Two weeks ago Boulder Beer Co. thought it was shipping out its last cases of beer to be sold on the retail market after announcing in October — just months after celebrating its 40th anniversary — that it was scaling back its business to only offer its product at its taproom.
However, on Monday, Colorado’s oldest craft brewery announced it reached an agreement with Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. to continue distributing its products around the country.
The deal was reached just in time to ensure there will be no lag in availability for Boulder Beer’s loyal customers, many of whom have patronized the brewery since David Hummer and Randolph “Stick” Ware, two physics professors at the University of Colorado Boulder, founded it in 1979.
“When Sleeping Giant reached out to us to talk about taking over the retail side of the businesses, we wanted to make sure there wasn’t a lag in distribution so we could keep those shelf spaces and not have to go out and rebuild that,” said Tess McFadden, Boulder Beer marketing director.
As part of the partnership, Sleeping Giant will immediately take over the responsibility for brewing, packaging, shipping, distributing, selling and marketing Boulder Beer for retail operations.
“Anything outside of the four walls of the taproom,” as McFadden said. “They just really didn’t want to see the brand go away.”
Boulder Beerwill, however, continue to brew small batches in house for sale in the taproom at 2880 Wilderness Place, including rotating experimental and specialty brews.
While Sleeping Giant will only start brewing Boulder Beer’s four mainstays — Shake Chocolate Porter, Mojo IPA, Buffalo Gold Golden Ale and Hazed & Infused Pale Ale — McFadden said depending on sales, Sleeping Giant also could begin to distribute Boulder Beer’s seasonal brews in kegs and six packs of 12-ounce cans.
No longer needing to produce 16,305 barrels of beer as it did in 2018, Boulder Beer placed its fermentation tanks, canning line and other large scale brewing equipment up for sale in an auction that closes on Wednesday.
In the former production space, McFadden said Boulder Beer plans to create an event space for private parties.
