2020 CMA Preview: Outstanding Craft Brewer
By Angela Rose | Mar 01, 2020
In Colorado, a good beer is never hard to find.
With 9.2 breweries per every 100,000 drinking-age adults, the state ranks fourth for the most breweries per capita in the nation according to data gathered and maintained by the Brewers Association. The craft breweries among them produced 1,522,834 barrels of artisan suds in 2018, or 11 gallons per drinking-age adult in the state.
This year's Outstanding Craft Brewer nominees contributed to that total while putting an emphasis on community impact, environmentally friendly practices, and consumer engagement.
Dry Dock Brewing Co.
Aurora, Colorado
Founded: 2005
Privately owned
Employees: 62
Industry: Brewing & Distilling
Products: Beer
Though Dry Dock Brewing Co. started out as a small bar inside the Brew Hut homebrewing store, it has since grown into a large production facility, two tasting rooms, and a partnership with the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center. The brewery's award-winning beers are manufactured and packaged in Aurora and distributed throughout the state of Colorado.
"Dry Dock strives to be an innovator in the craft beer industry," the brewery says. The company recently launched the Mysters hard seltzer line to increase their product offerings. "The new line has not only brought about new job opportunities, but it has also expanded the footprint of the production line by adding a new machine specifically designed to package the hard seltzers and beers in environmental-friendly packaging."
CompanyWeek profile: https://companyweek.com/company-profile/dry-dock-brewing-co
Goat Patch Brewing Company
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Founded: 2016
Privately owned
Employees: 18
Industry: Brewing & Distilling
Products: Beer
.jpg)
Founded by good friends with a common passion for great beer, Goat Patch Brewing Company considers itself "the home of balanced brews, community, and adventure." The brewery’s award-winning beers are packaged and distributed throughout Colorado Springs and along the Front Range.
Growing quickly, Goat Patch Brewing Company has added three 30-barrel fermenters and one new brite tank since opening and has "continued to see a rise in sales in the taproom, wholesale, merchandise, and events monthly," says the brewery. "In the marketing world, we have doubled our likes, follows, and user engagement in the past year."
High Hops Brewery
Windsor, Colorado
Founded: 2012
Privately owned
Employees: 20
Industry: Brewing & Distilling
Products: Beer and spirits
A family-owned business, High Hops Brewery is located inside the Weakland family's greenhouse, The Windsor Gardener, along with the Heart Distillery and adjacent to the family's hop farm. The first brewery to open in Windsor and founded by Pat, Amanda, and Zach Weakland, High Hops is a fixture in the community.
"We're a multifaceted family run business," the brewery says. "We continually give back to the surrounding communities by donating and fundraising tens of thousands of dollars for local causes."
The brewery's award-winning beers, including Great American Beer Festival gold medal winner Puckerberry, are crafted with locally grown grains and packaged and distributed throughout the region.
CompanyWeek profile: https://companyweek.com/company-profile/high-hops-brewery
The Colorado Manufacturing Awards will take place virtually from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Aug. 6, 2020.
