COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado College and Goat Patch Brewing Company came together, to bring a one-of-a-kind blonde ale filled that’s topped off with a whole lot of school spirit. With the Tigers home for big game on Friday night, what better way than to tell ticket holders the news and even give them a sample.
“It’s a cool story as you think about a small locally owned brewery being provided the platform in Ed Robson Arena and of course our fans love the beers,” Colorado College Vice President and Director of Athletics, Lesley Irvine, said. “So, I work in the athletic industry and a lot of athletic departments have actually partnered with breweries in this way where they do kind of a co-branding initiative where they’ll create a beer in honor of say something at a college or for an athletic department.”
In preparing for the 150th anniversary of Colorado College, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to introduce an exclusive beer dedicated to the school’s values and namesake.
“People are saying, how did you get this done,” Irvine said. “For me, it’s relationship building, it’s partnerships, and it’s frankly living in a city like Colorado Springs. As I’ve said, I’ve found in so many ways, when you just throw an idea out or look for a collaboration, people are really willing in the city to do that.”
On Friday morning, FOX21 observed Goat Patch Brewing Company and Colorado College working together to bring Southern Colorado an exclusive brew.
Located in close proximity to each other, Goat Patch Brewing Company are fans of the Tigers, and the head brewer, Darren Baze, was excited about this partnership.
“I’m pumped about it,” Baze said. “The beer we’re doing is my personal favorite beer that we make here, it’s one of our flagships. It’s designed to drink kind of like a Coors or something, but it’s possibly a little more flavorful.”
Throughout Friday morning, a crew of brewers was underway to ensure the success of a delicious-tasting blonde ale.
Baze explained how crucial each step is, “it would seem like to a drinker, a simple beer, but it’s one we got to be on point when we’re brewing it, because any little mistake, there’s really nothing to cover that up, so we got to brew it perfectly every time.”
On Friday morning, a team of brewers were working away on the signature Blonde Ale.
The top three names were released for this beer which anyone can vote for here. In the running are Block Break Blonde Ale, RoCCy’s Blonde Ale, and Tiger Tail Blonde Ale.
“Goat Patch is a great local company and anytime we can collaborate with them, it’s awesome,” Colorado College Hockey Head Coach, Kris Mayotte said. “We serve them here in the rink, so to get our own beer is certainly exciting.”
While working away on the ale, Baze shared another element of what makes this partnership so special.
“I think it’s cool because I got a four-year-old kid who just started the hockey program at Monument, and I can see him being a player there, you know in 14 years,” said Baze.
In a collaboration between Goat Patch Brewing Company and Colorado College, an exclusive brew is being made to celebrate the school’s 150th anniversary.
As the school gears up for the big celebrations of 150 years, now alumni can raise a toast with this exclusive brew.
“I think they like the idea of having pride and frankly, having our own beer,” Irvine said. “I think one of the most highly visible spaces will be at hockey games where we’ll be selling it, but also think that we would for our alumni and homecoming, will have events here. We’ll have our very own beer.”
