RadCrafted Emily Hutto RadCrafted Emily Hutto

Lone Tree Brewing To Release 2024 Batch Of Vanilla Caramel Amber

Lone Tree Brewing Company's popular fall seasonal returns.

COLORADO— Among the crop of Lone Tree Brewing beers made for the fall season is one of the South Metro Denver brewing company’s most talked about offerings: Vanilla Caramel Amber. This autumnal seasonal will tap at both of Lone Tree Brewing’s locations on September 27, and hit shelves and taps across Colorado the first week of October. 

Vanilla Caramel Amber is one of the brewery’s most requested beers among accounts in Colorado; it’s pack full of seasonal flavors but still super drinkable. The vanilla comes from beans and the caramel comes from caramel malt in this recipe. There’s no added sugar— only a generous addition of hops that balance its rich malt and toffee flavors.

Vanilla Caramel Amber will tap at both Lone Tree Brewing tasting rooms on Friday, September 27. Find it rotating on the taps and in canned 6-packs to-go through fall and winter. Also this season in Lone Tree and Parker, try Lone Tree Brewing Oktoberfest while supplies last; and Pumpkin Ale and Barrel Aged Apple Cinnamon Strong Blonde Ale.

Vanilla Caramel Amber is available on tap at select locations and in cans across Colorado beginning in October. Find Lone Tree beer near you on the brewery’s website beer finder.  

Media inquiring about Lone Tree Brewing Company can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING CO. 

Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery to open in Lone Tree, Colorado in Denver’s South Metro area in 2011, 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.

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RadCrafted Emily Hutto RadCrafted Emily Hutto

Third Annual Krispy King Lager Competition at Barrels & Bottles Brewery To Kick Off 2024 Great American Beer Festival

What began as a pre-GABF gathering of some of Barrels & Bottles craft brewery buddies has become a highly anticipated celebration of world-class lagers that are light bodied, pale colored, and ridiculously enjoyably crispy.

GOLDEN, CO— What’s soon-to-be the most sought-after lager competition returns for the third year at Barrels & Bottles Brewery just before the 2024 Great American Beer Festival® (GABF). The Krispy King Lager Competition is going down on Wednesday, October 9th. 

What began as a pre-GABF gathering of some of Barrels & Bottles craft brewery buddies has become a highly anticipated celebration of world-class lagers that are light bodied, pale colored, and ridiculously enjoyably crispy. In years past, the average ABV for beers on tap has been 4.8%. Barrels & Bottles Head Brewer Chris Munda calls it “a never ending search for excellence through crisp, delicious, palatable brew whilst celebrating togetherness.” 

This year, 35 breweries are coming from coast to coast to compete in this esteemed competition judged by expert professional brewers. The list of breweries include several Colorado locals Cannonball Creek Brewing, Call To Arms Brewing, and Wibby Brewing; as well as Russian River Brewery, Live Oak Brewing, Green Bench Brewing, and pFriem Family Brewers— just to name a few. Find the complete list at krispykinglager.com

The 2024 Krispy King Lager Competition is slated for Wednesday, October 9 from 3 to 7pm at Barrels & Bottles Brewery in Golden, Colorado at 1055 Orchard Street. The first, second, and third place competition winners will be announced at 6pm so guests have plenty of time to taste them before the event ends. To further boost FOMO, Trinity Cigar Mobile Lounge will be on site, Boss Battle Arcade Bus will offer free arcade games, Kneadful Rings will serve lager donuts, and TATtered-N-Torn will have a make your own trucker hat setup. Not to mention live music by Andy Eppler from 3 to 5pm, and A-Mac of Kash’d Out from 5 to 8pm. The Barrels & Bottles kitchen on site will be open with food specials, and there will also be wine and cocktails on tap.

Two small buses will be looping from the Denver Convention center to Barrels & Bottles during this event. Guests are also encouraged to travel safely via RTD Train Rail Station, Uber or Lyft, or designated drivers. 

The Krispy King Lager Competition is open to the public and free to attend. 

Media inquiring about this regal beer competition can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT BARRELS & BOTTLES BREWERY

Barrels & Bottles Brewery was formed in Abby and Zach George’s mind many years before they opened their first location in 2013. They met overseas and both found a passion for great people, food and drinks. Nowadays you can find them at their Camp George West location, either pouring you a beer, serving you food and or enjoying a pint with friends and neighbors. Learn more at barrelsbottles.com.

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Fenceline Cider 2024 Community Pick Is Open

For those with apple trees on their properties with the ability to harvest them, Fenceline Cider pays 30 cents per pound of fruit.

MANCOS, CO— Fenceline Cider’s Community Pick is back for the second year. Neighbors of the cidery in and around Southwest Colorado are invited to contribute their 2024 apple harvests to become Fenceline cider.

The Community Pick initiative was designed by Fenceline Cider to revive the region’s cider traditions while actively engaging local residents. Nestled amid numerous abandoned orchards thriving in Montezuma County's rich soil and arid climate, the Mancos cidery remains steadfast in their commitment to upcycle the region's heritage apples and unique varietals into remarkable craft cider. They assist those with trees on their properties in transforming their orchards into profitable ventures, all while reducing the waste of unused fruit. 

In 2023, Fenceline Cider had a record-breaking harvest season, yielding a total of 127,331 pounds of fruit. This total included 41,138 pounds harvested  from more than 75 different orchards located in Montezuma and La Plata counties through Community Pick.

For those with apple trees on their properties with the ability to harvest them, Fenceline pays 30 cents per pound of fruit. Apples contributed should comply with Fenceline’s guidelines and quality standards: Fruit must be properly ripe (ie. brown or black seeds), clean, and absent of leaves, rot, and large bird pecks. A minimum of three bushels must be dropped off in order to be paid; however Fenceline will accept any amount as donation. In exchange for three or more bushels of apples that meet these criteria, Fenceline will offer cider, a bar tab, or cash payment. 

Recommended drop off hours are Monday through Friday from 2 to 5pm at the Fenceline taproom in downtown Mancos. Please schedule ahead for large drop offs or alternative dropoff times by calling 970.533.4005. 

“The Fenceline team is only so big, only has so many sets of hands, and can pick only a portion of the area’s fruit in any given year,” says Fenceline Founder Sam Perry. “This is why we need community help to bring in the harvest. ‘Many hands make light work.’” 

Media interested in covering Fenceline’s Community Pick 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

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Lone Tree Brewing Company To Host Fourth Annual Charity Car & Bike Show For The Douglas County Bridge Transition Program

Lone Tree Brewing has raised more than $20,000 for The Bridge Program since the start of their partnership in 2021, and hopes for another successful year of donations at this popular event.

LONE TREE, COLORADO— Lone Tree Brewing Company will host the fourth annual Charity Car & Bike Show benefiting The Douglas County Bridge Transition Program on Saturday, September 7. Lone Tree has raised more than $20,000 for this nonprofit organization since the start of their partnership in 2021, and hopes for another successful year of donations at this popular event. 

Lone Tree Brewing Company is neighbors with The Bridge Program at its original location in Lone Tree, Colorado. In 2021, The Bridge Program moved its annual car show to take place in front of the brewery, with a silent auction inside.

“With the help and insight of friends who had hosted car shows in the past, the first event turned out better than anyone could have imagined,” says Lone Tree’s Director of Tasting Rooms Mike Webster. To-date, Lone Tree and The Bridge Program have hosted three car shows with auctions that in total have raised more than $20,000 in support of students and families transitioning from school into the adult world. 

The 2024 Charity Car & Bike Show at Lone Tree Brewing in Lone Tree on Park Meadows Drive will take place on Saturday, September 7 from 9am to 2pm. There’s free registration for those who want to show off cars and bikes and more than 40 auction items available. Donations to The Bridge Program are encouraged. Learn more here

“Our partnership with The Bridge Program extends beyond this car show and keeps growing year over year,” adds Webster. “We also create work opportunities in the brewhouse for students from the Bridge Program, and last year I was even invited to speak at the Bridge Program graduation party. We’re very proud to collaborate with this great organization.” 

For more information about Lone Tree Brewing Company’s partnership with The Bridge Program, or any other of its philanthropic efforts, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING CO. 

Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery to open in Lone Tree, Colorado in Denver’s South Metro area in 2011, 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.

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Riverbend Malt House Named On Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies Three Years Running

Riverbend Malt House, the first craft malt house in the Southeast, is on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing small businesses in America.

ASHEVILLE, NC— Riverbend Malt House was declared number 3551 on Inc. Magazine’s list of the 5000 fastest growing private companies in America today. 2024 is the third year running that Riverbend has made the Inc. 5000 list. 

Inc. 5000 is one of the most prestigious ranking programs, representing top tier independent small businesses across the United States. Inc. 5000 status is conferred based upon a company’s cumulative revenue growth over the preceding three years. Riverbend’s 2024 ranking on this list is up from 2023 when they were named #3992 on the list of fastest growing companies.

For Riverbend Malt House, revenue growth over the past three years was 135 percent. Since its start and particularly over the past few years, this development is a testament to the value add of locally sourced and malted grains for craft breweries and distilleries of all shapes and sizes. 

A full list of winners including Riverbend Malt House can be found on the inc.com website.

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.

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Living The Dream Brewing Seasonal Tangerine Powder Run Cream Ale Returns

Tangerine is among Living The Dream’s seasonal variants of the award-winning Powder Run Cream Ale.

COLORADO— The 2024 batch of Living The Dream Brewing Tangerine Powder Run Cream Ale is now on tap and available in canned 6-packs across the Centennial State.

Tangerine is among Living The Dream’s seasonal variants of the award-winning Powder Run Cream Ale. The base beer is a light bodied, creamy beer with notes of vanilla and a fluffy finishing mouthfeel. Like all of the brewery’s fruited beers, real tangerine is added to create subtle sweetness and citrusy flavors. Think drinkable orange creamsicle. 

“As enjoyable as Powder Run has proven to be on its own, we have also found it to be a fantastic canvas where we can create limited edition variants further adding to the beer drinking experience,” says Living The Dream Founder Jason Bell. “The refreshing addition of real tangerine really adds something special to the Powder Run line-up for the summer season.”

Tangerine Powder Run is freshly canned and available in Crowlers to-go at both Living The Dream locations in Highlands Ranch and Sterling Ranch. Try one on tap while supplies last. Find it in limited canned six-packs across Colorado via Colorado Craft Distributors. In most cases, where there is Tangerine there is also flagship Powder Run available for side-by-side comparison. If not, ask your favorite merchant to stock it. 

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.

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Co-Op Member News Emily Hutto Co-Op Member News Emily Hutto

Ska Brewing Launches Swing Easy Peach Hard Tea: Less Talk Of Teabags, More Talk Of Taste

Introducing Swing Easy Peach Hard Tea— the newest addition to Ska’s beyond-beer back pocket, and the latest excuse to sip, savor, and maybe even skip the dad jokes.

DURANGO, CO– In a world full of bad jokes about teabags and tea parties, Ska Brewing is here to change the conversation with something far more interesting: flavor! 

Introducing Swing Easy Peach Hard Tea— the newest addition to Ska’s beyond-beer back pocket, and the latest excuse to sip, savor, and maybe even skip the dad jokes.

Coming in at a sessionable 5% ABV, Swing Easy Peach Hard Tea is lightly carbonated, offering a tantalizing taste of sun-ripened peaches perfectly blended with just a hint of tea. Whether you're kicking back on the porch or raising a can at your own version of a "tea party," this hard tea promises to keep things refreshingly peachy.

"At Ska Brewing, we focus less on bad puns and more on bringing you flavors that knock your socks off—if you're even wearing socks," said Jeff Mason, Ska Brewing’s Sometimes Pun-Avoider. "Swing Easy Peach Hard Tea is our latest effort to ensure that every sip is as satisfying as it is refreshing, without needing a punchline."

Ska Brewing, already a household name (at least the cool ones) thanks to legendary brews like Modus Hoperandi and Mexican Logger, is continuing to explore new territory with Swing Easy. This hard tea is the latest in Ska's gluten-free beyond-beer lineup (which also includes Skagua bubbly water and multiple hard seltzer flavors) , proving that when it comes to crafting beverages, they’re always brewing up something good.

And if you're wondering where to find this new treat, Swing Easy Peach Hard Tea is available wherever Ska’s award-winning beers can be found. So, skip the teabags, avoid the awkward tea party jokes, and just enjoy the summertime flavor.

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 and beverages that are as unique as the people who drink them. For more information, samples, or just to chat about how great peaches are, contact Ska Brewing at info@skabrewing.com or visit our website at www.skabrewing.com.

Media Contact: Kristen Muraro, Kristen@skabrewing.com

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Co-Op Member News Emily Hutto Co-Op Member News Emily Hutto

Bootstrap Brewing Bags Four Medals at the 2024 USA Beer Ratings Competition

The goal of the USA Beer Ratings competition is to award and celebrate beers that beer drinkers actually want to drink.

LONGMONT, CO— At the USA Beer Ratings event, which took place in San Francisco this July, Boat Snack Hazy IPA and Medal AF Mosaic IPA won Gold medals and Insane Rush IPA and Lush Puppy Juicy IPA won Silver medals in the competition.

To receive this distinction, Bootstrap Brewing needed to score highly in three different categories - Quality, Value, and Packaging. All beers were evaluated by a high-profile panel of judges, all of them with commercial buying experience, ensuring that all beers scoring highly in the competition are those with broad commercial appeal.

In contrast to other international beer competitions, which focus on evaluating just a single variable or factor, the USA Beer Ratings uses a three-factor scoring system that takes into account the overall quality of the beer, its relative value compared to other beers in terms of pricing, and the overall branding and presentation of the beer. The goal of the USA Beer Ratings competition is to award and celebrate beers that beer drinkers actually want to drink.

According to Sid Patel, CEO and Founder of event organizer Beverage Trade Network, “this three-factor rating system is central to our mission of finding and awarding the very best beers in the world. We wanted to take a different approach to judge beers that really take into account the factors that consumers and beer drinkers use whenever they are deciding which beer to purchase in a store or order from a menu.”

The judging panel consisted of beer industry experts with extensive commercial buying experience. These judges assessed beers on the basis of three primary factors - Quality, Value, and Packaging. Quality refers to the taste and aroma profile of the beer, Value refers to the relative affordability of a beer vis-a-vis its peers, and Packaging refers to the overall branding and presentation of a beer.

“We were extremely pleased that our beer scored so highly in the USA Beer Ratings competition,” said Steve Kaczeus, Owner/Brewer at Bootstrap Brewing. “It’s further evidence that we are creating the type of beer that consumers want to drink. We take a lot of pride in crafting consumer-friendly, approachable beers that look as good as they taste.”

To win a USA Beer Ratings award, you will need to score highly in all three areas of the judging criteria. You might have an outstanding quality beer, but if the price and packaging are not right, you will not be recognized by the USA Beer Ratings.

Scoring System

USA Beer Ratings’ score is decided on the following judging formula:

Q (Quality Score) + Value Score (V) + Package Score (P) = USA Beer Ratings Score.

A separate weighted score is given for each of the three parts of the judging process. The scores are then calculated to give a final score out of 100 from which individual prizes are awarded.

Quality Score: Marked out of 100

Value Score: Marked out of 100

Package Score: Marked out of 100

Gold: To receive a Gold medal you need to score 90 or over.

Silver: Need to score between 80-89.

Bronze: Need to score between 70-79.

ABOUT BOOTSTRAP BREWING COMPANY

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 highly drinkable ales and lagers. More information can be found on our website at bootstrapbrewing.com.

ABOUT USA BEER RATINGS

The 7th Annual USA Beer Ratings competition took place in San Francisco this July. USA Beer Ratings competition represents the perfect opportunity to get in front of influential judges, tastemakers and commercial buyers. An award from the USA Beer Ratings competition is a prestigious mark of approval that is highly valued by consumers when they are making the choice of which beer to buy. The organizer of the event is Beverage Trade Network (BTN), which also hosts industry events around the world and owns media assets and platforms to connect the drinks industry globally.

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Craft Maltsters Guild Announces Inaugural Craft Malt Month, Slated For September 2024

Media interested in covering Craft Malt Month and learning more about the Craft Maltsters Guild are encouraged to join a virtual press conference on Thursday, August 22.

NATIONAL— The Craft Maltsters Guild is excited to announce the expansion of the annual Craft Malt Week into Craft Malt Month in September of 2024. This is an excellent opportunity for the entire craft malt supply chain to showcase its talents and celebrate the craftsmanship of malt production. 

During previous Malt Weeks, members have invited customers to events, tours, and classes centered on craft malt. Now, they have an entire month to execute these educational activities; not to mention serve collaboration beers, cocktails, and spirits made across the continent in support of the Craft Maltsters Guild. Look for these events and collaborations to begin populating the calendar at craftmaltmonth.com, and check back often for updates.

Media interested in covering Craft Malt Month and learning more about the Craft Malt Revolution are encouraged to join a virtual Craft Malt Month press conference on Thursday, August 22 at 1pm Mountain Time. Meet the Craft Maltsters Guild’s new Executive Director Steve Kurowski and leading malting experts who will share story ideas at this event. Join here

All are encouraged to join the conversation by using the #CraftMaltMonth hashtag and tagging the Guild @craftmalting on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, and X throughout September.

For more information about Craft Malt Month, visit craftmaltmonth.com. Media inquiring about Craft Malt Month and 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.

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It’s Oktoberfest Season at Lone Tree Brewing Company

Lone Tree Brewing brings a slice of the German Oktoberfest tradition to its communities in Lone Tree and Parker, Colorado where celebrations that feature this lager will take place on September 14 and 21. 

COLORADO— The 2024 batch of Lone Tree Brewing Oktoberfest is now canned and available at retailers across Colorado. Lone Tree is thrilled to bring a slice of the German Oktoberfest tradition to its communities in Lone Tree and Parker, Colorado where celebrations that feature this lager will take place on September 14 and 21. 

Lone Tree’s Oktoberfest recipe was inspired by Head Brewer Dennis O’Harrow’s time spent in Europe. It’s crafted with traditional European malts and German Hallertau Mittelfruh hops to emulate this classic beer style. This amber-hued beauty weighs in at 5.5% ABV, with rich, toasty and bready flavors, minimal bitterness, and a dry finish. 

Oktoberfest is available on tap and in canned 12oz. 6-packs at the brewery in Lone Tree, and at select locations in Colorado, and Kansas too. This seasonal lager will be the featured beer at Oktoberfest celebrations going down at each of Lone Tree’s locations in September— in Lone Tree on Saturday, September 14 and in Parker on Saturday, September 21. Guests can also enjoy live music, food trucks, and a beer puppeteer to boot. 

Festival-goers can also find Lone Tree Oktoberfest at Keystone Bluegrass & Beer Festival, Castle Rock Oktoberfest, Parker Brew Fest and Brew Fest Under the Stars this season.

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Lone Tree Brewing Co. and their favorite beer-drinking season. 

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

Here's CARA's Advice From The Trail
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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

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RadCrafted Emily Hutto RadCrafted Emily Hutto

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

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RadCrafted Emily Hutto RadCrafted Emily Hutto

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.

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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

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