Kölsch in cans and Colorado Proud Pale Ale – Steamworks Brewing Co. set to celebrate 14th Anniversary
Steamworks Brewing
Kölsch in cans and Colorado Proud Pale Ale – Steamworks Brewing Co. set to celebrate 14th Anniversary
In September 1996 a handful of enterprising, novice craft brewers opened the doors to a unique brewpub in an industrial space in Downtown Durango that until that time had been an auto dealership. They called it Steamworks Brewing Co.
Bright copper brew kettles were set in the middle of the restaurant, putting the art of “craft brewing” on display for all those interested to learn more about the blossoming business, and taste what would soon be a variety of award-winning beers.
The week of Sept. 12-18, 2010, Steamworks Brewing Co. will celebrate its 14th Anniversary with a “Golden” week-long series of activities and promotions designed to thank the community that has made Steamworks the popular brewpub it is today. (Though “ivory” is traditionally affiliated with a 14th anniversary, the contemporary tradition is “gold.”) In addition, the brewpub will tap its new Colorado Proud Pale Ale, and welcome Colorado Kölsch in 12-oz. cans to the repertoire of beers available off-premise throughout the state of Colorado.
“It’s been an interesting 14 years,” said Kris Oyler, Steamworks co-founder. “And we’re coming out of a very challenging one, but given that our revenues this summer in the Durango brewpub have been the strongest in our history, and we’re seeing a renewal of our presence in Colorado, all is good.”
The Steam Team is especially pleased with its new, limited production Colorado Proud Pale Ale, to be tapped on Sept. 16. Any product that endeavors to sport the Colorado Proud logo (a statewide effort that promotes restaurants and other producers who are “totally Colorado”) must include all-Colorado ingredients.
“We used 450 lbs. of premium Colorado two row barley and 150 lbs. of red wheat malt from Colorado Malting Company in Alamosa,” said Brian McEachron, Steamworks co-founder. “The hops are organically grown and we harvested 50 lbs. ourselves from Thistle Whistle Farms in Hothckiss. The dominant varieties are Cascade and Centennial hops. Our yeast comes from Brewing Science Institute in Woodland Park, and the water is first-use water from the San Juans. Thus, this is an all-Colorado ingredient beer.”
The Colorado Proud Pale Ale will, according to McEachron, emphasize hop flavor and aroma over bitterness. IBUs are in the 25 to 30 range and the ABV approximately 5.5 percent.
“The hop character should be floral with citrus notes,” said McEachron, noting the Colorado Proud will be available only at the Durango brewpub. “We’re targeting a highly drinkable Pale Ale.”
Since closing its Bayfield brewing operation earlier this year, Steamworks has been canning only its flagship beers for off-premise sales, including the popular Steam Engine Lager and Third Eye Pale Ale, both of which have been available for several years in 12-oz cans. Thanks to an increase in efficiencies at the Durango brewery, Steamworks is now canning the Colorado Kölsch.
“We’re focusing our off-premise marketing on Colorado,” said Oyler. “We’ve developed a strong following throughout the state and we’re pleased we’re still able to service those accounts with the Steam Engine Lager, Third Eye and now Kölsch in six-pack cans as well as kegs.”
“The Colorado Kölsch is our tip of our cowboy hats to the German Kölschs that surfaced early in the 1900s and peaked in popularity in the 1960s in Cologne, Germany,” added McEachron. “Steamworks’ Kölsch has won silver medals at both the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup.”
Steamworks 14th “Gold” Anniversary celebration will include special beer and food pairings throughout the week, as well as “retro-pricing” – $2.75 for all house craft pints. On Tuesday, Sept. 14, local bluegrass band “Waiting on Trial” will perform – no cover, with all house pints $1 throughout the day.
“Next year is #15, and we’re already planning a bigger celebration for September,” said McEachron. “For Steamworks, it always was and it still is, ‘full steam ahead.'”
Steamworks Brewing Co. is located at 801 E. Second. Ave., Durango (970.259.9200). For further information, visit www.steamworksbrewing.com.
