Telluride Brewing and SweetWater Brewing Collaborate on Ride Festival – July 11-12, 2015

(TELLURIDE, CO)  — Georgia natives SweetWater Brewing Company and Colorado locals Telluride Brewing Company are teaming up to bring their lip-smackin’ lineups to the fourth annual Ride Festival this July 11-12 in Telluride, CO. A longstanding friendship between brewery founders brings the two craft comrades together for one of Colorado’s largest summer festivals. After a couple one-off collaboration projects, SweetWater and Telluride are taking it to the next level, bringing the best of their brews, and their love of outdoors together at Ride Fest 2015.

Telluride Brewing Co. will set the stage sampling suds to native fans alongside a nationwide crowd trekking in to experience both the majesty of Telluride’s town and quality of their brews. Telluride Brewing opened its doors in 2012 and quickly caught the attention of the craft brewing community by taking home gold medals for their Face Down Brown at World Beer Cup (2012) and Great American Beer Festival (2012 and 2014). Their premium golden liquid comes straight from the Rocky Mountain snowmelt, making it a true hometown pairing for the festival.

“We’re so thankful for the opportunity to add a local component to the festival this year,” said Tommy Thacher, Telluride Brewing Company co-founder. “I can’t express how excited we are for this year’s unbelievable lineup, welcoming folks far and wide to our magical town and to introducing them to our delicious beers. We look forward to embracing this opportunity alongside our friends at SweetWater and showcasing our products on a grand stage. It’s going to be one hell of a party!”

Additionally, for the first time ever, Colorado locals will have the opportunity to wrap their lips around non-bootlegged SweetWater brews. Although SweetWater is just now launching its lineup in Colorado, it ain’t no stranger to The Centennial State. SweetWater Brewing Company’s roots date back to Colorado where owner and founder, Freddy Bensch, attended University of Colorado Boulder and landed his first brewing gigs.

“It’s been a long time coming to finally bring our brews back to where it all started,” said Big Kahuna, Freddy Bensch. “This collaboration was a total a no-brainer for us to introduce 420 and our lineup to Colorado, and we couldn’t be more excited to do it alongside our great friends at Telluride Brewing Company. What better way to kick off our first foray into the state than staying true to our culture with an awesome lineup of live music, tasty brews and the great outdoors at Ride Fest?”

Both breweries will offer three of their flagship brews on draft and in cans all weekend long throughout the festival. Telluride Brewing Co. will be serving Face Down Brown, Tempter IPA and Fishwater Double IPA. SweetWater will be slinging 420 Extra Pale Ale, Take Two Pils and a high-gravity Hop Hash. Out of the gate, SweetWater’s Colorado distribution will exclusively be limited to Telluride and will include 420, IPA, Take Two Pils and Hop Hash. No plans for distribution expansion have been announced.

For a band lineup, tickets or more info on Ride Festival 2015, visit www.ridefestival.com. For the 411 on SweetWater Brewery and Telluride Brewing Company, visit www.sweetwaterbrew.com and www.telluridebrewingco.com.
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ABOUT SWEETWATER BREWING COMPANY: Living by the motto “Don’t Float the Mainstream,” SweetWater Brewery has been blazing its own path in craft beer throughout the Southeast since its inception in 1997. With a brewer calling the shots, quality of beer—and life—are always most important in crafting a lineup of lip-smackin’ brews. Widely known for its flagship 420 Extra Pale Ale, SweetWater also serves up an ever-evolving Catch & Release seasonal lineup of brews and an off-beat, one-off Dank Tank series. SweetWater invites folks to join them for tours and tastings of their Atlanta brewery every Wednesday through Sunday. Visit www.sweetwaterbrew.com for more info about SweetWater, or hang out with your social thang out by following SweetWater on Twitter/Instagram @sweetwaterbrew, or on Facebook at facebook.com/sweetwaterbrew. And always remember; drink ‘em if you got ‘em!