Murphy & Rude Malting Co. Launches Online Craft Malt Sales

NATIONAL— Craft malt for homebrewers is now available for online order and direct shipping through Charlottesville, Virginia-based Murphy & Rude Malting Co. 

The new GrainStore on Murphy & Rude’s website (murphyrudemalting.com/shop) offers 30 different malted grains that until now have only been available for sale in bulk to brewers and distillers. The online portfolio includes several base barley malt styles, a spectrum of roasted malts, chit malt, wheat malt, rolled oats, corn, and spelt. All are available to order online with direct shipping by the pound or in 5lb, 10lb, and 25lb prepackaged amounts. Murphy & Rude malt can be delivered to all 50 United States.

“Homebrewers have been the early advocates of the craft malt industry; and yet due to supply chain and volume constraints, local, fresh malt is often inaccessible to them,” says Murphy & Rude Malting Co. Founder Jeff Bloem. “Online malt sales will allow us to bridge that gap and send our full portfolio of malts directly to their doorsteps.” 

Commercial breweries and distilleries can still purchase Murphy & Rude malt wholesale by contacting orders@murphyrudemalting.com or 434.922.0036. 

Media inquiring about Virginia’s only craft maltster can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

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, 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 320-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.

Living The Dream Brewing 2023 Gingerbread Powder Run Release and Friendsgiving Celebration Is November 18

LITTLETON, CO— The release of the Living The Dream Brewing winter seasonal Gingerbread Powder Run is slated for Saturday, November 18 during the brewery’s Friendsgiving celebration.

Gingerbread Powder Run, a variant of Living The Dream’s award-winning flagship Cream Ale, is crafted with gingerbread and other spices from Colorado local Savory Spice Shop to strike a balance between spicy and sweet. Get this beer on tap and in 6-packs to-go at Friendsgiving. Gingerbread Powder Run cans and kegs will also be available across Colorado through Colorado Craft Distributors, all while supplies last.

Donate to Living The Dream’s food drive for Move For Hunger that begins on November 18 and runs through Black Friday, November 24. Move For Hunger seeks non-perishable items such as pasta and sauce, broth, baby food, nut butters, beans, cereal, and cooking oils. Find a complete checklist of desired items here. 

Also during the Friendsgiving celebration, catch the Colorado Pet Pantry popup from 2 to 4pm to learn more about their mission to keep animals out of shelters and with their families. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com for more information about Living The Dream Brewing. 

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 have imagined. Visit Living The Dream online at livingthedreambrewing.com.

Ska Brewing Peppermint Bark Stout Is Back

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing is ready for the holidays with the return of Peppermint Bark Stout, a Milk Stout crafted with peppermint bark from Durango local Animas Chocolate Company™. This seasonal Stout will be available at the brewery World Headquarters for Fresh Beer Friday on November 3— this year in Ska’s canned 16oz. 4-packs.

Fun fact about Peppermint Bark: it was invented by Williams Sonoma in 1998. The Animas Chocolate Company version of this popular holiday treat was the inspiration for Ska’s latest Stout experiment, brewed with actual peppermint bark (white chocolate, dark chocolate, and candy canes) in the mash. The beer’s sweetness is balanced with cocoa nibs, a hint of mint, and lactose that makes for a creamy, smooth finish. 

After this beer made headlines and heads turn in 2022, Ska is excited to bring it back for the second year. Peppermint Bark Stout will be available exclusively in Colorado in extremely limited quantities while supplies last. Find it at Durango’s Local First Book Launch Party on November 9 and at the Ska Brewing- Venture Snowboards Season Kickoff Party on November 10, both at the brewery World Headquarters. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com for more information about Ska Brewing and the Peppermint Bark Stout. 

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 Debuts Blueberry Blonde

LONE TREE, CO— Blueberry Blonde joins Lone Tree Brewing Company’s canned beer lineup this week to be distributed in Colorado and Kansas. This new beer is also available on tap at the brewery.

From peaches to strawberries and a variety of other fresh additions, Lone Tree’s brewing team loves to experiment with fruit. After experimenting with draft-only test batches of this new brew, these fruit beer aficionados are proud to share Blueberry Blonde in cans with beer drinkers across their distribution footprint. At 5.2% ABV, this ultra-refreshing thirst-quencher has the aroma of freshly picked blueberries and a subtle sweetness on the finish.

“We are excited to share the latest evolution of our beers with consumers, and Blueberry Blonde is another great example of elevating a traditional style with a subtle addition of fruit to create a fun, easy-drinking beer,” says Lone Tree Sales & Marketing Director Dennis Stack.

Blueberry Blonde is now available on draft and in kegs, as well as canned 12oz. 6-packs. The beer joins Lone Tree’s year-round beer lineup that also includes the award-winning Peach Pale and Mexican Lager, as well as Red Ale, IPA, and Double IPA. 

Media inquiring about Lone Tree Brewing Company can 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 atlonetreebrewingco.com.

Ragged Oak Debuts New Album With Concert at Colorado Sound Studios

DENVER, CO– Ragged Oak is celebrating their debut album, Letters to God, Man & Myself, with a live performance at Westminster’s Colorado Sound Studios on November 3 from 6 to 9pm. 

Letters to God, Man & Myself features stylings and contributions from a number of talented musicians and tells a cohesive story about the human condition. Come celebrate the occasion with the group as they discuss the making of their album, and perform the record in its entirety in a high-production live concert.   

Ragged Oak's debut album, Letters to God, Man, & Myself is an indie rock/ shoegaze concept album that explores the journey of a character moving from isolation, through heartbreak, and self-actualization within the common theme that everything fades and decays, and that this cycle is a beautiful thing when recognized as a necessary part of life. Sonically, this is an ambient rock album that flows together as one piece. Songs consist of wide soundscapes, big electric guitars, ethereal keys, folky acoustics, and powerful drums.

Limited tickets for this intimate show are on sale now on the Ragged Oak website and Facebook Page. The standard ticket is $20 and grants you admission, while the VIP ticket is $30 and includes admission, two drink tickets for beers from Living The Dream Brewing, and a signed Ragged Oak poster. 

Contact Josh Mendrala at management@raggedoak.com with media inquiries about Ragged Oak.  

ABOUT RAGGED OAK

Indie Rock From Durango, Colorado

Ragged Oak is the musical project of multi-instrumentalist Joshua Mendrala. His music consists of ambient guitar, broad dynamics, cinematic moments, and poetic lyrics. Under the Ragged Oak name, Mendrala also creates videos, album and guitar pedal discussions, and live performances. For more information visit raggedoak.com. 

Lone Tree Brewing Hop Zombie Returns October 28

LONE TREE, CO– Get ready to raise the dead and your taste buds as Lone Tree Brewing celebrates 11 years of the legendary Hop Zombie Imperial Red IPA. The beer will creep into the tasting room for one day only on Saturday, October 28. 

This year, Hop Zombie Imperial Red IPA is bigger and bolder than ever before. With a devilishly delicious blend of hops, this brew boasts a 9% ABV and a formidable 90 IBUs. Individual 12oz. cans, 6-packs, and cases of this limited edition IPA will be available for purchase.

Each year a line forms out the brewery door on Hop Zombie Day, and this year the brewery will reward the first ten people in line with a free limited edition Hop Zombie glass. For the rest of the undead souls in line, speciality glassware is available for purchase while supplies last. Guests can also look forward to this zombie apocalypse with themed decorations, eats from Rustic Nomads, and custom 2023 Hop Zombie t-shirts.  

Hop Zombie has made phantom appearances on an annual basis since 2012. It was the silver medal winner at the 2017 Great American Beer Festival®, and it is undoubtedly the most anticipated beer release of the year at Lone Tree Brewing. Don’t blink and miss it! 

Media interested in learning more about Hop Zombie Imperial Red IPA can 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.

Dark Sky Brewing Installs Dottie, A Drive-In Theater Truck

FLAGSTAFF, AZ— Over the weekend, Dark Sky Brewing debuted their new drive-in theater in a remodeled 1959 box truck, affectionately named Dottie. 

Dottie’s story begins with a ‘For Sale’ sign in a field full of sunflowers. The team at Dark Sky knew they had to have this original 1959 C-600 box truck, and spent the past few weeks installing a 15-foot screen and six taps to transform her into a theater parked in their beer garden. 

The truck now sports a hot pink glitter vinyl bench seat, which evoked visions of Dorothy’s glittery heels in the Wizard of Oz and eventually led to her name, Dottie. She’s wrapped with a design that nods to a 1950’s diner. 

Dark Sky Brewing guests will be able to enjoy movies while enjoying fresh beers flowing from Dottie’s taps. They can also book Dottie for special events, and find her pouring around town. Follow @dsb_beergarden for upcoming movie dates and more information. 

Media inquiring about Dottie and Dark Sky Brewing can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT DARK SKY BREWING

Established in 2014 by Larami and Ryan Sandlin, Dark Sky Brewing has become a downtown Flagstaff institution that builds community through craft beer, food, and philanthropy. Named in honor of its home, in the world's first International Dark Sky Place, Dark Sky Brewing is crafting a beer selection that is as unique and beautiful as every star, meteor, and comet they can see from their backyard. The microbrewery size allows the freedom to brew everything from traditional recipes to experimentally fun brews with exotic ingredients. Committed to making that home a better place by giving back, the Dark Sky Community nonprofit organization was founded out of the brewery to serve as a launching base for other nonprofits to raise more funds and awareness. Learn more about the beers, food, and philanthropy at darkskybrewing.com.

Crisp, Cold Pale By Ska Brewing Hits Shelves Year-Round

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing combined the best of all the beer worlds in their latest release, Cold Pale. This incredibly crushable Pale Ale is crisp and refreshing, and now available year-round. 

“Pale Ale is my litmus test when I go to a brewery,” says Ska Brewing Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau, “so when we went to create a mainstay Pale Ale at Ska, especially because we don’t already have this style available all year, we did a lot of research and development to get the hop profile exactly where we wanted it to be. A lot of people appreciate hops but don’t want a super bitter beer, and they also don’t want a 6 to 8% IPA all the time. At Ska we like to have more than one beer in a sitting, so it seemed natural to make something more drinkable.” 

The result is Cold Pale— subtle enough for people who prefer lagers over hoppy beers, and unique in hop profile to satiate those who do. 

This new style category of Cold IPA and Pale Ale is brewed with lager yeast strains at cold temperatures. They’re crisp like lagers with much less ester-y aroma that’s produced by ale yeast. Cold Pale is the result of years of experimentation with hopping schedules— from kettle to early fermentation to dry hopping. Ska’s brewing team added Tettnang and Columbus hops as early fermentation additions that through biotransformation yield melon and grape flavors and aromas that these spicy, citrus-y hops wouldn’t typically produce with ale yeast. It’s then dry hopped with classic C hops (Cascade, Chinook, and Centennial) that layer on pine and fresh citrus notes. It’s a crispy, easy drinker that weighs in at 5.5 percent ABV. 

Cold Pale joins Ska’s canned beer lineup this fall alongside Ska’s new Mexican-style Cold IPA, another lager yeast fermented ale recipe made with the same Mexico City-sourced yeast strain as Mexican Logger as well as agave and flaked blue maize. 

Cold Pale is available in canned 6-packs across Ska’s national distribution footprint, and on tap now at the brewery World Headquarters in Durango, Colorado. This beer will also be added to a revamped winter mix pack that also includes Euphoria Pale Ale, Modus Hoperandi, and Ska Lager. 

Media inquiring about Ska’s biotransformation research, Cold Pale and IPA experimentation, and any other Ska beers that pique their interest 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.

Ska Brewing Releases 2023 Euphoria Pale Ale For Fresh Beer Friday

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing’s beloved cold month seasonal Euphoria Pale Ale will return to the brewery World Headquarters on tap and in canned 6-packs on Friday, October 6.

An annual tradition in the Southwest for seventeen years now, Euphoria is a collaboration with Venture Snowboards in Silverton. Now it’s the Ska signal for fall arriving in Durango. 

Euphoria has a big malt backbone with plenty of caramel sweetness and just a touch of toast; but it’s the epic grapefruit hop aroma and flavor, provided by a huge dry hop addition at the end of fermentation, that really make this seasonal beer shine. It all comes together as a warming, yet refreshing 6% ABV Pale Ale that Durango spends all year looking forward to.

Euphoria Pale Ale will get the spotlight at Ska on Friday, October 6 at 5pm for Fresh Beer Friday. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Ska Brewing. 

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.

Craft Maltsters Guild Accepting 2024 Malt Cup Submissions Through October 13

NATIONAL— The Craft Maltsters Guild invites malthouses from across the globe to participate in the only malt competition in the world, this year with an expanded six categories. .

The 2024 Malt Cup presented by the Craft Maltsters Guild is taking submissions from September 24th to October 13th. This year the Malt Cup has expanded to six categories including Pilsen, Pale Malt, Light Munich, Vienna, Wheat Malt, and Caramel Malt. The sixth annual Malt Cup takes place at the University of California Davis Conference Center in Northern California. 

Any Craft Maltsters Guild Member Malthouse, Allied Trade, or International Malthouse Member in good standing may enter. The cost per entry for Craft Maltsters Guild Members and International Malthouse Members is $150, or $300 for Allied Trade. Each participant is limited to one entry per category, with unlimited total entries. Each submission must contain three pounds of malt. Enter your malt at https://beerawardsplatform.com. 

The Malt Cup is the only competition of its kind and gives maltsters the opportunity to obtain valuable analytical and sensory feedback on their malts. Participants not only have a chance to win accolades but will also receive—

• A full report of Certificates of Analyses (COAs) for entries in each category participated in. Entries are blind coded so maltsters can ID the data for their own malt, while getting a comparison to the malts across the full entry field. Malt COAs are provided by the competition's official partner, Montana State University’s Barley, Malt, & Brewing Quality Lab. The COA data is valued at over $100 alone, while the ability to review the data from the full competition field is priceless. Note: All entries remain anonymous. 

• Sensory feedback report (for malts passing the scrutiny of the analytical round). Entries which advance are sent around the country to judge panels made up of industry professionals, including maltsters, brewers, distillers, researchers, journalists, and Cicerones. The Malt Cup is proud to partner with the Beer Judge Certification Program to source high quality judges for the competition. A comprehensive sensory report is generated for each malt and provided back to participants.·

• Sensory and COA feedback (for malts advancing to the Best of Show judging). Entries which advance to the final round will receive additional feedback including evaluations of the malt COAs, raw malt, and wort.·

• Winning malts (Gold, Silver, Bronze), in each category will receive a beautiful handmade medal. The competition has partnered with Aaron Maki of Old Hand Design to provide these handcrafted awards.·

• Best of Show trophy. Of the Gold winning malts, the single highest scoring entry will take home the traveling Malt Cup. Each year this trophy represents bragging rights for the top malt and malthouse.

Entry guidelines, malt style categories, judging criteria, and methodology can be accessed through the BAP website, where you can also sign up to be a judge or steward at the conference.

Media inquiring about the Malt Cup or the Craft Maltsters Guild can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

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. 

New Crystal 50 Malt Is The Darkest Offering Yet at Riverbend Malt House

ASHEVILLE, NC— Riverbend Malt House now has a new answer to the frequently asked question, What’s the darkest malt you make?

Introducing Riverbend Crystal 50 malt. 

Riverbend Malt House Crystal 50 is an acquiescence to the requests of many breweries across the Southeast for a malt product dark enough to enhance Stouts and Porters, and light enough to for Vienna and Dark Lager recipes.

“We’ve learned from the temperatures and times and moisture levels from double-kilning informed the recipe development for this new crystal,” says Riverbend Co-Founder Brian Simpson. “That move from caramelization to crystallization offered bigger, richer flavors and additional color, around 50 SRM. We truly crystallized the materials so if we were to cut 90 percent of our grains open and take a look at the inside they’re actually crystallized and that’s much different than some of the Cara Munich products that are out there on the market.” 

Crystal 50 malt delivers syrupy smooth toffee notes supported by hints of coffee and dark chocolate. “I notice a richer, extended finish that dries up quickly— like drinking a liquified piece of toffee with dark fruit sweetness on the nose,” says Riverbend Co-Founder Brent Manning. 

After close to a year of research and development, Riverbend Malt House is excited to offer this Crystal 50 Malt to its portfolio as a year-round release. 

One of the first beers brewed with this new style was a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale clone, Spinnaker Pale Ale, made by Plankowner Brewing in South Carolina. “There’s been a huge comeback in the West Coast style of IPA, and without a good malty backbone that style can suffer without the use of Crystal Malt,” says Plankowner Head Brewer Kyle Grove. “Having this malt style available from Riverbend helps us commit to our Craft Malt Certified™ seal and dedication to buying local.” 

Contact your sales representative or email sales@riverbendmalt.com to place an order of Crystal 50.

Media inquiring about Riverbend Malt House can contact hutto@radcraftbeer.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.

Deerhammer Progeny Series No. 4, Vino Verso, Now Available

BUENA VISTA, CO— The next edition of the Progeny Series at Deerhammer takes form as a collaboration with the highly acclaimed Carboy Winery, one of Colorado’s largest and most well-known wine operations. Release No. 4 is an expression of the distillery’s flagship American Single Malt aged in three different casks from Carboy Winery Littleton, just one of their four locations throughout the state. This collaboration is available in Colorado while supplies last. 

A celebration of Colorado and its innovative spirit, The Progeny Series is a lineup of small-batch spirits created through partnerships between Deerhammer and other crafters in The Centennial State. Thus far the series has included a whiskey and chocolate pairing with Cultura Chocolate; a Redstone Meadery mead-barrel aged Single Malt Whiskey called Honeycomber; and Cask Savant, a Bierschnapps distilled from Crooked Stave Hop Savant hoppy Brett beer. 

For Progeny Series No. 4, Deerhammer Founder Lenny Eckstein set out to acquire a range of freshly harvested Carboy barrels to lend a secondary finishing note to Deerhammer’s highly decorated American Single Malt whiskey. After an initial three-year maturation in toasted/charred new oak, Vino Verso embarked on a secondary journey of an additional two years commingled within three distinct Carboy cask types: Albariño, Bourbon Barrel Cider, and Gewurztraminer Brandy (Blend Composition: 65% Albariño, 10% Cider, 25% Brandy). The resulting whiskey evokes cherry pie filling, cinnamon raisin bread, hibiscus tea, and toasted oak aroma, the flavors of grilled peaches, freshly baked sourdough, lavender, and blackberry jam— with more toasted oak, dried apple slices, leather, honeysuckle, and grape skins on the finish. 

"The extraordinary facet of this collaboration was the distinct flavor profiles extracted from three unique aging vessels,” says Carboy Director of Winemaking Tyzok Wharton. “Lenny and his team have crafted an elegantly layered experience with this blend— the floral notes from the Albariño and cider casks carry through to butterscotch panna cotta on the palate, from the Gewurztraminer brandy casks. The texture is ethereal. And the patience required for this release... worthwhile."

Vino Verso is available in limited 750ML bottles at select Colorado retailers with an SRP of $59.00. It’s also available as a pour at all Carboy Winery locations while supplies last. 

For more information about Deerhammer and the Progeny Series, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT DEERHAMMER

Steeped in Tradition. Crafted in Colorado. 

Amy and Lenny Eckstein founded Deerhammer in 2010. Drawn to Buena Vista, Colorado by the whitewater currents of the Arkansas River, their passion for whiskey is driven by that same adventurous spirit. As artisans and business owners, Amy and Lenny’s process is defined by a deep curiosity for the history of spirits and a thoughtful analysis of each individual step of the distilling process. Deerhammer's cornerstone contribution to the field of American craft spirits, Single Malt Whiskey, has become the company's flagship product. Deerhammer also distills Whitewater Whiskey, Buena Vista Brandy, and Dutch Style Gin. Find the distillery online at deerhammer.com.

ABOUT CARBOY WINERY

Modern-day pioneers of Colorado wine, Carboy Winery is a passionate group of winemakers and restaurateurs. Since 2016 our award-winning wines have helped lift the Colorado wine industry into prominence as a wine region ripe with possibilities. Through ambitious winemaking and innovation with new varietal wines, sparkling wines, and wine seltzers, Carboy is slowly turning a state known for its beer into one that creates exciting and adventurous wines. Year after year, our commitment to Colorado viticulture continues to grow. One of the largest producers in the state, we craft impactful wines that reveal the extraordinary terroir and unmistakable typicity of Colorado's Grand Valley and Washington's Horse Heaven Hills AVAs. Come visit any of our four Colorado locations in Littleton, Denver, Breckenridge, and Palisade.

Stay up to date on the latest Carboy Winery news, join the wine club, or host your next event with us! Visit us online at carboywinery.com or follow us on Instagram.

Maine’s Blue Ox Malthouse Expansion To Augment Northeastern Small Grains Supply Chain

LISBON FALLS, ME— Construction is underway for a major Blue Ox Malthouse expansion that will triple the operation’s malting floor space and quadruple its processing capacity. The Blue Ox team is thrilled to respond to the growing consumer demand for truly local beers and spirits while combating supply chain challenges that brewers and distillers experience. 

This expansion will ease supply chain difficulties that Northeastern craft breweries and distilleries experience by allowing for more robust resilient supply options.

Having outgrown its current facility, Blue Ox purchased the building it previously leased a section of. Once completed, this upgrade will include two malting floors totalling nearly 8000 square feet. In addition to providing more robust resilient supply options, this expansion will achieve the goals of staying dedicated to floor malting while making work less physically demanding, enabling Blue Ox to hire staff of more diverse physical abilities. It will also allow the malthouse to offer a more diverse lineup of malt products, and work with a wider array of small farms without compromising quality, consistency, or performance of its existing products. 

Blue Ox Malthouse was founded with the intention to serve as a liaison between Northeastern agriculture and consumers of craft beer and artisanal spirits.

“After ten years of being on the scene, Blue Ox Malthouse is undertaking this step to connect farms to locally produced beers and spirits in the Northeast region,” says Blue Ox Founder Joel Alex. “We weren’t built to be vertically integrated, but instead to make space for a mid-sized accessible market for rotation crops. Enriching our business with more capacity and improved equipment helps us stay niche and devoted to our mission of provide opportunities for breweries and farms to create meaningful collaborations” 

Completion of the Blue Ox Malthouse expansion is slated for early in the New Year. The malthouse will celebrate with an open house gathering for their customers this winter. Alex and his team plan to invite the community to tour the malthouse to see the value it’s bringing to the food and beverages we all enjoy in Maine and beyond.

Media inquiring about Blue Ox Malthouse can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT BLUE OX MALTHOUSE 

Launched in April 2013 by community organizer and homebrewer-turned-maltster Joel Alex, Blue Ox Malthouse is Maine's first malting operation and was founded with the mission of creating more robust resilient and equitable regional food systems.. Blue Ox Malthouse seeks to push possibilities in craft beer and spirits by supporting shorter supply chains and thoughtful farming practices.. Reinvigorating a centuries-old floor malting techniques and tradition, Blue Ox is committed to these community-focused methods while constantly innovating to serve as a model for sustainable rural economic development. Learn more at blueoxmalthouse.com. 

Craft Maltsters Guild Shares 2023 State of the Industry Update

NATIONAL— In recognition of National Craft Malt Week (September 22-29, 2023) and the ten-year anniversary of the trade association for the small grains movement, the Craft Maltsters Guild membership met this week to introduce the Guild’s new Executive Director Alice Blayne-Allard and share the results of its recent malthouse survey. 

Blayne-Allard brings with her a life-long passion for local sourcing and a breadth of malt-relevant knowledge from agricultural marketing to cooperage. Most importantly, her extensive non-profit leadership and administration experience will be instrumental in supporting the craft malt community in its next big push for market share. “I’m that consumer who goes into a brewery or distillery and asks where the grains are sourced,” she said in the meeting. “One of my key objectives is to expand consumer awareness and raise understanding of why craft malt matters.” 

The 2023 membership survey covered many topics including maltster education, products, distribution, and marketing. Here are the key takeaways from its results: 

• The majority (52%) of respondents consider themselves experts of the production or use of craft malt. “Had we taken this survey several years ago this number might have been lower,” said Brian Estes, LINC Malt Co-Owner and Partnerships Director and Vice President of the Craft Maltsters Guild Board of Directors. “Our membership continues to make tremendous strides in expertise and knowledge, which translates to knowledge and understanding of our customers too.” 

• Survey respondents distribute their products across a broad geography and in a variety of formats of finished beers and spirits. “Some malthouses are working in a hyper-local way, and many respondents are also sending malt out of state and to broader geographic regions,” said Hillary Barile, Rabbit Hill Farms Head Maltster and Board of Directors President. “That means people are appreciating craft malt not just for its hyper-locality but also for flavor, alignment of business objectives, and more.” 

Media interested in learning more about the Craft Maltsters Guild and its programs like the Craft Malt Certified™ seal and annual Craft Malt Conference can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

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 Wins Third GABF Medal For Mexican Lager

Photo © Brewers Association

LONE TREE, CO—  Lone Tree Brewing is now a proud three-time recipient of medals in the Great American Beer Festival® (GABF) American Light Lager category.

The first of these medals was a silver in 2015. Then in 2017, Lone Tree became the first independently owned craft brewery to win gold in the style category. This lager’s easy-drinking 5.3% ABV and accolades have grown its fan fame over the years, and helped to popularize the Mexican Lager style. As of this summer, customers can now purchase this flagship in a 12-pack in Colorado and Kansas. 

With 284 entries, Light Lager was the third highest entered category at this year’s competition and the most entered lager category. 

“This category at GABF has exploded in recent years!,” says Lone Tree Founder John Winter. “We are excited to continue to build on the momentum we are seeing with light lagers in the market, and so proud to serve this award winning lager to our patrons as a company flagship.” 

Media inquiring about Lone Tree Brewing Company can 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.

The Fall (Beer) Season Is Here; Lone Tree Brewing To Release Vanilla Caramel Amber

LONE TREE, CO— Fall Equinox symbolizes the coming of autumn, and at Lone Tree Brewing it marks the near release of the popular fall seasonal Vanilla Caramel Amber. Look for it on shelves and on tap in Colorado and Kansas come October. 

“The vanilla comes from beans and the caramel comes from caramel malt in this recipe,” says Lone Tree Sales & Marketing Director Dennis Stack. “This American Amber Ale is a fan favorite for its rich, autumnal flavors balanced with generous hop additions— and the cozy vibes that come along with it.” 

Vanilla Caramel Amber will tap at Lone Tree on Thursday, September 28. Find it there as a rotating tap room during the upcoming cold months, and in canned 6-packs to-go. It will also be available on tap in select locations and in cans across Colorado and Kansas beginning in October. Locate Lone Tree beer with their website beer finder.  

Media inquiring about Lone Tree Brewing Company can 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.

Show Living The Dream Brewing How You’re Living The Dream Outside To Win A Trip To Durango, Colorado

DURANGO, CO—  Living The Dream Brewing is excited to announce its 2023 Living The Dream Outside video contest in partnership with Visit Durango and RadCraft. The brewery is accepting video submissions for a chance to win a winter excursion to Durango, Colorado in early 2024.

For nine years now, Living The Dream Brewing has celebrated the people, places, and activities in Colorado with its outdoor-inspired brand. Each beer can depicts scenes captured on adventures in the Centennial State, and the brewery encourages their fans to share their beers in the wild with the hashtag #livingthedreamoutside.

Now through November 30, 2023, craft beer lovers can submit their videos that answer the question How are you living the dream outside? for a chance to win a winter excursion to Durango, Colorado. The winner selected will receive complimentary lodging and a snow sport adventure for two, as well as Living The Dream beer— and lots of it. 

How To Enter: 

Tag @livingdreambrew, @visitdurango, @radcraftbeer, and #livingthedreamoutside in an Instagram video that answers the question How are you living the dream outside? 

Participants are welcome to submit more than one video for more chances to win.

Videos must be submitted by 11:59pm on November 30, 2023. 

Participants must be 21 years of age or over.

By submitting video(s), participants give Living The Dream Brewing permission to re-share. 

Media inquiring about Living The Dream Brewing can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

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 have imagined. Visit Living The Dream online at livingthedreambrewing.com.

ABOUT VISIT DURANGO

Visit Durango is an independent nonprofit organization operating with the mission to promote Durango and La Plata County’s multitude of tourism attractions, events and services. The unbeatable combination of the iconic San Juan Mountains, art galleries, culinary fare, cultural and historic sites make it the perfect base of operations to explore Southwest Colorado. Experience Visit Durango’s full-service visitor center at the Durango Welcome Center, located at Main Avenue and 8th Street in the heart of historic downtown Durango, or online at durango.org. Follow @visitdurango on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

Advice From The Trail: Ben Moore On Beer Photography

Photo of and courtesy Ben Moore

We met Ben Moore at the 2023 Craft Malt Conference in Portland, Maine, which he calls home. His energy and enthusiasm were palpable, and he was both professional and fun to collaborate with on conference storytelling.

So we asked him to be the next RadCrafter in this series. Moved by his passion for his work, we asked him about the life of a beer photographer and what advice he has for others interested in the same craft. Prompted by his social media presence as @activebeergeek, we asked him about his work-life balance. Read the interview and get inspired here.

Riverbend Craft Malt Showcase Returns To Brick Store Pub September 21

DECATUR, GA— Brick Store Pub will host the second annual Riverbend Craft Malt Showcase on Thursday, September 21. This tap takeover will boast a stylistic range of 15 beers brewed with malt from Riverbend Malt House. 

WHAT

Craft breweries across the Southeast have united to build this one-of-a-kind tap list that includes a wide array of beer styles such as German-style Lagers crafted for Oktoberfest season, IPAs, cask ales, and much more. 

This event will feature beers made by many of the region’s tastemakers— Akademia Brewing Company, Arches Brewing, Beacon Beer Co., The Brutalist, Cellarest Beer Project, Cherry Street Brewing Co., DSSOLVR, Fonta Flora Brewery, Fullsteam Brewery, Leveller Brewing Co., NoFo Brew Co., Redlight Redlight in collaboration with Alga Beer Co., Southern Brewing Company, TrimTab Brewing Co., and Zilicoah Beer Co. 

"We're thrilled to host so many of our favorite breweries here at the Brick Store Pub to showcase Riverbend Malt House's incredible malts,” says Neil Callaghan, Brick Store Pub’s Beer Director. “The Riverbend team has brought together a killer line-up of beers to showcase the quality of their craft malt offerings and create a unique experience for our guests to learn about the malting process and taste the difference that Riverbend's products make in ales and lagers.”  

WHERE & WHEN

Brick Store Pub

125 E Court Square

Decatur, GA 30030

Thursday, September 21, 2023 

Taps flowing at 6pm

Media interested in covering this event can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT BRICK STORE PUB

Since 1997, the Brick Store Pub has been celebrating craft, community and culture to it’s Decatur, Georgia neighborhood. With an internationally renowned beer program featuring thousands of vintage ales and lagers and a kitchen offering beer-inspired cuisine, the Brick Store Pub has carved a distinctive niche for itself over its quarter century history. It is currently ranked as the #1 Beer Bar in North America by RateBeer.com and has been recognized by dozens of media outlets as an international beer destination.

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. The malt house was just named number 2804 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in America. Learn more at riverbendmalt.com.

Southwest Fresh Fest at Billy Goat Hop Farm Returns September 23

MONTROSE, CO— Billy Goat Hop Farm is thrilled to bring back Southwest Fresh Fest for the second year. This showcase of all fresh-hopped beers with live music, food trucks, and yard games will take place on the farm on Saturday, September 23rd from 2 to 6pm. 

Fresh hop, or wet hop, beers are brewed with hops that come straight off the bine and into the brew— usually within 24 hours— instead of being dried and pelletized. “They're special because they're only available at harvest time and are best imbibed immediately,” say Billy Goat Hop Farm Owners, which makes this festival an extra special celebration of the freshest beers to be found in the Four Corners.

Breweries pouring include Avery Brewing Company, Base Camp Beer Works, Colorado Boy Pizzeria & Brewery, Elevation Beer Company, Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, Grateful Gnome Sandwich Shoppe & Brewery, Horsefly Brewing Company, Mountain Tap Brewery, Primitive Beer, Stronghouse Brew Pub, The Steel Bender Brewyard, Wren House Brewing Company, and  Yampa Valley Brewing Company.

Beyond the beer, Southwest Fresh Fest, guests can enjoy local food trucks and live music from the Drew Dvorchak Band and the Still House String Band, tour the hop farm, and get down on yard games. TelluRides will provide free shuttle rides to and from Montrose and the farm.

Ticket prices are as follows: The Full Sha-Bang - $30 in advance and $35 day-of; Designated Driver or Under 21 - $15; Under 12 are free. Tickets are on sale now at southwestfreshfest.com. 

The Southwest Fresh Fest is made possible by the local community and sponsors including Colorado River District, Maxfield - Peterson, P.C., AgWell, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, RadCraft, TelluRides, CropwoRx, West of 105, Valley Food Partnership, Visit Montrose, Colorado Grain Chain, and Northwest Rafting Company.  

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Southwest Fresh Fest or Billy Goat Hop Farm. Download press images here. 

ABOUT SOUTHWEST FRESH FEST

Southwest Fresh Fest is the first and only fresh hop beer festival in the Southwest, hosted at Billy Goat Hop Farm in Montrose, CO on September 23rd.  Attendees and brewers alike can enjoy fresh hop beers from across the region in a rad complimentary taster glass. There will also be a Pickin’ Party with live bluegrass music, local food trucks, farm tours, and games… not to mention the panoramic views from the San Juan Mountains to the Grand Mesa. Come out for the festivities and stay for the recreation, beauty, and good beers abound. Join the fun at Billy Goat Hop Farm and celebrate harvest at Southwest Fresh Fest.

Buy tickets, sign up to pour beer, or sponsor at southwestfreshfest.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. 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 flavor profile imparted from Colorado's terroir, and the passion poured into every step of the process. Know your farmer, Love your beer. 

Learn more at billygoathopfarm.com.