Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\nColorado has the second highest number of craft breweries (behind California) in the country \u2014 and some killer beer festivals to boot \u2014 but this powerhouse industry often faces some image myths.<\/p>\n
Despite the fact that plenty of bearded white dudes do enjoy craft beer, this is not the industry\u2019s lone demographic. In fact, about half of the guests at Colorado Brewers Guild affiliated festivals \u2014 such as the upcoming Vail Craft Beer Classic \u2014 are women.<\/p>\n
What exactly defines \u201ccraft\u201d beer? The Colorado Brewers Guild defines it as beer brewed by breweries that are independent and small, brewing less than 2 million barrels per year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe \u2018craft\u2019 aspect also incorporates a strong sense of community and centuries worth of brewing tradition,\u201d said Shawnee Adelson, Deputy Director at the Colorado Brewers Guild, \u201ccombined with a focus on pushing the boundaries of what can be done with this incredible beverage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here are some of the qualities of Colorado\u2019s craft beer industry to experience yourself at the upcoming Vail Craft Beer Classic.<\/p>\n
ENDLESS VARIETY<\/strong><\/p>\nFrom styles of beer including IPAs, ales, stouts and porters, brown ales, wheats, hefeweizens, Belgian pale ales and others, to flavors such as tangerine, coriander, ginger, blood orange, watermelon and many more, craft beers are not easily defined by taste.<\/p>\n
\u201cColorado is a melting pot that brings a wide spectrum of flavors and creativity to the table,\u201d said Andy Jessen, co-founder and manager at Bonfire Brewing in Eagle. \u201cBecause it\u2019s such an attractive place to live, we have brewers from all over the country bringing the best of many different recipe formulation philosophies. I think it creates unparalleled variety.\u201d<\/p>\n
MORE THAN HOPS<\/strong><\/p>\nYou\u2019ve probably tried a craft beer \u2014 or maybe even several \u2014 that you didn\u2019t like, but breweries are coming out with new styles all the time. Jessen said people often think craft beer is too hoppy, bitter or flavorful, but he said the variety of styles \u201cis a rainbow with something for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Currently, there\u2019s a national industry trend toward producing lighter, lower calorie craft beers.<\/p>\n
Tristan Schmid, Marketing and Events Manager at the Colorado Brewers Guild, said if you tried one brewery and didn\u2019t like it, visit another or try a tasting flight to explore all the varieties.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome people might feel like craft beer is unapproachable, though if they stop in at their local brewery, they\u2019ll likely find that the bartender will be happy to help them find a beer they\u2019ll enjoy,\u201d Schmid said.<\/p>\n
CRAFT BEERS FOR THE COLORADO LIFESTYLE<\/strong><\/p>\nIt\u2019s become a tradition in communities across the state to hit the local brewery after a day of skiing, mountain biking, road cycling, mountaineering or whatever the outdoor adventure du jour is.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis history and integration of craft beer in Colorado makes our industry unique and central to what defines Colorado,\u201d Adelson said.<\/p>\n
COMMUNITY-BASED<\/strong><\/p>\nThere\u2019s been a shift in the U.S. toward knowing where products are sourced \u2014 from produce to meat to seafood, and yes, even beer. By definition, craft beer and its smaller batch production is suited to small-town community vibes.<\/p>\n
Craft brewers are also \u201cscrappy, resilient and exceptionally community-oriented,\u201d Jessen said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople want products they can see the people and history behind, and craft beer is ideally situated to cater to those desires,\u201d Jessen said. \u201cTry as many beers as you can, and support the breweries that do good things in your community. Most brewery owners\/operators are working very long hours for very slim rewards because they\u2019re passionate about beer, the people that drink it, and their respective communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last year, 67 independent breweries opened in Colorado, with about 50 planned to open this year. Many of these breweries are opening up in communities that didn\u2019t have a craft brewery before, Schmid noted.<\/p>\n
BREWERS WHO CARE DEEPLY ABOUT QUALITY<\/strong><\/p>\nColorado brewers are constantly learning about ways to produce the highest quality beers through events such as the Colorado Brewers Guild\u2019s annual Colorado Craft Brewers Summit. The Guild also helps brewery owners and managers learn about the best ways to make their breweries and beers approachable and enjoyable.<\/p>\n
Jessen points out that peers in the industry are always willing to help spread knowledge about quality practices, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd, to a great extent, it\u2019s a self-policing business,\u201d he said. \u201cIf the beer isn\u2019t good, most people probably won\u2019t give it a second chance.\u201d<\/p>\n
FRIENDLY COMPETITION<\/strong><\/p>\nAttend a beer festival like the Vail Craft Beer Classic and you\u2019ll immediately notice the camaraderie among the brewers. These men and women are a passionate bunch just looking to share the joy of beer with as many people as possible.<\/p>\n
These festivals also offer unique opportunities to get face time with these world-class brewers and enjoy one-of-a-kind beers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Vail Craft Beer Classic is a great spot to meet many of those folks,\u201d Jessen said, \u201cand try a wide variety of what Colorado has to offer, in one of the most beautiful settings in our great state.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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