DG2C Gets Big Thumbs-Up on Colorado Public Radio
- December 17, 2015 -
If It's On TV, Then It Must Be True - DG2C On PBS
- December 11, 2015 -
Grocery Lobby Plans Big Liquor Law Ballot Issue
- October 21, 2015 -
We've been through this many times before. Grocery stores want to sell full-strength beer, wine and spirits, 'cuz it means profits to them. Craft beverage producers and liquor store owners in Colorado don't want to change the current laws, 'cuz it will hurt their business and their customers. Hey, that's US!
The future of craft may be at stake.
We wrote a story about the issue in 2009. Here'e Part One...
And here's Part Two about why this is a Bad Idea.
It's been voted down every time for a barrel full of good reasons, but the out-of-state grocery corporations think they know what's best for Colorado consumers. Last time this came up, Safeway wrote the law proposed by Larry Liston and Buffy McFadyen in the state house, and we wrote about it in 2010. This time it appears that Spaceway, King Stoopers and WallyWorld are ganging up, ready to pour millions into their one-sided campaign to make more money at the expense of Colorado local business.
Keep Colorado Local released this info today, which we are passing along to you. SUPPRORT YOUR LOCAL BREWERS, VINTNERS, AND DISTILLERS!!!!
Independent Colorado Businesses Committed To Fighting Out-Of-State Corporations’ Campaign To Sell Alcohol In Chain Stores
DENVER â€" Members of Keep Colorado Local on Wednesday said they are committed to fighting changes to Colorado's liquor laws, as out-of-state corporations announced plans to pad their profits at the expense of Colorado small businesses.
Kroger, Safeway and Walmart are teaming up to spend millions of dollars to change Colorado liquor laws, a move that would have dramatic, negative impacts on the state’s 1,600+ mom-and-pop liquor stores and more than 400 independent craft brewers, distillers and vintners.
The Keep Colorado Local coalition includes trade groups, businesses and individuals representing independent liquor stores, craft breweries, wineries, distilleries and other local businesses from throughout the state. They have teamed up to oppose the sale of alcohol in chain stores in order to defend small businesses, preserve public safety, and protect Colorado’s craft culture.
“The chain stores aren’t satisfied by our state’s leaders turning them down at every turn for the past two decades,” said Carolyn Joy, owner of Joy's Wine and Spirits. Her father opened their family-owned businesses in Denver over 50 years ago. “Our state’s liquor laws have helped to grow local economies and changing them would have a devastating impact on small businesses like mine, our employees and their families.”
Out-of-state corporations have tried unsuccessfully to alter Colorado’s liquor laws through legislation at the State Capitol six times since 2008.
A front group for out-of-state chain stores on Tuesday announced plans to pursue legislation or a ballot initiative that would change Colorado's current law to allow the sale of beer, wine and liquor at an estimated 1,500 grocery and convenience stores.
"Expanding sales for chain stores would nearly double the number of outlets selling alcohol and is a direct threat to small businesses like mine that are located in existing shopping centers," said Kim Schottleutner, owner of DTC Wine & Spirits in Greenwood Village, and president of the Colorado Licensed Beverage Association.
An economic study prepared the last time out-of-state chains pursued this idea determined such a change would force more than 700 local liquor stores to close within the first three years and result in the loss of 10,000 jobs and $240 million in revenue to local businesses in the first five years.
"Liquor law in Colorado encourages breweries to grow like nowhere else and have made us the envy of the rest of the country,” said John Carlson, Executive Director of the Colorado Brewers Guild. "Craft brewers are able to get their beer on the shelves of local liquor stores quickly and easily because they have the cooler space and the staff of local stores are their friends and neighbors who are invested in the community's success. Colorado brewers enhance and grow the local economy."
Members of KCL said they are prepared to defend Colorado’s culture and remain committed to protecting what’s been built in our state.
This is a very important issue to Colorado. We'll keep reporting more about this - stay tuned.
Front Range Barbeque & Home Style Meals
- July 16, 2015 -
Have you been to Front Range Barbeque on Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs yet?
If not, you need to visit. It is more than just great barbeque place. They have an amazing variety of craft beer and a full bar. They offer music on the patio and a great atmosphere to walk into. The Colorado Springs Business Journal wrote a great article about Brian Fortinberry and everything that Front Range Barbeque has to offer.
Q: Can GABF Get Any Bigger? A: Holy Crap!!
- July 15, 2015 -
This year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver promises to out-beer all other beer fests, which is not easy anymore. Festivals and tastings abound across the US, with thousands of events drawing millions of craft-savvy folks together to share a few sips of good beer.
GABF isn’t just the biggest, it’s also the oldest. The first GABF in Boulder in 1982 attracted around 400 beer seekers, and since then the event has annually beat its own Guiness World Record for the Number of Beer Taps In One Location.
The Brewer's Association runs the GABF event and they are planning a few changes this year. Tickets will cost $80 ($75 for AHA members) and will go on sale online July 28 and 29 at 10AM Last year 49,000 attendees made it inside the Denver Convention Center, and the BA anticipates 60,000 attendees this year, with 800+ breweries pouring 3,500 different beers. Come thirsty.
To handle this added crush of beer drinkers, another 90,000 square feet of hard concrete in adjoining Hall B will be used as the “Meet the Brewer” section. About 100 pouring tables here will be staffed by brewery folks, “with no assistance from GABF volunteers” according to the BA.
The 2015 GABF Competition awards for gold, silver and bronze winners in 92 style categories will be announced September 26. 1500+ breweries, 6500+ beers to judge... that’s a lot of beer to sort out and taste. It’s not cheap to enter the competition, but winners get a cool medal to wear around their necks and the universal kudos of beer drinkers everywhere for making excellent beer. Good Luck to All!
If you want to attend this year, tickets go on sale July 28 (AHA members) and 29 (the Rest Of The World) at 10am. Online, through ticketmater. Yeah, that sucks. Be there early. Even with more tickets available for theoretical sale, they’ll go fast. All gone in 45 minutes? 20 minutes? If you want tickets, be there early.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game ... for Craft Beer?
- April 27, 2015 -
The last place you might fathom to find a variety of craft beer in Colorado is in a ball park named after a bohemoth macro-brewery. And, until recently, you'd likely be right.
Coors, the eponymous namesake of the countries highest baseball stadium, Coors Field, has sold the notorious "Silver Bullet" in every nook and cranny of the scenic stadium since the structures inception - from almost any vantage point, you're likely to spot the ubiquitous lager. Along with Blue Moon, and in certain spots, smaller batch brews from Coors funded Sandlot, this was previously the extent of offerings.
But, over the past two or three years, the likes of Breckenridge, Boulder, Avery, New Belgium, Odell, Great Divide and Oskar Blues have somehow slipped into the domain of the Golden, Colorado giant. Although sometimes difficult to find, cans and bottles of craft beer can be found sporadically throughout the stadium between the countless Coors Light pouring stations. More intriguing though are the draft options. At many of the bars and restaurants located in the Rooftop area - the two-tiered, standing-room only party-platform overlooking the stadium above right-field - craft beer on tap can be had. Titan IPA from Great Divide, Hazed and Infused from Boulder and others can be found at the Tavern, and at the Oskar Blues CHUBurger, you can get pours of Dales Pale Ale.
For a state so saturated with craft beer, it's good to see some suds diversity flowing into venues once fearful of variety. Go Rockies! Check out the complete offerings at Coors Field here.
America's Best Beer Cities ????
- January 20, 2015 -
Cleveland? Really?
For a good chuckle, check out this strange lineup of “America’s Best Beer Cities, As Chosen by Beer Experts”. It’s from Conde Nast Traveler, by way of Huffington Post. No Denver. No Fort Collins. No Portland, Oregonia, either. We’re guessing these “beer experts” don’t get out and about very much. And if a good story is measured by how much it makes you think “Where’d they come up with that crap?”, then this is quality reportage indeed.
Are we biased? No, we’re spoiled. Spoiled by the hundreds of fab-o beers found in dozens of Colorado cities and towns. Colorado Beer put the “class” in “world class beer”. If you can’t think “Denver" when you think of “Best Beer Cities”, then please, go ahead. Go to Cleveland. Go to Grand Rapids. Stay there, and drink to your heart's content. That’ll just leave more for us to find and enjoy here in The State of Craft Beer.
