Oh Hi Beverages Introduces First Two Budtender’s Reserve Flavors
Tropical Thunder and High Tea 100 mg THC drinks will be available at Colorado dispensaries later this month.
DURANGO, CO — Oh Hi Beverages announced today the first two flavors of their 100mg THC drinks line, Budtender’s Reserve. Tropical Thunder and High Tea will be available at Colorado dispensaries later this month.
Tropical Thunder is a smooth, tropical fruit-inspired energy drink. This natural, functional beverage combines hydrating electrolytes and 140mg caffeine.
High Tea has a classic iced tea taste with a twist of lemon. This refreshing Budtender’s Reserve flavor is not caffeinated.
This new line of drinkables are made for experienced cannabis connoisseurs. Crafted with water soluble RIPPLE THC, these 100mg beverages help drinkers feel effectiveness more quickly, with high bioavailability and absorption as fast as 15 minutes. With consistent and reliable dosing, consumers are able to accurately gauge their tolerance levels and choose their optimal number of servings.
In 2021, Oh Hi Beverages will add three more flavors to its Budtender’s Reserve line.
For more information about Oh Hi Beverages or the Budender’s Reserve line, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT OH HI BEVERAGES
Founded in 2018, Oh Hi Beverages crafts canned THC and CBD seltzers in Durango, Colorado. Oh Hi Beverages is the brainchild of Aaron Miles and Jonny Radding, the co-owners of Durango Organics, and Matt Vincent, one of the co-owners of Ska Brewing and the founder of Ska Fabricating. Collectively Aaron, Jonny, and Matt bring a breadth of business, entrepreneurship, technical, and both cannabis and beverage-specific experience to this new hard seltzer company. Learn more about Oh Hi Beverages at ohhibev.com.
Craft Breweries in Grand County, Colorado Rally For Fire Relief
All proceeds for this beer will be donated to The Grand Foundation to support those that have been affected by the East Troublesome Fire.
Photo courtesy Camber Brewing
GRAND COUNTY, CO— Six craft breweries in Colorado’s Grand County have crafted the East Troublesome Pale Ale in response to the East Troublesome Fire that burned 193,812 acres. All proceeds for this beer will be donated to The Grand Foundation to support those that have been affected by the East Troublesome Fire.
Fraser River Beer Co., Hideaway Park Brewing, Camber Brewing, Grand Adventure Brewing, Big Trout Brewing Co., and The Peak Bistro and Brewery have all committed to brewing the East Troublesome Pale. Colorado ingredient producers Root Shoot Malting, Colorado Hop Company, and Propagate Lab are donating 100 percent of the ingredients.
“We are honored to have been given the opportunity to be a part of this awesome community in Grand County. There has been so much devastation and we feel fortunate that we are able to help out and give back the best we can,” says Andy Brumenschenkel, the Owner and Brewer at Hideaway Park Brewery. “Without the gracious donations of the numerous suppliers this would not at all be possible– it’s amazing to be a part of such a rad industry where we have these industry partners that care about our community as much as we do.”
#EastTroublesomePaleAle has a grain bill comprised of Root Shoot Malting English Pale Ale, Vienna, and Cara Ruby malts. The recipe calls for Colorado-grown CTZ and Cashmere hops.
The East Troublesome Pale Ale will tap at these six breweries in coming weeks. The beer will also be available to-go in limited quantities around Grand County.
Additionally, Grand County distilleries Fraser Valley Distilling, Idlewild Spirits, Blue Valley Spirits, and Steamboat Whiskey will allocate bottle sales to the Grand Foundation as part of this effort.
For more information about their participation in this community effort or Root Shoot Malting’s involvement, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. For more information about The Grand Foundation and donate directly at grandfoundation.com.
ABOUT ROOT SHOOT MALTING
Root Shoot Malting’s family of farmers grow, harvest and malt the finest grains to give brewers and distillers high-quality taste in every glass. Opened in 2016 on 1,500 acres of Olander Farms’ irrigated land in Loveland, Colorado, Root Shoot harvests alfalfa, wheat, corn, rye, oats, and barley. Root Shoot gives breweries and distilleries the ability to procure local, consistent and high quality craft products. Find this craft maltster online at rootshootmalting.com.
Ska Brewing Releases Hard Seltzer Variety Pack With Cocktail Flavors
Introducing the new Ska Brewing Party Pack that includes three cocktail-inspired hard seltzer flavors: Paloma, Pina Colada, and Pomegranate Mojito.
DURANGO, CO — On the heels of the success of Ska Brewing’s Hard Seltzer debut in 2019, the brewery continues to innovate with this unique variety pack. The new line of cocktail-inspired hard seltzers is made to add some tropical vibes to the upcoming cold season.
Introducing the new Ska Brewing Party Pack that includes three cocktail-inspired hard seltzer flavors: Paloma, Pina Colada, and Pomegranate Mojito. At only 5% ABV, only 100 calories and gluten free, with only 2 grams of sugar per 12 oz. can, these new hard seltzers pair well with Zoom gatherings and solo outdoor adventures.
Ska has long experimented on the Mod pilot system to emulate classic cocktails in its beers, notably the MoSka Mule and the barrel-aged Whiskey Sour. It was only natural that they do the same with their seltzer program.
These seltzer flavors are available to-go at Ska Brewing’s World Headquarters in Durango, Colorado. Cans of these seltzers are only available as a variety 12-pack across Ska’s distribution footprint.
Get more skinny on these new seltzers by contacting Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award- winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include Mexican Logger, Modus Hoperandi, and Rue B. Soho. For information (a lot of it), more music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.
Oh Hi Beverages To Debut Budtender’s Reserve Line of THC Drinks
This new THC drinks line, coined Budtender’s Reserve, of sharable bottles of high-dosage cannabis beverages will be available in recreational Colorado dispensaries.
DURANGO, CO — Oh Hi Beverages will release two of their five new 100mg THC drinks in coming weeks. This new line, coined Budtender’s Reserve, of sharable bottles of high-dosage cannabis beverages will be available in recreational Colorado dispensaries.
Oh Hi’s low-dosage THC seltzers have now been on the market since 2018. In response to budtender requests, Oh Hi has decided this is the perfect drinkable to complement their other seltzer lines and serve their budtender community.
These drinkables are made for experienced cannabis connoisseurs. Crafted with water soluble RIPPLE THC, these 100mg beverages help drinkers feel effectiveness more quickly, with high bioavailability and absorption as fast as 15 minutes. With consistent and reliable dosing, consumers are able to accurately gauge their tolerance levels and choose their optimal number of servings.
The first two flavors of Budtender’s Reserve will be announced in coming weeks. For more information about Oh Hi Beverages or the latest additions to their portfolio, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT OH HI BEVERAGES
Founded in 2018, Oh Hi Beverages crafts canned THC and CBD seltzers in Durango, Colorado. Oh Hi Beverages is the brainchild of Aaron Miles and Jonny Radding, the co-owners of Durango Organics, and Matt Vincent, one of the co-owners of Ska Brewing and the founder of Ska Fabricating. Collectively Aaron, Jonny, and Matt bring a breadth of business, entrepreneurship, technical, and both cannabis and beverage-specific experience to this new hard seltzer company. Learn more about Oh Hi Beverages at ohhibev.com.
Lone Tree Brewing Relaunches IPA
Lone Tree IPA, the latest year-round beer from Lone Tree Brewing, has a refreshed recipe.
LONE TREE, CO— In spring of 2020 Lone Tree Brewing introduced its first-ever year-round IPA. After a couple of seasons of consumer feedback, Lone Tree announces its relaunch with a refreshed recipe and nomenclature.
Lone Tree IPA features a blend of Citra, Cascade, and Simcoe hop additions that create bold citrus aromas, moderate hop bitterness that’s been toned down from the first recipe, and a crisp finish.
“We wanted to create a West Coast-inspired IPA with just as much bold malt character as it boasted with hops,” says Lone Tree Brewing Sales & Marketing Director Dennis Stack. “Since the original release of this beer in spring, we’ve been taking feedback from our customers and tweaking accordingly. We’ve backed off on the use of high alpha hops to reduce bitterness, and we find this refreshed recipe to be just that: much more easy-drinking.”
While the can design won’t change much, the beer name will. “We wanted to show that this new recipe is our flagship IPA, aptly named Lone Tree IPA,” Stack adds.
Stock the fridge with this highly drinkable India Pale Ale, now available across Colorado and in select locations in Kansas in canned 12 oz. 6-packs. Hop lovers can also find this beer on draft year-round in Lone Tree’s tasting room.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Lone Tree Brewing Company.
ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY
Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree’s cans are sold across the state of Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants across its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
Bonfire Brewing Celebrates 10th Anniversary with a Week of Throwback Beers and Live Music
Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, Colorado Celebrates 10 Years
EAGLE, CO— It’s time to “Gather ‘round” to celebrate a decade of Bonfire Brewing beers. From November 8-14th, the downtown Eagle brewery will release throwback beers and specialty slushies, host live music, and unveil the limited edition 10th anniversary Demshitz Quadruple Brown Ale. Events have been deliberately scheduled throughout the week to avoid crowding and to permit ample space for social distancing measures.
In its ten years, Bonfire has become an Eagle institution committed to limiting their environmental impact, and well known for their deep involvement in the community. They are home to some of the Vail Valley’s best live music offerings, most notably at the annual Bonfire Block Party.
In anticipation of this occasion, Bonfire procured Bourbon barrels from Laws Whiskey House, in which they’ve been aging the Quadruple Brown Ale. This 10th anniversary ale pays high gravity homage to Bonfire’s first recipe on the original opening beer board, Demshitz Brown Ale.
Join the BonFamily in November for their 10th anniversary week!
Sunday, November 8th - Limited Edition Anniversary Glass release, Anniversary Chalkboard Reveal
Monday, 9th - Throwback beer release #1
Tuesday, 10th - Throwback beer release #2, Guess Your Flight Night -- Guess your flight and it’s free!
Wednesday, 11th - Specialty Slush release #1
Thursday, 12th - Throwback beer release #3, Brew Tours at Bonfire production facility, and live music from Lance Boyle and the Red Bottom Boys 6-9pm
Friday, 13th - Specialty Slush release #2, Throwback beer release #4, and live music from The Evolution 6-9pm
Saturday, 14th - Annual Mug Club Auction, live music from Hardscrabble 6-9pm, 10th Anniversary Bottle Release + Quad Brown release on draft with collectors glass, and prize drawing for a YETI 45L Hard Cooler filled with Bonfire goodies
Husband and wife team Andy and Amanda Jessen have owned and operated Bonfire from day one. “Ten years has certainly flown by,” notes Andy, “and it feels good to hit the milestone, especially with the challenges we’re all currently facing.”
“We’re more invested in, and thankful for, our community than ever,” Amanda adds. “Ten years of beer has led to a lot of great conversations, friendships, and lessons. We can’t wait to see what the next ten bring.”
For more information about Bonfire Brewing’s decade in business or upcoming anniversary celebration, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT BONFIRE BREWING
Craft enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers gather around Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, Colorado, where the beers are driven by quality, curiosity, and community. Founded in 2010, Bonfire continues on their path of sustainable growth with cans of their year-round beers available in liquor stores and restaurants across Colorado. Gather ‘round Bonfire online at bonfirebrewing.com.
Oh Hi CBD Seltzer Now Available in Michigan Through Oath Distributing
Find Oh Hi’s line of CBD seltzers at Michigan’s independent retailers and high-end groceries in the Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids areas.
DETROIT, MI— The Oh Hi Beverages CBD seltzer line is now available across Michigan through Oath Distributing.
Find Oh Hi’s line of CBD seltzers, which includes Pomegranate, Grapefruit, Lemon Lime, and Ginger Basil Limeade flavors, at Michigan’s independent retailers and high-end groceries in the Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids areas.
These seltzers contain 15mg of fast-acting flavorless CBD isolate and only up to 25 calories per serving. They are available in canned 12-ounce 4-packs.
“Michigan has a rapidly expanding cannabis market with consumer education on the rise,” says John Lynch, the Director of Operations at Oh Hi Beverages. “We feel like Oath Distribution is a great partner to help get the brand out in this exciting space.
Oh Hi Beverages CBD seltzers are currently distributed in Southwest Colorado through the Ska Brewing distribution network, on Colorado’s Front Range through Two Six Craft Distributors, and in Los Angeles through a distribution incubator. They are also available for purchase online. Oh Hi’s THC line is only available at dispensaries in Colorado via LeafLink.
For more information about Oh Hi Beverages and its growing distribution footprint, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. Contact sales@ohhibev.com with distribution inquiries.
ABOUT OH HI BEVERAGES
Founded in 2018, Oh Hi Beverages crafts canned THC and CBD seltzers in Durango, Colorado. Oh Hi Beverages is the brainchild of Aaron Miles and Jonny Radding, the co-owners of Durango Organics, and Matt Vincent, one of the co-owners of Ska Brewing and the founder of Ska Fabricating. Collectively Aaron, Jonny, and Matt bring a breadth of business, entrepreneurship, technical, and both cannabis and beverage-specific experience to this new hard seltzer company. Learn more about Oh Hi Beverages at ohhibev.com.
ABOUT OATH DISTRIBUTING
Oath Distributing is a Detroit area craft beverage distributor who, since 2018, has been providing Michigan with an outstanding selection of beer, cider, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages from independent producers. Founded by Aaron Tyrell and Beth Regan, Oath is built on two decades of experience in the craft beer industry and a commitment to building strong, equitable relationships with retailers and suppliers alike to help them thrive in the Michigan market. For more information, visit oathdistributing.com.
Root Shoot Malting and Traverse Image Encourage Craft Lovers to Save Family Farms One Beer at a Time
Colorado-based Root Shoot Malting and Traverse Image are asking craft beer and whiskey lovers for their support to preserve and regenerate Colorado agriculture.
Todd Olander of Root Shoot Malting, photo by Traverse Image
LOVELAND, CO— Colorado-based Root Shoot Malting and Traverse Image are asking craft beer and whiskey lovers for their support to preserve and regenerate Colorado agriculture, allowing Olander Farms to continue growing and producing local grains on their farmland, and to keep telling this story through the new film 100 Year Lease.
100 Year Lease is the product of three years in the making, all dedicated to the education about and preservation of the American family farm. The film was shot by Traverse Image and branded by Colorado-based MTN Creative. This new documentary film premieres on Root Shoot Malting’s YouTube channel on Tuesday, September 29.
Through the agriculture-centric crowd-farming platform Steward, Root Shoot is asking for contributions towards a conservation easement on their current land, and for the 100 Year Lease mission and documentary film. A contribution is an affirmation of your commitment to knowing your farmer, your maltster, and your breweries and distilleries who utilize craft malt. You’re pledging to seek out products made with local grains as an ambassador of craft.
Support the 100 Year Lease documentary via Steward here. Find a checklist of ways to demonstrate your commitment and advocacy on the Root Shoot Malting website.
During Craft Malt Week from September 27 to October 3, 100 Year Lease t-shirts are for sale on the Lake Hollow Homestead website, with 50 percent of the proceeds going back to Root Shoot’s Steward campaign.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Root Shoot Malting or their 100 Year Lease documentary project with Traverse Image.
ABOUT ROOT SHOOT MALTING
Root Shoot Malting’s family of farmers grow, harvest and malt the finest grains to give brewers and distillers high-quality taste in every glass. Opened in 2016 on 1,500 acres of Olander Farms’ irrigated land in Loveland, Colorado, Root Shoot harvests alfalfa, wheat, corn, rye, and barley. Root Shoot gives breweries and distilleries the ability to procure local, consistent and high quality craft products. Find this craft maltster online at rootshootmalting.com.
ABOUT TRAVERSE IMAGE
Traverse Image is a Colorado digital film company with a focus on documentary films about the natural world. Traverse Image believes that films can inspire monumental change— the passionate company is tenacious in their pursuit of bringing powerful stories to life through film. Get inspired at traverseimage.com.
ABOUT STEWARD & THE STEWARD FOUNDATION
Steward is the fundraising platform for sustainable and regenerative agriculture, helping small farms to flourish by allowing anyone to invest and become stewards of the land. Steward’s charitable branch, The Steward Foundation Inc., is an IRC 501(c)(3) charitable organization created to manage contributions and fund grants to projects surrounding sustainable and regenerative agriculture. By making a donation to The Steward Foundation, donors will be contributing directly to Root Shoot Malting's conservation easement project. 100% of a donor's charitable donation will be distributed to the project, and the donation will be tax-deductible to the extent that no goods or services were provided to the donor in exchange. The Steward Foundation’s tax identification number is 37-1912757. Find Steward online at gosteward.com.
50 States of COVID Hospitality Relief
50 hospitality relief responses to pandemic in 50 states
RadCraft, the hospitality industry, and the world as we know it will never be the same again.
I seem to say that every year, though. While I never could have anticipated a year like 2020, I did know I was in for a wild ride when I launched a business based on live, agricultural products and small, variant batches. It’s been a dynamic eight years to say the least.
One reason I love working with brewers, distillers, maltsters, farmers, and other crafters of all kinds is their resilience. They show up every day. They troubleshoot, they innovate, and they evolve to craft radical, high quality products and cultivate company ethos that’s changing the world. Along the way, their strength fosters community, and their beers and spirits make for some damn good times.
Amid pandemic, we’re finding some of these communities to be stronger than ever. American craft breweries, distilleries, and malting companies have come to bat for their people in big ways. We’ve been documenting these heroes in our COVID relief hub, and pouring over countless stories of how the hospitality industry is activating in crisis. Here are 50 of them.
Thanks for reading and stay well,
-Em Hutto
This project, and our entire relief effort, would not have been possible without Content Editor Karen Mills’ tenacious work and unrelenting positivity. Karen will be discussing her experience rounding up 50 of the country's most impactful relief efforts for the hospitality industry on the RadCraft Industry Relief zoom chat on Thursday, September 24 at 3pm MTN.
Lone Tree Brewing Accepting Pre-Orders for Hop Zombie Day 2020
Pre-order Lone Tree Brewing Hop Zombie Imperial Red IPA online until October 1, and don’t miss Hop Zombie Day on October 31.
LONE TREE, CO— Lone Tree Brewing is now accepting online pre-orders for the 2020 batch of Hop Zombie IPA. This fan favorite Imperial Red IPA will tap at Lone Tree on Hop Zombie Day, slated for October 31, 2020.
Hop Zombie IPA is a complex, bold IPA that’s deep red in color with rich malts balanced by huge hop flavor and aroma created by eight different hops— Citra, Columbus, Cascade, Mosaic, Simcoe, Amarillo, Centennial, and Motueka.
Hop Zombie Day falls appropriately on Halloween this year. On Saturday, October 31, 12-ounce Hop Zombie cans will be available to purchase individually, in 6-packs, and by the case while supplies last. Pre-orders can be picked up on October 31 or November 1. Custom glassware and t-shirts for this beer release will be available in limited numbers.
Each year there are a handful of devoted souls who arrive in the wee hours of the morning to guarantee themselves a chance at the most anticipated Lone Tree release of the year. This year, Lone Tree is honoring the first ten people in line with free limited edition Hop Zombie glasses.
Pre-order Hop Zombie and schedule your pick-up time here. Customers who pre-purchase a case of cans between now and October 1 will receive a free custom Hop Zombie glass with their order.
For more information about the Lone Tree Brewing Company’s cult-followed Hop Zombie IPA or infamous Hop Zombie Day, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY
Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree’s cans are sold across the state of Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants across its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
Oh Hi CBD Seltzer Lands in Southern California
The Oh Hi Beverages CBD seltzer line is now available in Southern California.
LOS ANGELES, CA— The Oh Hi Beverages CBD seltzer line is now available in Southern California.
Oh Hi’s line of CBD seltzers, which includes Pomegranate, Grapefruit, Lemon Lime, and Ginger Basil Limeade flavors, are now stocked on shelves at Los Angeles grocers and gas stations. These seltzers contain 15mg of fast-acting flavorless CBD isolate and only up to 25 calories per serving. They are available in canned 12-ounce 4-packs.
“Like our home state of Colorado, California is a state leading in cannabis educated consumers, with a lot of interest in CBD,” says John Lynch, Oh Hi’s Director of Operations. “We’re very excited to consciously expand our footprint.”
Oh Hi Beverages CBD seltzers are currently distributed in Southwest Colorado through the Ska Brewing distribution network, and on Colorado’s Front Range through Two Six Craft Distributors. They are also available for purchase online. Oh Hi’s THC line is only available at dispensaries in Colorado via LeafLink.
For more information about Oh Hi Beverages and its growing distribution footprint, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. Contact sales@ohhibev.com with distribution inquiries.
ABOUT OH HI BEVERAGES
Founded in 2018, Oh Hi Beverages crafts canned THC and CBD seltzers in Durango, Colorado. Oh Hi Beverages is the brainchild of Aaron Miles and Jonny Radding, the co-owners of Durango Organics, and Matt Vincent, one of the co-owners of Ska Brewing and the founder of Ska Fabricating. Collectively Aaron, Jonny, and Matt bring a breadth of business, entrepreneurship, technical, and both cannabis and beverage-specific experience to this new hard seltzer company. Learn more about Oh Hi Beverages at ohhibev.com.
Pilot Brewers to Brew Freshest Fresh Hop Beer on the Front Range
FlyteCo Brewing, Bruz Beers, Locavore Beer Works, Long Table Brewhouse, and Uhl’s Brewing Company created the freshest fresh hop beer on the Front Range in 2020.
Flying hops from the western slope to raise awareness about aviation
DENVER, CO— On August 25th, five local breweries will depart from Rocky Mountain Metro Airport (BJC) early in the morning on a mission to create the freshest fresh hop beer on the front range. Owners and brewers from FlyteCo Brewing, Bruz Beers, Locavore Beer Works, Long Table Brewhouse, and Uhl’s Brewing Company will fly to Paonia, CO in five small airplanes, pick up freshly harvested hops from High Wire Hops, fly back to Denver, and immediately brew a collaboration beer with the freshest hops possible. The beer will be called ‘Hop Is My Co-Pilot’. Each of the breweries will be brewing additional fresh hop collaboration beers the following day.
Fresh hop beers are only available once a year – right after the fall hop harvest. Rather than using pelletized hops or hop extract, brewers get excited for the annual chance to use fresh hop flowers in their beer. Using fresh hops creates a unique and delicious aroma and flavor.
Hop Is My Co-Pilot will be an IPA, brewed with all Colorado-grown ingredients, and will be released on September 14th at each of the five breweries. By teaming up, these five brewers will not only make the freshest beer around but also hope to draw attention and support for the aviation industry – one that has been hit especially hard by the pandemic. As a founding principle, FlyteCo Brewing donates 10% of their profits to the future of aviation, including scholarships and youth engagement programs.
Local beer lovers will be able to try five unique fresh hop collaboration beers at each of the five participating breweries. A passport will be available at each brewery starting on September 14th. Participants receive stamps for visiting each brewery in Denver, Boulder, and Littleton. Prizes for completing the passport include free and discounted glider rides from Mile High Gliding in Boulder.
Why Rapids & Grass is a Brewer's Favorite Festival, Even When They Can't Go
Why Rapids & Grass in downtown Buena Vista, Colorado is a brewer’s (and distiller’s) favorite festival.
Photo by Zach Mahone @ South Main Co.
“The beer is great, the music is fire, and the venue is laid out wonderfully.”
That’s Ashleigh Carter, the co-founder and head brewer of Bierstadt Lagerhaus. She’s not alone.
You know it’s a good sign when you see a brewer at a beer festival. And in this case, the Rapids & Grass festival in Buena Vista is packed full of them— especially in anticipation of the festival’s rafting component.
Rapids & Grass is so much more than just a beer fest; it’s an opportunity to get to the mountains, enjoy the river, and get social. Although the festival has decided to skip this year, keeping public health and safety in mind, it still goes down as one of our favorite festivals -- and here’s why the brewers agree.
“The Rapids & Grass beer festival is unlike any other beer festival I have attended. I have traveled all over the country and poured at a few different beer festivals in Europe and none of them are as laid back and chill as Rapids & Grass,” shares Skip Schwartz, wood cellar and innovation lead at WeldWerks Brewing, “Attendees have access to some of the best beer Colorado has to offer at their fingertips with a relaxed, no lines or waiting. Last year was my first time attending and I know why I will be going back in the future. Never have I worked a festival with my shoes off and my pants rolled up and it fit into the atmosphere of the festival. Not to mention a water gun fight broke out mid-festival with a few other brewers, which was a lot of fun!”
Jordan Wheeler, senior packaging operator at WeldWerks Brewing adds, “Ummm everything Skip said. It’s definitely a festival I want to attend every year. It will never get old pouring beautiful beer with such a beautiful backdrop.”
There’s no arguing that the festival’s venue is one that is hard to rival. It also makes for a perfect location for brewers to also kick back, relax, and hang out with each other.
“Obviously Buena Vista is beautiful,” shares Carter, “and really the beer is just a small part of the fest.”
“What makes it unique is how many brewers actually participate,” Carter continues, “We all get to hang out and camp together the night before and night of the festival, so there is that added social aspect that makes it fun to participate.”
It’s not just the brewers who enjoy it, either.
“It’s an honor to get to pour our whiskey amongst some of the best beers around, and it’s inspiring to see what these brewers continually offer up such bad ass expressions of their craft,” says Lenny Eckstein, founder & head distiller at Deerhammer in downtown Buena Vista, “It’s always been Deerhammer’s approach to bring innovation and creativity to whiskey. A huge part of this is fueled for us by those on the beer side of the fence.”
Not to mention, the festival draws huge crowds to the Arkansas Valley, boosting tourism and the area’s economic viability.
“There’s this ongoing effort to bring visitation to BV throughout the year,” shares Eckstien, “The thing about Rapids and Grass is that the crowd that comes up here, who’ve maybe blazed through BV or heard of our hot springs or killer mountain bike trails, or whatever, when they come here for Rapids & Grass they are getting full exposure to the full spectrum of awesomeness that BV has to offer. Deerhammer is PACKED during Rapids and Grass. It’s a great crowd who comes here looking to enjoy this place.”
To our friends Sarah, Shane, and their great Rapids & Grass partners, we love you and we miss you. Thank you for bringing world-class beer and music to Buena Vista.
— Words by Karen Mills
Lone Tree Brewing Debuts Golden Berry Belgian-Style Ale
Lone Tree Brewing presents new Belgian-Style Ale, fruited with blackberry and raspberry.
LONE TREE, CO— It’s a fruit-packed summer at Lone Tree Brewing Company, where visitors can now find cans of Golden Berry Ale, the latest in Lone Tree’s rotating small-batch can series. Six-packs of Golden Berry Ale are also available across Colorado and Kansas in select craft establishments.
"This beer was inspired by a trip to Belgium,” says Dennis O’Harrow, Lone Tree’s Head Brewer. “It’s very fruit-forward with a unique almost banana-like character that comes from the esters in the yeast strain we use.”
Golden Berry Ale is a higher octane, Belgian-Style Ale that’s surprisingly quaffable for its 8% ABV. Belgian Golden Strong Ale at its base with both raspberry and blackberry juice and puree, this new selection from Lone Tree has arrived right in time for the heat of the summer. Find it in cans at Lone Tree Brewing Company and across Colorado and Kansas for a limited time.
For more information about the Lone Tree Brewing Company Golden Berry Ale, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY
Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree’s cans are sold across the state of Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants across its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
Bonfire Block Party Presents the Funky Times All-Star Band at the Eagle County Fairgrounds
When Bonfire Brewing made the difficult decision to cancel the annual Block Party, they promised to bring some form of live music to the Vail Valley this summer.
EAGLE, CO— When Bonfire Brewing made the difficult decision to cancel the annual Block Party, they promised to bring some form of live music to the Vail Valley this summer. They’ve delivered with back-to-back performances from the Funky Times All-Star Band, a talent-packed group of musicians led by previous Block Party headliner Robert Randolph, on July 17 and 18 at the Eagle County Fairgrounds.
Popular local bands The Runaway Grooms and The Evolution will kick off Friday and Saturday night’s festivities, respectively, followed by Marcus King, Robert Randolph, J.J. Johnson, Nigel Hall, and Duane Betts all sharing the stage.
Tickets for these shows are on sale now and can be purchased on Eventbrite. Only 500 tickets are available for each evening, and are selling rapidly. Ticket holders will then be divided into groups of 125 people, with social distancing inside those groups. Masks are required to enter the venue, and when not in your designated seating area. Ample sanitation stations will be placed throughout the venue, along with two food trucks, and multiple bars.
“We’ve worked for months to pull something involving live outdoor music together, and we’re excited to set a strong example with a professional event that we hope shows that live music can return safely,” says Bonfire Brewing Co-Owner Amanda Jessen. “We all feel the need for something like this, and while it’s not the traditional Block Party with 5,000 people in the streets of Eagle, it’s a start, and it gets some of the struggling folks in this industry back to work.”
Find more information about the shows at bonfireblockparty.com, and contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries.
ABOUT BONFIRE BREWING
Craft enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers gather around Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, Colorado, where the beers are driven by quality, curiosity, and community. Founded in 2010, Bonfire continues on their path of sustainable growth with cans of their year-round beers available in liquor stores and restaurants across Colorado. Gather ‘round Bonfire online at bonfirebrewing.com.
And now for something completely different: A Can Release from Bierstadt Lagerhaus
On July 12th Bierstadt releases BFL, a 12% Lager.
July 3, 2020 Denver, CO - Bierstadt Lagerhaus, known for its silly adherence to traditional and outdated brewing techniques, a pathetic number of choices at the taproom and a stunted imagination with regard to beer styles has made something.......else. On July 12th we are releasing BFL. BFL is a 12% Lager; not a “we calculated and wished for this to be 12%, but an honest-to-science, measured at a lab 12%. Speaking of these unnecessary outdated techniques: We did a reiterated mash using an exploded version of our Märzen recipe and double decocted it. Twice. We floated it and fermented it at 9 C. It was krausened to help it further attenuate. In a bold nod to tradition, no sugars, enzymes or malt extracts were used and it’s unfiltered. Please for the sake of anything that is still good in this world, don’t Google any of that if you don’t already understand the lingo. It is our job to prattle on about the methods we used, and your job to get it down your neck. Let’s keep these divisions clear.
As far as the character of this beer, think barleywine strength albeit without a faceload of esters. Think of it as a Lager wine, only please don’t. That is a stupid term and we refuse to be responsible for its usage.
Paul Vismara designed the label and it is perfect for the beer and these times. A giant comet is depicted hurling through space, we can only guess at its destination-earth. Of course it’s earth, after the imminent locust invasion this summer and a shit show of an election this fall, the only way 2020 can end is with a extinction level comet this winter.
For the 12th, please, as you lineup the night before, keep social distancing guidelines in mind. No saving spaces in the line, no proxies and limit one can per ID. The preceding two sentences are bullshit. We make beer, you buy beer. That is as complex as we want this relationship to be.
Simply put we have about 900 16oz cans to sell, 4 per transaction, $12 per can, pre-sale starts on the 8th online (www.bierstadtlager.com), pick up the 12th . Wear a mask and don’t be a jerk. Yuan Wonton will be in the house. Come get some.
ABOUT BIERSTADT LAGERHAUS
At Bierstadt we craft lagers the traditional way, and nothing more. Discover what we believe at bierstadtlager.com.
10 Ways You Can Create an Appealing Brand on Social Media
Social media has always been an important aspect of branding and marketing a brewery. Here’s how to differentiate it with design.
Social media has always been an important aspect of branding and marketing a brewery. In the current situation of COVID-19, it has become a crucial way to stay engaged and relevant with your customers. You could go all willy-nilly and shoot posts off from the hip (that does have a time and place), but if you want to build and maintain a strong brand on social media, these design tips will create a solid foundation.
#1 - Reference and Utilize Brand Standards
Brand Standards is a guideline created for your visual branding. A Brand Standards guide often contains your official brand colors, how to properly use your logo, what fonts to use, and how to format your text.
#2 - Use Brand Fonts and Consistent Typography
If you have Brand Standards, you may already have a roadmap for using type. If not, here’s some tips to stay consistent, which will result in a stronger brand.
I try to avoid using the font from your logo on marketing applications. This can have the effect of diluting the importance of your logo.
Use fonts that are very decorative sparingly - otherwise your design will look cluttered and busy.
Keep visual interest in your fonts by varying weights of bold, regular, thin and alternating between all uppercase and standard upper/lowercase.
Having breathing room around your text is important. Have space between text and the edges of your image, so it is not cramped. Keep ample space between lines of text on your image for the same reason.
Create hierarchy and rhythm. Make sure the important text is large and eye catching. Supporting details can be smaller, as they backup the headline messaging.
To learn more about using brand fonts, read: Beer Brand Messaging Through Type Hierarchy
#3 - Use Brand Colors
Using consistent brand colors will help your audience quickly recognize that a post or image is yours. If the post is overall about your brewery, I would suggest sticking with the brand colors you have set from your Brand Standards, or the colors from your logo/website. Once exception here would be for posts promoting individual beers, which can take on their own identity.
#4 Dissected Images
You don’t need to have just a photo, or just a design-based image in a social post. Why not have both! Split a post image into sections by dividing it up with a solid color block complimented with a photo. The solid color block makes a great area to lay text over while the photo element helps create visual interest. You can even get tricky and overlay a transparent color block over an image.
#5 Use Filters
The hashtag #NoFilter partly grew out of everyone going crazy with filters in Instagram. However, photo filters are still relevant and can be a way for you to set your profile and posts apart from others.
HERE’S THE TRICK - Stay consistent!
Consistency is what builds a brand and helps people remember your brand. If you find a filter that you really like and fits your brand, create a “recipe” for how to reproduce that filter. Make sure that anyone posting on social has the recipe to create the same filter. There are numerous photo filter apps in the app stores so you don’t have to just rely on Instagram’s filters.
#6 - Create a Narrative using Carousels
This one can be a bit tricky, but the end result is really cool!! The idea here is to have Instagram images that are in a carousel “stitched” together so when the user swipes across your post images, they are connected. It creates a seamless visual and interesting experience for the customer. Once you have that down, you can create a timeline of sorts by telling a story on each image that bleeds into the next carousel image. You can create this by making one very wide image that fits the dimensions of Instagram’s image size. You can then layout your story and supporting visual elements along the wide image, and then crop and generate individual images that stitch together perfectly for the multi-image carousel post!
#7 - Create “Campaigns” using Label Art
You’ve invested time and money creating kick ass labels, use that artwork in more places to promote your beer! The most common use case for creating individual beer brands through your label art is on tap handles. Many folks take the label artwork and create a tap handle label that matches. You can take this a bit further and create social images, posters, merchandise, etc., that carry the brand visuals of your label. You can implement the main label color on a post, pull out the stylized beer name and use that as an element, or use a background design or pattern. The more places you are creating a consistent look for that beer, the better recognition you will build.
#8 - Color Backdrops for Photos
You likely have seen the styled beer photos that Hop Culture creates on Instagram. This style of photography has been used in other industries, but Hop Culture really helped to bring this into the world of beer. You can set up a small photo studio on a flat surface and create a color background that matches or compliments your label art. Hit up the craft store and purchase some colored butcher paper rolls or posterboard to create a full color background.
#9 - Photo Lighting
You don’t need professional photography lights to create awesome photos. Interior lights can actually be fairly dim to a camera, so one killer trick is to set up a photoshoot next to a bright window. This flood of natural daylight will create a nice and large light source for photos. If you are set up by one window, you only have one light source, so a good trick to balance out light in your images is to place a large white foam core board on the opposite side to reflect light back onto your photo subjects. This can really help balance out the lighting!
#10 - Make a Scene!
Adding elements around your beer product shots can make a huge difference in visual interest. Having some ingredients surrounding your can or glass can really paint the picture of experience and the taste of that beer. Chocolate, coffee, hops, grains, fruit, or any other ingredient used in the beer can help create an enticing scene. If your label has some sort of thematic name and artwork, try to find some real-life objects you can place in the background that reflect the art and make it more interesting.
— Advice by Ryan Wheaton of Craft Brew Creative and the Craft Label Co.
Ska Brewing To Take Your Tastebuds On Vacation with Tropical Hazy IPA
You might not be able to go on a tropical vacation with your buds right now, but your tastebuds can still escape to tropical fruit paradise with a 6-pack of Ska Brewing’s new release, Tropical Hazy IPA.
DURANGO, CO— You might not be able to go on a tropical vacation with your buds right now, but your tastebuds can still escape to tropical fruit paradise with a 6-pack of Ska Brewing’s new release, Tropical Hazy IPA.
With a plush mouthfeel, this Hazy IPA explodes with tropical hop flavors and a soft malt body. Its low actual bitterness allows bright, fruity characteristics to shine. Brewed with papaya and pineapple and weighing in at a crushable but substantial 6% ABV, Tropical Hazy IPA is like a virtual vacation in your mouth.
This new hazy offering from Ska Brewing comes the summer after the brewery’s first hazy IPA can debut. The Hazy IPA sparked the brewery brand refresh last year, and Ska has been experimenting in the hazy department since.
Tropical Hazy IPA arrives across Ska’s national distribution footprint just in time for summer, and it will be available year-round in canned 6-packs going forward. It is also currently available on tap at the brewery’s World Headquarters in Durango.
For more information about Ska’s Tropical Hazy IPA or delve into the hazy IPA subcategory, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT SKA BREWING
Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award- winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include Mexican Logger, Modus Hoperandi, and Rue B. Soho. For information (a lot of it), more music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.
Lone Tree Brewing Company Releases 25th Anniversary Lager for the City of Lone Tree
One of the Fastest Growing Cities in Colorado celebrates 25 years with Lone Tree Brewing
LONE TREE, CO— In celebration of the city of Lone Tree's 25th anniversary, Lone Tree Brewing Company brings back a tried-and-true classic recipe for a special one-time release as the city’s official anniversary lager. Mountain Mama German Style Helles Lager tapped at the brewing company this week to celebrate the silver anniversary of Lone Tree, Colorado.
Since its inception as a city in 1995, Lone Tree has evolved quickly to become one of the states fastest-growing cities. Lone Tree Brewing Company came along in 2011 as the city’s first brewery. “The South Denver Metro area needed a brewery, and we’ve been proud to call this community home,” says Lone Tree Founder John Winter. “Our community has embraced this tasting room as their third place, for their gatherings and causes. They’ve made us a staple in their fridges at home. We don’t take that lightly— it’s an incredible honor.”
“In Colorado, your city’s reputation is closely tied to the quality of your brewery," says Lone Tree Mayor Jackie Millet. "We are thrilled the award winning Lone Tree Brewing Company chose to grow their business in our city! Thanks for helping us celebrate and commemorate the City’s incorporation with the creation of the Anniversary Lager!”
The anniversary lager, a German Style Helles recipe, will be available on draft and in canned 6-packs at the brewery on Park Meadows Drive. Cans will also be available at local accounts like Lukas Liquors, Highlands Wine Seller, and Safeway on Yosemite and Lincoln while supplies last.
For more information about Lone Tree’s 25th anniversary lager made by Lone Tree Brewing Company, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY
Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree’s cans are sold across the state of Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants across its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.
Craft Industry COVID-19 Update - June 9, 2020
Peter August of Karl Strauss Brewing Company and Mike Singer of Other Half Brewing Co. discuss pivoting craft beer sales strategies in a post-COVID marketplace.
Photo by Rachel Cross
Each week we’re pleased to Zoom chat with craft communicators across the country through our #radcraftindustryrelief efforts. Last week, we talked about shifting beer sales strategies with Peter August of Karl Strauss Brewing Company and Mike Singer of Other Half Brewing Co.
Karl Strauss distributes through multiple companies, including their in-house distribution arm Karl Strauss Distributors for craft brands in Southern California. August leads Northern area sales, and offers the unique perspective of a time-honored (31 year-old!) brand making meaningful impact outside of home turf. August prioritized meaningful engagement with chain stores in the marketplace for larger brands that can accommodate the demand. “Who are the 20 percent of stores doing 80 percent of your volume?” he asked, demonstrating the value of consistent, high-volume accounts.
“More chains is a really good way to reach new audiences,” Singer adds. “Bigger placements get the product out there in front of a lot of people very quickly… or you could rent a truck and throw beer at people as you drive down the road…”
He’s kidding on that last part.
Other Half Brewing self-distributes, and before COVID sold mostly draft beer. The vessel may have shifted but Singer’s approach has not. “I’m still out in the streets and meeting with buyers personally; I’ve been masking,” he explains. “Part of my training is to always have samples to make sure our beer is getting in the right hands of people who understand the product. I use samples as part of the engagement and conversation. It would be really cool to send samples before a Zoom meeting with accounts,” he suggests to craft breweries.
We should note this RadCraft Industry Relief Zoom chat was Singer’s first. He’s oldschool— built his market for the last 14 years on personal relationships. When Coronavirus hit, he was on the phone personally calling everyone.
August was doing a lot of the same, though for transparency was furloughed from Karl Strauss until just recently. Now that he’s back to work he knows one of the biggest challenges will be selling more beer with less people. Getting distributors engaged in beer is valuable, he says. “That can be difficult when they’ve got a large book of brands, so give incentives.”
August also stresses the significance of hosting accounts and distributor reps at your brewery location, albeit difficult at this current time with so many of them operating at reduced hours and socially distanced capacities. If you can, he says, giving them that opportunity is key.
Engage with distributors and all audiences for that matter, Singer echoes, by telling a story about your brand. “People rally around a great products,” he says. “A story always sells, especially if your audience cares about it as much as you care about it.”