Old World Brews with Colorado Soul.
What could be more Colorado than craft beer and rock climbing?
Well, sharing craft beer and climbing adventures with friends, perhaps. Or maybe craft beer + a running club + friends. Or what about a dog-friendly brewery, founded by friends and built on the side of a small mountain in the foothills that hosts a regular running club (plus a myriad of other events including trivia, bingo, and an open mic night)?
This is Green Mountain Beer Company. A small brewery in the western suburbs of Denver, Green Mountain Beer Co emanates Colorado soul. Founded by those rock climbing buddies (and longtime friends) that we mentioned Cassidy Hill and Brian Milhaupt, have worked hard to create a space that serves up craft brews inspired by traditional methods but that cater specifically to the tastes and desires of the Colorado community.
What does this look like?
It looks like a killer beer menu with a wide range of offerings including everything from a must-have IPA (Kama Citra, a single hop citrate IPA) to a Ryefecta Imperial Stout ( 2-rye, high-alcohol, high-hopped ale) to a chill, seasonal Watermelon Sour, brewed exclusively for those dog days of summer.
In fact, Green Mountains beer offerings read like a bucket list for the craft beer aficionado. Imperial Saison Ale? Yes, please! A Crushable Pale Ale? Always. Port Wine Barrel Imperial Brown? Have I died and gone to heaven?
All of this beery goodness was the brainchild of many a dream-big conversation between Brian and Cassidy on their climbing trips throughout the western US. Unlike so many dreamers, however, these two actually had the know-how, skills, and - most importantly - the gumption to make their dream a reality. With Brian’s background in professional brewing and an education in chemistry, and Cassidy’s background in food and beverage service with an education in business management, they were able to join forces (along with a crew of good people) and make Green Mountain a reality.
A beer with Colorado soul must have Colorado ingredients, right?
Right.
Using local ingredients is written into the mission statement of the business, and Green Mountain was actually one of our very first Root Shoot customers. Opening in 2016 (the same year as us!) Green Mountain first tried Root Shoot grain in a few brews. Impressed by the flavor and efficiency, they moved away from the other companies they were sourcing from and started using Root Shoot exclusively for almost all of their base malts.
Seven years later, we’re thrilled to still count them among our community. In fact, just last month, the whole Green Mountain crew came to visit the farm and share a few beers with us. Just look at this awesome bunch!
And afterwards, Cassidy provided what might be the best description of Colorado Soul in the craft brewing world, as he reflected on attending the very first Field Day we ever held.
It was stormy that day when we visited the fields and watched the combine harvest the grain that we use to brew our beer. You could smell the wheat and barley on the wind. High gusts blew over the canopies of the beer vendors in the field. We retreated to the farmhouse to share locally brewed beer, brewers eating from the same table as the farmers that grow our grain, and watched the late fall Colorado storm blow over leaving us with a rainbow and a smile.
Farmers, friends, and fields. Grain, brews, and beers.
Thank you, Green Mountain for sticking with us since the beginning…
…and for all the soul you bring to this amazing industry.
Cheers!
— RSM
