The Colorado Brewers Guild represents and supports all independent Colorado craft breweries and enables them to become the most successful and innovative breweries in the world. Because of this work we are recognized as the State of Craft Beer.
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.
One Brewery – One Vote
Collaboration
Community
Accountability
Shawnee Adelson, Executive Director,
| Dave Bergen – Chair | Joyride Brewing | dave@joyridebrewing.com | |
| Justin Baccary – Vice Chair | Station 26 Brewing | justin@station26brewing.co | |
| Tommy Bibliowicz – Treasurer | 4 Noses Brewing | tommy@4nosesbrewing.com | |
| Carol Cochran – Secretary | Horse & Dragon Brewing | HiCarolCo@hdbrew.com | |
| Matt Cutter | Upslope Brewing | matt@upslopebrewing.com | |
| Eric Smith | Odell Brewing | smitty@odellbrewing.com | |
| Abigail George | Barrels & Bottles | barrelsbottles@gmail.com | |
| Jason Ford | Broken Compass Brewing | ford@breweryhill.com | |
| Dave Cole | Epic Brewing | dave@epicbrewing.com |
The CBG’s committees consist of member brewery owners and staff and exist to further the mission of the Guild.
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.
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.
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.
The Marketing & Events Committee’s mission is to create and manage meaningful events for the CBG and its members and to provide direction and support on the CBG’s marketing efforts.
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.
The Technical & 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.
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.
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.
Colorado becomes the 38th state in the Union. The Centennial state is born and has 36 breweries operating producing flavorful ale and lager.
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.
Colorado enters prohibition and goes dry.
With the repeal of prohibition, five Colorado breweries emerge to begin brewing once again.
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.
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.
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.
Colorado sets a new record with 108 breweries operating across the state.
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.