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2022 WeldWerks Invitational Announces Pour List, And It Is Bonkers
June 9, 2022 | Jaclyn Menendez
After two years of postponements and rescheduling, WeldWerks Brewing Company’s highly anticipated Invitational beer festival is finally around the corner. And in case the hype wasn’t real enough already, they just released the pour list for the event–and it is downright gratuitous in its glory.
Fire Maker Brewing | Calamity Jane Blonde Ale
June 9, 2022 | Jason Murphy
We’ve recently written multiple different articles lately featuring Atlanta-based Fire Maker Brewing Company, but we find it hard not to when they keep putting out stellar beer after stellar beer. One of their newest releases, a Blonde Ale dubbed Calamity Jane, is another “Hole in One” for the Fire Maker team.
Top Finds From the 2022 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival
June 8, 2022 | Tristan Chan
Over the past decade, it has become a little easy to take certain elements of the craft beer industry for granted. During that time, the country’s craft brewery count has swelled from just under 2,000 to over 9,000. Similarly, beer festivals, which were once more thoughtfully curated, intimate opportunities to interact with brewers while exploring an exciting array of newly released beers, have grown to become commodities and in many cases, a cash cow for event production companies that rarely have any actual ties to the industry.
Hi-Wire Brewing | Bed of Nails Brown Ale
June 8, 2022 | Jereme Zimmerman
Bed of Nails Brown Ale from Asheville, North Carolina’s Hi-Wire Brewing, is an American Brown Ale inspired by British brewing traditions.
Westbound & Down | Chicago Peaks Kolsch
June 7, 2022 | Britt Antley 1
As the weather has transitioned to long, warm, pleasant days, one’s choice in beer necessarily becomes something that can be drunk for longer periods of time. No longer just getting it in while you can, this is the season for drinking sessions that extend for the duration of several beers, necessitating a beverage that is both refreshing and of moderate ABV so as to leave you in decent shape. This is the season for a beer like Westbound & Down Chicago Peaks Kolsch. Light and drinkable yet still packing serious flavor, this beer was made for warm weather get-togethers.
Fox Farm Brewery | Witch Meadow Black 2020
June 6, 2022 | Brandon Cohran
Summer sunshine be damned, we’re still enjoying Stouts despite this heat. The beer fridge was full and the selection was plentiful, but the chosen bottle today is one to remember.
Witch Meadow Black 2020, an Imperial Stout aged in bourbon and rum barrels with smoked coconut by Fox Farm Brewery in Salem, CT certainly helped fight off the Sunday Scaries this afternoon! This incredibly complex yet smooth Stout was 500ml of pure bliss. It neither overwhelmed in a combination of flavor nor body, despite the 13.6% ABV. Read More
Can’t-Miss Beers to Try at the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival
June 3, 2022 | Tristan Chan
This weekend’s Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival will once again boast one of the more impressive lineups of beer producers from across the globe. But despite being such a great problem to have, being presented with such a formidable lineup of all-star beers, can sometimes feel a bit daunting. So we decided to help sift through the sea of phenomenal beers to highlight a few that have particularly piqued our interest. More selfishly, while we could easily just stick to the incredible lineup of Lagers available at the FWIBF, this was more an exercise in helping us to plan our own routes so we’re not scrambling the day of the festival.
Colorado Beer Festival Tracker | 2022 Summer Edition
June 3, 2022 | Tristan Chan
While Colorado beer festival season has technically already well underway, this past weekend officially marked the grand return to summer beer fest season in the Centennial State with a pair of heavy hitters in Odell’s Small Batch Fest and the Creekside Beer Fest.
Wild East Brewing Co. | Acceptance Altbier Ale
June 3, 2022 | Kevin Kain
Wild East Brewing Co. is kicking off Pride Month with the release of Acceptance. It’s a statement meant to let customers know that making all people feel accepted is important to the brewery. Brewer/co-founder Brett Taylor says, “We make this beer as a reminder that you’re welcome to be you. We see you and we care about you.” Read More
Colorado Beer Beat | Bi-Weekly Beer Release Guide 6/2
June 2, 2022 | Mackenzie Helms
Welcome to the Colorado Beer Beat, a bi-weekly roundup of all of the new can releases around the state. From Denver to Grand Junction and everywhere in between, we have you covered. Be sure to check back on Thursdays (usually!) to find out what’s new in the Colorado beer scene.
It certainly wouldn’t be Springtime in the Rockies without at least one more cold snap, but don’t fret, this weekend looks like it’ll be the perfect time to enjoy some beers out on your favorite patio! Now, even though we just came out of a holiday weekend, where I’m sure you were having plenty of fun (maybe a bit too much fun), the beers will still be calling your name… and you should listen. Make sure to go enjoy the last bits of Spring, and go support your favorite breweries!
OCC Brewing | Cast Iron Arm Brown Ale
June 2, 2022 | Lindsay Simpson
If you haven’t been to Old Colorado City (just west of Colorado Springs) lately then you may not know about the newest brewery in that area. OCC Brewing opened in September 2021 ready to serve the area. Unfortunately, due to some issues with plumbing, they weren’t able to brew on their system for a couple of months. However, they still came out swinging with delicious eats, unique cocktails and even mimosa flights. You can still find all these things, but you will also find 16 taps with a variety of beers. With the owner’s background of working with yeast, the aim of their beers was to focus on classic European style beers and getting the most out of their yeast. This is very different from the typical brewery offering multitudes of trending hoppy brews.
The BA Publishes the 2021 Craft Beer Industry Review
June 1, 2022 | Julie Rhodes
Every year, the Brewers Association publishes its Industry Review issue of The New Brewer magazine, which gives craft beer industry members a snapshot of how each brewery segment of the industry has performed over the past year in terms of production and sales levels. This edition never fails to disappoint with a plethora of juicy statistics for beer data nerds to chew on and brewery ownership to postulate about the future of the craft beer market landscape. This year was not without its share of surprises, with the likes of a non-alcoholic beer brand entering the mix and even more appearances by well-known breweries now functioning as “beverage” companies enjoying success with products that go beyond the typical ale or lager. And while that sexy 8% overall segment growth rate gets industry folks all excited, it’s not without some fine print. It’s one thing to take these rankings on the nose and pass judgment on where the craft beer industry is heading, but there are some really interesting finds in this data if you learn to read between the lines.
Claimstake Brewing | Hit Me With Your Best Hops
June 1, 2022 | Robert French
Are you looking for some old-school dank bitterness with some new school hops? Hit Me With Your Best Hops, just might be the answer. Claimstake Brewing has definitely dialed up the bitterness but did it in a way without knocking you out. Read More
Great Divide Brewing is Updating Its Look
May 27, 2022 | Brian Phipps
Denver’s Great Divide Brewing Co. is freshening up its look. The brewery, celebrating its 28th anniversary later this year, is updating all of its cans, boxes and icons. Of course, beer fans will still see its infamous Yeti on its Imperial Stout but will notice a brighter scheme on its packaging as well as Great Divide in a bright red box.
Levante Brewing Company | Hop Cartel: The Chron
May 26, 2022 | Dave Drury
If you drive an hour west of Philadelphia, you hit West Chester, Pennsylvania and the awesome people of Levante Brewing Company. The brewery, which opened in 2015, houses a 15-BBL system, and they use it to the full extent—making a slew of styles so every palate can enjoy a beer.
They also have a series of hoppier brews, known as Hop Cartel. Each of these Double IPAs features a different blend of hops and clocks in at over 8% alcohol. The Chron was made with Citra, Strata, and HBC-586 hops and packs a punch with an 8.1% ABV. Read More
2022 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival Pour List Announced
May 25, 2022 | Tristan Chan
We are just a week and a half away from the grand return of the 2022 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival taking place in Paso Robles, CA on Saturday, June 4. Having built a reputation as one of the most celebrated festivals within the craft beer industry the FWIBF returns after a COVID-induced hiatus with another all-star cast of breweries.
Not only are some of the best of the best breweries represented from around the globe, but a festival of this caliber always brings out the rarest beers as well. In addition to the usual hyped barrel-aged styles typically found at destination festivals, it’s refreshing to see a wider representation of world-class lagers as well.
Be sure to check back as we break down some of the can’t-miss beers to try at this year’s Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival, but for now, enjoy a look at the initial pour list. Tickets are SOLD OUT for this year’s festival as last year’s ticket holders were offered first right of refusal. Keep in mind, as with all beer festivals, pour lists are subject to change, but this serves as a nice preview of what’s anticipated from each brewery.
Kick Off Summer with the Creekside Beer Fest at the Boulder Creek Fest
May 25, 2022 | Tristan Chan 1
Despite an unusually late snowfall at the end of last week, this Memorial Day weekend marks the official beginning of the Summer beer festival season. Luckily Coloradans will be treated to warmer temps and a welcome kickoff to this year’s beer fest season with the Creekside Beer Fest as part of the Boulder Creek Fest.
Ultimate 6er | The Bob’s Burgers Movie
May 25, 2022 | Scott Johnson 1
Burgers are the ultimate partner for beer. (Sorry Pizza!) Whether you’re in a fancy restaurant or sitting by the barbecue, nothing hits the spot quite like the charbroiled taste of meat washed down with a refreshing beer. Memorial Day is the perfect excuse to enjoy these simple pleasures in life whether stuck with your family or watching America’s favorite burger-slinging family, The Belchers!
Hooray for Craft Beer! | A Review & Interview with Author Em Sauter
May 25, 2022 | David Nilsen
Hooray for Craft Beer!, the new book of educational beer cartoons from Em Sauter of Pints & Panels, celebrates learning about beer in an inclusive and non-intimidating way. The follow-up to 2017’s Beer Is For Everyone (of Drinking Age)!, this new title from Brewers Publications issues an invitation to people of all levels of beer knowledge to enjoy and understand our favorite beverage.
The Return on Investment of CBC 2022
May 24, 2022 | Julie Rhodes
For a vast number of current and aspiring beer professionals, the annual Craft Brewers Conference hosted by the Brewers Association is THE go-to industry conference for all things beer-related. It’s four full days of seminars, workshops, and social networking events, plus a seemingly endless trade show floor ripe with vendors enthusiastically waiting to sell you everything from gaskets and exotic hops to insurance and glycol systems. Most attendees return home with swag bags full of branded goodies and heads full of ideas. But what’s the true return on investment (ROI) of attending the Craft Brewers Conference when it comes to growing the bottom line of your brewery business? If you or your team didn’t attend the conference, this will give you some insight into what was missed and for those that did attend, some ideas for how to revisit sessions and take advantage of all that was offered to help you optimize the business side of your brewery.
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