Boulder Beer Company


The Boulder Beer Company was Colorado's first microbrew and the forty-third licensed brewery in the United States. It was founded on September 25, 1979 by David Hummer, Alvin Nelson, and Randolf Ware. Ware and Hummer were physics professors at the University of Colorado Boulder and home brewers. When the laws surrounding home brewing were relaxed, the brewery originally started on a farm in a "goatshack."

History

The Boulder Beer Company was originally known as the Boulder Brewing Company and went public in 1980, raising over $1.7 million. A decade later, in 1990, the company changed its name to Boulder Beer Company when Gina Day took the company private. In 1993 the company again renamed itself as the "Rockies Brewing Company." In 2002, the Rockies Brewing Company entered into a strategic agreement with Rock Bottom Breweries allowing Rock Bottom to brew and sell their Singletrack Ale. In 2005, the company again changed its name back to the Boulder Beer Company. On January 6, 2020, the company announced a plan to sell its brewpub and focus on contract brewing.
On January 18, 2020, Boulder Beer closed its brewpub located at Wilderness Place and announced the site would be up for sale.

Activities

The Boulder Beer Company is also known for being civic minded. In 2008, it became a sponsoring partner in Boulder's "10 for a Change Challenge," a program designed to reduce energy consumption by 10% via eco-friendly improvements for increased energy efficiency. In addition to being a sponsor for the challenge, the Pub is already PACE Certified using bio-diesel fuel, recycled/compostable "to go" containers, and recycling. The brewery uses 100% recycled 6-pack carriers and non-petroleum based inks.
Every year, the Boulder Beer Company participates in "Beer 4 Boobs," a nationwide charity program raising money for the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. They also host an annual "Goatshed Revival" Beer Festival in honor of their first brewery that was in a shed shared by goats. Part of the planning of the revival is a homebrew competition wherein homebrewer compete to have the Boulder Beer Company brew and distribute their homebrew. Proceeds from the Goatshed Revival are donated to the Community Food Share, a non-profit organization feeding the community's poor.

Awards and accolades

In 1994, Ernst and Young awarded Gina Day, the owner of the company, with their Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
BeerCompetitionCategoryYearPlace
Never Summer Ale2004 World Beer CupStrong Ale2004Gold Medal
Sundance Amber Ale2000 World Beer Cup2000Silver Medal
Sweaty Betty Blonde2004 US Beer Tasting ChampionshipsSouthwest 2004Best of the Rockies
Planet PorterGreat American Beer Festival1992Gold Medal
Planet PorterWorld Beer Championships1997Silver Medal
Singletrack Copper AleAll About Beer Magazine2000Voted Best of the Best
Singletrack Copper AleWorld Beer Cup2002Silver Medal
Singletrack Copper AleWorld Beer Cup2004Bronze Medal
Pass Time Pale AleWorld Beer Championships1997Silver Medal
Buffalo GoldWorld Beer Cup2000Silver Medal
Pass Time Pale AleWorld Beer Championships1997Silver Medal
Hazed & InfusedBoulder Brewfest2003Bronze Medal