There are ample reasons to conserve water in the Centennial State — fishing, rafting and tap water come to mind — but PorchDrinking.com readers would likely agree there’s one prevailing motivation.

Dave Bergen, brewmaster and owner at Joyride Brewing Co., puts it succinctly: “Without water, there is no beer. And that gives off the prospect of a future that I think not a lot of people are excited about.”

To help avoid such a grim fate, Edgewater-based Joyride is brewing the signature beer for the Save the Ales Beer Festival, hosted by Conservation Colorado, a nonprofit devoted to protecting the environment throughout the state.

Now in its ninth year, Save the Ales brings awareness to the precarious future of Colorado’s water supply by educating citizens on how to be better stewards of the vital resource so that all Coloradans have access to clean, healthy water. More than 40 breweries will be pouring at the event, which takes place on Thursday, Aug. 8 from 7-10 p.m.

The marquee beer is going to be a sessionable pale ale. With an estimated ABV of 4.2, it features Metcalfe and Vienna malts from Loveland-based Root Shoot Malting, a blend that Bergen says will impart biscuity, bready undertones. Some torrified wheat will add extra body.

Hop-wise, the beer will showcase a combination of Ekuanot, Idaho 7 and Colorado-grown Cascade.

“Just because it’s small, it can still be mighty,” Bergen says. “Just like the choices you can make with conservation — everyone’s small choices can add up to big change.”

According to Conservation Colorado, the beer industry makes up $1.7 billion of the state economy, underscoring the importance of seemingly minor efforts on the part of brewers to cut back on their use of water for cleaning equipment in between batches.

“Beer and outdoor recreation are some of our biggest tourist attractions,” Bergen observes. “Protecting our natural resources isn’t just good for the industry, it’s good for all of us.”

For tickets and more information about the Save the Ales beer festival, click here.

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