Coloradans, toss back a cold one in celebration of this latest honor.
In 2006, Colorado was the largest beer- producing state in the nation, an honor not held by the state since 1990, according to the Beer Institute in Washington, D.C.
The Colorado brewing industry produced more than 23.3 million barrels of beer last year, pushing California out of the top spot.
Charlie Papazian, president of the Boulder-based Brewers Association, said the state has about 100 brewers. But 90 percent of the volume can be attributed to Coors Brewing Co. in Golden and Anheuser- Busch in Fort Collins, he said.
John Bricker, owner of the state’s smallest beer producer – Three Barrel Brewing in Del Norte, which brews almost 350 barrels a year – said the little guys deserve credit too.
“Colorado’s smallest brewery put them over the line,” he joked. “Every little drop counts.”
The state plays host to the Great American Beer Festival in Denver every fall. This year’s is Oct. 11-13 at the Colorado Convention Center.
Staff writer Karen Rouse can be reached at 303-954-1684 or krouse@denverpost.com.
Foam, foam on the range
Leading beer-producing states in 2006, by barrel:
COLORADO
23.3 million
CALIFORNIA
22.8 million
TEXAS
19.4 million
OHIO
19.3 million
VIRGINIA
14.3 million
Source: The Beer Institute
