Popular Tradition Returns to a Brewery Near You

Jay McKinney

Mark your calendar because Colorado Pint Day has returned for 2021. Treasured by collectors and newbies alike, the Colorado Brewers Guild’s (CBG) event has gained a cult-like following and will once again provide Colorado residents the opportunity to support local craft breweries while taking home a souvenir.

On Wednesday, April 7, you can purchase a 16-ounce Libbey Willi Becher glass featuring the artwork of designer Brooks Engel. The theme for the 2021 artwork is “catch a pint,” and Engel’s love for the outdoors is evident in the vibrant design that shows mountains, pine trees and a prominently displayed fish between two beer taps.

“On top of the fish being the focal point, I wanted to incorporate beer and other outdoor imagery, so the addition of the tap handles and fishing reels, as well as the mountains, trees and tent, gave it an overall Colorado feel,” Engel said. “I also played with the idea of day and night on each side of the glass so it wasn't a complete reflection on each side.”

During the pandemic, the CBG faced a tremendous challenge as they fought to keep Colorado craft breweries afloat in the uncertain economy that threw curveball after curveball at the hospitality industry. With each glass sold on Colorado Pint Day, $1 will be donated to the CBG. So, if you like craft beer and want to provide some extra support for CBG, then purchasing one of these sought-after glasses should be a no-brainer.

Marks Lanham of Comrade Brewing Company agrees, saying, “For getting a craft beer and a glass you can take home, you can’t afford not to.” Comrade serves as a drop-off point for the glasses so participating breweries throughout the state will pick up their glasses at Comrade. Lanham says it’s nice because it gives him a chance to connect with other brewery comrades from across the state. In addition, River North Brewery’s Blake Street taproom will also serve as a pickup location for the artistic glasses.

The artist’s brand, Nowhere Land Supply, displays similar designs on apparel, stickers and other miscellaneous items, but adding the design of this limited edition glass to a resume won’t hurt. “Breweries and beer are a big part of the Colorado lifestyle, and it has always been a bucket list project of mine to work on beer can and pint designs,” Engel said. “Colorado Pint Day glasses have become almost an exclusive collector’s item, so being the person who created the artwork for this year is an awesome experience and I am stoked to be a part of it.”

This year will be the sixth annual Pint Day and a different artist has been featured each year. The CBG usually comes up with a theme, and then they let the artist creatively design work that fits the theme, said Shawnee Adelson, the executive director of the CBG.

The majority of the state’s 400-plus licensed breweries are members of the CBG, a non-profit trade association that aims to promote, protect and propel independent craft breweries through advocacy, public awareness, community and education. This year, the CBG is pleased to announce that over 150 breweries will be participating in the event.

“One of the great things about Colorado Pint Day is that it is truly a statewide effort and I’m thrilled that we have a record number of breweries participating this year, Adelson says. “There are member breweries near and far, including some of the oldest and largest craft breweries and some of the smallest and newest participating.”

Surely, a craft brewery near you will be participating in the event so stop by and show them some love, while also supporting craft breweries across the state with the purchase of a collectable Willi Becher glass.

Jay McKinney is a Colorado native who recently graduated from Metro State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He loves spending time outdoors, playing golf and hiking.