Advice From The Trail: Alex Sage on Video Content Marketing

Photos of and courtesy Alex Sage

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. 

This go-around, meet Alex Sage who manages marketing and graphic design for City Star Brewing. We’re unabashed about declaring that City Star runs some of our favorite social media feeds, in particular because of their trendy and hilarious videos.

Tell us about your background before City Star, and your evolution into your current role. 

My job title at City Star is Marketing/Graphic Design. I have been in the craft beer industry for 13 years and have done everything from beer tending to brand ambassador to taproom manager. I started out at City Star beer-tending and moved into social media and marketing. 

Seems like several years back at this point y'all got into the groove of creating engaging, trending, and on-brand video content on TikTok/IG and haven't stopped since.

We started experimenting with videos in 2021. City Star owner Whitney Way and I try to stay on top of researching what is pushed out most through social media algorithms, and at that time everything was telling us videos, videos, videos. Instagram was beginning to ramp up using reels, and I had done a deep dive into TikTok watching people learn fun dances, laughing at funny skits and saw how audios would trend. I wanted to bring that same spirit to City Star so we threw our hat in the game! 

It seems like your audience loves it, and is growing!

Videos have been huge in growing our audience. With the algorithm prioritizing pushing videos, we were able to gain access and engage with new people who our pages did not previously reach. Berthoud is a small town which surprisingly some people have never even heard of and some don't know there is a brewery. Doing videos has put our brewery AND Berthoud on the map for a [destination] place to come stop in for a beer. We constantly have people coming into the taproom telling us they love our videos and asking when the next one will be. It's helped us be able to further engage with our audience both though the internet and in person. 

Do you notice any engagement trends for your audience?

Figuring out the algorithm is half the battle and the other half is knowing your audience and what your goals are for using videos. When we first started out on TikTok we were getting tons of new followers but when we looked at the data, these followers were from other states and even other countries. We had to hone in our goals for what we wanted to be using videos for. Yeah it's cool that someone in England watched our little brewery video...but did anyone in Loveland see it and come visit us? This is where our "let's just show em' a good time" spirit for videos began. Our fun, comedic, silly videos create brand awareness near and far while also encouraging our local neighbors to pop in. We try to make content that if you're a craft beer drinker you can relate and if you're close by you'll want to come see us. 

How do you choose which trends to participate in while still staying true to the City Star brand?

When it comes to videos I try to take the Red Bull marketing approach which is to show the experience rather than the product. Sell the experience not the beer. Yes, we could list what beers are on tap, we could talk about the hops and geek out over craft beer, we could feature our new beers that come out every Friday...but I want someone to watch our videos and think "They're having so much fun at City Star, let's go to THAT brewery!"

City Star strives to produce delicious craft beer that brings our community together so the goal is for people to see our videos and then call up a friend to come visit us for a beer. Our brewery's audience is aged 21-60 with the majority resting in the 25-45 age range. We want to use audios that are going to be most relatable to this age range as well as pop culture references. (It's no fun if someone misses the joke!) If it makes us laugh at ourselves, then we post it! 

Is using both TikTok and Instagram more time consuming?

Doing videos in general is a bit time consuming. We try to be mindful of which platform we use for which audience. Our TikTok audience is mostly people from out of state so we make TikTok videos about relatable craft beer things for all. For Instagram, our audience is more local and more probable to come in and visit us— so we do those videos that are more geared towards that. Unfortunately synching them up can be a pain for matching audio and platform guidelines, I have yet to find a great app for that. 

If anyone reading has a suggested app, please jump into the comments or slide into our DMs!

What video equipment and apps do you use and recommend, especially for tight budgets?

Keep it cheap and easy! I just use my iPhone to record through TikTok, Instagram or Capcut. Luckily these free apps are pretty user friendly for filming and editing your videos. We step our game up with a ring light every once in a while but mostly we just try to show off our space in its authentic state - no cinematics here! 

Any last pieces of advice on using video as a brewery marketing tactic?

It can be intimidating making videos but there are lots of ways to have fun and show off your business without using your face if you're camera shy. Don't get discouraged. We have spent an hour creating a video that got 200 views and 15 seconds on a video that got 660,000 views - you just never know! It's a great tool to bring together your staff and guests. JUST HAVE FUN!

Living The Dream Brewing Wins Another Two Denver International Beer Competition Medals

HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO— Living The Dream Brewing was awarded two silver medals in the 2024 Denver International Beer Competition (DIBC), bringing their total medal count in this program to 33 since 2015. 

Living The Dream Oktoberfest and the Leopold Bros Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Velvet Stout took home silver medals from this international competition last month. 

True to German style, Oktoberfest is a beautiful orange-copper color with a toasted, malty aroma; a touch of malt sweetness and light caramel on the palate— with a dry and refreshing finish. It was available in limited quantities for the fall season, and canned for the first time this year. 

Leopold Bros. Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Velvet Stout is a local barrel edition of Living The Dream's Velvet Imperial Stout, aged on 8-year-old Bourbon barrels. The dark chocolate and roast of the Stout pairs perfectly with the oak, caramel, and toast character of these one-of-a-kind barrels— all rounded out by a smooth, rich mouthfeel. This Stout is currently available on draft and in canned 4-packs to-go while supplies last. 

With hundreds of beers entered annually from across the globe, adjudicators certified by the Beer Judge Certification Program, and medals awarded based on total points; DIBC is a showcase of brewing excellence that Living The Dream’s brewing team is proud to have placed in year over year.

"Living The Dream has consistently been one of the top performers in the Denver International Beer Competition with multiple beers receiving medals each year,” says Competition Director Kyle Dobbins. “Their entries have advanced to best of show, and have consistently impressed the adjudicators. The beer from Living the Dream has set a bar for quality year after year, and they are a valued local brewery to have in the Denver International Beer Competition."

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Living The Dream Brewing and Elizabeth Woessner at elizabeth@denverbeercomp.com with media inquiries about DIBC.

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.

Cold IPA Today; What’s New Tomorrow? Beer Experts on Inventing New Beer Categories and Exploring ‘Hybrid’ Styles

By Emily Hutto and Karson Krouse 

The modern brewing industry is rooted in experimentation. So many of the beer style categories we know today exist because someone dreamt them, and gave them a shot in the brewhouse. And then, adjusted batch over batch over batch over batch until those dreamt flavors, aromas, and mouthfeel became reality.

When we first began to tackle this editorial about innovative beer styles, we often called them ‘hybrid beers’— expressions often the result of combining brewing practices for both ales and lagers. Take a German-style Kölsch, for example. One of the oldest examples of brewhouse experimentation originating in Cologne,— and one of the most crowd pleasing over its long history— this style is typically fermented with ale yeast at cold temperatures. It’s been around long enough to be recognized with specific characteristics in beer style guidelines, such as those established by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP), North American Brewers Association, and the Brewers Association. The German-style Kölsch is light in the paler side of beers (often straw colored), low on the bitterness scale, and with an alcohol level slightly lower than your average ale. It’s most often brewed with German Noble hops and Pilsner malt. Some great American examples of the style are the classic Colorado Kölsch made by Steamworks Brewing, Zipline Brewing’s German-style Kölsch, and Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.'s Clearwater Kölsch. 

Photo courtesy Steamworks Brewing

In the example of Kölsch, ‘hybrid’ beer styles provide opportunities for small craft brewers to experiment stylistically despite constraints of their facilities. Julia Herz, the Executive Director of the American Homebrewers Association, explained this opportunity in episode 2 of the RadCraft Industry Relief Podcast. “The whole notion of [American] breweries on a small level [historically] not being able to craft lagers is actually a truism in a sense; they’re more expensive, you don’t necessarily have lagering tanks, and they take longer to ferment,” she said.

Photo courtesy Julia Herz

But now, she poses, craft brewers are experimenting not out of necessity but instead curiosity. “You're seeing craft brewers say we’ve got all the equipment we can do all these things, let's do some things that will take people to even a deeper place for flavor in beer.” 

One of these “deeper flavor places” has been the recent development and craze around Cold IPA (and Pale Ale too). Generally, a Cold IPA is a dry, crisp, and clean IPA that has the flavors of both the bitterness from hops as well as the flavors from hop oils. We’d call Cold IPA a ‘hybrid beer’ because opposite of Kölsch, it employs lager yeast fermented longer at warmer temperatures. Josh Weikert of Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine suggests that this can be tricky because you have to find certain lager yeasts that can withstand the higher temperatures. Typically, the grain bill for Cold IPAs has a light Pilsner base that also relies on subtle sweetening from corn or rice. “As a ‘proper’ Cold IPA should,” Arbieter Brewing Company says of their seasonal flagship, “Cold Classic gives the impression of having body and chewiness to it but this perception comes from the alcohol content and hop oils, not residual sugar from the malt!” 

Of the many brewers we talked to about Cold IPA, John Able of Citizen 33, said that the aim in brewing this brew style is to let the hops shine. Able also pointed out that with any beer style, the nuances and associated guidelines are not static. “Sometimes I drink a ‘Cold IPA’ and I think this tastes like a Dry Hopped Pilsner. Beer names can mean everything and also nothing.” 

At the MaltCon2024 conference, Master Cicerone Jen Blair declared that “not every beer fits neatly into a beer style.” And most importantly, she suggested after comparing several examples from BJCP and the Brewers Association, THAT’S OKAY. 

Blair’s presentation reinforced the need for rigid beer styles in judging and awards programs, and equally the need for flexibility from brewhouse to brewhouse. When our community has space for curiosity and innovation, incredible sensory experiences are the result. 

As the craft brewing industry continues to evolve, ‘hybrid beers’ and new styles aren’t just inevitable; they’re electrifying. They breathe new life into otherwise forgotten categories, and they give brewers a reason to collaborate. Like Herz, we’re all in. “The exploration continues,” she added. “Inventing new styles is one of the best things… sign me up to brew these styles.”

Riverbend Malt House Selected As Business North Carolina Small Business Of The Year

ASHEVILLE, NC, December 3, 2024— Riverbend Malt House was named one of the four top small businesses of the year in the 2024 Small Business of the Year Awards, sponsored by Business North Carolina Magazine.

2024 marks the 29th year of Business North Carolina honoring the contributions small businesses make to the state’s economy. Applicants must be based in the Tar Heel State and have been in business for more than five years, have less than 100 employees, and be independently owned and operated. Among 49 nominees, four winners were selected on the basis of demonstrated accomplishments in the preceding 12 months and success in overcoming business obstacles, supplemented with professional references.

“We are proud to receive this recognition of the great work of our employees,” says Riverbend Malt House Co-Founder and CEO Brian Simpson. “As the first craft malthouse in the Southeast and one of the largest in the country, we feel we have a particular industry responsibility to demonstrate that craft malt can help customers differentiate their beers and spirits through the use of high quality malt sourced from local, family owned farms and produced in an environmentally conscious manner. We call this ‘Malt with a Mission’.” 

Earlier in the year, Riverbend Malt House made the Inc. 5000 fastest growing private companies list for the third consecutive year. The malt house was also awarded a malt quality award in the prestigious Craft Maltsters Guild’s 2024 Malt Cup competition. “Great employees making great malt from great grain is our not-so-secret formula,” Simpson adds.

Also among the 2024 Small Business of the Year winners is Weldon Mills Distillery, one of Riverbend’s longstanding customers. The malt house extends congratulations and gratitude to them for their investment in local malt. Riverbend, Weldon Mills, and the two other winners RiverWild Construction and North Carolina Trailer Sales will be honored at the 2024 Small Business of the Year Awards Ceremony later this month. 

Media inquiring about Riverbend’s accolades can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT RIVERBEND MALT HOUSE

Riverbend Malt House is on a quest to connect Southeastern family owned farms and fermenters. Co-Founders Brent Manning and Brian Simpson launched Riverbend, the first craft 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.

That Was Rad: #Riverbend10

That Was Rad is a series that tells the stories of projects and campaigns that we’ve crafted for our RadCraft partners. This installment was inspired when Laura Lodge asked me (Emily Hutto) about the most complex project we’ve done to-date when I was the Featured Contributor for the November 2023 Resource Group Session.

My answer is Riverbend 10. 

Riverbend Malt House is the first craft maltster in the Southeast that’s among a short list of those to credit for the Craft Maltsters Guild and the craft malt movement’s momentum in general. They came to us a few years back looking for communications support celebrating their 10 year harvest with a video storytelling campaign.

“Their story is massive,” I told the resource group. “And somewhat abstract to the general consumer. There was an education element; And there was a long- format and long-term storytelling element that we were just jumping in on, them having been in business for more than a decade already. We had to learn their brand on the fly, and integrate what they had already done with what we were doing, and have a lot of conversations to collaborate.” 

Then I point out the budget. Video production is extremely expensive in relation to the typical craft malt house and beer or spirits brand marketing budget, but it’s also so important for a small brand because it efficiently tells that story in such an engaging, visual format.

Fonta Flora Brewery

So how do you craft a video campaign for a well established but abstract brand on a budget? 

“Tell me you shot it on your cell phone,” said Laura. 

Yep. I loaded up my dog in my trusty Subaru camper named Dolores and drove to North Carolina to ask brewers and homebrew supply shop owners why they chose to invest in local malt. 

I had help from the talented Kevin Green, who accompanied me to interview some of Riverbend's earliest adopters and most enthusiastic supporters: Asheville Brewers Supply, DSSOLVR, Fonta Flora Brewery, and Fullsteam Brewery. Thank them for going down memory lane with us. 

Fonta Flora Brewery

More thanks are in order to the creatives Shelby Martin and Julia Weiman, who edited these interviews into the ebullient short film that became a focal point for the #Riverbend10 campaign. The breweries in the film and twelve others crafted 10 Year Harvest beers to celebrate. Each beer in this stylistically diverse lineup was made with the Riverbend specialty 10 Year Anniversary Malt: Sunset Wheat. A couple homebrew supply shops even offered it in limited stock. 

We debuted Riverbend 10 on YouTube as a finale to this campaign in April of 2022. The Riverbend team has looped the film on an iPad as part of their expo setup at several conferences since. 

Watch Riverbend 10 here. 

We’re very proud of all of its 11 minutes and 4 seconds; and glad to have spent the countless hours, engaged in the compelling conversations, and tackled the troubleshooting that took place behind the scenes.

French Broad Chocolate Company

There was one other complexity I didn’t mention to this resource group— when Dolores broke down and I had to stay in Asheville another week while three different mechanics failed to get her moving again. Stuck in Asheville is far from the worst place to be, and thanks to the Riverbend team I spent it in rad places with lovely people. The most memorable of those days was one touring the French Broad Chocolate Factory then drinking lagers while I read a book on the patio at Zillicoah Beer Co.  

Storytelling is at the heart of our work at RadCraft. I am honored that the Riverbend team selected us to help them tell theirs. Cheers to that, and cheers to them!

Lone Tree Brewing Celebrates 13 Years With A Bus Loop Between Tasting Rooms

COLORADO– Lone Tree Brewing, the first brewery in Lone Tree, will celebrate 13 years in business on Saturday, December 7 at both of its locations in Lone Tree and Parker, Colorado. A free shuttle service will be available to transport guests between the breweries, and each location will tap special beers for the occasion. 

After opening its second location earlier in 2024, Lone Tree’s tasting room teams wanted to plan an anniversary party that gave guests the opportunity to celebrate at both taprooms. Enter a brewery bus loop and a bonus beer. This service will run from noon to 8pm, and riders can enjoy a surprise beer available exclusively on the bus. Both locations open at 11am when they’ll tap a Maple Doughnut Hazelnut Praline Imperial Stout and Barrel-Aged Barleywine. There will be custom etched insulated mugs available for purchase at both locations while supplies last.  

At Lone Tree Brewing’s main location in Lone Tree, special tapings will include a Mocha Stout Firkin (noon), and a Mango Habanero IPA Firkin (2pm). The One and Only Jon Hamm will play live from 1 to 4pm, Mobile Screen Printing by White Rhino Printing begins at 1pm, and Silent Disco will close the night down from 5 to 9pm. 

In the Lone Tree Parker tasting room, a Mexican Chocolate Stout Firkin will tap at 1pm and a Toasted Coconut Black IPA Firkin will tap at 3pm. Lindsey Giffey will play live from 1 to 4pm, and Music Bingo will begin at 7pm. 

“Come for the beer, stay for the vibes,” says Lone Tree Brewing’s Assistant Tasting Room Manager Candace Peterson. “And then, get on the bus!” 

Find more information about Lone Tree Brewing Company’s 13th anniversary celebration on Facebook, and contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about the brewery. 

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY

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.

Lone Tree Brewing Premieres Centennial Hat Trick IPA

COLORADO– Lone Tree Brewing is excited to release a brand new IPA crafted with nouveau Yakima Chief Hops products. The new beer, Centennial Hat Trick IPA, taps at both Lone Tree locations Friday and hits shelves across Colorado next week. 

Centennial Hat Trick IPA, named for its three Centennial hop ingredient additions, is a West Coast-style IPA brewed with American-grown Centennial hops, Centennial Cryo Hops®, and Centennial HyperBoost™ for a multi-layered flavor profile of citrus, pine, and tropical notes. The fact that it’s brewed in the Centennial State is an added bonus for its namesake. 

Yakima Chief Hops Cryo Hops® pellets are the concentrated lupulin of whole-leaf hops containing resins and aromatic oils, and HyperBoost™ is a concentrated hop oil extract intended to amplify hop aromatics and increase yield. Both of these products are made from single-hop varieties to deliver variety-specific aroma boosts to the finished beer. 

In nearly thirteen years in business now, Lone Tree has always experimented with different hop varieties and combinations, hopping techniques, terpenes, and other innovative hop products. “By using Centennial in all three forms (traditional T-90 hop pellets, concentrated Cryo Hops® pellets and now the concentrated HyperBoost™ oil extract), the resulting beer can hold a very saturated and layered hop profile with all aroma and flavor components shining through at the same time,” says Jerry Siote, Director of Brewhouse Operations. “Not only does it help the grower community continue to develop these products with our partners at Yakima Chief Hops; it also helps brewers accomplish a bold IPA with more yield to go around.” 

Centennial Hat Trick IPA debuts on draft and in canned 6-packs at both of Lone Tree’s locations on Friday, November 22. Hop lovers can find it in select establishments and retailers across Colorado through the winter season. 

For more information about this Lone Tree Brewing Company experimental IPA, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY

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.

Bootstrap Brewing Wreak Havoc® Earned Even More Decoration at Prestigious Beer Awards Programs in 2024

Photo courtesy Brewers Association

LONGMONT, CO—  Bootstrap Brewing Company’s Wreak Havoc® Imperial Red Ale needs a bigger trophy case. Already one of Bootstrap’s most decorated beers, Wreak Havoc was honored with even more awards at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival® (GABF) and the 2024 Japan International Beer Cup.

Wreak Havoc is a smooth, massively hopped Imperial Red Ale that weighs in at 8.5% ABV. Seven different hop additions and the perfect mix of malts give this beer its unique flavor and aroma. 

Wreak Havoc took home the gold medal in the Strong Red Ale category that had 56 entries at the 44th annual GABF competition. Wreak Havoc’s GABF medal count is now three, having won silver in 2015 and bronze in 2016 in the Imperial Red Ale category. 

This famed beer also won a silver medal at the Japan International Beer Cup, which featured 1,423 entries from 370 breweries across 20 countries, judged by 90 international beer experts. 

“It’s always an honor when our brewing team receives well-deserved recognition for their recipes and brewing prowess,” says Bootstrap Brewing Co-Founder Leslie Kaczeus. “Especially when it’s for one of our time-honored flagships. We’ve been brewing this fan favorite since 2013, and we plan to keep wreaking havoc with it!” 

Wreak Havoc is available in canned 6-packs across Bootstrap’s international distribution footprint. Enjoy it on draft and purchase cans to-go at Bootstrap Brewing in Longmont year-round. 

Contact Leslie Kaczeus at leslie@bootstrapbrewing.com to learn more about Bootstrap’s award-winning beers. 

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 http://www.bootstrapbrewing.com.

Fenceline Cider Winter Seasonal Bourbon Barrel Aged Cider Now Available

MANCOS, CO— The 2024 batch of Fenceline Cider Bourbon Barrel Aged Cider is here, and winter is coming.

Fresh boozy bourbon barrels still dripping with whiskey come to Fenceline from Honey House in Durango and Peach Street Distillers in Palisade. They are filled with high quality blended cider and aged for a year. Vanilla, butterscotch, toasted oak, and warm fruit layer together creating this rich and intricate cider. The 2024 bourbon barrel aged cider is the perfect drink to warm your soul in the cold months to come. 

Find this cold month seasonal on tap and in 12 oz. 4-packs to-go at the cidery in Mancos, as well as across Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. 

Media interested in sampling Fenceline Bourbon Barrel Aged Cider 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 Kicks Off Colorado Pet Pantry Drive at Gingerbread Powder Run Release

HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO— Living The Dream Brewing’s winter seasonal Gingerbread Powder Run is here, signaling the coming of the holidays at the brewery. 

This giving season, Living The Dream will collect pet food and supply donations for Colorado Pet Pantry starting on November 16 when the brewery will celebrate the release of the 2024 batch of Gingerbread Powder Run. Guests are encouraged to bring unopened, unused, and unexpired dry adult dog and cat food, canned dog and cat food, cat litter, cat and dog treats, toys, leashes, and collars through November 29. They can taste Gingerbread Powder Run on tap or bring home canned 6-packs, but only while supplies last.  

Gingerbread Powder Run is a variant of Living The Dream’s award-winning flagship Cream Ale, crafted with ginger and other spices from Colorado local Savory Spice Shop to strike a balance between spicy and sweet. Find it in canned 6-packs across Colorado through Colorado Craft Distributors. 

“We like to tie in our Gingerbread release with some kind of community giving,” says Living The Dream Founder Jason Bell. “Dogs especially are such a big part of our community at Living The Dream, and this year we are excited to support Colorado Pet Pantry’s mission to keep animals out of shelters.” 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com for more information 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. 

Hop Zombie Creeps Up On Lone Tree Brewing On October 26

LONE TREE, CO– For twelve years now, the legendary, award-winning Lone Tree Brewing Hop Zombie Imperial Red IPA will creep around the brewery for one day only: Saturday, October 26.

Hop Zombie is a big, bold IPA with a devilishly delicious blend of hops. At 9% ABV and a formidable 90 IBUs, it’s an unforgettable brew that generates a line out the door before the brewery even opens. Individual 12oz. cans, 6-packs, and cases of this limited edition IPA will be available for purchase— and expected to sell out by midday. 

The cult-followed Hop Zombie is the most anticipated beer release of the year at Lone Tree Brewing. Winning the silver medal at the 2017 Great American Beer Festival® only boosted its lore. 

Lone Tree gives this notorious zombie a fresh look each year for limited edition merchandise. This year, the Zombie was inspired by the 80’s. It’s fun and playful with vibrant colors— walkman, boombox, and windbreaker included. “I wanted to see our zombie friend enjoying himself, knowing next year for his 13th anniversary it will get pretty dark again,” says Lone Tree Brewing Assistant Tasting Room Manager Matt Glocke. “It’s always a party in the tasting room on Hop Zombie day, and this year our undead friend will be deejaying!” 

The first ten people in line will receive a free limited edition of the 2024 80’s inspired Hop Zombie glass. Guests who show up in the flesh can also purchase speciality glassware and t-shirts while supplies last. 

Media interested in learning more about Hop Zombie Imperial Red IPA can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY

Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery 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.

Maine's First Malthouse Expands To Become World’s Largest Traditional Floor Malting Facility Outside Of Europe

Photo courtesy Ben Moore (@activebeergeek)

LISBON FALLS, ME— Last week, Blue Ox Malthouse celebrated the grand opening of its expanded facility, now the largest of its kind in the world outside of Europe. 

At 20,000 square feet with quadrupled floor malting capacity, Blue Ox Malthouse is an entirely floor malting-dedicated company that produces malted grains for the Northeast’s brewing, distilling, and baking industries since its start in 2013. This expansion significantly bolsters the region’s grain economy— creating jobs, investing into family farms across Maine and the Northeast, and adding value to products made with Blue Ox malt. It also augments Blue Ox’s ability to create more malt made with a diversity of grains (such as barley, wheat, rye, triticale, and oats), as well as organic, smoked, custom, and soon roasted products, for craft breweries and distilleries across the region and beyond. 

Commissioner Amanda Beal of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry was among the speakers at the event. She commended the expansion in her remarks, stating, “This development creates an opportunity for the growth of our grain sector, offering farmers access to new markets while also benefiting from working with grains as rotational and cover crops to enhance soil health. Additionally, this expansion provides high-quality ingredients for businesses to create value-added products, expanding opportunities for growth on many levels."

Town of Lisbon Council Chair Harry Moore Jr. also gave remarks, noting, “Projects like this one, which not only enhance traditional processes with modern equipment but also focus on sustainability and support for local farmers, are key to the development of communities throughout Maine.” 

“This expansion matters because alcohol is an agricultural product, and alcoholic production can play a  huge role in robust, resilient, vibrant local food systems,” added Blue Ox Malthouse Founder Joel Alex. “In order to realize this potential, we need value-added processes that build the infrastructure that connects this alcoholic production to high quality, local ingredients and farms. Food systems matter because people matter; and we all have such a personal, economic, and cultural connection to food. Food that is better for us is also almost always better for our community and the environment.”

Of more than 100 craft maltsters on the continent, Blue Ox is among a small fraction of them entirely dedicated to time-honored floor malting techniques— and now the largest of these committed producers. Floor malting is gentler on the grain, with less automation and more interaction with the process that beyond offering the market a more consistent, quality, and flavorful product, also builds good jobs in the state of Maine. 

Brewers, distillers, and bakers can browse the Blue Ox malt portfolio at blueoxmalthouse.com. Contact collab@blueoxmalthouse.com to place an order or discuss custom projects.

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

ABOUT BLUE OX MALTHOUSE

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

Living The Dream Brewing Oktoberfest Cans Have Arrived

COLORADO— Living The Dream Brewing is excited to release its popular Oktoberfest in cans for the first time. It’s now available while supplies last at both Living The Dream locations and at retailers across Colorado.

Living The Dream Oktoberfest is a beautiful orange-copper color with a toasted, malty aroma; a touch of malt sweetness and light caramel on the palate— with a dry and refreshing finish. 

“We feel like we’re truly living the dream when we can enjoy such artfully crafted German-style lagers with friends,” says Living The Dream Brewing Founder Jason Bell. “Our skilled brewing team, friendly staff, and amazing customers— plus their dogs!— create a biergarten-esque experience that so many of us resonate with from travels overseas.” 

Oktoberfest will be on tap and available in 6-packs at Living The Dream while supplies last. Canned 6-packs hit shelves across Colorado via Colorado Craft Distributors last week. Find a Living The Dream retailer near you on the brewery’s website Beer Finder. 

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 To Release 2024 Batch Of Vanilla Caramel Amber

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.

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

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.

Fenceline Cider 2024 Community Pick Is Open

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. 

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

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.

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

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.

Living The Dream Brewing Seasonal Tangerine Powder Run Cream Ale Returns

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.

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

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