About the Colorado Brewers Guild
The Colorado Brewers Guild (CBG) is a nonprofit trade association with the mission to promote, protect, and propel independent craft breweries in the State of Craft Beer through advocacy, community, education, and public awareness. The majority of the state’s 400+ licensed breweries are members.
Learn more about how to become a member and see upcoming events that support our community.
Staff
Shawnee Adelson, Executive Director,
Tristan Schmid, Marketing & Events Manager,
Board Of Directors 2020
| Dave Bergen – Chair | Joyride Brewing | dave@joyridebrewing.com | |
| Justin Baccary – Vice Chair | Station 26 Brewing | ||
| Tommy Bibliowicz – Treasurer | 4 Noses Brewing | ||
| Carol Cochran – Secretary | Horse & Dragon Brewing | ||
| Chris Labbe | Periodic Brewing | ||
| Eric Smith | Odell Brewing | ||
| Abigail George | Barrels & Bottles | ||
| Jason Ford | Broken Compass Brewing | ||
| Dave Cole | Epic Brewing |
Committees
The CBG’s committees consist of member brewery owners and staff and exist to further the mission of the Guild.
Government Affairs Committee
The Government Affairs Committee promotes and protects Colorado craft beer at all levels of government—from legislation and regulation to enforcement—and ensures that policymakers understand the Colorado craft beer industry.
Finance Committee
The chair of the Finance Committee, in conjunction with the executive director, is responsible for developing a budget for the Colorado Brewers Guild for adoption by the Board of Directors. The Finance Committee also exercises oversight of other fiscal matters, including dues and other revenue operations of the Guild.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee’s goal is to actively recruit new members while engaging and retaining current membership. This committee organizes quarterly membership meetings and other member happy hours that give brewery owners and staff the opportunity to mingle at CBG member breweries. The committee also actively participates in discussions on membership structure, including dues and categories.
Events and Conference Committee
The Events and Conference Committee’s mission is to create and manage meaningful events for the CBG and its members and to produce and organize the Colorado Craft Brewers Summit, the CBG’s annual conference and trade show.
Brewpub Advisory Committee
The Brewpub Advisory Committee’s mission is to: (a) communicate legislative and business issues that are unique to brewpubs to the CBG Board of Directors; (b) be a sounding board for relevant issues the CBG is working on and the impacts those issues will have on the brewpub membership; (c) work closely with the Government Affairs Committee on issues that impact brewpubs; and (d) develop a community among CBG member brewpubs to share ideas and resources.
Technical and Education Committee
The Technical and Education committee’s mission is to provide opportunities and resources for Colorado breweries and to act as a hub of communication so they can elevate their knowledge of quality and safety practices.
1859
Denver - the first brewery in the territory was founded near Cherry Creek. The Rocky Mountain Brewing Company would begin the tradition of what would become Colorado, the state of craft beer. Serving thirsty miners and pioneers seeking their fortune, a Colorado legacy, local beer for local people, was born.
1875
The year before Colorado became a state is important as it represented the high water mark of Colorado brewing before prohibition. Said another way, there were 56 breweries operating, the most at any time before prohibition.
1876
Colorado becomes the 38th state in the Union. The Centennial state is born and has 36 breweries operating producing flavorful ale and lager.
1912
Denver - The state legislature votes to begin prohibition in 1916. There was a failed attempt to exclude beer from the law. Twelve breweries were operating knowing that the end was coming.
1916
Colorado enters prohibition and goes dry.
1934
With the repeal of prohibition, five Colorado breweries emerge to begin brewing once again.
1979
Colorado doubles the number of operating breweries from one to two. Boulder Beer and is issued the 43rd brewing license in the country. The beginning of a flavor revolution takes place.
1982
Boulder - The first Great American Beer Festival takes place at the HarvestHouse hotel.
1988
Denver & Durango - Colorado gets it first two brewpubs, Wynkoop Brewing and Carver Brewing. These two restaurants begin brewing and serving beer produced on the premise to beer lovers seeking flavor and diversity. There are now four breweries in the state.
1995
Boulder - the Colorado Brewers Guild is founded to promote and protect Colorado craft beer. There are 56 breweries operating in the state, the most since 1875.
1996
Denver - House Bill 1168 becomes law creating the Colorado brew pub license. There are 83 breweries operating in the state.
2006
Colorado sets a new record with 108 breweries operating across the state.
2015
The industry continues to expand with 300 licensed brewers located across the state. From the very large to the very small brewery, Colorado, the state of craft beer continues to evolve.