Ska Brewing Teams with Colorado Breweries on Tour de BoulDurango for Charity
(DURANGO, CO) — On Monday, July 15, a dozen brewers—including the owners of Ska Brewing, Avery Brewing, Left Hand Brewing and Boulder Beer Company—will depart on their bicycles from Avery in Boulder to kick off the Fifth Annual Tour de BoulDurango: a six-day, 476-mile odyssey over seven mountain passes from Boulder to Durango to raise money for local charities, and encourage the spirit of collaboration for which the craft beer industry has become known.
Each day’s final destination brings the cyclists straight to a local brewery or pub—really, no other stops first—for a fundraising party or social event. These include Tommyknocker Brewery in Idaho Springs, Breckenridge Brewery and Ollie’s in Breckenridge, Eddyline Brewing in Salida, Brick Oven Pizzeria and Pub in Crested Butte, Ouray Brewery in Ouray, and the finishing BoulDurango Beer Festival and fundraiser at Ska Brewing World Headquarters in Durango.
It all began in 2009, when Ska President and Co-founder Dave Thibodeau’s phone rang. “It was Adam Avery [of Avery Brewing], and he had this crazy idea about riding bikes from their brewery to ours, and stopping along the way to do fundraisers for charity. Of course I said yes, which was pretty dumb, but it seemed far enough away that either I’d get in shape, or maybe the whole idea would drop off. Neither happened, and now we’re in our fifth year.”
The ride finishes July 20 at Ska Brewing World Headquarters in Durango, where riders and the public will be welcomed at the Tour de BoulDurango Beer Festival, a mini-festival and fundraiser featuring beers from all the breweries on the ride, as well as the tapping of the Ska/Avery collaboration beer “Wheelsucker Wheat.”
The event will be from 1-5 p.m., and a $10 ticket includes beer, food, a commemorative pint glass and live music. All proceeds from the Tour de BoulDurango Beer Festival will benefit Bicycle Colorado, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improved safety, access, and facilities for bicyclists in Colorado. Bicycle Colorado has been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as the model organization for the nation’s other 49 states.
The High Mountain Passes of the Route:
Loveland Pass – 11,992′ ~ Hoosier Pass – 11,532′ ~ Cottonwood Pass – 12,126’ ~ Trout Creek Pass – 9,487’
Red Mountain Pass – 11,008′ ~ Molas Pass – 10,910′ ~ Coal Bank Pass – 10,640′
Tour de BoulDurango Beer Festival Details
When: Saturday, July 20, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Where: Ska Brewing World Headquarters, 225 Girard St., Durango Colorado. (970) 247-5792
Who: Welcome brewers and brewery owners from four of Colorado’s best-loved breweries— Avery Brewing, Ska Brewing, Left Hand Brewing and Boulder Beer Co.—as they finish their six-day Tour de BoulDurango road ride for charity.
What: A $10 ticket gets you…
– A commemorative pint glass
– Food (BBQ-style)
– Beer from all four breweries, plus the Ska/Avery Wheelsucker Wheat Collaboration
– Live music by Durango’s own The Lawn Chair Kings
Why: To encourage the spirit of collaboration, camaraderie and giving back that the craft beer world is known for, and to raise money: All proceeds from Finish Fest will benefit Bicycle Colorado, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a bicycle-friendly Colorado.
About Ska Brewing
Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and now produces over a dozen medal-winning beers including the Pinstripe Red Ale, True Blonde Ale and Steel Toe Stout. Four Ska beers are now widely available in cans: ESB Special Ale, True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi IPA and the summer seasonal Mexican Logger. For information, music and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com. Chat us up and get the latest news atfacebook.com/skabrew and twitter.com/skabrewing.
About Avery Brewing Company
Established in 1993 in Boulder, CO, Avery Brewing Company has developed a reputation as being one of the most daring and visionary breweries in the nation. They are the brewers of Avery IPA, The Maharaja Imperial IPA, White Rascal Belgian Wheat Ale, Mephistopheles’ Stout and eighteen other year-round and seasonal beers. Please go towww.averybrewing.com for more information on Avery beers.
