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Breweries remain ‘Colorado Strong’ amid COVID-19 disruptions
In May, more 125 breweries across the state banded together to create a benefit beer that would support the community in a number of ways
Ali Longwell //October 28, 2020//
Breweries remain ‘Colorado Strong’ amid COVID-19 disruptions
In May, more 125 breweries across the state banded together to create a benefit beer that would support the community in a number of ways
Ali Longwell //October 28, 2020//
Among the many industries that call Colorado home, micro and craft breweries comprise one of the largest.
The state boasts over 420 breweries with an economic impact reaching over $3.3 billion, making Colorado’s beer industry No. 1 in the country in terms of economic impact per capita.
But when coronavirus swept through the state, breweries were hit hard and began looking for new ways to collaborate and pivot to stay afloat.
In May, more 125 breweries across the state banded together to create a benefit beer that would support the community in a number of ways. The beer, Colorado Strong Pale Ale, was initially started by the Colorado Brewer’s Guild and the Left Hand Brewing Foundation as a way to support the local supply chain, small independent breweries and raise money for the Colorado Strong Fund.
The fund collects 20% of all Colorado Strong beer sales, to be re-allocated to health care, hospitality, service industry and gig economy workers across the state. According to Eric Kean, executive director of the Left Hand Brewing Foundation, breweries are just now starting to return the money raised to the fund, and Colorado Strong was to begin to grant funds in July and August to these causes.
While each of the breweries involved in the collaboration were given the same recipe and locally sourced ingredients, brewers were encouraged to add their own flair.
“At its core, the beer is a well-balanced pale ale, medium body, medium bitterness. The hop character of the Cascade hops provided by Colorado Hop Company leans toward a bright citrus character and really brings the beer to life,” Kean says. “We hope that each brewer can tweak it to suit their own tastes, style and creative passion.”
For a full list of breweries serving and selling Colorado Strong beer, visit coloradostrongbeer.com.
