Craft Maltsters Guild Goes Virtual with 2021 Craft Malt Conference, February 10-12
The decision to host the 2021 Craft Malt Conference was made to support safety measures during COVID-19 but with the added perk of increasing accessibility for the greater craft malt community.
The Craft Maltsters Guild proudly presents the fourth annual Craft Malt Conference, coming to you in a virtual format from February 10-12. The decision to go virtual in 2021 was made to support safety measures during COVID-19 but with the added perk of increasing accessibility for the greater craft malt community. Come one, come all. This is an easy-to-attend artisan grains and craft beverage conference you won’t want to miss.
#CraftMaltCon2021 is a three-day event, with curated live seminars on the latest research, trends, and best practices relevant to those in the craft malt supply chain. Participants can also participate in digital malthouse tours, peruse a virtual trade show, and attend cyber happy hours each evening. Attendees will also have the chance to talk with sponsors during live Q&A sessions and check out new products via video demos.
“We’re excited about the potential this exciting new format offers,” says Executive Director of the Craft Maltsters Guild Jesse Bussard. “Adapting our conference to a virtual experience makes craft malt education more accessible than ever!”
The 2021 Craft Malt Conference keynote speaker is the esteemed craft beer icon Ken Grossman of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Other guest speakers include Richard Simpson of Simpsons Malt, Bart Watson of the Brewers Association, Becky Harris of Catoctin Creek Distillery, and Dr. Charlie Bamforth of UC Davis, from the University of Nottingham and Sierra Nevada, among many other leading craft malt, beer and spirits industry experts.
The conference finale is the Malt Cup Awards Ceremony on Friday, February 12th. 2021 marks the third year of this one-of-a-kind malt competition, which was remotely judged by a nationwide team of 74 maltsters, brewers, distillers, researchers and Cicerones. Entry analysis and judging was organized by the Montana State University - Barley, Malt and Brewing Quality Lab. Medals will be awarded for the top three winners in both 2021 categories, Pale Malt and Pilsner Malt.
Registration for the 2021 Craft Malt Conference includes access to the full conference schedule, and is available both to CMG membership and non-members. Register here.
Media interested in attending the virtual Craft Malt Conference are eligible for comped conference participation. Please contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com to participate in the conference, and with all other media inquiries about the Craft Maltsters Guild.
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.
Living The Dream Brewing Brews Backcountry Wilderness Wheat For Backcountry Conservation & Education Fund
Living The Dream collaborates with Highlands Ranch Community Association to fundraise for local wildlife habitat improvement.
LITTLETON, CO— Living The Dream Brewing presents the Backcountry Wilderness Wheat brewed to support the Backcountry Conservation & Education Fund, the nonprofit arm of HRCA Backcountry Wilderness Area in Highlands Ranch.
“Living the Dream Brewing Co. has been behind the mission of the Backcountry Conservation & Education Fund since the very beginning in 2017,” says Lindsey McKissick, the Outreach Coordinator at the Backcountry Wilderness Area. Besides providing beer for all of the 501c3 nonprofit’s events, Living The Dream also hosts Beer for Bucks on the second Thursday of every month when $1 from each beer benefits the Backcountry Conservation & Education Fund.
Designed to drink as the perfect aprés beer for any outdoor activity, Backcountry Wilderness Wheat is light and refreshing while still full of flavor. “Starting with a thirst quenching wheat beer, we added the refreshing qualities of real orange zest, coriander and grains of paradise. We finished with just enough hops to balance everything out and the beer comes in at an easy drinking 4.6% ABV.
Look for 12oz six-packs of Backcountry Wilderness Wheat at Living The Dream’s tasting room in Littleton, and for sale at select locations across the Front Range in mid January. Ten percent of sales will be donated to the Backcountry Conservation & Education Fund that directly supports wildlife habitat improvements and opportunities for people in Living the Dream Brewing Co.’s local community to engage in environmental education.
In 2020, Living The Dream raised $2600 for the Backcountry Wilderness Area through Beer for Bucks. “As Living the Dream Brewing continues to grow, it’s important to us that our community involvement grows too. Working with the great people at the Backcountry Conservation & Education Fund to put this beer in the market is the perfect way for us to start the new year.”
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with questions about Living The Dream Brewing or this collaboration. Contact Lindsey McKissick at lindsey.mckissick@hrcaonline.org for more information about the HRCA Backcountry Wilderness Area.
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.
ABOUT THE HRCA BACKCOUNTRY WILDERNESS AREA
The Backcountry Conservation & Education Fund is the 501c3 arm of the HRCA Backcountry Wilderness Area. The Backcountry Wilderness Area is an 8,200-acre wildlife habitat conservation property that is owned and managed by the Highlands Ranch Community Association. The 501c3 nonprofit funds wildlife habitat conservation improvements like fire mitigation, noxious weed treatment, and maintaining water resources for wildlife alongside environmental education efforts to engage people of all ages with wild places. The mission is to improve wildlife habitat, inspire the next generation of nature stewards, and ignite a lifelong love of the outdoors for all. Learn more at hrcaonline.org/backcountry.
Ska Brewing Introduces New Canned Seasonal Lager, Mexican Style Lager Dark
Ska’s brewing team has been working on Mexican Style Lager Dark for three winters now.
DURANGO, CO— After 21 years of serving its infamous craft lager in spring and summer, Ska presents a dark variant of the popular Mexican Logger for colder months. Having garnered a reputation for making clean, crisp lagers— anticipation is high as Ska adds a fourth beer to their award-winning lager camp available each year.
Introducing Mexican Style Lager Dark, a smooth and slightly sweet dark lager that’s balanced with mild bitterness from Tettnang, Cascade, and Saaz hops. Add subtle caramel flavors and a touch of roast on the finish to round it all out, and this beer just as its other lager cousins in Ska’s lineup— including year-round Rue B. Soho Grapefruit Lager and the award-winning Oktoberfest that makes a short-lived appearance in the fall.
“The beautiful thing about living in the Rocky Mountains are the changing seasons, and it’s well enough known that our Mexican Logger and its bright green can signal the unofficial start of spring,” says Ska Brewing Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau. “And now with Mexican Lager Dark, that shoulder season in the fall finally has its own beer as a gateway to everyone’s favorite season: Winter!”
Ska’s brewing team has been working on Mexican Style Lager Dark for three winters now. After thorough recipe development, this lager became a tasting room favorite as soon as it hit the taps at World Headquarters. Now available in canned 12-ounce 6-packs, Mexican Style Lager Dark will be available across Ska’s eleven-state distribution when Mexican Logger is not.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com for more information about Ska Brewing and the latest addition to their seasonal can lineup.
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.
Ska Street Brewstillery and Skratch Labs Host Food Drive For EFAA
Boulder, Colorado companies collaborate to support Boulder Emergency Family Assistance Association
BOULDER, CO— Ska Street Brewstillery and performance nutrition innovator Skratch Labs will host a food drive for the Boulder Emergency Family Assistance Association on December 23 at the brewstillery on 1600 38th Street. Ska Street is expanding hours for the day to accommodate this drive with outdoor dining to boot.
From noon to 8pm, guests who drop off a bag of nonperishable food or supplies at Ska Street Brewstillery will receive their choice of a free crowler (filled with Euphoria Pale Ale or nonalcoholic Grapefruit Skagua), or a single serving of Skratch hydration mix.
Ska Street’s expanded hours from noon to 8pm this Wednesday, December 23 apply to patio seating and curbside pickup. The brewstillery is stocked with beer and spirits for last-minute holiday shopping.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Ska Street Brewstillery, Peach Street Distillers, and Ska Brewing.
ABOUT SKA STREET BREWSTILLERY
Ska Street is a joint project of sister companies Ska Brewing and Peach Street Distillers that bring beer and spirit production under one roof in Boulder, Colorado. The Brewstillery includes a restaurant, a ten-barrel brewing system, a 450-liter still, thirty taps of Ska beers, a mixology program and all of the music-inspired silliness the has made Ska one of Colorado’s favorite destinations. Visit Ska Street online at skastreet.com.
ABOUT SKRATCH LABS
Based in Boulder, Colorado, Skratch Labs is a performance nutrition innovator that helps athletes and active people be better. Skratch Labs was founded by Dr. Allen Lim after he learned what nutrition was needed while coaching professional athletes for races such as the Tour de France. He was determined to create a sports drink that didn’t make his athletes sick by using less sugar, more sodium and real food ingredients. Because of his close relationship with these athletes, each product goes through extensive testing and critical feedback from some of the world’s best. Skratch Labs products are made to help “the doers” who always strive for reaching or exceeding their performance goals, no matter what stage they’re in. For more information on Skratch Labs and its products, visit skratchlabs.com or visit Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Deerhammer Presents Cask Savant in collaboration with Crooked Stave
“To our knowledge this is the very first example of a spirit born from a 100% Brettanomyces yeast fermentation,” says Deerhammer Founder and Head Distiller Lenny Eckstein.
BUENA VISTA, CO— Deerhammer presents the second bottle in its Progeny Series crafted in collaboration with Crooked Stave. Cask Savant is now available in limited quantities at Colorado retailers.
The Progeny Series is a lineup of small-batch spirits created through inspired partnerships between Deerhammer and other crafters in Colorado. Cask Savant is the second official spirit in this series coming after a whiskey and chocolate pairing with Cultura Chocolate, and an array of barrel aging projects with the likes of Wit’s End Brewing Company, Call To Arms Brewing, and Colorado Cider Company.
In 2015, Deerhammer lay Crooked Stave Hop Savant— a hoppy Brett beer— to rest in heavy toast light char American oak casks. The results of this 50% ABV spirit play out with notes of blackberry jam, sage brush, orange peel, hazelnut, toasted bread crust, and a spectacular interlacing of funky lupulin spice; all of which have culminated in a remarkable dram that you will not taste the likes of anywhere else.
“Getting to work with a local Colorado distillery that is truly hands-on, making their own wash, fermenting, and distilling is something I wanted to do since I started Crooked Stave. Deerhammer is that perfect partner,” adds Crooked Stave Owner and Brewmaster Chad Yakobson.“I think it's truly amazing the time and love that went into the creation of Progeny Series No. 2 ~ Cask Savant. For Lenny and his team to devote five years to aging this wild and adventurous spirit is something unique.”
“To our knowledge this is the very first example of a spirit born from a 100% Brettanomyces yeast fermentation,” says Deerhammer Founder and Head Distiller Lenny Eckstein, “and those hallmark, rustic, funky-fruit Brett characteristics have materialized big time!”
Cask Savant is available in limited 750ML bottles at select Colorado retailers with an SRP of $69.99 while supplies last.
Deerhammer is currently aging more Progeny Series spirits in Redstone Meadery and Carboy Winery barrels, among others, that will be released in coming months to years.
For more information about Cask Savant or Deerhammer, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT DEERHAMMER
Steeped in Tradition. Crafted in Colorado.
Amy and Lenny Eckstein founded Deerhammer in 2010. Drawn to Buena Vista, Colorado by the whitewater currents of the Arkansas River, their passion for whiskey is driven by that same adventurous spirit. As artisans and business owners, Amy and Lenny’s process is defined by a deep curiosity for the history of spirits and a thoughtful analysis of each individual step of the distilling process. Deerhammer's cornerstone contribution to the field of American craft spirits, Single Malt Whiskey, has become the company's flagship product. Deerhammer also distills Whitewater Whiskey, Buena Vista Brandy, and Dutch Style Gin. Find the distillery online at deerhammer.com.
ABOUT CROOKED STAVE
Founded in 2010, Crooked Stave is a modern, artisan brewery with a quality-driven focus. The brewery strives to blend science and art through creativity and following our passion. Located in Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood, Crooked Stave is recognized throughout the world for complex and creative wild and sour, barrel-aged beers and a variety of traditional and innovative ales and lagers of all kinds. Crooked Stave invites beer-lovers to visit the Crooked Stave tap rooms located at the brewery, as well as in Fort Collins at The Exchange, and seek out Crooked Stave beer offerings wherever sold. For more information, follow Crooked Stave on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Living The Dream Brewing Introduces Gingerbread Variant of Award-Winning Powder Run Cream Ale
Living The Dream Brewing Company in Littleton, Colorado presents a Gingerbread variant of the award-winning Powder Run Cream Ale.
LITTLETON, CO— On the heels of its 2020 Great American Beer Festival® win and just in time for the holiday season, Living The Dream Brewing presents a new variant of the Powder Run Cream Ale.
This new release infuses Living The Dream’s award-winning Cream Ale— a light bodied, creamy ale with notes of vanilla and a fluffy finishing mouthfeel— with gingerbread and other spices from Colorado local spice purveyor Savory Spice Shop for a holiday kick.
“Winning a bronze medal in the GABF Herb and Spice Beer category affirms the great team of people we have. It’s truly an honor to be surrounded by, not only a great group of people on our team, but also an amazing local community which has been with us from the beginning,” says Living The Dream owner and brewmaster Jason Bell. “We’re excited to add another variant to its lineup.”
Living The Dream has previously released several variants of Powder Run, including Powder Run Vanilla Cream ale that is on tap at the tasting room while supplies last. Gingerbread Powder Run is available on draft and in Crowlers and cans to-go at Living The Dream, and in extremely limited canned six-packs on Colorado’s Front Range through the holiday season.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with questions about Living The Dream Brewing or the Gingerbread Powder Run.
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.
RadCraft Industry Relief Coloring Book to Support James Beard Foundation Open For Good Campaign
Download this coloring book featuring craft breweries, distilleries, and malthouses that supports the James Beard Foundation Open for Good campaign to ensure that independent restaurants survive and come back stronger.
The craft beverage-centric marketing company RadCraft went live today with a downloadable coloring book for which proceeds will support the James Beard Foundation’s Open For Good campaign.
The RadCraft Industry Relief Coloring Book features the logos of thirteen of the company’s partner malthouses, breweries, and distilleries (listed below) brought to life by Content Coordinator Shelby Martin. These companies, among many others, conceived this fundraising effort through an industry relief Zoom chat that RadCraft hosts monthly to discuss issues facing the beverage community. The group voted on the James Beard Foundation’s Open For Good campaign to receive all proceeds for the coloring book.
For more than 30 years, the James Beard Foundation has promoted Good Food For Good™ by giving chefs a voice and the tools they need to make the world more sustainable, equitable, and delicious. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the James Beard Foundation launched the Open for Good campaign to ensure that independent restaurants not only survive, but that the industry is able to rebuild stronger than before.
“It’s been an incredibly challenging year for the independent food and beverage industry which employs over 11 million people nationwide.” said Kris Moon, Chief Operating Officer of the James Beard Foundation “After the pandemic hit, the Foundation quickly directed all of our resources to helping the industry to survive this crisis. We are only able to continue that work thanks to the generous contributions of partners such as RadCraft. We are incredibly grateful for their support as we work to keep helping the industry remain Open for Good.”
Open for Good programs provide critical resources to help independent restaurants build the capacity to come back stronger, more equitable, more sustainable, and more resilient. Learn more at jamesbeard.org/openforgood and contact JamesBeard@magrinopr.com with media inquiries about the foundation.
The RadCraft Industry Relief Coloring Book is available for download on Issuu. Those who download and print are encouraged to share their art on social media with the #radcraftindustryrelief hashtag.
Contact Founder & CEO Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com for a downloadable media copy of the coloring book, or with questions about RadCraft.
Participating RadCraft Partners
Bonfire Brewing
Boulder Spirits
Deerhammer Distillery
Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Laws Whiskey House
Lone Tree Brewing Company
Murphy & Rude Malting
Pagosa Brewing
Root Shoot Malting
Ska Brewing
The Empourium Brewing Company
Thirsty Monk Brewery
Woods Boss Brewing
ABOUT RADCRAFT
Founded in 2012 by Emily Hutto, RadCraft provides communications support to barley crafters. From breweries and distilleries to maltsters and their affiliates, RadCraft’s partners are makers of thoughtful products and cultivators of radical ideas. Beers and spirits should tell stories about brands, and RadCraft loves a good story. Lean more at radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION
The James Beard Foundation promotes Good Food For Good™. For more than 30 years, the James Beard Foundation has highlighted the centrality of food culture in our daily lives. Through the variety of industry programs that educate and empower leaders in our community, the Foundation has asserted the power of food to drive behavior, culture, and policy change. The organization is committed to giving chefs a voice and the tools they need to make the world more sustainable, equitable, and delicious for everyone. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the James Beard Foundation launched the Open for Good campaign to ensure that independent restaurants not only survive, but that the industry is able to rebuild stronger than before. For more information, subscribe to the digital newsletter Beard Bites and follow @beardfoundation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. The James Beard Foundation is a national not-for-profit 501©(3) organization based in New York City.
Ska Street Brewstillery Debuts First Packaged Products: Chasing Gremlins Imperious Stout and Third Wave White Rum
Ska Street Brewstillery in Boulder, Colorado begins limited distribution today with the release of their first packaged products.
Damon Scott; photo courtesy Brewtography Project
BOULDER, CO— Ska Street Brewstillery, the first Colorado business of its kind, begins limited distribution today with the release of their first packaged products— Chasing Gremlins Barrel Aged Imperious Stout and Third Wave White Rum crafted by Brewstiller Damon Scott.
In the truest fashion of the Legion of Ska, Ska Street, a joint project of sister companies Ska Brewing and Peach Street Distillers, will hit the market in a big way— with a bold, 18.5% ABV beer and an inspired spirit that showcase Scott’s robust brewing and distilling background. Scott received his MSc degree in Brewing and Distilling from Heriot-Watt University, and worked as the Technical Brewing Projects manager of the Brewers Association with a decade of brewery production and management in between.
“This is the guy we put in place to execute everything we’ve learned in 40 collective years of experience in brewing and distilling,” says Ska Brewing CEO and Co-Founder Dave Thibodeau. “We’re proud to showcase his unique skill set and the facility we’ve built around him with the release of a new product from both sides of Ska Street.”
Chasing Gremlins Imperious Stout was aged at Ska Street in a Peach Street Colorado Straight Bourbon 5 Year Single Barrel, with added maraschino cherries and vanilla to “layer in flavors like you would a cocktail,” Scott explains. Chasing Gremlins connects the dots between the brewing and distilling side of what Ska Street does, Scott says. “At 37 proof, it’s almost a spirit in itself!”
Along with Chasing Gremlins comes Third Wave White Rum, distilled from 100% organic cane sugar. Tasting notes include tropical fruit, pineapple, and banana esters, with a hint of vanilla sweetness. Third Wave is Scott’s first contribution to the Peach Street family of spirits, which up until now has not included rum.
“Traditionally rum has a lot of mixed culture fermentation, which offers a chance for us to use our super traditional copper, alembic pot still,” Scott says. “We picked specific yeasts isolated from rum fermentations known to produce esters and more fruity flavors, and our still allowed us to retain as much of that character as possible.”
Third Wave Rum bottles and Chasing Gremlins Imperious Stout bombers will be available this week across Colorado. The beer and spirit will be self-distributed by Ska Street in Boulder and Palisade, and by Ska Distributing in Durango. Contact Dustin Lemoine with Ska Street distribution inquiries at dustin@skastreet.com.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Ska Street Brewstillery, Peach Street Distillers, and Ska Brewing.
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.
ABOUT PEACH STREET DISTILLERS
Peach Street Distillers was founded in 2005 in the heart of Colorado’s Fruit and Wine region, Palisade Colorado, where the high desert meets the mountains. The warm days and cool nights in Palisade make the local fruits and grains unimaginably delicious. Living the very definition of “craft” we do everything the hard way to turn these fermentable raw materials into extraordinary spirits. Because, this is what we consider fun and what makes for a mighty fine drink. Peach Street Distillers is Colorado’s oldest continuously owned and operated distillery. Visit Peach Street at www.peachstreetdistillers.com for more about the spirits and the spirits squad.
Support Local Agriculture this Colorado Gives Day through 100 Year Lease
Contribute to Root Shoot Malting’s campaign to save family farms one beer at a time.
LOVELAND, CO— Just in time for Colorado Gives Day 2020, Root Shoot Malting relaunches its Steward fundraiser to support the 100 Year Lease campaign to preserve local, time-honored agricultural land.
This fall, Root Shoot Malting debuted its short film 100 Year Lease. This documentary film, produced by Traverse Image, is dedicated to the education about and preservation of the American family farm. It tells the story of the 5th generation Olander Farm, the family farm that Root Shoot stems from.
“We're rooted in Colorado; that’s where the name Root Shoot came from,” says Root Shoot Malting co-owner Todd Olander. “This is where we want to be, and we'll do whatever we can to stay here.”
Along with the film premiere, Root Shoot launched a crowdfunding campaign through the agriculture-centric platform Steward to generate contributions toward a conservation easement on their farm. As of this week, Steward has streamlined the donation process to make contributing to 100 Year Lease that much easier.
Donate to Root Shoot Malting’s conservation easement here, and watch 100 Year Lease on Root Shoot’s YouTube channel. Please contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Root Shoot Malting and Olander Farms.
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.
Lone Tree Brewing Company Celebrates 9 Years With 9 Specialty Beers
Lone Tree Brewing Company will celebrate nine years in business this weekend with an anniversary beer package featuring nine speciality beers made for the occasion.
LONE TREE, CO— Lone Tree Brewing Company will celebrate nine years in business this weekend with an anniversary beer package featuring nine speciality beers made for the occasion. This offering, along with 9th anniversary merchandise, will be available for to-go purchase December 5 and 6 at the brewery tasting room.
Leading up to the brewery’s 9th anniversary, Lone Tree staff split into teams to craft specialty nano batches with a variety of novel ingredients. Lone Tree’s brewing staff has also been barrel-aging Lone Tree’s 9th Anniversary Baltic Porter in bourbon barrels from Laws Whiskey House.
All of these small batch beers and the 9th anniversary ale will be available as a canned 9-pack that also includes a custom anniversary glass this coming weekend from 12-8pm on Saturday, December 5 and 12-6pm on Sunday, December 6. The package costs $50 and will be available at Lone Tree’s tasting room, only while supplies last. The following beers are included:
Pecan Amber Ale crafted by Sarah & Mike
Midori and Pisco Sour Hybrid crafted by Lauren & Chris
New Mommy-Umami Stout crafted by Jess C. & Jerry
Blackberry Basil Saison crafted by Candace & Dennis O.
Dry Hopped Malt Liquor crafted by Dennis S. & Jess H.
Banh Mi Blonde crafted by Matt & Shea
Hazelnut Stout crafted by Dalton & Amy
Roseberry Kolsch crafted by Lacey & Doug
9th Anniversary Whiskey Barrel Aged Baltic Porter crafted by the Lone Tree Brewing brew team
Lone Tree has always been a collective effort among our people to produce something lasting for the beer community,” says Lone Tree co-owner Jerry Siote. “The teamwork that went into making these beers is representative of our whole nine years in business and it's a privilege to share it however possible. Thanks from all of us in what has been a challenging, yet strangely rewarding year. Cheers.”
For more information about Lone Tree Brewing Company or its 9th anniversary beers, 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 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.