The Freshest Beers In The Four Corners: Southwest Fresh Fest at Billy Goat Hop Farm Returns September 21
Southwest Fresh Fest at Billy Goat Hop Farm, Colorado’s marquee celebration of fresh hop beers, returns for the third year on Saturday, September 21 with live music and dancing, local food, yard games, and a farm tour.
MONTROSE, CO— Southwest Fresh Fest at Billy Goat Hop Farm, Colorado’s marquee celebration of fresh hop beers, returns for the third year on Saturday, September 21 with live music and dancing, local food, yard games, and a farm tour. All of the breweries pouring will serve a beer made with fresh hops that will be harvested at Billy Goat in coming weeks.
Southwest Fresh Fest is an afternoon to remember that serves the freshest beers to be found in the Four Corners. Fresh hop beers, sometimes called harvest ales, are brewed with hops that come straight off the bine and go right into the brew— usually within 24 hours. That’s the magic of this fleeting crop, made even more special when you can taste a multitude of beer expressions at the place it was cultivated and harvested.
Brewers pouring beers made with Billy Goat’s craft hops fresh off the bine at Southwest Fresh Fest are Base Camp Beer Works, Breckenridge Brewery, Colorado Boy Pizzeria & Brewery, Elevation Beer Company, Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, Horsefly Brewing Company, Lady Justice Brewing, Milieu Fermentation, Mountain Tap Brewery, Pomona Brewing Company, Shelter Distilling & Brewing, Ska Brewing, Strange Craft Beer Company, and Stronghouse Brew Pub. Participating breweries all serve at least one beer made with Billy Goat fresh hops, and festival-goers will have a chance to vote on their favorite in the Best of Show competition for the traveling hop trophy. For the first time this year, breweries have the option to bring a second seasonal beer— so there’s certain to be something for everyone.
This year’s bands are Liver Down The River, a five piece band of musicians based in Durango promising a lively good time, and Derek Dame Ohl joining from Denver, who has been described as ‘warm butter on hot bread with blustering conduct.’
Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 day-of; $15 for designated drivers and people under 21; and free for kids under 12. Get tickets to taste the freshest beers made with craft hops at southwestfreshfest.com.
“Harvest is a crazy time of year, and it’s right around the corner,” says Billy Goat Hop Farm Co-Owner Audrey Gehlhausen. “We have a lot of good energy going into this year’s festival thanks to the awesome support from, not only our OG participating brewers, but also folks just opening their doors. And of course, we are grateful for our local community's ongoing love and partnerships.”
The new Rathbone Hotel and Country Lodge will offer discounted lodging for out-of-town guests attending Southwest Fresh Fest. TelluRides will provide free shuttle rides to and from both hotels, the Montrose Recreation Center, and the farm. Find the shuttle schedule at southwestfreshfest.com.
Southwest Fresh Fest is made possible by community sponsors including Pomona Brewing Company, Maxfield - Peterson, P.C., AgWell, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Colorado River District, RadCraft, Northwest Rafting Company, TelluRides, Valley Food Partnership, Alpine Events, and Visit Montrose.
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 21st. 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. They also source additional varieties of whole cone hops from other quality growers, pelletizing them themselves to offer more options to their brewers. The quality of hops they produce has gained nationwide notoriety with two Cascade Cup wins. They were the first farm outside of Washington or Oregon to win this prestigious award from the Hop Quality Group in 2023, and then in 2024 became the first farm ever to win back-to-back years.
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.
Cider-Inspired Food Truck, The Fencepost, Takes Root at Fenceline Cider
The Fencepost food truck is open in Mancos, Colorado serving a locally sourced and cider-infused menu Thursday through Tuesday each week.
MANCOS, CO— Fenceline Cider is pleased to present a new food option for its community in Mancos. The Fencepost food truck is open serving a locally sourced and cider-infused menu Thursday through Tuesday each week.
Permanently positioned at Fenceline Cider, the Fencepost Food Truck serves delicious dishes sourced from nearby farms and ranches whenever possible, and carefully curated to perfectly complement Fenceline’s ciders. In perfect alignment with Fenceline’s liquid offerings, The Fencepost proudly highlights and celebrates the flavors of the Mancos Valley, ensuring a culinary experience deeply rooted in the vibrant and diverse tastes of the region.
Long-time Mancos resident and former owner of The Brothel food truck Heather Timmons, the Food Manager at The Fencepost, continues to develop its eclectic, cider-inspired menu. It includes items like the Fencepost Nachos with onions and jalapenos pickled in cider, and the Fencepost Burger with onions caramelized in cider, to name a couple. “Breweries cook with beer all the time, so as a cidery we like to bring our cider into the dishes as much as possible,” says Timmons. “Every single aioli and every dressing is made from scratch, and every pickle is pickled from cider,” she adds.
The Fencepost serves grab-and-go breakfast from 7 to 11am Thursday through Sunday, and lunch and dinner 2 to 8pm Thursday to Tuesday. On Wednesdays, Fenceline hosts guest food trucks. Find the rotating menu at fenceline.co/the-fencepost.
Media inquiring about Fenceline Cider and The Fencepost can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT FENCELINE CIDER
Preserving the legacy of the American West, by upcycling wild and historic apples into distinct handcrafted cider.
Rooted along the upper tributaries of the Colorado River, Fenceline was founded with a curiosity and admiration for wild and historic apples. Reviving the region’s cider traditions, our cider is crafted with cold, slow fermentation — producing a drier libation, with complex flavors, and less sugar.
Surrounded by thousands of abandoned orchards that continue to grow in Montezuma County’s rich soil and arid climate, we are committed to upcycling the region’s heritage apples and wild, one-of-a-kind varietals into extraordinary craft cider.
What began by crafting a barrel of hard cider for a friend’s union from a handful of heirloom apple trees has blossomed into the place for people, from near and far, to come together in the Mancos Valley, at our little spot on the river. Visit us online at fenceline.co.
10 Things To Know About Living The Dream Brewing On Their 10th Anniversary
In honor of each of their years crafting award-winning, community-oriented beer in the Centennial State, here are 10 things to know about Living The Dream Brewing.
HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO— Living The Dream Brewing will celebrate 10 years in business this weekend with a Hawaiian-themed, weekend-long luau. In honor of each of their years crafting award-winning, community-oriented beer in the Centennial State, here are 10 things to know about Living The Dream Brewing.
The Life You’ve Imagined Brewing Founder Jason Bell named the company after a favorite Henry David Thoreau quote: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. He chose the name because for many, living here in Colorado is living the dream. “With overwhelming natural beauty and an amazing beer culture,” he says, “we felt it perfectly fit what we were looking to create. We even use the last part, Live the life you have imagined, as a motto on all our products as it is symbolic to our commitment to independence, to craftsmanship and to quality.”
The Dream Team “Our team is incredible. They all take pride in what we have built and their part in it.” Bell says. This team consists of welcoming, knowledgeable beertenders, a talented and technically minded brewing team, and a rockstar leadership team including General Manager Michael Acerra, Head Brewer Rob Meehan, and Events & Social Media Manager Jayme Hillian.
Two Taprooms Late in 2023, Living The Dream moved brewing operations down Santa Fe Drive to Highlands Ranch and opened a second taproom in the Sterling Center in Littleton’s Sterling Ranch neighborhood. Both taprooms have Living The Dream’s latest releases on tap, beer for sale to-go, and loaded event calendars on a weekly basis. Read more about the move here.
Quality Commitment Living The Dream Brewing has earned many beer quality awards in the past decade, including several U.S. Beer Open awards and Can Can Awards, and a Great American Beer Festival© medal for the company flagship Powder Run. “Our head brewer Rob leads our dedicated brew team with a close eye on process and quality.” Meeham is also the Chair of the Technical & Education Committee of the Colorado Brewers Guild.
Culinary Influenced Bell’s culinary background has inspired many Living The Dream beer recipes, and more broadly a commitment to using real ingredients in beers and now seltzers— from fruit to herbs and spices and beyond.
New Seltzers Living The Dream’s new locations have allowed the brew team expanded capacity to craft a seltzer program with as much care as they do their beers. Tangerine, Grapefruit, and Cranberry Lime have all hit the taps over the past few months, and there are two new seltzers on tap for the anniversary weekend: Mixed Berry and Piña Colada.
Beer Finder Colorado residents and visitors can find cans of Living The Dream mainstay beers as well as canned seasonals across the Centennial State year round. Living The Dream joined Colorado Craft’s portfolio of independent beverage brands distributed across Colorado in 2022.
Camera To Can When you’re shopping for living The Dream cans, take note of the artwork— each is an original photograph, most of which were taken by the brewery’s General Manager Acerra.
Dog Lovers Living the Dream really loves dogs. They’re welcome inside and on the patio, plus guests are encouraged to enter the brewery’s monthly Dog of the Month program that gives discounts and internet fame for the humans of the brewery’s four-legged regulars.
A Community Hub Community connections and philanthropic efforts matter deeply to Living The Dream, who regularly host countless fundraisers for causes that count to their customers. Among many organizations with longstanding partnerships with the brewery are the Highlands Ranch Community Association and their Backcountry Wilderness Fund.
Congratulations to Living The Dream Brewing on a successful first decade, and cheers to the next 10 years.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Living The Dream Brewing.
ABOUT LIVING THE DREAM BREWING
Living the Dream Brewing is a craft brewery established in 2014 in Littleton, our home base for adventure in Colorado. Built on a foundation of brewing beer using only the finest ingredients, Living the Dream celebrates the people, places, and activities of the Centennial State. Live the life you've imagined, and join us at livingthedreambrewing.com.
Lone Tree Brewing Cans Seasonal Variant To Its Flagship; Introducing Lime Mexican Lager
Introducing Lone Tree Brewing Lime Mexican Lager in cans. Its base is flagship 5.3% ABV Mexican-style Lager recipe with the addition of real lime purée.
LONE TREE, CO— Lone Tree Brewing has a new seasonal variant of their award-winning flagship on the market, just in time to welcome summertime in Colorado. School’s out, sun’s shining, and Lime Mexican Lager is here.
Colorado can’t get enough of Lone Tree’s Mexican Lager— this three-time Great American Beer Festival® winner started as a draft-only beer; and like all of the brewery’s canned offerings, it was so popular in the tasting room that it eventually graduated to a can back in 2015. Today you can also buy 12-packs of this crowd-pleasing, year-round crusher; and the Mexican Lager style is more popular than ever before. So popular, in fact, that Lone Tree created a new lime-infused variant of it to welcome longer, warmer days.
Introducing Lime Mexican Lager in cans, yet another Lone Tree draft offering turned packaged beer. Its base is Lone Tree’s classic 5.3% ABV Mexican-style Lager recipe with the addition of real lime purée.
“We’ve received overwhelming positive feedback on this beer at our two tasting rooms in Lone Tree and Parker,” says Lone Tree Brewing Director of Tasting Rooms Michael Webster. “There’s genuine enthusiasm for how refreshing the Lime Mexican Lager is on a summer day. Combine that with strong sales data, and we saw this beer was a perfect candidate for our next seasonal can.”
Lone Tree Brewing Mug Club members get first access to this new beer on Friday, June 7. It will be available to the public on draft and in cans to-go at both Lone Tree locations on Saturday, June 8. The following week, look for Lone Tree’s seasonal Lime Mexican Lager on draft and in 12oz. 6-packs available across Colorado, and in Kansas too.
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 more than a decade. Now deeply rooted in this community, the brewing company is growing friends at its two tasting rooms– the original location near Park Meadows Mall in Lone Tree, and the recently opened Lone Tree Brewing Parker in the heart of Parker, Colorado. Find Lone Tree’s stylistically diverse lineup of canned beers in cans and on draft in Colorado and Kansas to enjoy with your buds. Visit the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
Southern Lager Invitational To Feature 30 Beers In Support of the North Carolina Craft Beverage Museum
The 2024 Southern Lager Invitational will feature 30+ beers made for the occasion, two food trucks, and live music. Proceeds will be donated to the North Carolina Craft Beverage Museum.
ASHEVILLE, NC— Bootleg Biology and Riverbend Malt House will host the second annual Southern Lager Invitational on May 25 from 5 to 9pm at The Mule at Devil's Foot Beverage's production facility. This event will feature 30+ beers made for the occasion, two food trucks, and live music. Proceeds will be donated to the North Carolina Craft Beverage Museum.
Open to interpretation, Southern Lager, an unofficial but emerging beer style, tends to be a cold-fermented, dry-finishing, lower-ABV beer that pairs well with sweltering heat. At the Southern Lager Invitational, craft brewers from across the South will serve their expressions of true-to-style lagers made with Riverbend malt and fermented with Bootleg Biology yeast to capture a sense of Southern terroir.
Here are some of the beers to look forward to—
Cellarest Beer Project Narcissus Wheat Lager
Cherry Street Brewing Cumberland Cold Snap Cold IPA
DSSOLVR Ceni Cero Gold Mexican Corn Lager
Fireforge Crafted Beer Descent Into Helles Helles Bock
Fonta Flora Brewery Grodziskie Smoked Lager
Fullsteam Brewery 100 New Southern Lager
Grand Central Brewhouse St. Pete Export Helles Export
Leveller Brewing Co. + Fait La Force Brewing Feed My Horse On Corn and Hay Rustic American Pilsner
Little Animals Brewery Night Hoss Dark Wheat Lager
Mythk Brewing The Beholders Rye Lager
Skeeta Hawk Brewing Back In The Day Malt Liquor
Soul and Spirits Brewery Brewery Raunchy Rotbier
South Main Brewing Co. Cumberland Southern Lager
Two food trucks will serve at the Southern Lager Invitational— Shaa’bingo with Jamaican Street Food and The Po Wagon Creole cuisine. DJ Chrissy Zebby will be spinning Southern soul, reggae, and hip hop-inspired beats on vinyl.
Tickets are now on sale for the Southern Lager Invitational at devilsfootbrew.com. Proceeds support the North Carolina Craft Beverage Museum, an organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting the state’s craft beverage story. It celebrates its role in building and defining the local, state, and national community.
This celebration of local lagers is made possible by sponsors ASK Law and Boelter .
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 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.
Advice From The Trail: Cara Nosek on Packaging Design and (Re)Branding
Cara Nosek, Queen of Graphics at Ska Brewing since 2013, talks rebranding and package design.
Photo of and courtesy Cara Nosek
Each volume of Craft Marketing showcases a Featured RadCrafter – a craft marketing professional who is crafting content, telling stories, and curating resources about the beer industry. RadCrafters are helping to shape and share the culture that is craft beer.
Ska Brewing – an iconic brand based on a comic book and inspired by all waves of Ska music – recently underwent a brand refresh. We called Cara Nosek, Queen of Graphics at Ska since 2013, to weigh in on how brands can evolve so gracefully too.
Fenceline Cider’s Seasonal Tesgüino Tamarind Agave Cider Hits Shelves
Look for Tesgüino at the inaugural Montezuma Rising music festival on Sunday, May 26 at the Fenceline Cider taproom. This day-long community celebration will bring some of the best local bands in the Four Corners to Fenceline’s riverside stage.
MANCOS, CO— Fenceline Cider is excited to release its summer seasonal, Tesgüino Tamarind Agave Cider, on Sunday, May 5 to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. This Southwest-inspired cider will be available across Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Tesgüino is crafted with Tamarind and blue agave, ingredients widely used throughout Mexico and the Southwest. Their flavors make complementary recipe additions, especially with well-rounded cider as a base. Tamarind has a rich, complex flavor that’s simultaneously sweet, sour and bitter. Agave has a subtle floral sweetness. The cider combines the best of both: semi-sweet with a robust tanginess.
2024 marks the fourth vintage of Tesgüino— at first a draft-only offering that grew so much in demand that Fenceline decided to package it seasonally. It will tap on Sunday, May 5 at 2pm when the taproom opens. The Fencepost Food Truck will serve up food specials for the occasion, including a pork rib with a Tesgüino glaze and elote, and cider-infused dessert.
Find four-packs of 12oz. cans of Tesgüino at the Fenceline taproom in Mancos, and across Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico while supplies last.
Look for Tesgüino at the inaugural Montezuma Rising music festival on Sunday, May 26 at the Fenceline Cider taproom. This day-long community celebration will bring some of the best local bands in the Four Corners to Fenceline’s riverside stage. Purchase tickets here.
Media interested in sampling Tesgüino can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT FENCELINE CIDER
Preserving the legacy of the American West, by upcycling wild and historic apples into distinct handcrafted cider.
Rooted along the upper tributaries of the Colorado River, Fenceline was founded with a curiosity and admiration for wild and historic apples. Surrounded by thousands of abandoned orchards that continue to grow in Montezuma County’s rich soil and arid climate, we are committed to upcycling the region’s heritage apples and wild, one-of-a-kind varietals into extraordinary craft cider.
Reviving the region’s cider traditions, our cider is crafted with cold, slow fermentation — producing a drier libation, with complex flavors, and less sugar.
What began by crafting a barrel of hard cider for a friend’s union from a handful of heirloom apple trees, has blossomed into the place for people, from near and far, to come together in the Mancos Valley, at our little spot on the river. Visit us online at fenceline.co.
Living The Dream Brewing Taps Horchata Powder Run Cream Ale
The 2024 batch of Living The Dream Brewing Horchata Powder Run Cream Ale is now on tap and available in canned 6-packs across Colorado.
LITTLETON, CO— The 2024 batch of Living The Dream Brewing Horchata Powder Run Cream Ale will tap tomorrow, and be available in canned 6-packs across Colorado soon.
Horchata is a seasonal variant of the award-winning Powder Run Cream Ale, a light bodied, creamy beer with notes of vanilla and a fluffy finishing mouthfeel. It gets a boost of spicy cinnamon from Colorado’s own Savory Spice Shop and milk sugar to create flavors of the traditional milk-based Mexican drink, Horchata, that’s made with cinnamon and sugar.
“We found most Horchata themed beers to be Stouts and Porters, and felt the adaptation of our Powder Run Vanilla Cream Ale would be a better canvas for the traditional Horchata flavor profile we were looking for,” says Jason Bell, Living The Dream Brewing Founder. “Plus, it allowed us to feature the highest quality cinnamon from Savory Spice, one of our favorite companies to source ingredients from.”
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo weekend, Horchata Powder Run is available on draft and in Crowlers and cans to-go at Living The Dream. On Saturday, Motor City B’s will serve an Elote Pizza you don’t want to miss.
Find Horchata Powder Run in limited canned six-packs across Colorado via Colorado Craft Distributors.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Living The Dream Brewing.
ABOUT LIVING THE DREAM BREWING
Living the Dream Brewing is a craft brewery established in 2014 in Littleton, our home base for adventure in Colorado. Built on a foundation of brewing beer using only the finest ingredients, Living the Dream celebrates the people, places, and activities of the Centennial State. Live the life you've imagined, and join us at livingthedreambrewing.com.
Certified for Sustainability: 11 Investments For Craft Malt, Beer, and Spirits Producers To Consider
Meet our pick of ten certification programs that not only demonstrate your brewery, distillery, or malthouse’s commitment to the environment; they also display that promise to your customers. Take a look at how your business can be more sustainable from agriculture practices to greener energy resourcing.
Words by Stevi Cameron, edited by Melissa Larrick; Photo by Rachel Cross
These eleven certification programs don’t just demonstrate your brewery, distillery, or malthouse commitment to the environment; they also display that promise to your customers.
We know labels aren’t everything, but in these cases we’ve seen real world examples of how they make a difference. We commend our many partners who support these programs with their participation, and we encourage those of you who are curious to read on.
Sustainability translates in many different ways for companies of all sizes and identities. We think that’s a good thing. Whether their initiatives are rooted in agriculture or emissions reduction, recycling and repurposing, or even employee retention and continued education; they’re all in place for the greater good.
Without further ado, meet our choice sustainability certifications and some of the companies who endorse them.
A Greener World
A Greener World (AGW) is a nonprofit organization providing several certification opportunities for businesses implementing and supporting sustainable practices in their production. Focused mostly on agricultural production, A Greener World’s growing family of trusted certifications includes Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, Salmon Welfare Certified by AGW, Certified Grassfed by AGW, Certified Regenerative by AGW, Certified Non-GMO by AGW and Certified Organic by AGW (coming soon).
For farmers and brewers alike, this suite of certification is something to get excited about. The process of getting certified by AGW streamlines auditing and certification of a wide range of practices, helping farms to make multiple meaningful claims through a single audit. With one visit farmers can demonstrate non-GMO, water-friendly, environmentally sustainable practices—and more. By obtaining an AGW Certification, businesses are identifying themselves as a sustainable option, making it easier for consumers to know they are shopping greener.
Salmon-Safe
Salmon-Safe helps grain growers, farmers, and maltsters, like Mainstem Malt, to manage their impact on water quality and the biodiversity of the Pacific Northwest region. Not only does Salmon-Safe limit impact on the natural environment, but it also encourages the restoration and enhancement of habitats, making Salmon-Safe a great certification option for businesses and consumers with sustainability in mind.
Craft Malt Certified Seal™
This program designed by the Craft Maltsters Guild aims to produce quality ingredients in a sustainable way, proving to be a great option for brewers and distillers who use at least 10 percent of craft malt in their grain purchasing program or specific recipes. The Craft Maltsters Guild will connect your brewery or distillery to a broader range of customers and resources by advocating for small-scale production, resourcing materials within a 5oo mile radius, and supporting independently owned businesses. The Craft Malt Seal assists customers in making decisions that align with their values.
Cicerone™
How can having certified Cicerones in your brewery help the environment? Glad you asked. Breweries that have in-house Cicerone-certified staff members support the continued education of their teams and subsequently, their customers. Better educated servers and sippers equals more opportunity to discuss ingredients, sourcing, and processes that support our planet. The Cicerone certification empowers your business and your community by fostering trust.
B-Corp™
Getting certified with B-Corp and choosing to work with certified businesses, you can support a long-term commitment to ethical business practices. This certification that Mortal and Mainstem Malt maintain focus on businesses and their impacts on employees, community, and the environment. B-Corp promises sustainable business choices by measuring employee benefits for the longevity of employee duration, and also how a business gives back to the community and environment with donations and other means of support. B-Corp assists in holding your business to the highest of standards.
1 % for the Planet®
Membership to 1% for the Planet means committing 1 percent of your business’ profits to support climate change solutions. 1% for the Planet’s business membership connects your brewery, distillery, or malthouse (or prebiotic and kombucha company like Mortal!) with nonprofits worldwide that align with your values and frequently generate positive environmental solutions. With 1% for the Planet’s partnership advising process, your business will be accordingly paired with an approved environmental non-profit— so you can donate to a cause that fits your passions while also promoting your brand globally.
Living Wage
Obtaining a living wage certification represents your company’s dedication to a healthy and holistic work environment, not to mention the retention of employees. The Living Wage Network connects your company with several accessible Living Wage certifications based on size and type of business— Riverbend Malt House, for example, is certified by Just Economics in Western North Carolina. Verifying that your company sustains a living wage promotes your business as an empowering workplace.
Regenified™
Regenified is a practice and outcomes-based land verification and product certification program driving the growth of regenerative agriculture and the adoption of certified products. This certification gives Riverbend, the first craft malt house in the South and now as of March 2024 the first Certified Regenified malt house on the planet, the unique ability to manage, store, and process Certified Regenified grains while maintaining full traceability.
Oregon Tilth®
Oregon Tilth promotes sustainable farming with its Organic Certifications. In the certification process, Oregon Tilth identifies the need and singularities of your company to help obtain an array of National Organic Program certifications. Because the transition from a non-organic farm to an organic farm can take time, Oregon Tilth also certifies for Transitional Organic. The certification ensures both sustainability in agriculture while also setting your business up for long-term success.
Puget Sound Energy Green Power Program
Puget Sound Energy Green Power Program aids independent companies in using energy that comes from renewable resources. PSE can help lower pollution levels emitted by businesses or individuals in the PSE Green Power Programs. These programs, including Carbon Balance, Community Solar, Solar Choice, and Renewable Natural Gas, replace nonrenewable energy and install and maintain renewable energy, helping participants cut their emissions up to 50 percent. Monthly member fees range from $4 to $20 per month— which goes to supporting other local power generating projects that can make a sustainable impact.
Brewers Association Independent Seal®
An important part of having a sustainable business is maintaining independence. Independent businesses often support local sourcing through more access to local farms, customers, and the community. The Brewers Association Independent Seal strives to help companies commit to their communities long-term with a stamp of their promise to display on public facing spaces and beer labels. And, seal or not, the BA offers a Sustainability Benchmarking Tool for its membership— just sayin’.
Want to learn more about the companies certified with all of the programs above? We’re here to connect you. Give us a shout at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
RadCraft Partners With Empowered Streaming To Amplify #CraftSocialMedia Workshop Experience
There are three virtual #CraftSocialMedia workshops for beer marketers with expert speakers planned for 2024.
INTERNATIONAL— RadCraft will bring back its virtual social media marketing workshops for breweries in 2024, this year with the amplification of streaming services from Empowered Streaming.
The #CraftSocialMedia experience will be improved with enhanced video and audio, faster streaming, and expanded capacity for participants to communicate with speakers and one another.
There are three #CraftSocialMedia workshops with expert speakers planned for 2024. The series kick off will feature Kayla Stinnett of Iron City Social presenting Social Media Marketing For Recurring Brewery Events on Friday, May 10 at 12pm MT. She’ll share tried-and-true strategies to promote recurring events while keeping them fresh and top of mind, all while on a budget.
Details about these next two beer marketing workshops Social Media Management For Multiple Brewery Locations (August 16) and Social Media Automation That Sells More Beer (November 15) will be published in coming weeks.
Register for the #CraftSocialMedia workshops at radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT EMPOWERED STREAMING
Empowered Streaming was created to make virtual and hybrid events stress free for event planners. Behind the scenes, it’s run by a passionate set of studio musicians, engineers and videographers. During the pandemic, it became clear that the technical skills and sense of precision honed in music performance and studio work was very much needed in the corporate events space. Today, Empowered is responsible for the video and audio production for events all over the world, with a passionate crew dedicated to providing a fun and easeful experience for everyone involved.
ABOUT RADCRAFT
Beers and spirits should tell stories about brands, and RadCraft loves a good story. Founded in 2012 by Emily Hutto, RadCraft provides communications support for the beverage industry. From breweries and distilleries to maltsters and their affiliates, RadCraft’s partners are makers of thoughtful products and cultivators of radical ideas. Learn more at radcraftbeer.com.
Bootstrap Brewing Exports to Europe
Colorado’s Bootstrap Brewing recently shipped its first pallet of award-winning beers to Beer Republic and they will begin hitting stores, bars and restaurants in the Netherlands and other European countries very soon.
LONGMONT, CO– Bootstrap Brewing is excited to announce that it has begun exporting beer to Europe.
The company joined the Brewers Association’s Export Development Program earlier this year and attended its first Import Festival in February at the Beer + Food Attraction in Rimini Italy. At the show, owners Steve and Leslie Kaczeus were able to meet with importers and distributors to sample beer which directly resulted in partnerships formed with Beer Republic, a BrouwUnie Company based in the Netherlands and Great Brands of Sweden.
Bootstrap Brewing recently shipped its first pallet of award-winning beers to Beer Republic and they will begin hitting stores, bars and restaurants in the Netherlands and other European countries very soon.
“For the initial launch, we wanted all eight styles of Bootstrap’s canned products so we can introduce our customers to their full product line and see which ones are favored,” explained Steven van Eendenburg van Oosterhout of Beer Republic.
Then, in early April, Great Brands received news that 2 of Bootstrap’s beers, Medal AF IPA and Wreak Havoc Imperial Red, won placements in the Systembolaget’s tender which is Sweden’s state-owned retail monopoly run by the country.
“This is absolutely fantastic news for a brand-new supplier that has never shipped into our market to win 2 placements straight out of the gate,” explained Jörgen Hasselqvist, owner of Great Brands. “We’re excited to work with Bootstrap to promote their products in Sweden, Finland and Norway in the coming months.”
Bootstrap will attend more international shows to continue to develop relationships with more importers and distributors on other continents.
“This year, we’ll attend shows in the U.K., Sweden, Costa Rica, Japan and any other countries that make sense to continue this momentum,” explained Leslie Kaczeus. “We love to travel, and this new marketing emphasis is a perfect way to sell more beer while visiting countries we enjoy exploring.”
For more information Bootstrap Brewing, contact Leslie Kaczeus at leslie@bootstrapbrewing.com.
For more information about Beer Republic, contact Steven van Eendenburg van Oosterhout at steven@brouwunie.nl.
For more information about Great Brands, contact Jörgen Hasselqvist at jorgen@greatbrands.se.
ABOUT BOOTSTRAP BREWING
Home to best-selling and award-winning craft beers such as Insane Rush, Lush Puppy, Boat Snack, Medal AF, 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.
Lone Tree Brewing Presents Another Canned Spring Seasonal, Juicy IPA
Lone Tree Brewing Juicy IPA is on par with the Colorado beer industry’s recent focus on the budding ‘Juicy IPA’ style arena that emphasizes a fruit juice effect over haze.
LONE TREE, CO— On the heels of the limited release of Hefeweizen, Lone Tree Brewing Juicy IPA just hit cans for the spring season. Find it on tap at both Lone Tree Brewing locations, on tap and in cans across Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas.
Full-bodied, slightly dank, and entirely refreshing, Lone Tree Brewing’s spring seasonal Juicy IPA boasts 6.5% ABV and beautiful orange hues.
Lone Tree Brewing Director of Tasting Rooms Michael Webster explains that Juicy IPA is on par with the Colorado beer industry’s recent focus on the budding ‘Juicy IPA’ style arena that emphasizes a fruit juice effect over haze and often includes flavors of the Tropics. “Extensive data analysis spanning the past few years highlights the Juicy IPA as one of our most sought-after rotating beers within our tasting rooms," he says. “Our dedicated brew team has experimented with various blends of hops, malts, and yeasts to hone this recipe; and the culmination of these efforts has resulted in an IPA distinguished by a pronounced citrus-forward aroma, perfectly complemented by the bold, juicy flavors of the hops.”
Lone Tree Juicy IPA is on tap at both locations in Lone Tree and Parker, and also to-go in canned 6-packs. Find it across Colorado and in select locations in Kansas this spring 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 more than a decade. Now deeply rooted in this community, the brewing company is growing friends at its two tasting rooms– the original location near Park Meadows Mall in Lone Tree, and the recently opened Lone Tree Brewing Parker in the heart of Parker, Colorado. Find Lone Tree’s stylistically diverse lineup of canned beers in cans and on draft in Colorado and Kansas to enjoy with your buds. Visit the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
Riverbend Malt House Becomes First-Ever Certified Regenified Malt House
Regenified is a practice and outcomes-based land verification and product certification program driving the growth of regenerative agriculture and the adoption of certified products.
ASHEVILLE, NC— Earlier this year, Riverbend Malt House became the first malt house to become third-party certified for its supply chain processing and manufacturing, ensuring the segregation and processing of Certified Regenified™ grains. This certification gives Riverbend, the first craft malt house in the South and now the first Certified Regenified malt house on the planet, the unique ability to manage, store, and process Certified Regenified grains while maintaining full traceability.
Regenerative Agriculture focuses on soil health as the foundation for supporting entire ecosystems. Practices such as no till farming and cover cropping minimize disturbance, which promotes carbon sequestration and reduces polluted runoff. It’s also much more than just a set of farming practices; it's a paradigm shift in how we view and interact with the land. By prioritizing soil health, water conservation, biodiversity and overall ecosystem vitality, regenerative practices offer a pathway to heal the earth and nourish both people and the planet.
Regenified, a practice and outcomes-based land verification and product certification program, recognizes and certifies those who adopt these regenerative practices, paving the way for a healthier planet and transparency across our food system. This group conducted an extensive supply chain audit of the malt house, and Riverbend received certification in March of 2024. Built on transparency and traceability of the Southeastern grain supply chain, Riverbend was well positioned to meet the requirements of the certification process.
Riverbend's certification by Regenified underscores their commitment to regenerative agriculture. By achieving certification, Riverbend ensures the implementation of systems and processes necessary to segregate and process Certified Regenified grains. This certification not only upholds the integrity of the supply chain for Regenified products but also supports Riverbend's goal of achieving healthier soils and waterways while fostering supply chain integrity and supporting farmers and brands committed to regenerative agriculture. “The years ahead will generate exciting results that speak to improved biodiversity, reduced chemical and fertilizer use, and carbon sequestration,” says Riverbend Malt House Co-Founder Brent Manning.
Turning towards Regenerative agriculture is “some icing on a wonderful cake of meeting and exceeding our environmental goals, which include agriculture that's closer to the end-user,” adds Riverbend Malt House Co-Founder Brian Simpson. “The commitments for Regenified’s certification are a big opportunity for us to really show up.”
Riverbend will begin processing certified, locally sourced grain for brewers and distillers in the coming months. Long-term, the malt house will work with its existing growing partners in the Southeast to achieve certification.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Riverbend Malt House.
ABOUT REGENIFIED
Regenified is a practice and outcomes-based land verification and product certification program driving the growth of regenerative agriculture and the adoption of certified products. Regenified recognizes and certifies those who adopt regenerative practices, paving the way for a healthier planet and transparency across our food system. Get involved at regenified.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 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 Leads the Way in Sustainability with Pioneering Efforts This Earth Day: "Planet vs Plastics"
As pioneers in the craft brewing industry, Ska Brewing has consistently led efforts to minimize environmental impact.
Durango, CO – In alignment with the 2024 Earth Day theme "Planet vs Plastics," Ska Brewing is proud to announce significant advancements in our sustainability initiatives, underscoring their commitment to environmental responsibility and innovative brewery practices.
As pioneers in the craft brewing industry, Ska has consistently led efforts to minimize environmental impact. The brewery has long utilized recycled materials—from jeans used as insulation to reclaimed bowling alley wood for tables to early adoption of infinitely recyclable aluminum cans for beer packaging— and set industry standards for environmental stewardship. And just this year, the brewery doubled their investment in Colorado-grown grain, which now comprises 85% of Ska’s total malt usage.
Innovative Packaging Transformation
In a groundbreaking move, Ska has installed the CanCollar® Corsair™ machine, a first in North America for craft breweries, provided by sustainable packaging leaders WestRock. This state-of-the-art technology allows the brewery to transition from plastic can collars to paperboard solutions, dramatically reducing plastic usage by up to 95% for their multipack products. This transition is eliminating approximately four tons of plastic waste annually, significantly reducing the brewery's carbon footprint and waste.
Skampost Partnership with Table to Farm Compost
Building on their efforts to achieve a zero-waste goal, Ska Brewing has partnered with Durango’s Table To Farm Compost to repurpose all spent grain from the brewing process. Previously used as cattle feed or sent to landfills, their spent grain will now be composted, helping to reduce methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas. This partnership not only supports local agriculture, but also promotes circular economy practices by transforming brewing byproduct into valuable compost for community use.
Community and Environmental Impact
"Ska Brewing has never been content with the status quo," says Ska Brewing President Dave Thibodeau. "Our initiatives are about setting new benchmarks for sustainability in brewing. With these new systems, we are making significant strides towards becoming a zero-waste facility and further reducing our environmental footprint. This Earth Day, we are excited to demonstrate how the beer industry can lead in the fight against plastics and for the planet."
Ska invites their community and fellow brewers to join them in this vital movement towards more sustainable practices. Look for new QR codes on all of Ska’s cans for more information about their sustainability efforts and Earth Day initiatives, including opportunities to win upcycled merchandise from companies like Mindy’s Beer Gear and Thread Metal Stone.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Founded in 1995, Ska Brewing is a pioneer in the craft brewing industry, committed to producing the highest quality beer while advocating for environmental sustainability. Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing continues to lead with innovative practices and community-oriented initiatives, striving to support the planet and its people. For more information, please visit www.skabrewing.com.
Mortal Hydration Becomes The Official Sports Beverage And Hydration Partner Of The Ironman And Ironman 70.3 North American Triathlon Series
Mortal Hydration is set to help athletes have their best day as an on-course hydration option at North American IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 races in 2024.
TAMPA, FL / BOULDER, CO– IRONMAN and Mortal HydrationVentures today announced Mortal Hydration as the official sports beverage and hydration partner for the IRONMAN® and IRONMAN® 70.3® North American Triathlon Series. Varieties of the Mortal Hydration Drink Mix will be available on-course, giving athletes great-tasting and effective hydration at IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events in North America in 2024.
The new hydration mix is Mortal’s first beverage developed to help athletes during training and competition. After two years in development and testing by world-class athletes, Mortal’s flavor profiles have been refined to ensure that athletes will be hydrated and will never suffer from flavor fatigue with great tasting options. Each of the three varieties are both simultaneously sweet and tart, a perfect combo that encourages athletes to sip more often to combat chronic under-hydrating that impacts so many athletes.
“Staying hydrated is the essential part of a challenging endurance event like an IRONMAN triathlon,” said Mortal founder Becca Schepps, a former collegiate rower and professional cyclist. “We’re so excited to offer Mortal Hydration’s high-performance electrolyte mix to IRONMAN athletes. It will ensure all athletes on course are seriously hydrated with a full electrolyte profile formulated to fight dehydration and set athletes up to have their best race possible.”
Mortal Hydration was formulated with the latest sports science and endurance sport fueling strategies in mind and offers athletes a hydration mix that tastes great and delivers the right balance of flavor, nutrients, and electrolytes. Mortal is designed to be integrated into a high-carb fueling strategy where athletes consume 80g to 100g of carbs per hour from concentrated nutrition and then use Mortal as part of a hydration strategy to replenish electrolytes.
Mortal Hydration offers a full electrolyte profile and the ability to titrate sodium levels across three flavors – Margarita, Berry, and Mango. Each flavor has 10g of carbohydrates to help with electrolyte absorption and is available in both a regular variety with 450 mg of sodium citrate and 190mg of additional electrolytes (magnesium, potassium, and calcium), and a salty version with 925 mg of sodium citrate and 190mg of additional electrolytes – perfect for very hot days or heavy sweaters.
“Understanding the evolving nutrition strategies of triathletes, we are pleased to be able to partner with Mortal Hydration to provide an effective electrolyte hydration option to pair with Maurten gels on course at our IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 North American events,” said Keats McGonigal, Vice President of North American Operations for The IRONMAN Group “It is often said nutrition is the fourth discipline of triathlon events, and importantly a strategy to stay hydrated with appropriate electrolyte intake can help athletes get to the finish line.”
To allow athletes time to adjust to the new product offering, Mortal Hydration will be an on-course option added to previous electrolyte options, with a full exclusive roll out of the product on course beginning with July events. Sample packs will also be available for purchase in the official IRONMAN Merchandise store.
Mortal Hydration is available online via The Feed, and is available in a variety of packaging to suit every athlete's fueling needs. Athletes can choose from individual sachets, 25-packs for consistent replenishment, or explore all six flavors with packs of six samples. More information is available at www.drinkmortal.com.
For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.
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ABOUT MORTAL
Founded by Becca Schepps and Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Mortal makes hydration products that quench thirst. Mortal Kombucha is currently available across all 50 states, in retailers such as Sprouts, Central Market, King Soopers, Foodtown, Mother’s, Lassens, Weis and Natural Grocers. Mortal Hydration is available in North America via The Feed. Learn more about Mortal at drinkmortal.com, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and X at @drinkmortal.
ABOUT THE IRONMAN GROUP
The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf®, UTMB® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB®, Tarawera Ultra™ by UTMB® and Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB®, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world, providing participants the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business, and Orkila Capital, a growth equity firm focused on building great brands. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.
ABOUT ADVANCE
Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 14,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.
Mortal Press Contact: Becca Schepps, 609.529.5300, becca@drinkmortal.com
Riverbend Malt House Unveils Terroir With Speakeasy Malt For Distillers
The release of Speakeasy is Riverbend Malt House’s first offering designed specifically for the rapidly growing spirits category.
ASHEVILLE, NC— Secret’s out— after much underground research and development, Riverbend Malt House now offers a malt style designed for distillers. Speakeasy distiller’s malt is now available for purchase.
Riverbend has relished their role as a provider of flavorful malts to distillers for over a decade, often providing that “secret sauce” that sets an American Single Malt Whiskey or bourbon apart from the crowd. The release of Speakeasy is our first offering designed specifically for the rapidly growing spirits category.
The development of Speakeasy utilizes a barley variety that has shown great potential to deliver higher levels of enzymatic activity compared to other winter 2-row varieties. This variety coupled with an extended, cool germination and gentle kilning temperatures create the building blocks for this innovative malt style.
“Our Speakeasy malt is a balancing act,” says Riverbend Co-Founder Brent Manning. “It’s not just an enzyme package, but a rich, flavorful malt that is designed to convert corn in a Bourbon recipe while delivering notes of melon and honeysuckle. Speakeasy provides an avenue for craft distillers to explore whiskey recipes with local ingredients.”
Read all of Speakeasy’s specifications at riverbendmalt.com. Distillers interested in purchasing Speakeasy malt can contact their Riverbend sales representative or place an order online.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Riverbend Malt House.
ABOUT RIVERBEND MALT HOUSE
Riverbend Malt House is on a quest to connect Southeastern family owned farms and fermenters. Co-Founders Brent Manning and Brian Simpson launched Riverbend, the first craft 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.
Ska Brewing Celebrates 25 Years of Mexican Logger and Welcomes Patio Season to the Rockies
Ska Brewing celebrates 25 years of brewing its cult classic Mexican Logger.
Durango, CO— Ska Brewing, a pioneer in the craft beer industry, is proud to commemorate 25 years of brewing its fan-favorite, award-winning beer, Mexican Logger, just in time for the official start of patio season in the Southwest. This year, it’s not just any comeback; it’s a silver anniversary celebration of lager love, and a tribute to no longer living in the lager closet.
“Twenty-five years ago, we decided we were tired of sneaking around, pretending we didn’t adore the crisp, refreshing taste of a good lager” says Dave Thibodeau, co-founder and closet Pacifico drinker turned proud Logger lover. “So, we did what any reasonable group of brewers would do – we crafted our own. The Mexican Logger was not just a beer; it was a declaration of independence from the tyranny of beer snobbery.”
The release of Mexican Logger, a cornerstone of the brewery’s portfolio, has become known as the “unofficial start to summer” also known as “The Beginning of Patio Season” around the region. Ska will once again host its second largest party of the year to commemorate the beer’s release at Ska Brewing World HQ on Wednesday, March 27th with live music by Baracutanga and a custom Ska Brewing Paddle Board giveaway.
The award-winning beer has amassed a cult-like following and can only be found in Colorado and its surrounding states throughout the summer, only to disappear as quickly as it came. At a crushable 5.2% ABV, Mexican Logger is crisp, clean, and refreshing and showcases Saaz hops and a lager yeast strain from Mexico City. Whether enjoyed on a sunny patio or shared with friends at a backyard barbecue, Mexican Logger is the perfect companion for any summer occasion.
Six and 12-packs of Mexican Logger will hit shelves across Ska’s regional distribution footprint later this week.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Founded in the spirit of punk rock and a little bit of ska, Ska Brewing has been challenging the status quo and brewing beers that refuse to conform since 1995. From the iconic Mexican Logger to the rebellious Modus Hoperandi IPA, Ska Brewing is dedicated to crafting unforgettable beers that are as unique as the people who drink them. For more information, visit www.skabrewing.com.
Maine’s Blue Ox Malthouse Wins Two Malt Cup Awards For The Second Consecutive Year
2024 is the second consecutive year that Maine’s first maltster, Blue Ox Malthouse, has won two medals in this prestigious malt quality competition.
LISBON FALLS ME– Blue Ox Malthouse received two Malt Cup awards during MaltCon2024 at UC Davis last month. It's the second consecutive year that Maine’s first maltster has won two medals in this prestigious malt quality competition.
“These awards are all because of our amazing team,” Blue Ox Founder Joel Alex said as he walked off stage at the UC Davis Conference Center with a second medal. He then quickly texted photos to a group chat, despite it being nearly midnight in Maine. Most of the team was awake and awaiting results.
Now in its sixth year, the Malt Cup is the only malt quality competition of its kind. Malt samples are evaluated by 70 industry and expert judges, a process organized by the Craft Maltsters Guild in collaboration with the Montana State University Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab, and DraughtLab. The 2024 judges rigorously evaluated entries from 26 malthouses from across the world in six malt styles, awarding Blue Ox with a bronze medal in the Caramel category for its floor malted Caramel 20 malt, and a silver for its floor malted Yankee Pilsner malt in the Pilsen category. In 2023, Blue Ox Malthouse won Malt Cup awards for Pale (bronze) and Light Munich (bronze). Blue Ox Malthouse is the first and only New England malt house to-date to have received recognition in this competition.
Blue Ox Light Caramel 20 was floor malted from the AC Newdale 2-row barley variety. Caramel 20 has a candy sweetness with flavors of toffee and cajeta.
Blue Ox Yankee Pilsner is a customer favorite. Also malted from the AC Newdale 2-row variety, this floor malted Pilsner malt style is created with a gentle kilning regime to yield a super light, grainy finish. Yankee Pilsner works perfectly in beer styles like NEIPA, Pilsner, and Saison.
“To say it’s an honor to be awarded two medals in this year's Malt Cup feels like an understatement,” says Director of Malting Operations Benji Knorr. “It’s more than recognition; it helps our team justify the dedicated effort that we put into making quality floor malts and inspires us to make each batch better than the last. Importantly, it validates that world-class malt can be made by hand using locally-grown Maine grains.”
“This award recognizes our hardworking team here at Blue Ox. Our crew ultimately make all of this possible,” adds Knorr.
The Blue Ox team would like to extend special thanks to their partners at Porter Farms for providing consistent, quality barley that enables the malthouse to create floor malt that they are proud of.
If you’d like to purchase one of these award winning malts, or any of the other Blue Ox floor malts, you can visit the Blue Ox website contact page.
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.
Bootleg Biology and Riverbend Malt House To Host Southern Lager Invitational at The Mule To Cap 2024 Asheville Beer Week
The second annual Southern Lager Invitational will cap Asheville Beer Week (May 16 - 26), themed ‘Craft and Creativity for Community’.
ASHEVILLE, NC— After the successful execution of the inaugural Southern Lager Invitational during the Craft Brewers Conference in Nashville– in a monsoon no less— Bootleg Biology and Riverbend Malt House are excited to bring this festival to Asheville in its second year. The Southern Lager Invitational will take place on May 25 from 5 to 9pm at The Mule at Devil's Foot Beverage's production facility, just a short drive from downtown. This event will cap Asheville Beer Week (May 16 - 26), themed ‘Craft and Creativity for Community’.
Open to interpretation, Southern Lager, an unofficial but emerging beer style, tends to be a cold-fermented, dry-finishing, lower-ABV beer that pairs well with sweltering heat. At the second annual Southern Lager Invitational, craft brewers from across the South will serve their expressions of Southern Lager made with Riverbend malt and fermented with Bootleg Biology yeast to capture a sense of Southern terroir.
Tickets are now on sale for the Southern Lager Invitational at devilsfootbrew.com. Festival entry includes samples of beers from more than 20 Southern breweries, including—
Fait La Force Brewing (bonus collaboration with Leveller Brewing Co.)
The beer menu and food truck list for Southern Lager Invitational will be published in coming weeks.
This second annual celebration of local lagers is made possible by our sponsor Boelter, who are providing custom 2024 glassware for festival participants.
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 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.
Lone Tree Brewing Spring Seasonal Hefeweizen Taps At Tasting Rooms; Hits Colorado and Kansas Distribution
Lone Tree Brewing Company’s springs seasonal, Hefeweizen, is back and available throughout Colorado and Kansas.
LONE TREE, CO— Lone Tree Brewing Company Hefeweizen is back for its third spring season in cans and on draft at the brewery’s two tasting rooms. This refreshing, German-style Hefe will be available across Colorado and Kansas in coming months.
Inspired by the classic unfiltered, German wheat ale style and the nostalgia of European travel, Lone Tree Hefeweizen is brewed with Noble hops and wheat, and fermented with Weihenstephan yeast. Its aroma and flavor are perfectly true-to-style, with notes of banana, spice, and clove. Medium-bodied and only 5.4% ABV, it’s an easy drinker to take along on any adventure.
Lone Tree Hefeweizen is on tap at both locations in Lone Tree and Parker, and also to-go in canned 6-packs. Find it across Colorado and in select locations in Kansas through spring months.
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 more than a decade. Now deeply rooted in this community, the brewing company is growing friends at its two tasting rooms– the original location near Park Meadows Mall in Lone Tree, and the recently opened Lone Tree Brewing Parker in the heart of Parker, Colorado. Find Lone Tree’s stylistically diverse lineup of canned beers in cans and on draft in Colorado and Kansas to enjoy with your buds. Visit the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.