Boulder Beer got its start in 1979. To put that on the microbrewing timeline, plug it in between New Albion (opened 1976, closed 1982) and Sierra Nevada (opened 1980).
Boulder Beer’s story appeared to be in denouement in October, when it announced that it would cease distribution and downsize, focusing only on its Boulder brewpub. After producing more than 29,000 barrels in 2014, the brewery sold only about 16,000 last year.
The story took another turn this week. Sleeping Giant, a contract-only brewery based in Denver, announced Monday that it has reached a deal to keep Boulder beers in stores and bars, without interruption. Sleeping Giant says it will brew the beers while taking over marketing and distribution.