Boulder Beer Company

The Boulder Beer Company was Colorado's first microbrew and the forty-third licensed brewery in the United States.[1] It was founded on September 25, 1979 by David Hummer, Alvin Nelson, and Randolf Ware.[2] Ware and Hummer were physics professors at the University of Colorado Boulder and home brewers.[3] When the laws surrounding home brewing were relaxed, the brewery originally started on a farm in a "goatshack."[4]

History

The Boulder Beer Company was originally known as the Boulder Brewing Company and went public in 1980, raising over $1.7 million. A decade later, in 1990, the company changed its name to Boulder Beer Company when Gina Day took the company private. In 1993 the company again renamed itself as the "Rockies Brewing Company." In 2002, the Rockies Brewing Company entered into a strategic agreement with Rock Bottom Breweries allowing Rock Bottom to brew and sell their Singletrack Ale.

In 2005, the company again changed its name back to the Boulder Beer Company.[5]

On January 6, 2020, the company announced a plan to sell its brewpub and focus on contract brewing.[6]

On January 18, 2020, Boulder Beer closed its brewpub located at Wilderness Place and announced the site would be up for sale.[7]

In 2020, Sleeping Giant out of Denver, CO took over the rights of Boulder Beer, with original owners and brewmasters still being involved in decisions going forward. Osterman, a Boulder local himself, came of (legal) age on Boulder Beer and couldn’t imagine a world without beer from the Colorado brewery that started it all. Conveniently, Matt already ran a brewery silently famous for helping multiple Colorado brewers increase production beyond their current capacities. So taking the full reigns of Boulder Beer was an easy, full heart decision for him.

At the beginning of 2021, Boulder Beer revealed a new brand design, logo, and look all created by fellow Boulderites. They brought back old favorites like Mojo, Shake, and Hazed and Infused as well as introducing new names like SKO (originally Buffalo Gold Beer) and new concepts like Bubbly By Nature, and one of a kind Bubbly IPA.

Activities

The Boulder Beer Company is also known for being civic minded. In 2008, it became a sponsoring partner in Boulder's "10 for a Change Challenge," a program designed to reduce energy consumption by 10% via eco-friendly improvements for increased energy efficiency. In addition to being a sponsor for the challenge, the Pub is already PACE Certified (Partners for a Clean Environment) using bio-diesel fuel, recycled/compostable "to go" containers, and recycling. The brewery uses 100% recycled 6-pack carriers and non-petroleum based inks.[8]

Every year, the Boulder Beer Company participates in "Beer 4 Boobs," a nationwide charity program raising money for the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.[9] They also host an annual "Goatshed Revival" Beer Festival in honor of their first brewery that was in a shed shared by goats. Part of the planning of the revival is a homebrew competition wherein homebrewer compete to have the Boulder Beer Company brew and distribute their homebrew.[10] Proceeds from the Goatshed Revival are donated to the Community Food Share, a non-profit organization feeding the community's poor.

Awards and accolades

In 1994, Ernst and Young awarded Gina Day, the owner of the company, with their Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Beer Competition Category Year Place
Never Summer Ale 2004 World Beer Cup Strong Ale 2004 Gold Medal
Sundance Amber Ale 2000 World Beer Cup 2000 Silver Medal
Sweaty Betty Blonde 2004 US Beer Tasting Championships Southwest (Wheat Beer) 2004 Best of the Rockies
Planet Porter Great American Beer Festival 1992 Gold Medal
Planet Porter World Beer Championships 1997 Silver Medal
Singletrack Copper Ale All About Beer Magazine 2000 Voted Best of the Best
Singletrack Copper Ale World Beer Cup 2002 Silver Medal
Singletrack Copper Ale World Beer Cup 2004 Bronze Medal
Pass Time Pale Ale World Beer Championships 1997 Silver Medal
Buffalo Gold World Beer Cup 2000 Silver Medal
Pass Time Pale Ale World Beer Championships 1997 Silver Medal
Hazed & Infused Boulder Brewfest 2003 Bronze Medal

See also

References
  1. Boulder Beer is officially 29 years old on September 25. Archived August 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Accessed 1/5/09
  2. Note: The literature issued by the BBC fails to mention Nelson. Nelson's name, however, appears on the original license.
  3. Todd. Boulder Beer Company Releases Cold Hop British-Style Ale April 22, 2007. Accessed 1/5/09
  4. Goldyn, Debra. Boulder Beer's 5th annual Goatshed Revival Archived January 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine ColoradoDaily.com August 17, 2008. Accessed 1/5/09
  5. "History," Boulder Beer Company web site Accessed 1/5/09
  6. Infante, Jessica (January 6, 2020). "Boulder Beer Company to Sell Brewpub Building, Transition to Contract Brewed Brand". Brewbound. BevNet.com, Inc. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  7. "Boulder Beer Company Will Close on January 18, Ending Forty Years of History".
  8. Boulder Beer Company accepts the Boulder “10 for Change Challenge” Archived July 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine October 28, 2008. Accessed 1/6/09
  9. BOULDER BEER FOR BOOBS! Archived October 11, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Accessed 1/6/09
  10. 2008 GOATSHED REVIVAL HOMEBREW COMPETITION Archived November 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Accessed 1/6/09
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