linked to this year’s wins,” says Mr. Olander. “Implementing regenerative techniques and encouraging soil health allows our barley to thrive. Award-winning malt starts in the field.”
Root Shoot Malting is proud to work in the craft malt community with other talented malthouses, including this year’s other Malt Cup medalists: Admiral Maltings, Hogarth Malt, Field Five Farm, Blue Ox Malthouse, Miller Malting Company, Gallatin Valley Malt Co., and Wyoming Malting Company.
Media inquiring about Root Shoot Malting and their 2023 Malt Cup achievements can contact LeeAnne Sanders at team@rootshootmalting.com.
ABOUT ROOT SHOOT MALTING
Root Shoot Malting is a 5th-generation family farm and malthouse that supplies barley, wheat, rye, and non-GMO corn to craft breweries and distilleries throughout Colorado and beyond. Find them online at rootshootmalting.com.
The Ska Lager Joins Canned Craft Lager Lineup at Ska Brewing
The Ska Lager joins Ska’s decorated and well-known canned lager family that includes Mexican Logger and its dark, winter sister Mexican-Style Lager Dark, Rue B. Soho Grapefruit Lager, and Ska Oktoberfest.
DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing is psyched to present the next lager in its year-round canned lineup: The Ska Lager will debut at the brewery World Headquarters on Thursday, March 9 and hit shelves next week.
The Ska Lager came to fruition much like Ska Brewing’s OG craft Lager Mexican Logger circa 1999: the brewing team’s beer style of choice is clean, refreshing lager that can be sipped any time of year— or time of day.
The 4.8% ABV Ska Lager is a no-nonsense, snappy, crisp, bright, easy-drinking lager with the gentlest floral aroma lent from its additions of Tettnang and Bravo hops. It’s a beer that makes you want another beer.
The Ska Lager joins Ska’s decorated and well-known canned lager family that includes Mexican Logger and its dark, winter sister Mexican-Style Lager Dark, Rue B. Soho Grapefruit Lager, and Ska Oktoberfest.
Grab a can of The Ska Lager at its release party on Thursday, March 9 at Ska Brewing’s World Headquarters where Rob Webster will play live at 5pm.
Media inquiring about Ska Brewing’s lager program and The Ska Lager can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.
Lone Tree Brewing Hefeweizen Returns For Spring
After a successful launch of Lone Tree’s Hefeweizen in cans in 2022, the brewery is excited to bring back this seasonal offering both in 12 oz. 6-packs and on draft.
LONE TREE, CO— Lone Tree Brewing Company Hefeweizen is now available across Colorado and Kansas for the spring season.
After a successful launch of Lone Tree’s Hefeweizen in cans in 2022, the brewery is excited to bring back this seasonal offering both in 12 oz. 6-packs and on draft. It’s a classic German-style Hefeweizen recipe that Head Brewer Dennis O’Harrow designed to mimic the unfiltered wheat beers he enjoyed while traveling in Munich. Brewed with Noble hops and wheat, and fermented with Weihenstephan yeast, Lone Tree Hefeweizen has notes of banana, spice, and clove that blend seamlessly to make it an easy sipper with only 5.4% ABV, perfect for welcoming warmer days.
“It’s exciting when a time-honored style like this Hefeweizen made with traditional ingredients is top-performing in the modern-day Colorado craft beer market,” says Lone Tree Sales and Marketing Director Dennis Stack. “Consumers are asking for bright, easy drinking, low ABV beers in 2023— and this wheat ale is the answer.”
Find Hefeweizen on tap at Lone Tree and in canned 6-packs while supplies last.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Lone Tree Brewing Co.
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, and has remained a local staple for a decade. 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 Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
Resolute Brewing Rebrands, Invests More In Local Malt, Shares Community Influence in 2022 Year In Review
Resolute Brewing’s commitment to Be Resolute shines in their 2022 impact reporting.
COLORADO— For Resolute Brewing, community is everything. The brewery just reported numbers, philanthropic impact, a greater investment in local ingredients, and an ongoing rebrand.
Here is their 2022 Year In Review.
In 2022, Resolute embarked upon a rebrand to present a more refined aesthetic. They debuted their new logo, glassware, and merchandise in the fall, and have 2023 plans to integrate the new branding into the design of their taprooms.
Resolute Brewing produced around 1000 BBL of beer in 2022 by Head Brewer Kyle Larkin and Brewers Nico Cervantes and Ethan Munoz. Its original location in Centennial is the site of brewing operations, while the Arvada Tap & Cellar location is the home of the company’s barrel aging projects. Of note in 2022 was Resolute’s shift to Denver local Leopold Bros. as their primary base malt provider.
“Leopold Bros. is producing super high quality floor malted grain,” says Larkin. “Their Pilsner malt is in many of our mainstays, and we use as much of their other malt styles as we can. I love sourcing locally and we’re grateful to have such a strong connection with our maltster.”
Larkin and the whole Resolute team were overjoyed to receive the brewery’s first Great American Beer Festival® medal for their German-Style Doppelbock category for Execrator Doppelbock. Resolute was also awarded a gold medal at the 2022 Best of Craft Beer Awards for the Doinkinbonk Porter.
Throughout the year, Resolute hosted events for and donated more than $5000 to more than 20 local philanthropic organizations including; Hog Haven Farm, Special Olympics, Project Helping, Ray of Hope Cancer foundation, Rainbow Alley and Pawsitive Restoration.
Resolute is extremely proud to provide community spaces that, beyond serving as comfortable gathering places, also give back to their communities in Centennial and Arvada. These taprooms function under the leadership of General Manager Jamie Gibbs, Arvada Taproom Manager Ashley Nikel, and 13 rockstar bartenders committed to great hospitality. Resolute has 19 team members total, including Lucas Wattles who supports Resolute’s can distribution across Colorado’s Front Range.
Resolute is excited for the year ahead, with collaborations, new beers, and more community events underway. Stay tuned on their website and social media channels for updates.
Media inquiring about Resolute Brewing can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT RESOLUTE BREWING CO.
Resolute Brewing Company serves beer crafted by friends, for friends. The brewery was founded in Centennial, Colorado in 2016 to serve the metro Denver community with unrelenting dedication to classic, high quality beer styles. This resolve has since expanded into Arvada with the opening of Resolute Tap & Cellar in 2019, and across the state through distribution via Colorado Craft Distributors. Find Resolute Brewing online at resolutebrewingco.com.
Ska Brewing Reports 2022 Impact; Previews New Sustainability Initiatives
Ska Brewing is coming off of a dynamic year in business engaged in the craft beer, music, art, biking, and local Southwest Colorado communities in which it is ingrained.
Photo of Ska’s xeriscaped beer garden courtesy The Brewtography Project
DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing is coming off of a dynamic year in business engaged in the craft beer, music, art, biking, and local Southwest Colorado communities in which it is ingrained— with even bigger plans to support its community with sustainability initiatives in 2023.
Here is Ska Brewing’s 2022 Year In Review.
BEER
In 2022, Ska Brewing brewed approximately 25,000 BBL of beer that was served on tap at the brewery World Headquarters and distributed nationwide. Ska’s distribution footprint grew to 11 states last year with the addition of Wyoming in the fall.
Ska debuted several new canned beers last year, such as the new age Checkered Future IPA that brought together old school hops and new brewing techniques; Raspberry Blonde Ale that gave a fresh take on a classic style; the Faceplant Lager brewed with Tailwind Nutrition electrolytes; and the Peppermint Bark Stout crafted with Animas Chocolate Company peppermint bark. The brewery also brought back famed mainstays Mexican Logger, Oktoberfest, Euphoria Pale Ale, and Mexican Lager Style Dark.
Up next in Ska’s canned beer lineup is The Ska Lager, a snappy, crisp, bright, and easy-drinking at only 4.8% ABV. This new no-nonsense offering will hit shelves in March.
MUSIC
Ska Brewing was born out of an affinity for music, which the brewery continues to stoke by hosting Ska, punk, and other relevant bands of all shapes and sizes to play at the brewery. The legendary third wave Ska group Hepcat and opener Rude Girl Revue traveled to Durango to perform an epic show at Ska’s 27th Anniversary Party and Brewer’s Invitational.
SOUTHWEST COLORADO
Ska was a proud supporter of many events that took place in its hometown Durango, Colorado— including Durango’s annual winter festival Snowdown, the 50th anniversary of The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, the Durango Independent Film Festival, Animas River Days, Downtown 4th of July Celebration, Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships, Thirsty 13 and many more.
Ska partnered with Fort Lewis College on multiple efforts, including a hop biotransformation research project that yielded the Skyhawk Single Hop IPA; and a hard seltzer branding deep dive with the Fennell-Saegert Student Marketing Agency.
Each year, Ska donates upwards of $50,000 in product, money and time to nonprofits organizations such as La Plata Open Space Conservancy, Manna Soup Kitchen, Fort Lewis College, United Way, KSUT, KDUR, Women’s Resource Center, LaPlata County Humane Society, and Trails 2000, among many others.
Ska Distributing continued to serve the Southwest Colorado market by bringing craft beer brands to the area from across the state and beyond, including new auditions to the portfolio: Bruz Beers and Weldwerks Brewing Co.
COMMUNITY
Outside of its hometown, Ska engaged with the beer community at large through collaborations with Living The Dream Brewing in Littleton, Colorado and Manhattan Brewing in Manhattan, Kansas.
Beyond beer and music, Ska is passionate about art— especially art that showcases Ska music. During the Ska anniversary weekend in September, Ska hosted San Diego-based artist Nan Coffey for an art show that brewery visitors can still peruse on the second floor of the building.
Beyond beer, music, and art, Ska is passionate about biking. The brewery was a sponsor for Rides & Vibes in Grand Junction, the Fruita Fat Tire Festival, and 12 Hours Mesa Verde, among others. This year, Ska is stoked to be the official beer of the Session Series, Triple Bypass, Salida76, and Beti Bike Bash by Team Evergreen Cycling.
SUSTAINABILITY
Ska has long committed to reducing waste and developing brewery and distribution systems that minimize its carbon footprint— from recycled jeans in the walls as insulation and reused bowling alley wood as tables, to solar panels, solar lighting, wind energy credits, and recycling of all cardboard, paper, plastic, glass and metal waste. Ska was one of the first craft breweries in the country to package its beer in infinitely recyclable aluminum cans, and now has many packaging systems in place to further conserve resources, including Ionized air rinse instead of water rinsing and an efficient, on-demand, de-aerated water system. These are just a few of Ska’s sustainability programs that the brewery is constantly improving upon.
In 2023, Ska is pleased to continue these efforts alongside the implementation of two sizable and unprecedented sustainability initiatives. The brewery is installing a machine that will allow for the transition of all can collars from plastic to paperboard, making Ska one of the first breweries ever to utilize this equipment in the move away from plastic packaging materials.
Secondly, Durango’s Table To Farm Compost will now be the recipient of all of Ska’s spent grain. This transition from cattle feed and landfill to compost will reduce methane emissions and align with Ska’s commitment to local partnerships.
Ska will publish more information about these efforts in coming weeks.
Media inquiring about Ska Brewing can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.
Bowl of ’Zole Coming to Denver March 30
Taste 100+ authentic Mexican spirits , and pozole by more than a dozen acclaimed chefs on March 30 at Skylight Venue in the Santa Fe Arts District.
DENVER, CO— After a successful third year in Brooklyn, New York, Bowl of ‘Zole is coming west to Denver's Skylight venue on Thursday, March 30. Founded by spirit expert Arik Torren; Chef Danny Mena, author of Made in Mexico; and Food Karma’s Jimmy Carbone, the tasting event aims to spotlight heritage Pozole and to celebrate the vibrant culture of agave spirits like mezcal, tequila, raicilla, bacanora, and sotol.
For this year’s Bowl of ‘Zole, the trio have united an amazing community of mezcal aficionados and 12 of the city’s most celebrated chefs led by Troy Guard of Los Chingones, Dana Rodriguez of La Loca, and Jose Avila of La Diabla.
This year’s festival includes more than 100 expressions of agave spirits (mezcal, sotol, tequila, raicilla), plus wine, beer, and hard seltzer.
Pozole Chefs/ Restaurants:
Los Chingones, Troy Guard.
La Diabla, Jose Avila.
La Loca, Dana Rodriguez.
El Chingon, Lorenzo Nunez.
Palenque , Brian Rossi.
Tres Margaritas, Chuey.
Gaucho, Oscar Padilla.
Tomayo, Antonio Tevillo.
Toro, Abigail Pierce.
5th String, Amos Watts.
And more...
Spirits:
Del Maguey
Mezcal Siete Misterios
Terranova Spirits
Don Fulano
Mezcal Sombra
Tequila Astral
Los Magos Sotol
Mezcal Wahaka
Sotol Flor Desierto
Mezcal Cruz de Fuego
Tequila Fortaleza
Mezcales de Leyenda
Pelotón de la Muerte
Fabriquero
Amatitania Tequila
Derrumbes
Wahaka Mezcal
Reyo Seco
Cancion Tequila
La Venenosa
Rancho Tepua
La Higuera
Don Amado
Minas Real
Arte Nom
Hacienda de Bañuelos
Raicilla Bonete
Bacanora Yawee
Mezcal Espiritu Lauro
Sotol Coyote
Mijente Tequila
Mezcal Vago
Maguey Melate
And many more!
The event’s spirits retail partner is Baker Wine and Spirits. Buy your favorite Spirits at their retail store, where they will special order select spirits featured at this event.
Thursday, March 30, 2023
5-9pm at Skylight, 833 Santa Fe Drive Denver, CO 80204
Tickets are on sale now at www.bowlofzole.com VIP access gives guests early admission at 3pm for $85. General admission for 4pm costs $55.
Questions? Foodkarma@gmail.com
Instagram @bowlofzole
VIP Tickets ($85 + fee) offer early admission at 5pm, the best way to experience Bowl of ‘Zole. Included in your entry:
● Early Access – You’ll be admitted one hour before the general public! 5pm entry for VIP only!
● All food & drink, with 12+ pozoles and more than 100 Mezcal / spirit options to sample
● Time to meet the chefs and other industry players
● Exclusive goody bag
General Admission ($55 + fee) includes 6pm admission to the all-inclusive event. All food & drink, with 12+ pozoles and more than 100 agave spirits (mezcal, sotol, tequila, bacanora, raicilla) to sample.
For media inquiries please contact Jimmy Carbone at jimmypotsandpans@gmail.com.
Living The Dream Brewing Continues To Increase Production and Community Engagement After Expanding Distribution Statewide in Colorado
Here is the 2022 Living The Dream Brewing Year in Review.
LITTLETON, CO— Living The Dream Brewing reported continued momentum in 2022 after their statewide distribution expansion. This past year brought new beers, several awards, and many philanthropic opportunities for the brewery, which donated more than $13,000 to local causes. Here is the 2022 Living The Dream Brewing Year in Review.
PRODUCTION & SALES
The installation of new equipment in 2020 for capacity and its increase in production in 2021 poised Living The Dream for a new distribution agreement with Colorado Craft Distributors in 2022. Since the companies announced their partnership last May, the brewery continues to increase production and sales.
Now Colorado residents and visitors can find cans of Living The Dream mainstay beers— Powder Run Vanilla Cream Ale and its variants, 7-Speed IPA, Mountain Drive American Ale, and Fly Reel Amber Ale— as well as canned seasonals across the Centennial State year round.
TEAM
The Living The Dream team continued to grow and is now up to 15 employees.
In 2022 the brewery promoted Michael Acerra to General Manager, hired Jayme Hillian to manage events and social media, and continued brewing operations under the leadership of Head Brewer Rob Meehan.
BEER
Living the Dream Brewing released an array of specialty beers in 2022, including Powder Run Vanilla Cream Ale variants Lemon Bar, Key Lime Pie, Tangerine, Horchata, and the famed holiday seasonal Gingerbread. Root Beer Float is the newest addition to this series, and currently available in cans and on tap while supplies last.
Living The Dream debuted the High Line Pilsner in cans over the summer, and released many experimental batches on draft throughout the year. These beers included Sunrise Tangerine Wheat, several dark and traditional German-style lagers, and the Port Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout made in collaboration with Littleton’s ROCKER Spirits.
ACCOLADES
Living the Dream received six awards in the 2022 Denver International Beer Competition: Gold for Velvet Imperial Stout and Port-Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout; Silver for 7 Speed IPA, Guava Mountain Gose, and Powder Run Cream Ale; and Bronze for Fly Reel Amber Ale. The brewery also took home a silver award in the American Style Fruit Beer – Tangerine category of the 2022 U.S. Beer Open Championship.
COMMUNITY
Living The Dream invested in its taproom experience in 2022 by adding pinball machines and a pool table, hosting numerous events and a variety of food trucks, and installing new heated patio tents for year-round, comfortable outdoor seating.
Living The Dream’s continued its partnership with the Highlands Ranch Community Association, which includes sponsoring the Highlands Ranch Race Series and hosting a monthly Beer For Bucks night, raised more than $2400 for the association in 2022. Among the brewery’s other philanthropic initiatives were the 2nd Annual Daniel Vogt Memorial in partnership with Proud Souls Barbecue & Provisions that raised more than $11,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Living The Dream also teamed up with Physio Racing, Runners Edge, and Fire Pit Runners on group runs and rides throughout the year.
Living The Dream collaborated with two fellow Colorado breweries– Base Camp Beer Works and Ska Brewing— for the 2022 Colorado Brewers Guild’s Collaboration Festival that took place in April. In October, the brewery continued its support of the beer community at large as a sponsor of the 40th annual Great American Beer Festival.
Living The Dream is proud to partner with RadCraft on its communications strategy, which in 2022 included a revamp of its website in collaboration with Midwest Coast Media.
MOVING FORWARD
The brewery is teaming up on brew days with New Terrain Brewing and Payette Brewing for the 2023 Collaboration Festival, and experimenting with fresh flavors for upcoming beer releases. Customers can look forward to Living The Dream’s 9th anniversary celebration this summer.
Media inquiring about Living The Dream can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
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 have imagined, and join us at livingthedreambrewing.com.
It’s Time for Brewers to Rethink Colorado Hops: Billy Goat Hop Farm 2022 Cascade Harvest Named Best Cascade Hops In the Country
It’s Time for Brewers to Rethink Colorado Hops.
Audrey Gehlhausen (left) and Chris DellaBianca with the Cascade Cup
MONTROSE, CO— Billy Goat Hop Farm was just named the first place winner of Hop Quality Group’s 2023 Cascade Cup. This year marks the first time Billy Goat has entered the competition, and the first time that a farm outside of Washington and Oregon has won this prestigious award.
The Cascade Cup is the ultimate challenge for the best Cascade hops in the country. This yearly competition allows growers from all over the United States to showcase their best Cascade crops. A panel composed of brewing professionals in the Hop Quality Group blindly picks a winner based on appearance, aroma, and hop analysis. Cascade was chosen because it is the most widely grown variety and not proprietary, allowing most farmers nationwide to participate.
“Cascade hops have long been an important part of craft brewing,” Spokesperson Matt Gallagher from the Hop Quality Group explains. “For the first time in its history the Cascade Cup is leaving the states of Washington and Oregon and heading to the Rocky Mountain State.”
Billy Goat Hop Farm Founders and Co-Owners Chris DellaBianca and Audrey Gehlhausen were surprised and delighted to receive the Cascade Cup. “We were lucky to be able to attend the Hop Convention last year where we learned that a Cascade Cup even existed. So this year we thought, what the heck let’s send a sample in,” says Gehlhausen. “When Chris told me that we won, I thought he was just trying to fool me. Then Vinnie Cilurzo, the co-founder of Russian River Brewery, called to congratulate us. We’ve been flying high ever since.”
Seventeen brewers across the country have utilized Billy Goat’s award-winning Cascade hops, including Steel Bender Brewyard in Albuquerque that has been the largest purchaser of this variety.
At 32 acres, Billy Goat is able to stay more hands-on in every aspect of farming and processing than the typical 500 plus acre farm. Their smaller size also allows them to catch pests and disease early, dramatically decreasing the need for chemical inputs. Using multiple soil health practices, Billy Goat takes pride in creating a vital living ecosystem that sustains not only plants, but animals and humans too— while also conserving water. 2022 marks Billy Goat’s largest harvest yet with all varieties finally reaching maturity. They stay dedicated to producing all of their varieties with the same high quality care.
Learn more about Billy Goat Hop Farm and their Cascade hops at billygoathopfarm.com. Media inquiring about Billy Goat Hop Farm and their recent Cascade Cup win can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT BILLY GOAT HOP FARM
Billy Goat Hop Farm is the largest hop farm in the Southwest, providing superior quality fresh, whole cone, and pelletized hops directly to craft brewers. Starting in 2017, they've grown to 32 acres that produce 9 varieties of amazing hops. In 2022, they began sourcing different varieties of whole cone hops from other quality growers, and then processing themselves in order to offer more varieties to their brewers.
Owners and farmers Chris and Audrey pride themselves on creating genuine farmer-brewer relations and bringing true craft into their process. Combining traditional hands-on practices and state-of-the-art technology, they use less water and chemicals which transcends into a healthier ecosystem, soil, and hop plants. Brewers enjoy the bright aroma and subtly unique aroma profile imparted from Colorado's terroir, and the passion poured into every step of the process.
Know your farmer, Love your beer.
Bootstrap Brewing Announces Medal AF Mosaic IPA
Medal AF Mosaic IPA has a massive amount of Mosaic hops to provide a crisp finish with a pleasant lingering bitterness that encourages another sip.
LONGMONT, CO— Bootstrap Brewing announced today that its Medal AF Mosaic IPA will begin hitting store shelves in March through distribution partners in Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Utah, Missouri, and Idaho.
“While brainstorming new recipe ideas for our next can release over beers in the taproom, we came up with a really fun concept”, explained owner/brewer Steve Kaczeus. “What if we took the best ingredients and attributes of our two most medaled beers, Wreak Havoc and Stick’s, and created a new beer?”
Wreak Havoc Imperial Red and Stick’s Pale Ale have won 38 medals collectively including 3 at the highly competitive World Beer Cup and 4 at the Great American Beer Festival*
“Once we finalized the recipe, we turned our attention to the can design”, explained co-founder Leslie Kaczeus. “In line with our other animal themed can designs, we wanted to have a lot of fun with this can featuring a gorilla and other apes in a heavy metal scene for a play on words with ‘metal’ and ‘medal’. Moxie Sozo hit another home run by creating our main tattooed gorilla clutching a fist full of medals in his rock-n-roll hand surrounded by baboons, orangutans and chimpanzees smashing guitars, playing drums and of course our ever-present cowbell.”
The company will also donate a portion of beer sales proceeds to nonprofit groups with programs focused on the protection, conservation and education of apes. They have already started by adopting infant gorilla Uwacu from Dian Fossey’s Gorilla Fund based out of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Medal AF Mosaic IPA has a massive amount of Mosaic hops to provide a crisp finish with a pleasant lingering bitterness that encourages another sip. At 6.5% ABV and 53 IBUs, Medal AF will be available in 6 packs of 12-ounce cans and kegs for draft accounts.
*Wreak Havoc Imperial Red won:
Silver at the 2015 Great American Beer Festival in the Imperial Red Category
Bronze at the 2016, 2018, & 2022 World Beer Cup Competitions in the Imperial Red Category
Bronze at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival in the Imperial Red Category
Stick’s Pale Ale won
Gold at the 2016 and 2021 Great American Beer Festival in the American Pale Ale Category.
A complete list of all of Bootstrap Brewing awards for all beers can be found at http://www.bootstrapbrewing.com/awards
For more information about Medal AF 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, Boat Snack, Stick’s Pale Ale, Chillax, Wreak Havoc, and Pickle Me Up, 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 www.bootstrapbrewing.com.
Riverbend Malt House Publishes Record Numbers and Esteemed Recognitions in 2022 Year In Review
2022 was a monumental year for Riverbend Malt House that included a 50 percent capacity increase, a Malt Cup win, and deeper agricultural and environmental commitments than ever before.
ASHEVILLE, NC— 2022 was a monumental year for Riverbend Malt House that included a 50 percent capacity increase, and deeper agricultural and environmental commitments than ever before. The malthouse was honored with a prestigious Malt Cup award for malt quality, and named one of Inc. 5000’s fastest growing private companies— among many other milestones.
Here is the Riverbend Malt House 2022 Year In Review.
Production and Capacity
In 2022, Riverbend Malt House malted 3.3 million pounds of craft malt, which included mainstay styles as well as custom and smoked malt for specialty projects. This production level was 28 percent higher than in 2021.
In response to the growing demand for craft malt among breweries and distilleries throughout the Southeast, Riverbend Malt House added a 10 tonne steep tank and 10-tonne Germination Kiln Vessel (GKV) unit to its production facility in 2022. These equipment additions increased the malthouse’s overall craft malt production capacity by more than 50 percent.
Local Farmers and Customers
In 2022, Riverbend sourced grain from North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky Virginia, Georgia and even Florida— all from family-owned farms within 500 miles of the malthouse— and worked with agricultural researchers across the region on barley research and breeding. After ten years in the making, Riverbend was one of the first malthouses in the country to malt the new Avalon barley variety developed by Virginia Tech’s Eastern Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center.
Riverbend sold malt to more than 280 different breweries and distilleries in 2022. Nearly 100 of these are new to the malt house’s customer base. With the overall craft brewing market falling flat in 2022, craft brewers are increasingly seeking ways to differentiate themselves, and using locally sourced high quality craft malt is one strategy employed with increasing frequency.
Distillers continue to be an important and growing segment of Riverbend’s customer base, with almost a quarter of 2022 sales going to more than 30 customers in this exciting market. Three of Riverbend’s top 10 customers in 2022 were craft distillers.
Environmental Commitment
Over the course of the year, Riverbend reduced its carbon emissions per pound of malt produced by 2 percent. in partnership with the WNC Brewery Recycling Co-Op composted 85 tons of organic waste and diverted 16,216 pounds of polywoven plastic from the landfills through a new malt bag recycling program activated by the Asheville Brewers Alliance and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. In total, Riverbend redirected approximately 186,000 pounds of waste from landfill in 2022.
Events & Community
In 2022, Riverbend was proud to create custom malt blends for the Athens Pink Boots Society Women’s International Brew Day beer made at Terrapin Beer Co;, and for Fullsteam Brewery’s new base malt aptly named Plow To Pint Pilsner, among other projects.
As the largest and longest-standing malthouse in the Southeast, Riverbend was honored to share its expertise at several industry gatherings including the 2022 Craft Malt Conference and the 2022 North Carolina Craft Brewers Conference.
Riverbend was delighted to support Farm To Tap launched by the Tennessee Craft Brewers Guild and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture through a series of events and panel discussions. This initiative encourages Tennessee brewers to use Tennessee sourced ingredients in their beer, and the malthouse is thrilled to see it return in 2023.
Awards & Accolades
Riverbend maintained its Living Wage Certified Employer status from Just Economics, the largest voluntary Living Wage Certification in the nation. 100 percent of Riverbend’s employees are compensated at or above the living wage rate established by Just Economics for Buncombe County. Additionally, Riverbend pays for 100 percent of employee health insurance premiums.
In February 2022, Riverbend took home a bronze award in the Craft Maltsters Guild’s Malt Cup for the Chesapeake Pilsner style. 2022 was the fourth year of this prestigious awards program— often called the Great American Beer Festival® or the Oscars® of craft malt– that recognizes craft maltsters for the quality and consistency of their malt.
In August 2022, Riverbend was named number 2804 of the fastest growing private companies in the country on the Inc. 5000 list. The annual Inc. 5000 list is one of the most prestigious rankings of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies, representing top tier independent small businesses in America. Inc. 5000 status is conferred based upon a company’s cumulative revenue growth over the preceding three years. Since 2018, amid the global COVID pandemic, Riverbend has attained a revenue growth rate of 198 percent.
Throughout the year, many of Riverbend’s customers were recognized with medals from multiple awards programs for beers made with Riverbend malt– including the Great American Beer Festival®, the World Beer Cup®, the U.S. Beer Open, the North Carolina Brewers Cup, and the Virginia Craft Beer Cup. Riverbend extends congratulations to these producers for their commitment to quality that begins with their investment in ingredients.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer 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 River, in Asheville, North Carolina 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.
Lone Tree Brewing Reports Production and Philanthropic Impact in 2022 Year In Review
Lone Tree Brewing Company production, beer releases, events, and philanthropic impact report for 2022.
LONE TREE, CO— In 2022, Lone Tree Brewing maintained its community commitments with the production of both fan-favorite and innovative new beers, and more than $20,000 donated to philanthropic initiatives. Here is their Year in Review.
Production
Lone Tree produced 3,923 barrels of beer in 2022. 248,772 pounds of grain and 3,541 pounds of hops went into these recipes, which yielded 3,566 kegs of beer on draft and 567,120 cans.
Throughout the year, the brewery was able to recapture 111,600 gallons of water and reuse pallet wraps that saved 350 pounds of plastic wrap.
Lone Tree Hefeweizen, a tasting room favorite-turned-seasonal, hit cans for the first time in the spring of 2022. In the fall, the famed Vanilla Caramel Amber returned for its sixth season in cans.
Sales & Distribution
Lone Tree continued to sell beer across Colorado through distribution partners Western Distributing and Ska Brewing, and in Kansas through Worldwide Beverage Group.
On Halloween, the cult-followed Hop Zombie Imperial Red IPA escaped from the brewery in limited quantities after selling out in a matter of hours at the brewery.
Community and Events
Lone Tree donated more than $8,300 and many beers toward nonprofit organizations in 2022, including Drink for Pink, Big Dogs Huge Paws, the Evans Scholarship Fund, the Honor Bell Foundation, World Central Kitchen, and the Moving Mountains Animal Rescue.
The brewery was proud to bring back the second annual Douglas County School District Bridge Transition Program & Lone Tree Brewing car show, which raised more than $12,000. Lone Tree is also grateful for the six student interns from this program who help with daily tasks to keep the brewery in good working order.
Additionally, Lone Tree participated in Douglas County Library Brew Tours that raised funds and awareness for the Douglas County Libraries.
Over the course of the year, Lone Tree also hosted four local craft markets featuring 50 craft vendors; three dog adoption events with Big Dogs Huge Paws; a Halloween dog costume contest with 40 adorable pups in attendance; a Father’s Day Pig Roast with a 90-pound hog cooked by Hesher BBQ Catering; and its annual salsa and guacamole contest at which 30 contestants showed off their skills.
It’s worth noting that in 2022 Lone Tree Brewing staff achieved two hole-in-one shots at the Commonground Golf Course in Aurora, Colorado— both on the same day during a fundraiser for the Colorado Golf Association’s caddy program that Lone Tree Co-Owner Jerry Siote participated in as a kid.
In December when Lone Tree celebrated its 11th anniversary in community with their staff and many brewery regulars. “We are honored that our community chooses us again and again, reminding us that we wouldn’t be here without them,” says Lone Tree Founder and Co-Owner John Winter. “We’re committed to continue serving compelling, quality beers that help us do good outside of the brewery.”
Moving Forward
In 2023, Lone Tree has an exciting lineup of canned seasonals planned: Hefeweizen will return in spring; summer will reveal a brand new Honey Cream Ale; fall staples Oktoberfest and Vanilla Caramel Amber aren’t going anywhere; and winter will bring another new beer, Brownie Stout, to the mix. Stay tuned for release dates.
The brew team has plans for experimental, small batches that will be served in the tasting room only; and is actively exploring new products beyond beer, too. "2022 reinforced the importance of staying relevant for the long haul,” says Siote. “Our customers demand a high standard of consistency and quality from us, so we take that very seriously. When it gets this competitive along with all the other obstacles to grow and keep market share, the margin of error shrinks that much more. We love the challenge, and we know we have the goods to back it up."
Many events will enliven Lone Tree’s tasting room this year, starting with the Hearts & Hops Sock Hop with Swingin’ Denver and local band Last Call Romance. The brewery plans to host many returning favorites, such as its local craft markets, the third annual Douglas County School District Bridge Transition Program & Lone Tree Brewing car show, and another Drink For Pink fundraiser, among many other activities.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Lone Tree Brewing Co.
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, and has remained a local staple for a decade. 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 Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
35 Brewers To Showcase Riverbend Malt and Yakima Quality Hops at 2023 Florida SMaSH Beer Festival
Participating breweries will craft beers made with Riverbend Chesapeake Pilsner malt and Yakima Quality Hops YQH-1320.
LONGWOOD, FLORIDA— The seventh annual Florida SMaSH Beer Festival will feature 35 breweries serving single malt, single hop beers made with Riverbend Malt and Yakima Quality Hops tapping Saturday, January 28 at Reiter Park.
Presented by the Brewers Establishing Altruistic Regional Development (B.E.A.R.D.) nonprofit organization, Hourglass Brewing, and the City of Longwood, the Florida SMaSH Beer Festival was created to celebrate the creativity and camaraderie of breweries in the Sunshine State. Participating breweries will craft beers made with Riverbend Chesapeake Pilsner malt and Yakima Quality Hops YQH-1320.
“Riverbend is honored and excited to be the malt selection of SMaSH Fest this year,” says Riverbend Malt House’s Georgia, Florida, and Alabama Territory Manager Tyler Adams. “This is a chance to taste how Southeastern malt really shines through in beer, and a celebration of the different flavors that Florida breweries have to offer.”
The winning beer is chosen by the attendees who vote on the S.M.a.S.H. beer that impresses them the most. The winner will receive the coveted, ever-evolving Florida SMaSH Festival Champions Lamp. Each winner takes this trophy home until the next SMaSH beer festival and garnishes it with their own additions each year.
Also during the festival, a Judge's Choice competition will take place to award first, second, and third place medals.
This year’s Florida SMaSH Beer Festival proceeds will be donated to A Spoonful of Hope, Second Harvest Food Bank’s signature product line. One hundred percent of the proceeds directly support Second Harvest’s no-cost 16-week Culinary Training program, which provides qualified, economically challenged adults with the culinary and life skills training to pursue a sustainable career in the food industry.
“Florida SMaSH Beer Festival has the ability to show you how the same ingredients dont always mean the same interpretation of a beer,” says Bill Murphy of Hourglass Brewing. “It’s also a great way to see what the state as a whole can bring to the table. The best part is, it all comes back to the community.”
Tickets to the festival are available via Eventbrite, and festival details can be found at www.flsmash.com.
ABOUT B.E.A.R.D.
Brewers Establishing Altruistic Regional Development (B.E.A.R.D.) is a non-profit organization created by brewing industry professionals with a mission to serve their communities. Over 7 years, B.E.A.R.D. has successfully donated more than $45,000 to local charitable organizations such as A Spoon Full of Hope.
ABOUT HOURGLASS BREWING
Hourglass Brewing is now serving their 10th year, producing Seminole County’s first small batch craft beer. With two locations in the Orlando area and no less than 30 beers on tap they continually push for innovation while holding on to nostalgia, with a thirst for good times. Visit Hourglass online at hourglassbrewing.com.
Contact Bill Murphy at bill@hourglassbrewing.com with media inquiries about Hourglass Brewing.
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 River, in Asheville, North Carolina in 2010. Buoyed by a 70,000 square 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.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Riverbend Malt House.
ABOUT YAKIMA QUALITY HOPS
YQH is a family-owned business focused on quality and service. Founded in 2013, Yakima Quality Hops provides the highest quality hops to breweries throughout the United States and abroad. Based in Yakima, WA, we work directly with growers, allowing us to offer the best pricing and quality control. We work with breweries of all sizes and in all stages of growth. Whether you’ve been brewing for decades or are just getting started, let’s connect so we can get to know your hops needs. Learn more at yakhops.com.
Smoothie-Inspired Pink Vapor Stew By Ska Brewing Named 2023 Good Food Award Finalist
Ska Brewing Pink Vapor Stew was named one of 32 finalists in the beer category of the 2023 Good Food Awards.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA– Ska Brewing Pink Vapor Stew was named one of 32 finalists in the beer category of the 2023 Good Food Awards this week.
Now in its twelfth year, The Good Food Awards celebrate the kind of food we all want to eat: tasty, authentic and responsible. This prestigious awards program was established by the Good Food Foundation 501 (c) 3, formerly known as Seedling Projects, in collaboration with a broad community of food crafters, grocers, chefs, food writers, activists and passionate food-lovers.
Pink Vapor Stew is a beer inspired by good food– good smoothies to be specific. The recipe for this sour beer, brewed with beets, carrots, apples, and ginger, was crafted to mimic the flavors in Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau’s morning juice routine. “The ingredients we choose for all of our drinks matter,” he says. “The Good Food recognition for Pink Vapor Stew affirms our dedication to quality sourcing.”
Pink Vapor Stew won another Good Food Award in 2021, and receives frequent praise from esteemed beer and food media. Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine’s editors, who scored it a 91 in a blind tasting, say “an outrageously magenta color sets up wild expectations. The flavor is equal parts earthy, sweet, and acidic, with a balanced sourness that highlights the fruitier elements without seeming cliché. A subtle spice underpins it, offering structure but no bitterness.”
This 2023 announcement marks Pink Vapor Stew’s second Good Food Awards finalist distinction, and Ska’s third overall. True Blonde Ale was a finalist in 2019.
Weighing in at 5% ABV and boasting a tropical medley of flavors balanced by Citra and Mandarina Bavaria hops, Pink Vapor Stew is available in 12oz. 6-packs across Ska’s 11-state distribution footprint, and overseas in select places too.
Media inquiring about Ska Brewing or their Good Food Awards history can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi and Rue B. Soho. For information, music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.