GO GUINNESS - Origlio Beverage

BrewerHIGHLIGHTDale Katechis | Oskar Blues BreweryIT ALL BEGAN BACK IN NOVEMBER OF 2002 WHENDale Katechis, the founder of Oskar Blues Brewery began filling hisaward-winning Dale’s Pale Ale, two cans at a time using a table topcanning machine, personally redefining the term, “hand crafted”. TheColorado restaurateur and brewer couldn’t believe he was actuallyputting craft beer in a can. Bottles have always been the package ofchoice for better beer, but Katechis doesn’t see himself as a conformist.He says, “Eight years ago when we were running from liquor store toliquor store trying to sell beer out of our van, craft beer in a can waslaughable. I know it made us laugh. We’re still out laughing, sharingbeer and changing people’s minds one beer at a time. Watchingpeople try one of our big ol’ canned beers for the first time never getsold. That jaw dropping smile is what we live for.”Oskar Blues is known for their three and four dimensional beers. “Wejoke about four dimensional beer. To us it’s a well-rounded beer. Manytimes you’ll have a beer that hits a sweet spot and then leaves youhanging. We want to create beer that is well-rounded, that keeps ongivin’. When you crack a can of one of our big beers you’re hit withthat fresh aroma, but a one-dimensional beer that stops there is such adrag. We’re looking for a beer that hits you from start to finish with afull and complex flavor profile. Our mission is to blow your mind aboutwhat can come out of a can of beer. Cans are our soul.”“Our mission is to blow your mind aboutwhat can come out of a can of beer”Successful beyond his wildest dreams, Katechis can’t brew enough beerfor his thirsty fans. Last summer the brewery literally ran dry throwingcraft beer drinkers into a tizzy. Not to worry though, he added 30percent more capacity so that problem is solved – at least in the shortterm. All in all, it’s a good problem to have. In addition to Dale’s PaleAle, Oskar Blues brews Old Chub Scottish Style Ale, Mama’s Little YellaPils, Ten FIDY Imperial Stout and G’Knight (previously called Gordon,it’s still the same big, red, sticky delicious beer).Their latest creation, GUBNA, is an unusual rye beer weighing in at ahefty 10% ABV. “Love it or hate it, there doesn’t seem to be many onthe fence about this one. It’s been said that opening a can is likepulling the pin of a hop grenade, I can’t argue with that. The GermanDark Munich and Rye malts provide a round and spicy malt characterbefore finishing brisk and clean. GUBNA is made with three malts andexclusively Summit hops, so it’s a bit of a concept beer,” Katechisexplains.Whether brewing their Mama’s Little Yella Pils (5.3% ABV) or the RockyMountain warmer Ten FIDY (10.5% ABV), Katechis says, “It’s allfun….if it ain’t fun we wouldn’t be doing it. All of our beers have theirown personalities and bring different emotions when you pour theminto a glass and enjoy them, sharing all that hard work is what’sspecial about our beers.”Many say that Oskar Blue’s beers haveattained cult status. To that, Katechismodestly responds, “I’m not sure about that,but I think we’ve created a loyal followingby doing something different and beingourselves. We’ve always stayed true todoing what we love and I think people FEELthat. If you are passionate about what youdo and do it for the right reasons, webelieve people will dig it as much aswe do.”Originally from Alabama, Katechis says,“the Rocky Mountains have played a hugerole in what all of us at Oskar Blues get outof life. While I’ve been a mediocre homebrewer much of my life, I’ve met greatpeople in this industry and it’s been a greatplace to build a home with my family andfriends. Big wheels keep on turning.”In the future, Katechis tells us that he and histeam at Oskar Blues plan to, “Just keepdoing what we dig.”2HeadyTimes v.63 www.origlio.com