We sent around a questionnaire to some Colorado brewers to get their responses to the latest trends in craft beer, what they think about the coming sale of full-strength beer in grocery stores and what they are looking forward to for GABF.
Here are their responses, which have been lightly edited:
Jon Cross, co-owner and head brewer at Call To Arms Brewing Co. (Denver)
Q. What trends do you see in the craft beer world? Are you a fan?
A. Increased experimentation, sometimes to the absurd. This categorization is really twofold; while many brewers are rediscovering historical styles and experimenting with long lost recipes, others are pushing the limits with adjuncts and non-traditional ingredients. We love experimenting with one-off beers at CTA, but some of the newer trends seem to get away from well-crafted beer for the sake of “shock value” or social media attention. In those cases, I am not a fan.
Q. What do you think about the future of craft beer? With more breweries closing and fewer opening, what do you think this means for the industry?
A. What we’ve experienced since 2000 has really been the Gold Rush equivalent in the brewing world. With that comes many positives – increased consumer knowledge, more relevance in an industry dominated by giants, and a legitimizing of craft beer. On the other hand, the market is becoming much more competitive (as it should), and the closing of some breweries is a healthy correction for an industry reaching saturation.
Q. What does the coming sale of beer in grocery stores mean for the industry in this state?
A. For us, it doesn’t make much of a difference as we’re a non-packaging brewery. However, for those that package, I can see it being a double-edged sword. With the opening of grocery stores comes additional shelf space (assuming Big Beer hasn’t already purchased it all). Conversely, this will likely drive more breweries to package and many brands will probably get lost in the shuffle. Distinguishing your brand vs. the hundreds of others will become increasingly difficult and frankly it’s not a battle we choose to enter.
Q. What is making you happy and keeping you going?
A. The creative freedom to make what we want and the wonderful brewing community surrounding us. This is still an incredibly collaborative industry and I wouldn’t give it up for anything.
Q. What does having GABF in Denver every year mean to you and what does it mean for the beer scene in Colorado?
A. For us in Denver, it’s basically a week-long free-marketing bonanza. The obvious benefit is increased sales but on a more personal note it’s an opportunity to showcase the best we have to offer in Denver and get people as excited about beer as we are. GABF has been instrumental in putting Colorado on the national map (along with world-class beer), and the exposure continues to drive innovation and investment in our industry. Not to mention it’s a dang good time!
Neil Fisher, co-owner and head brewer at WeldWerks Brewing (Greeley)
Q. What breweries/beers you are excited about at this year’s session (besides your own, of course)?
A. There are SOOOO many good breweries pouring at GABF every year, but from a quick glance at the list, the ones I will visit first are probably Great Notion Brewing, More Brewing Co., Kane Brewing, Hop Butcher for the World, and Pinthouse Pizza.
Q. What trends do you see in the craft beer world? Are you a fan?
A. I am always excited about brewers that are pushing boundaries. New England-style IPAs have certainly been the break-out star, and I don’t see the growth of that style slowing down anytime soon. But I’m also excited about the resurgence of classic styles, especially lagers.
Q. What do you think about the future of craft beer? With more breweries closing and fewer opening, what do you think this means for the industry?
A. We’re in a very fortunate and unique position at WeldWerks because we essentially have complete control over our growth. The demand for our beer far exceeds our current capacity, and that is not something we take for granted. But the slowed growth of the industry overall definitely has us evaluating what kind of growth is most strategic and sustainable for WeldWerks. I think every brewery, large and small, will probably be doing the same as they consider investments for expansion.
What is making you happy and keeping you going?
I am most excited that our growth has afforded us more opportunities to invest in our staff and in our community.
Q. What does having GABF in Denver every year mean to you and what does it mean for the beer scene in Colorado?
A. We LOVE the Great American Beer Festival, and it has been a huge part of our journey even before we opened WeldWerks. Not only does it draw craft beer enthusiasts from all over to our state every year, it has also firmly established Colorado as one of the most important beer communities in the world. In fact, we’re doubling down on GABF this year, with a huge release planned at the brewery for Wednesday, Sept. 19, and then a featured end cap at the festival itself where we will be pouring 10 different beers. WE. CAN’T. WAIT!
Ryan Scott, co-owner and brewer at Odd13 Brewing
Q. What trends do you see in the craft beer world? Are you a fan?
A. As far as beer trends go, I can’t really predict what the next big thing is. Hazy IPAs will continue to be strong, and I do see an uptick in craft lagers, but I can’t imagine lagers overtaking IPA any time soon.
Q. What do you think about the future of craft beer? With more breweries closing and fewer opening, what do you think this means for the industry?
A. In industry trends, openings still outpace closings. I see continued growth, but nothing like what we’ve seen the past eight or so years.
Q. What does the coming sale of beer in grocery stores mean for the industry in this state?
A. The grocery store situation in this state is bizarre. As of right now, the (Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division) interpretation of the laws is that we need a separate license to manufacture beer that will be sold in grocery stores. The Colorado Brewer’s Guild is working to get that cleaned up, but I see a lot of uncertainty related to grocery. I think it’ll be a great growth opportunity for the breweries that can nail it, and we intend to do just that.
Q. What does having GABF in Denver every year mean to you and what does it mean for the beer scene in Colorado?
A. It’s awesome to have GABF in town because I get to see industry friends I haven’t seen in a while. On top of that, we (Colorado brewers) become the center of the beer universe for a few days. The buzz around town during GABF is really cool.
Tommy Bibliowicz, owner and head brewer at 4Noses Brewing (Broomfield)
Q. What trends do you see in the craft beer world? Are you a fan?
A. I am a fan of any beer style that has real flavor or aroma contributions. I was critical of New England-style IPAs until I began to learn more about them and the unique hop flavors that exist. I like that the style has expanded and I really enjoy Milkshake IPAs and their flavor profiles. I am also excited about the use of additional enzymes in styles such as Brut IPAs. I am not a fan of styles that are only aesthetic and play on a pure gimmick. I think it undermines the incredible ingenuity of craft brewers and can potentially harm the reputation of craft beer. This is especially true since we as an industry have to prove the value of true craft versus the mass produced “crafty” brands.
Q. What do you think about the future of craft beer? With more breweries closing and fewer opening, what do you think this means for the industry?
A. I am always optimistic about the future of craft beer. The industry is not saturated, only more competitive, and in that landscape the consumer wins. There will always be room for creative new brewers who can make clean, consistent beer.
Q. What does the coming sale of beer in grocery stores mean for the industry in this state?
A. It is going to be a logistical and licensing challenge for breweries, but many of the grocery stores have been very helpful and forthcoming about this change. We are going to continue to work closely with both the grocery stores and liquor stores as they both offer a different and beneficial experience for the consumer.
Q. What is making you happy and keeping you going?
A. I love experimenting and making new beers. We have been testing new processes and packaging more new styles of beer then we ever have before. I am also fond of the camaraderie in this industry, and it has been incredible meeting new people from all parts of craft beer. Despite some challenges on the horizon for beer, the industry is developing and improving in many different ways. It is incredible to be involved with such a forward group such as the Colorado Brewers Guild, who has been improving the position of all craft brewers in Colorado .
Q. What does having GABF in Denver every year mean to you and what does it mean for the beer scene in Colorado?
A. It’s always one of our busiest times as a brewery and the Colorado beer scene gets very creative with a plethora of different events. GABF will always be the premier beer festival in the country, but the events that happen around town are arguably the best part!
Jason Buehler, head brewer, Denver Beer Co. (Denver)
Q. What trends do you see in the craft beer world? Are you a fan?
A. Lots of trendy new beer styles. Milkshake IPA’s, fruit beers, Brut IPA’s, Juicy IPA’s, etc. Also less brand loyalty from consumers. People seem to want to just try new beers, not necessarily buy them repeatedly. I like some of the trendy new beer styles. In general I’ve always enjoyed hoppy beers that are less bitter and focus more on aroma and flavor. Some of these new beer styles align with that, so I like that.
Q. What do you think about the future of craft beer? With more breweries closing and fewer opening, what do you think this means for the industry?
A. I’m hoping that with fewer opening and some closing that we’ll see the overall quality go up. With as many breweries as have opened in the last 10 years, we were bound to have some open that make bad beer and give customers a bad experience. I hope those go away and we’re left with better breweries.
Q. What does the coming sale of beer in grocery stores mean for the industry in this state?
A. It means things will change quite a bit. I’m hopeful that consumers will get good choices at grocery stores. I’m also hopeful that consumers will be getting fresh beer at the grocery stores, but that remains to be seen.
Q. What is making you happy and keeping you going?
A. I’ve enjoyed continuing to be creative and find new ways to make beer. We’ve made some fun beers with unique processes and ingredients that are interesting to me.
Q. What does having GABF in Denver every year mean to you and what does it mean for the beer scene in Colorado?
A. It’s great! It gives us an opportunity to host lots of amazing people in our industry and show them the types of beers that we’ve been making. I’m proud to be a Colorado brewer and love having craft beer fans in our city to celebrate what we do every fall!
David Lin, co-owner of Comrade Brewing (Denver)
Q. What breweries/beers you are excited about at this year’s session (besides your own, of course)?
A. It’s always good to see the crew from Barley Brown’s, La Cumbre, Breakside, Uberbrew, Red Lodge, Bosque and Boxing Bear. I’m most excited to see the state guild booths, because they usually bring stuff that isn’t listed anywhere that people are looking to drink. It’s also the first year for the collaboration competition and collaboration beers on the floor, excited to see that as well.
Q. What trends do you see in the craft beer world? Are you a fan?
A. I’m seeing more and more beers with as little bitterness as possible. We’re hardwired to be sensitive to bitterness, because it is a warning sign of poisons. Without any bitterness to counter the sweetness of the malt, it’s just unbalanced sweet.
A lot of beers that have so many added ingredients that it no longer tastes like beer or traditionally isn’t in beer. I’m not a fan of this either. There are a lot of allergies out there. If someone gets hurt, it will only bring more scrutiny and regulation to our industry. CBD beers come to mind as an example of an added ingredient that has been banned with regulations. Beer is traditionally made with natural ingredients, but there’s a trend to add processed foods into the beer, which contain GMO ingredients, preservatives, artificial flavorings & colorings to make it the opposite of natural.
Lactose being added into all sorts of styles, from IPA to sour beer. This probably goes back to the first point, we’re also hardwired to like sweet things and adding more and more sugar (like lactose) into styles really take away from the drinkability. I’m also lactose intolerant, so all these beers that have added lactose I can’t enjoy.
Q. What do you think about the future of craft beer? With more breweries closing and fewer opening, what do you think this means for the industry?
A. The biggest disrupter has been “local.” More focus on small neighborhood taprooms and less demand for out-of-state beers. The pace of openings continue to grow, far outpacing closings. Comrade was I believe one of 46 that opened in Colorado in 2014. I think there’s 60-plus planning in Colorado to open in 2018.
Q. What does the coming sale of beer in grocery stores mean for the industry in this state?
A. Estimates seem to point to a lot of small independent liquor stores closing. It will be less shelf space and less opportunity for smaller packaging craft breweries. For smaller packaging breweries, it’ll probably mean less sales, because there are less placements on shelves. Less convenience for the consumer with fewer stores to purchase from. The regional-sized packaging breweries that have the experience and expertise will benefit by being able to get into grocery stores. Good news for them to help utilize their extra brewing capacity and/or recoup lost volume over the past couple of years.
Q. What is making you happy and keeping you going?
A. The people I work with at the brewery definitely puts a smile on my face. Most of them have been there since we opened in April 2014 and the brewery wouldn’t be the same without them. Lots of new experimental varieties of hops are always coming out. Some may only ever exist at test plots and never be a commercial variety, but it’s fun to experiment with them and see what new flavor profiles they’re breeding.
What does having GABF in Denver every year mean to you and what does it mean for the beer scene in Colorado?
It’s a blessing and a curse. If it was in another city, it’s more like a vacation and no option to go to the brewery to work. It’s more relaxing and fun, like when World Beer Cup isn’t in Denver. It’s great to hear from friends that want to meet and visit the brewery. Breweries from all over the country are doing special GABF drops of beers and it’s among the best time to visit.
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