The Boulder Beer Company was Colorado's first microbrew and the forty-third licensed brewery in the United States.[1] It was founded on September 25, 1979 by David Hummer, Alvin Nelson, and Randolf Ware.[2] Ware and Hummer were physics professors at the University of Colorado Boulder and home brewers.[3] When the laws surrounding home brewing were relaxed, the brewery originally started on a farm in a "goatshack."[4]
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.[5]
On January 6, 2020, the company announced a plan to sell its brewpub and focus on contract brewing.[6]
On January 18, 2020, Boulder Beer closed its brewpub located at Wilderness Place and announced the site would be up for sale.[7]
In 2020, Sleeping Giant out of Denver, CO took over the rights of Boulder Beer, with original owners and brewmasters still being involved in decisions going forward. Osterman, a Boulder local himself, came of (legal) age on Boulder Beer and couldn’t imagine a world without beer from the Colorado brewery that started it all. Conveniently, Matt already ran a brewery silently famous for helping multiple Colorado brewers increase production beyond their current capacities. So taking the full reigns of Boulder Beer was an easy, full heart decision for him.
At the beginning of 2021, Boulder Beer revealed a new brand design, logo, and look all created by fellow Boulderites. They brought back old favorites like Mojo, Shake, and Hazed and Infused as well as introducing new names like SKO (originally Buffalo Gold Beer) and new concepts like Bubbly By Nature, and one of a kind Bubbly IPA.
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 (Partners for a Clean Environment) using bio-diesel fuel, recycled/compostable "to go" containers, and recycling. The brewery uses 100% recycled 6-pack carriers and non-petroleum based inks.[8]
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.[9] 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.[10] Proceeds from the Goatshed Revival are donated to the Community Food Share, a non-profit organization feeding the community's poor.
In 1994, Ernst and Young awarded Gina Day, the owner of the company, with their Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
| Beer | Competition | Category | Year | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Never Summer Ale | 2004 World Beer Cup | Strong Ale | 2004 | Gold Medal |
| Sundance Amber Ale | 2000 World Beer Cup | 2000 | Silver Medal | |
| Sweaty Betty Blonde | 2004 US Beer Tasting Championships | Southwest (Wheat Beer) | 2004 | Best of the Rockies |
| Planet Porter | Great American Beer Festival | 1992 | Gold Medal | |
| Planet Porter | World Beer Championships | 1997 | Silver Medal | |
| Singletrack Copper Ale | All About Beer Magazine | 2000 | Voted Best of the Best | |
| Singletrack Copper Ale | World Beer Cup | 2002 | Silver Medal | |
| Singletrack Copper Ale | World Beer Cup | 2004 | Bronze Medal | |
| Pass Time Pale Ale | World Beer Championships | 1997 | Silver Medal | |
| Buffalo Gold | World Beer Cup | 2000 | Silver Medal | |
| Pass Time Pale Ale | World Beer Championships | 1997 | Silver Medal | |
| Hazed & Infused | Boulder Brewfest | 2003 | Bronze Medal | |