Attention Greeley craft beer lovers: From IPAs to collectibles, calendar dates you won’t want to miss
The new brite tank being installed at WeldWerks Brewing Co., 508 8th Avenue, Greeley, is only one element of many that created the brewery’s new 30-barrel 4-vessel steam brewhouse at the end of 2023. The expansion space enables WeldWerks to reach 26 target markets across the country, allowing it to more than double its reach in 2024. Photo by WeldWerks Brewing Co.
By Emily Kemme
Greeley’s six breweries keep their loyal patrons hopping with new craft creations, collaborations, fun events and more. After a low-key month spent in semi-darkness, there are plenty of beer releases and events to light up the first months of 2024.
According to a news release, WeldWerks Brewing Co. finished construction of its new 30-barrel 4-vessel steam brewhouse to close out last year. The expanded space enables WeldWerks to reach 26 target markets across the country, doubling its reach in 2024.
The brewery’s 2024 Beer Release Calendar features selections based on collaborations with brewing, sales, marketing and for the first time, consumers.
“We decided to open up our 4th quarter Hazy Double India Pale Ale selection to our loyal customers. We believe that providing them with the opportunity to have their voices heard by helping us select from eight of our favorite Hazy Double IPAs from the past few years is a great way to engage with our consumers while also bringing them into our community,” WeldWerks Head Brewer Skip Schwartz said in the release.
Customers selected Doom & Bloom using an open vote with a public Google form available on social media, Chea Franz of Indie Creative Co. said.
The Imperial Double New England Hazy IPA weighs in at 8.4% ABV, which aligns the beer with other WeldWerks’ heavier hitters in their IPA lineup. The Doom & Bloom release will be available from October through December this year. It partners with a sour ale 4th quarter release, Blueberry & Huckleberry Pie, just in time for your holiday festivities.
WeldWerks favorites Juicy Bits and Extra Extra Juicy Bits are on tap year-round, along with their easy-drinking Colorado Ale and popular Hefeweizen. Each quarter sees releases of sours, including Bamm Bamm Rubble Rubble, Strawberry Cheesecake and Orange Creamsicle.
A Few Drops of Craft Brew History
Colorado craft brewers have developed an innovative industry that has exploded since The Rocky Mountain Brewing Company, the first indie craft brewery in the state, was founded near Cherry Creek in 1859, producing beers for miners and pioneers before statehood was attained in 1876.
After a rocky start due to Prohibition from 1916-1934 Boulder Beer brought Colorado back online in 1979 and the craft industry was off and running. Today, the state has more than 400 craft breweries.
But when brewers pair up to brew one-off collaborative beers at the annual Collaboration Beer Fest, which takes place this year March 30 at the Westin in Westminster, it’s a keg-tapping party.
The event is open to the public and offers advance purchase tiered ticket prices based on early entry (2 - 6 p.m.), general admission (3 - 6 p.m.) and discounted designated driver tickets where you can enjoy everything except the beer. For overnight stays, The Westin has blocked out Collaboration Beer Fest rooms from $119/night.
Brewer Wade Meyer in WeldWerks’ new, enhanced brewhouse in downtown Greeley. Photo: WeldWerks Brewing Co.
Several Greeley and Windsor breweries have some skin in the game this year. Rule 105 Brewing and Yetters Brewing Company teamed up to make an American Mild flavored with Blood Orange, according to a news release.
“This American Mild was brewed with sweet orange peel and flavored with Blood Orange to create a very drinkable and accessible beer for 2024,” the release said.
TightKnit Brewing Co. and Timnath Beerwerks, having brewed together previously, created an Imperial German Pilsner with German Amarillo hops that resulted in a bigger, hoppier Pilsner than is typical of the style.
The two pair-ups join others that celebrate anniversaries, along with a new international collaboration with Japanese Hakuba Brewing Company and Vail Brewing Company resulting in a Japanese Rice Lager with plum. The pairing of two high altitude beer makers and a love of skiing created “Hanami Lager,” a toast to the beginning of spring and cherry trees in bloom.
Looking ahead to Colorado Pint Day
On Wednesday, April 10, the Colorado Brewers Guild is set to host its annual fundraiser, now in its 9th year, with Colorado Pint Day. Participating breweries donate $1 of each pint glass sold to the guild, a nonprofit trade organization for Colorado independent craft breweries, according to a release.
For the third year in a row, CBG hosted an art competition for Guild member brewery creatives. Rhyan Montgomery, a beertender for Ramblebine Brewing Company in Grand Junction and a Colorado Mesa University graduate, provided the winning design for this year’s theme: Spring Skiing and Pond Skimming. Montgomery co-owns Black Poppy Studio & Gallery in Grand Junction.
WeldWerks Brewing Co. 2024 Beer Release calendar makes it easy to stay up to date with what’s pouring. Courtesy of WeldWerks Brewing Co.
The event always takes place on a Wednesday in springtime, which is typically slow season for craft breweries.
“Colorado Pint Day [is] a time-honored tradition . . . [and] a big driver of business for local craft breweries,” CBG communications manager Carrie Knose Wilson said in the release.
It’s also an opportunity to add art glassware to your pint collection. In 2023, Colorado Pint Day saw 215 participating locations with 29,000 glasses sold statewide.
The full list of participating breweries for the event will be announced at a later date. Follow The NoCo Optimist for updates.