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

Ska Brewing Unleashes Two Bold New Brews and a Game-Changing 12-Pack Assortment

DURANGO, CO— Ska Brewing Co. is excited to announce a double dose of refreshment with the release of two innovative new beers alongside a revamped packaging offering that brings fan-favorite seasonal brews into a year-round lineup.

Building on the popularity of Ska’s time-honored Mexican Logger, Lime Logger with Salt delivers a tangy, invigorating twist. This light, 5% ABV, crushable lager balances zesty lime with a subtle salinity— offering a crisp, refreshing flavor that evokes a sunny afternoon in a can.

“This new variant is a natural evolution of our Logger family,” said Ska President, Dave Thibodeau. “I always squeeze a lime into my original Mexican Logger anyway and now I can skip the step… getting me 2 or 3 seconds closer to my next beer.”

To celebrate this new release, Ska Brewing is launching a variety 12-pack that showcases the full Mexican Logger lineup:

  1. Mexican Logger (Original) – The time-honored, refreshingly crisp lager that started it all in 1999.

  2. Mexican-Style Cold IPA – A unique "Cold IPA" brewed with agave, offering a crisp and invigorating taste.

  3. Lime Logger with Salt – The latest addition, combining bright lime flavors with subtle salinity.

No strangers to fruited IPA’s, Ska is pushing the boundaries with its second new release and most fruit-forward brew to date, Guava Stomper Juicy IPA. Guava Stomper pours a hazy pink hue, releasing vibrant aromas of tropical fruit and citrus. The flavor profile is dominated by juicy guava, complemented by citrusy hop notes, all balanced by a soft, pillowy mouthfeel that leads to a smooth, satisfying finish. It's a tropical vacation packed into a pint, transporting drinkers to paradise with every sip.

Six-packs of Guava Stomper and Lime Logger with Salt, as well as the complete Logger Variety 12-Pack are now available in all of Ska Brewing markets. These offerings underscore Ska's commitment to innovation and excellence in every can.

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.

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

Bootstrap Brewing Announces Double Lush Puppy Juicy IPA

Bootstrap Brewing debuts Double Lush Puppy Juicy IPA, with 1% of profits supporting the fostering, housing, and rehoming of Colorado dogs.

LONGMONT, COLORADO— Bootstrap Brewing announced today its Double Lush Puppy Juicy IPA will begin hitting store shelves in March through distribution partners in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah.

“When we released Lush Puppy Juicy IPA at 6.3% ABV in 2019, it became our #2 best-seller behind Insane Rush IPA. We wanted to take the same juicy, hazy characteristics of Lush Puppy and turn it into a 9.2% Imperial Juicy IPA that was easy-drinking, full of flavor and aroma, with value-pricing the consumer could afford,” explains Steve Kaczeus, Owner/Brewer of Bootstrap Brewing. “Thus was born Double Lush Puppy Juicy IPA with the perfect blend of hops and malt. Idaho 7 and Citra hops combine to give a tangerine flavor with notes of citrus, tropical fruits and stone fruits. Double Lush Puppy Juicy IPA is for both the casual beer drinker and the adventurous craft beer enthusiast who wants a little more cowbell.”

The company plans to donate 1% of beer sale profits this year to nonprofit groups and shelters focused on fostering, housing, and rehoming dogs. “We did a similar program with our Lush Puppy launch in 2019, and with the help of our distribution and on-premise partners were able to save a lot of pups that year and we’re planning to replicate that with this beer as well,” explained Leslie Kaczeus, Chief of Stuff for Bootstrap Brewing. “Coloradans love their dogs and it’s always fun to meet people who say they see their dog on our can artwork.”

Double Lush Puppy Juicy IPA is a tropical, citrusy, luscious IPA that encourages another sip. At 9.2% ABV and 41 IBUs, Double Lush Puppy will be available in 6 packs of 12oz cans and kegs for draft accounts.

A complete list of all of Bootstrap Brewing awards for all beers can be found at www.bootstrapbrewing.com/awards.

For more information about Medal AF or Bootstrap Brewing, contact Leslie Kaczeus at leslie@bootstrapbrewing.com.

ABOUT BOOTSTRAP BREWING COMPANY

Home to best-selling and award-winning craft beers such as Insane Rush, Lush Puppy, Boat Snack, Stick’s Pale Ale, Chillax and Wreak Havoc. Bootstrap Brewing is an independent, adventurous brewery in Colorado dedicated to producing a wide range of ales and lagers. More information can be found on our website at www.bootstrapbrewing.com.

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RadCrafted Emily Hutto RadCrafted Emily Hutto

Lone Tree Brewing Reflects On Growth and Two Locations In 2024 Year In Review

After opening their second location in Parker, Colorado in spring of 2024, Lone Tree Brewing experienced a year of growth— in volume, and most importantly in community.

LONE TREE, CO— After opening their second location in Parker, Colorado in spring of 2024, Lone Tree Brewing experienced a year of growth— in volume, and most importantly in community. 

Here is the 2024 Lone Tree Brewing Company Year In Review. 

Beer In Review 

On top of the brewery’s flagships, Lone Tree released several seasonal and specialty packaged beers in 2024. These included Hefeweizen, Juicy IPA, Oktoberfest, Vanilla Caramel Amber, Centennial Hat Trick IPA, and a lime-infused variant of their award-winning Mexican Lager recipe. 

Hop Zombie, the cult-followed Imperial Red IPA, crept back to the taps for the twelfth year. As per usual, it produced a day’s worth of temporary insanity with a line out the door awaiting its arrival. 

Production

In 2024, Lone Tree’s brewing team produced 3,935 barrels of beer brewed with 270,013 pounds of grain and 4,760 pounds of hops. They filled more than half a million 12 oz. cans– 526,608 to be exact. 

Throughout the year, the brewery recaptured 219,480 gallons of water. Their reused pallet wraps saved 410 pounds of plastic wrap from landfills.

Team

Upon opening of the new location, former tasting room manager Michael Webster was promoted to Director of Tasting Rooms and Matt Glocke and Candace Peterson were promoted to manage the Lone Tree and Parker tasting rooms, respectively. 

Also in 2024, Lone Tree added a new Sales Representative, Brandon “Bo” Bontrager; a new Packaging Manager, Jaden Lundell; and a new Packaging Assistant, Jeff Gombos, to the growing team. In total, the brewery now has 26 employees. 

Sales & Distribution  

Lone Tree sold their packaged beers across Colorado in 2024 via their longstanding partnership with Western Distributing. Sixty five percent of these sales were in the Denver Metro area. The brewery also sells beer in Kansas through Worldwide Beverage Group. 

In January, Lone Tree began packaging and distributing Blueberry Blonde Ale. This SKU quickly climbed to the top of their distribution charts, ending the year as the company’s second most popular SKU (after Mexican Lager) at 12 percent of total distribution volume.

Community and Events

Lone Tree donated more than $20,000 to their nonprofit partners last year. These contributions included $14,000 for the Bridge Transition Program at the brewery’s annual car show. Other recipients of their philanthropic efforts included the Douglas County Library, Drink for Pink, Lim359, the Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue, the Lone Tree Police department and Special Olympics of Colorado, and the Rocky Mountain French Bulldog Rescue. 

Lone Tree celebrated 13 years in business with a brewery bus loop between tasting rooms in December. Both locations are home to loyal regulars, many of whom came out to celebrate the anniversary.

Moving Forward 

“It has been a successful year of taking roots in the community of Parker and continuing to grow friends,” says Assistant Tasting Room Manager Candace Peterson. The first anniversary of Lone Tree’s second location is just weeks away, slated for March 1. Customers can also look forward to a Parker-specific rendition of the famed Hop Zombie— an Imperial Juicy IPA that will be the first in the Hop Zombie: Summer Solstice Series to debut on June 21. 

In addition to this Hop Zombie variant, the Lone Tree brewing team has been working to refresh its IPA recipes. They’ll add a new Hazy IPA to the canned lineup this summer. 

“The brewhouse staff has been hard at work refining existing recipes and experimenting with new methods and techniques at the Parker location,” says Co-Owner and Director of Brewhouse Operations Jerry Siote. “These efforts are instrumental in bringing the best quality beer to our customers in 2025, and beyond.” 

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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Riverbend Malt House Debuts Certified Regenified Malt

After becoming the first malt house to become third-party certified for regenerative agriculture in 2024, Riverbend Malt House is delighted to introduce Regenified™ Southern Select.

ASHEVILLE, NC— After becoming the first malt house to become third-party certified for regenerative agriculture in 2024, Riverbend Malt House is delighted to introduce Regenified™ Southern Select. This malted 2-row barley product is crafted from Southern grown Certified Regenified™ Avalon barley.

Regenified is a practice and outcomes-based land verification and product certification program. Its framework recognizes the impact farms and brands have by growing and sourcing regeneratively grown products, supporting practices that restore ecosystems, build soil and water health, and increase biodiversity.  Certified Regenified farms include Harborview Farms in Rock Hall, Maryland, the beautiful climate smart grain farm that grew the Avalon barley Riverbend malted to create this new product for sustainably minded brewers and distillers. 

Regenified Southern Select has aromas of sugar cookie, melon, and honey in the finished malt. Its mouthfeel is rich, exhibiting a creaminess not often encountered in typical Pale Ale style malt. This product is the first of what’s to come from Riverbend as more Certified Regenified™ grain becomes available. As a Certified Regenified malt house, Riverbend manages, stores, and processes certified grains to retain full traceability. 

This supply chain transparency is an important value at ag-centric Fullsteam Brewery in Durham, where they will soon can their first-ever Certified Regenified beer, Reset: ESB (Extra Special Bitter) . “Reset: ESB is packed with wonderful caramel and toffee notes,” says Jon Simpson, Director of Brewery Operations at Fullsteam. “The malt’s honey sweetness balances out the beer’s earthy hop bitterness. It’s rich, flavorful, and balanced- it's everything I wanted in this classic beer style. Add in the environmental and positive global impacts and it’s just an all around win.” 

Fullsteam is also seeking  to expand its range of Certified Regenified products this year and intends to use more of the Regenified Southern Select as the base malt in all of their Reset Series of beers— classic styles made with 100 percent local malt. 

Brewers and distillers interested in using Regenified Southern Select can contact orders@riverbendmalthouse.com for samples and specs.

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Riverbend Malt House. 

ABOUT REGENIFIED 

Regenified is a practice and outcomes-based land verification and product certification program driving the growth of regenerative agriculture and the adoption of certified products. Regenified recognizes and certifies those who adopt regenerative practices, paving the way for a healthier planet and transparency across our food system. For more information, visit regenified.com

ABOUT RIVERBEND MALT HOUSE

Riverbend Malt House is on a quest to connect Southeastern family owned farms and fermenters. Co-Founders Brent Manning and Brian Simpson launched Riverbend, the first craft malt house east of the Mississippi River, in Asheville, North Carolina in 2010. Buoyed by a 70,000 foot production facility and state of the art equipment, Riverbend Malt House helps breweries and distilleries large, small, and in-between stand out with flavor, locality, and community in an increasingly competitive landscape— all the while challenging the status quo of corporate, big-agriculture malt. Learn more at riverbendmalt.com.

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Lone Tree Brewing To Tap Pepper and Pastry Stout Month Recipes

Lone Tree Brewing is going big for Stout Month 2025, with five limited edition Stout releases throughout February. 

COLORADO– Lone Tree Brewing is going big for Stout Month 2025, with five limited edition Stout releases throughout February. 

Stout Month is a Colorado tradition that Lone Tree loves to celebrate. Their brewing team has long used Stout as a canvas for innovative flavors, and this year’s Stout Month lineup is no exception. Both Lone Tree Brewing locations in Lone Tree and Parker will tap the following specialty Stout recipes as follows: 

February 1 - Barrel Aged Donut Imperial Stout

February 7 - Tiramisu Stout

February 14 - Cherry Chocolate Stout

February 21 - Chipotle Pepper Stout

February 28 - White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Stout

These Stout flavors were selected by Lone Tree’s tasting room managers Matt Glocke and Candace Peterson, along with our Sales Representative Brandon Bontrager. We’re curious about which of these will be the most popular at our two locations,” says Director of Tasting Rooms Michael Webster. 

In case you’re wondering, the Barrel Aged Donut Imperial Stout was indeed made with donuts— thirteen dozen of them made by Mr. Donuts, located down the street from Lone Tree’s original brewery location on Park Meadows Drive.  

All of Lone Tree’s Stout Month releases will only be available while supplies last. Customers can fill growlers and Crowlers of these draft-only Stouts as long as they’re on tap. 

Media interested in covering Lone Tree’s Stout Month beers 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.

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RadCrafted Emily Hutto RadCrafted Emily Hutto

Charlie Papazian To Keynote MaltCon2025, World’s Leading Malt industry Gathering, in Denver Next Month

Registration is open for MaltCon2025. This international malt professional’s gathering will include sensory education opportunities and the Advanced Class in Malt Production.

DENVER, CO— Registration is open for MaltCon2025, the largest international gathering of malt professionals that will take place on February 27 - March 1, 2025 in Denver, Colorado at the Springhill Suites Conference Center and Metro State. This year’s keynote is the voice of the American homebrew movement, Charlie Papazian. 

The Craft Maltsters Guild is pleased to host Papazian, among many other industry experts, to address the farmers, maltsters, brewers, distillers, university and laboratory researchers, and other malting professionals who will attend this conference. Papazian is the founder of the American Homebrewers Association (1978) and past president of the Brewers Association (USA). He’s written five bestselling books, including the iconic Complete Joy of Homebrewing with more than 1.3 million copies sold worldwide. 

Papazian is joined by more than 20 other MaltCon2025 speakers, including Hannah Uhlmann of Montana State University, Bruce French of BJF Malt Consulting Inc., and Matt Gacioch of the Brewers Association. This year’s conference will include more interactive sensory education opportunities than previous conferences, in addition to programming about technical malting, business development, and marketing, among other topics. The full schedule and registration details are available at craftmalting.com.

MaltCon2025 will kick off with a welcome reception at Denver’s iconic Union Station and conclude with the annual Awards Ceremony to honor Malt Cup winners and the recipient of the Soles of Malt award. All of this programming is made possible by MaltCon2025 platinum sponsor Laizhou Yingtai Machinery Co., Ltd., as well as gold sponsors Buehler, Kasper Schultz, and Malters Advantage. 

“We are thrilled to offer our conference in The Centennial State, where the craft malt revolution is alive and well,” says Steve Kurowski, the Executive Director of the Craft Maltsters Guild. “There are 26 Craft Malt Certified™ breweries and distilleries in Colorado, fueled by four of our member malthouses across the state.” 

The Craft Maltsters Guild’s Advanced Class in Malt Production will take place the four days leading up to the conference. This intensive class in malting technology aims to give startup and experienced maltsters, as well as others within the malt supply chain, both theoretical and practical knowledge of the malting process and technology. Find more information and register by January 30 at craftmalting.com

Entities interested in sponsoring the conference can contact Steve Kurowski at director@craftmalting.com

Media interested in participating in MaltCon2025 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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Advice From The Trail: Alex Sage on Video Content Marketing

Alex Sage of City Star Brewing shares advice for breweries 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!

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RadCrafted Emily Hutto RadCrafted Emily Hutto

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

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

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.

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RadCrafted Emily Hutto RadCrafted Emily Hutto

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

As the craft brewing industry continues to evolve, ‘hybrid beers’ and new styles aren’t just inevitable; they’re electrifying.

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.”

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

The first craft malt house in the Southeast honored in the 2024 Small Business of the Year Awards

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.

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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. Next up: #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!

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

A free shuttle service will be available to transport guests between the breweries, and each location will tap special beers for the occasion.

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.

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Lone Tree Brewing Premieres Centennial Hat Trick IPA

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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Fenceline Cider Winter Seasonal Bourbon Barrel Aged Cider Now Available

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.

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.

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Living The Dream Brewing Kicks Off Colorado Pet Pantry Drive at Gingerbread Powder Run Release

Living The Dream Brewing will collect pet food and supply donations for Colorado Pet Pantry from November 16-29. The 2024 batch of Gingerbread Powder Run is available while supplies last.

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

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Hop Zombie Creeps Up On Lone Tree Brewing On October 26

Cult-followed Lone Tree Brewing Company Hop Zombie Imperial Red IPA returns for the twelfth year.

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.

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

Blue Ox Malthouse celebrated the grand opening of its expanded facility in Lisbon, Maine, now the largest of its kind in the world outside of Europe. 

Photo courtesy Ben Moore

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.

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Living The Dream Brewing Oktoberfest Cans Have Arrived

Living The Dream Oktoberfest is now available while supplies last at both Living The Dream locations and at retailers across Colorado.

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.

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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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