Craft Brewing Brotherhood

• August 5, 2009
• upslopebrewing
• no comments

When we first started brewing beer back in October, on a Sunday afternoon I was meeting some friends at Upslope in order to give them a tour. Upon reaching to unlock the door, a voice perked up behind our group, “Do any of you guys work here?”. It was Dave Chichura, Head Brewer of Oskar Blues. He had noticed the sign and was curious about what we were all about. He joined the tour, and I encouraged him to chime in whenever he could. When things were wrapping up, he said, “If you ever need anything, just ask.”

I have learned ever since that when a fellow brewer says this, it’s not just   lipservice. Boulder County and Colorado are somewhat of a craft brewing incubator. We have a sound infrastructure of suppliers, outstanding water, legislation that allows a startup to succeed, a brewer’s association that is the standard, a strong state brewer’s guild, a population of educated palates who demand great beer, and a bunch of brewers who want to see their “competitors” succeed. It’s no wonder that Colorado produces more beer than any state in the Union.

I have taken Dave up on his offer more than once, and offers made from the great people at Left Hand, Avery, Boulder Beer .   .   .