First Drafts

04/05/2026

"Nestled between the west Aurora and east Denver borders just off Parker Road, the craft brewery that opened its doors in 2011 is special — not just for the beers, but for the people. It’s a welcoming community that’s come together and grown over the last 15 years."

Of all of the “Cheers”-y bars in the world, to me, Copper Kettle Brewing Company is the “Cheers”-iest.

29/04/2026

It’s Colorado Pint Day, an annual tradition that serves as a rallying cry for the 215-plus in-state breweries participating this year. They are still chugging — and chugging along.

People really like Pint Day,” said Shawnee Adelson, the director of the nonprofit Colorado Brewers Guild. “Some breweries say it is one of their busiest Wednesdays of the year, or even one of their busiest days altogether during the year.”

More than 215 breweries are participating in the 11th annual Colorado Pint Day in 2026.

23/04/2026

Colorado beer purveyors made an impressive showing, collecting 26 medals at this year's World Beer Cup, including four gold, up from 21 medals in 2025.

Colorado breweries don’t just make some of the best beer in the country, they make some of the best beer in the world, if recent accolades are any indication.

15/04/2026

At a time when craft beer production is declining, one Colorado brewery is bucking national trends and growing at an exponential rate, according to newly released data from the Brewers Association.

On Tuesday, the trade group unveiled the top 50 U.S. craft breweries of 2025 based on production volume, and Tivoli Brewing Co. cracked the list at No. 18. That means the company is now the second largest craft beer producer in Colorado, behind only Monster Brewing — parent to Oskar Blues and other out-of-state brands — which landed at No. 9. Fort Collins-based Odell Brewing Co. was the only other Colorado operation on the list at No. 32.

Story: https://www.denverpost.com/2026/04/15/tivoli-brewing-outlaw-light-growth/

30/03/2026

Copper Kettle Brewing Company's last day is June 27.

“What started as a brewery became something much bigger. A place filled with friendships, laughter, and countless memories.”

18/02/2026

Colorado’s wave of craft beer consolidation continued Wednesday as Left Hand Brewing Company announced that fellow Longmont company Bootstrap Brewing would join its Left Hand Collective entity.

Bootstrap, which is known for award-winning hoppy beers like Insane Rush IPA and Wreak Havoc Imperial Red, was founded in Niwot in 2012 by Leslie and Steve Kaczeus, before moving and expanding to Longmont five years later. There it began canning and distributing its beer more widely, and eventually gained an investment from Oskar Blues founder Dale Katechis.

Read the story: https://www.denverpost.com/2026/02/18/left-hand-brewing-consolidates-bootstrap-brewing/

22/01/2026

“We own the business and we own the land. You can’t get rid of us now.”

“We own the business and we own the land,” Novel Strand co-founder Tamir Danon said. “You can’t get rid of us now.”

05/01/2026

Dry Dock Brewing Company, which was founded in Aurora in 2005, said Monday that it will open a taproom in Denver’s Washington Park neighborhood, the first time the company has operated outside of its hometown.

Dry Dock Brewing is taking over the former Pub on Pearl in Washington Park.

29/12/2025

Hopscotch Beer Garden will feature more than 17,000 square feet of bar and patio space.

Hopscotch Beer Garden will offer drinks, light bites and a rotating schedule of food trucks.

02/12/2025

Wilding Brands owns Denver Beer Co., Stem Ciders, Great Divide Brewing and more — and it’s not done growing.

With its recent flurry of deals, Wilding has brought mergers and acquisitions back into the beer industry spotlight.