Eddyline Brewing | Mango Kettle Sour

Sometimes a beer is more than a beer. Sometimes it’s a symbol of support, solidarity, girl power, fearless females even — like Erin Moynihan, the brewer behind Eddyline Brewery’s new sweetly-sour creation, the Mango Kettle Sour.

The first sour in Eddyline’s lineup (and Erin’s first solo effort) was born with a purpose, with the Colorado Women’s Rafting Team in mind. This group of intrepid ladies based in Buena Vista and Salida won the Nationals in this international sport and will represent the United States in Argentina in November 2018. Anyone who has priced international flights knows that kind of travel doesn’t come cheap so a percentage of the sales of this feisty, fruity brew will help support their bid for the prize.

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Soulcraft Aims For A Greater Audience By Transitioning to Cans

CAN YOU?  What single element can turn previously laid-back fun-loving brewers into nose-to-the-grindstone workers? Oh, that could only be…success. CEO and Head Brewer Mike LaCroix of Soulcraft Brewery in Salida, CO and his team are transitioning from very limited bottling to full-out canning.

On his first day off in three weeks, he takes some time to breathe and reflect on this next transition: The “big spark” he believes will revolutionize this small brewery into a nationally recognized brand.

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Elevation Beer Co. | Pomegranate Acide

In Elevation Beer Company’s parking lot, there are often more mountain bikes than vehicles. Elevation is in Poncha Springs, Colorado, a tiny town just outside the small town of Salida in the heart of Colorado’s most mountainous region. From whitewater rafting to bagging 14ers to riding the endless trails at wrecking-ball speed, it’s all celebrated here with great craft beer. Naturally.

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Brewery Showcase | Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub

Which came first, the pizza or the beer? Okay, this isn’t as philosophical as the classic chicken and the egg question; I’ll go ahead and tell you. It was the pizza. Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub opened in Salida, Colorado in 1994 and began creating handmade thick crust pizzas with a decidedly Colorado-hippy vibe. And it was good. So very cravably good.
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2 Days, 2 Nights | Chaffee County, Colorado Winter Edition

At first, this seemed so easy. Just write about the best things to do, see, experience, eat and drink in Chaffee County. But here’s the problem: It’s only for 2 days and 2 nights. Being in and around Salida and Buena Vista brings on that kid-in-the-candy store feeling. Except in terms of outdoorsy adventures. I want it all! So, I’ll steer you to a few of my favorite things, then it’s up to you to see where it all leads.

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Elevation Beer Company | Elevation Pilsner

Created for celebration—that’s the genesis of Elevation Pilsner. And it shows. It may not seem like the reason for creating a beer would make a difference in the taste, but somehow it does. It’s a light gold, thirst-quenching beer with surprising bursts of fruity (is that honeysuckle?) and earthy flavors. With an IBU level of 40, it’s more of a happy beer than a hoppy one. And that’s alright with me.

Elevation Beer Company opened their doors in Poncha Springs (“Crossroads of the Rockies”) in Chaffee County, Colorado in 2012. When it found itself doing very well indeed four years later, the brewers said, “Hey, let’s celebrate!” For brewers, the height of celebration is getting really creative by unleashing their considerable chemist and artist skills.

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Summer Brews to Choose: Seasonal Specialties from Chaffee County

Chaffee County’s microbreweries each offer something much more intrinsic and intangible than just great beer. All four radiate that laid back, sun shining, day off; everyone’s your friend, nowhere-else-I-need-to-be kind of feeling. Yea, that’s the beer buzz talking, but it’s also about the human factor here. It’s about local brewers and entrepreneurs who create craft beers with that “I get paid for doing this?!” grin on their faces. Their work-hard, play-hard attitude permeates these taprooms. This summer they’re letting the sun shine on their creativity. Drink ‘em while it’s hot. No extra charge for the spectacular mountain and river views. Visit their taprooms and also sample their specialties at the Colorado Brewer’s Rendezvous in Salida, July 8.

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Event Recap | FIBArk Whitewater Festival

Feature image credit: FIBArk Facebook page.

Pretty much Anywhere USA can host a music fest. Even a beer fest can find home in plenty of locales. But for a funky festival like FIBArk, it takes a river. In this case, it’s the Arkansas River rushing through Salida in Chaffee County, Colorado. Famous for whitewater rafting, this wild stretch of water is a natural playground for kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, tubes and fly fishing. So FIBArk (First in Boating on the Arkansas) celebrates the transformation that happens when the snowmelt turns the river into a thrilling, rapid-filled adventureland.

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