Todd Usry of Breckenridge (RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post).
As 2014 comes to a close, we’re once again asking folks in the Colorado craft beer community to reflect on the past year and look ahead to next. This next installment in our 4th annual Beer In Review features Todd Usry, brewmaster and general manager for Breckenridge Brewery, the state’s fifth largest independent craft brewery. The next year will be a huge one for Breckenridge as it moves brewing operations from Denver Todd’s responses:
Favorite beer of the year: I had so many exceptional beers in 2014 that it’s impossible to pick a favorite. I did have what might have been my favorite beer and food pairing ever just last week at our brewery Christmas party where we do a bottle share of non-Breckenridge beers. I grabbed a bottle of Dogfish Head Birra Etrusca Bronze and took it to the table to pair with a garlic and herb crusted NY strip … absolute beer and food nirvana.
Colorado brewery of the year: Odell Brewing. The brewhouse, cellar and tasting room expansions are magnificent. Their commitment to quality, innovation, employees and philanthropy puts them at the top of my list.
New Colorado brewery of the year: Black Sky Brewing. Harry worked his way up through the ranks at Breck with an eye on opening his own place and has done so just a block away. The beers are extremely creative, the pizza is stand out and the vibe is honest. Congrats to Harry and crew.
Most notable craft beer trend of 2014: Acquisition and outside investment. This accelerates the ability for breweries to build sales and marketing infrastructures for fast track growth. It will be interesting to see if it has an effect on small brewers’ share of mind with wholesalers and retailers.
Craft beer trend to watch for in 2015: Distributor consolidation. The brewery pool is getting deeper while go-to-market distributor options are headed the opposite way.
Previous installments in this year’s series:
