Founding and Early Years (1979–1984)
Boulder Beer Company, Colorado’s first microbrewery and the 43rd licensed brewery in the United States, was founded on September 25, 1979, by David Hummer, Alvin Nelson, and Randolph “Stick” Ware. Hummer and Ware were physics professors at the University of Colorado Boulder, and all three were passionate homebrewers. The relaxation of homebrewing laws in the late 1970s inspired them to start a brewery, initially setting up operations in a repurposed goat shed on a farm northeast of Boulder. At the time, the U.S. beer market was dominated by macro lagers, and Boulder Beer stood out with its bold, British-style offerings: Boulder Porter, Boulder Stout, and Extra Special Bitter. These beers quickly gained industry and consumer acclaim for their robust flavors.
In 1980, the brewery, originally named Boulder Brewing Company, went public, raising over $1.7 million through a stock offering, a pioneering move for a microbrewery. This capital allowed the company to scale up. By 1984, Boulder Beer relocated to a larger facility at 2880 Wilderness Place in Boulder, upgrading from a one-barrel brewing system to a 50-barrel brewhouse with advanced packaging equipment. This move marked a significant step in establishing the brewery as a serious player in the nascent craft beer industry.
Challenges and Transition (1985–1990)
The mid-1980s brought challenges. While Boulder Beer was innovative, some early marketing efforts, like the 1985 “Ugly Brew” campaign for an unfiltered pale ale, failed to resonate with consumers. The brewery also faced financial difficulties during a broader economic downturn, culminating in bankruptcy in 1990. That same year, Gina Day and Diane Greenlee purchased the struggling brewery, taking it private and renaming it Boulder Beer Company. This acquisition marked a turning point, with Gina Day becoming a central figure in the company’s leadership, serving as president from 1990.
Also in 1990, Brewmaster David Zuckerman, formerly of BridgePort Brewing in Portland, Oregon, joined the team. Zuckerman revamped recipes and introduced new beers, including Buffalo Gold Golden Ale, a light, approachable beer that became a staple, and Singletrack Rye Pale Ale, inspired by Boulder’s mountain biking culture. These additions helped stabilize the brewery’s portfolio and appeal to a broader audience.
Growth and Rebranding (1991–2001)
In 1993, the brewery briefly rebranded as Rockies Brewing Company, reflecting a regional identity. During this period, it expanded its brewpub operations, converting the original tasting room at Wilderness Place into a full-service pub in 1994. The pub featured a dog-friendly patio under Boulder’s iconic Flatirons, offering a full menu, nitro and cask beers, and free brewery tours. The brewery saw significant growth, landing on Inc. Magazine’s “Inc. 500” list of fastest-growing companies in 1995 with sales reaching nearly $6.3 million.
However, the rapid expansion of the craft beer industry in the 1990s led to market saturation and a shakeout, with many small breweries failing. Boulder Beer weathered this storm, thanks to its strong local following and innovative beers. In 2001, the company was honored with the Great American Beer Festival Longevity Award for 20 years of participation, a testament to its resilience and influence.
Innovation and Expansion (2002–2010)
In 2002, Jeff Brown, who had joined the company in 1990, became president, succeeding Gina Day, who remained a majority owner. That year, Boulder Beer introduced Hazed & Infused, an unfiltered, dry-hopped pale ale that became its most popular beer and a trendsetter in the craft beer world, predating the hazy beer craze by over a decade. In 2003, Mojo IPA was launched, further showcasing the brewery’s ability to anticipate consumer tastes. These beers, along with others like Shake Chocolate Porter and Pulp Fusion Blood Orange IPA, solidified Boulder Beer’s reputation for innovation.
The brewery expanded its footprint in 2005 by opening a tap house at Denver International Airport. In 2008, Boulder Beer demonstrated its civic commitment by sponsoring Boulder’s “10 for a Change Challenge,” a program to reduce energy consumption by 10%. The brewery was PACE Certified (Partners for a Clean Environment), using biodiesel fuel, recycled packaging, and non-petroleum-based inks. It also participated in “Beer 4 Boobs,” raising funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and hosted the annual “Goatshed Revival” Beer Festival, which included a homebrew competition with proceeds supporting Community Food Share.
Continued Evolution (2011–2018)
In 2016, the Wilderness Place pub underwent a patio expansion and a refresh of its taproom décor and menus. In 2017, Boulder Beer opened a second location at 1123 Walnut Street in downtown Boulder, which was rebranded in 2018 as Squared Pizza + Beer, an experimental brewpub for testing new beers. This location allowed the brewery to engage directly with consumers and innovate with small-batch brews. Meanwhile, the brewery continued to release award-winning beers and special editions, such as the “Dude Series” of barrel-aged wheat wines, imperial stouts, and barley wines.
Boulder Beer’s 40th anniversary in 2019 was celebrated with the “First to Forty” bash on July 20, highlighting its status as the first modern craft brewery to reach four decades. The event featured new beers like Pecan Nut Brown and Key Lime Gose, alongside hard seltzers and beer slushies, demonstrating the brewery’s adaptability to modern trends.
Downsizing and Closure of the Brewpub (2019–2020)
Despite its legacy, Boulder Beer faced challenges in the increasingly competitive craft beer market. In October 2019, the brewery announced it would cease packaging and distributing beer outside its brewpub, laying off 20 of its 50 staff members and mothballing its 50-barrel brewing system. This downsizing was attributed to the brewery being “the wrong size”—too large for local distribution but too small to compete regionally.
On January 6, 2020, Gina Day announced the closure of the Wilderness Place brewpub, citing an opportunity to sell the 19,000-square-foot facility, which was deemed too large for the brewpub’s needs. The pub closed on January 18, 2020, ending on-site operations after 40 years. However, a partnership with Sleeping Giant Brewing Company in Denver ensured that Boulder Beer’s flagship beers—Hazed & Infused, Mojo, Shake, and Buffalo Gold (renamed SKO)—would continue to be brewed, packaged, and distributed. Employees were offered opportunities with Concept Restaurants, a sister company.
Rebranding and Legacy (2021–Present)
In 2020, Matthew Osterman, a Boulder native and president of Sleeping Giant, took over creative and operational control of Boulder Beer’s brands. Osterman, who grew up drinking Boulder Beer, partnered with Gina Day to preserve the brewery’s legacy. In early 2021, Boulder Beer unveiled a rebrand with a new logo, packaging, and designs created by local Boulder artists. The rebrand included returning favorites like Hazed & Infused, Mojo, and Shake, as well as new offerings like Bubbly By Nature (a bubbly IPA) and a Laws Whiskey Barrel-Aged Shake Dark Chocolate Porter.
Currently, Boulder Beer’s Buffalo Gold (SKO) is brewed exclusively at Boulder Social on 38th Street in Boulder, under the direction of Gina Day and Brewmaster Rodney Taylor, who brings 20 years of experience from Walnut Brewery and Boulder Beer’s Walnut Street location. While the Wilderness Place brewpub is closed, and the Squared Pizza + Beer location is no longer operational, Boulder Beer’s brands continue to be available in liquor stores, bars, and restaurants through Sleeping Giant’s distribution.
Impact and Legacy
Boulder Beer Company played a pivotal role in shaping the U.S. craft beer movement. As Colorado’s first microbrewery, it challenged the dominance of macro lagers and inspired a generation of brewers. Its innovative beers, like Hazed & Infused and Mojo, set trends, while its commitment to community and sustainability strengthened its local ties. Despite the closure of its physical brewery, Boulder Beer’s legacy endures through its iconic brands and the continued passion of its owners and partners. The brewery’s story, from a goat shed to a craft beer pioneer, remains a cornerst