Despite recent snow, it’s time to fill your summer calendar

Compiled by Jay McKinney

Raft the Yampa River with Ska Brewing

While the April and May snow showers might feel like a slow grind out of winter, it won’t be long before the summer heat has us racing for the water to cool down. Thankfully, Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Tours has teamed up with Ska Brewing Company to provide an adventurous getaway down the Yampa River from June 3 to 6.

In addition to providing the refreshments for this four-day excursion, Ska Brewing will also be hosting beer lessons from expert Arlo Grammatica, along with beer pairings with dinner each evening. Add in the scenery and pristine beaches and the evenings could be more enjoyable than the daytime rafting.

“The Yampa River is the last undammed tributary in the Colorado River System, so it’s a pretty wild and scenic place,” says president of Mild to Wild, Alex Mickel. “This is a great time to experience it, and we should have really nice water flows even though we don't have a large snowpack this year. We should be experiencing flows of six to seven thousand CFS in early June, and with that plenty of fun class III whitewater sections.”

Regardless of how nerve racking the rapids may get, this sounds like an adventure that will have you reaching for a cold beer at the end of the day.

Storm King Distilling Co. Keeps Winning

The first and only distillery in Montrose, Storm King Distilling Co., has been named the 2021 Colorado Outstanding Distillery by the Colorado Manufacturing Awards (CMA). Following two gold medals for its Side Gig Whiskey and first release of Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey at the Denver International Spirit Competition, it’s safe to say that Storm King Distilling Co. is on the right path. “Whiskey is what we love and so to have our first ever single-barrel bourbon receive a gold medal, in addition to the success that Side Gig has had, is beyond fantastic,” says David Fishering, the co-founder and distiller. “Like all of our whiskeys, our Colorado Straight Bourbon is made from 100 percent Colorado grown grain from Whiskey Sisters Supply in Burlington. It was important for us from the very beginning to find local partners that care about their products as much as we do and to showcase the terroir in Colorado grains.” The distillery has now been operating for three years and along with the award-winning whiskeys, it produces gin, rum, agave and vodka, which enable the creative cocktail bar. If you are in the Montrose area, set some time aside to visit this award-winning distillery.

Dry Dock Releases Summer 12-pack

Dry Dock Brewing Co. has released the latest edition of its Booty Box mixed 12-pack and it’s loaded with some irresistible beers. Each box comes with a special Pirate’s Pick with this one being the Double IPA that is made with five different “C hops” (Chinook, Cascade, Columbus, Centennial and Citra). Add in the Golden Promise malt and this IPA has distinguishable notes of pine, citrus, honey and melon. Also included in the box is Dry Dock’s Amber Ale that is recognized as a true English-style beer and has won two gold medals at the World Beer Cup. The flavorful Vanilla Porter is the third variety included with its assortment of malts, Willamette and Centennial hops and a generous portion of Madagascar vanilla beans. The final beer in the Booty Box is Dry Dock’s ever-popular flagship, the Apricot Blonde.

Craft Beer Week Arrives

In April breweries across the state jumped into spring with the celebration of Colorado Pint Day. But this month it’s all about Craft Beer Week, which runs from May 10-16 and is a nationwide event dedicated to celebrating craft breweries. The event is hosted by the Brewers Association in Boulder and encourages people to visit their local taprooms, brewpubs and breweries. Fortunately for Coloradans, there’s no shortage of amazing craft breweries to go out and support.

After a year where many breweries struggled to stay afloat, this year’s Craft Beer Week will emphasize the creativity, community and resiliency of America’s small and independent craft breweries. In the early days of the pandemic, many craft breweries were quick to lend a hand in helping produce hand sanitizer for local first responders while also collaborating to raise money for frontline, restaurant and hospitality workers who were impacted especially hard.

“America’s small and independent craft breweries have faced many hardships over the past year,” says Ann Obenchain, the marketing director of the Brewers Association. “When COVID-19 hit, many breweries were forced to change their entire business models overnight. Fast forward to 2021, and we are finally able to envision gathering with friends and family at local breweries again, now or in the near future. This year’s American Craft Beer Week, more than ever, is about more than just delicious craft beer; it’s about community and showing support for hometown taprooms, brewpubs, and breweries.”

With the optimistic outlook for the upcoming summer, breweries that weathered the storm of the pandemic are surely thankful to be in business and will be celebrating the event with new beer releases, discounts and other creative ideas.