<\/p>\n
Dave Thibodeau admits he wasn\u2019t a model student in high school. He liked to party.<\/p>\n
So did his friend Bill Graham.<\/p>\n
And after Thibodeau, at age 17, stumbled across his dad\u2019s \u201cBrew Book,\u201d the duo teamed up to brew their own beer, using Thibodeau\u2019s patriarchal recipes, which dated to 1969.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was like a light bulb went off for us,\u201d said Thibodeau. \u201cWe were just trying to make alcohol. We didn\u2019t know what good beer was.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then, on the second Saturday in September 1995, with a decade of home-brew experience, Thibodeau and Graham joined forces with Matt Vincent to establish Ska Brewing in Durango. And keeping with their roots, the company celebrates its 20th anniversary with a party, no less, on Sept. 12.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so much fun,\u201d said Thibodeau. \u201cIt\u2019s a nice way to end the summer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reflecting on 20 years<\/p>\n
Looking back at the past 20 years in business, Thibodeau said he was surprised that he and his co-founders survived.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were all pretty young when we started,\u201d he said. \u201cUnlike today, we didn\u2019t have any mentors that were brewing. We had no idea what we were doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thibodeau credited the longevity, in part, to family support. Today, the company\u2019s recipes for its flagship, award-winning Pinstripe Red Ale and its back-to-back Great American Gold Medal winner True Blond Ale were home-brew derivatives made in collaboration with Thibodeau\u2019s father.<\/p>\n
Thibodeau, of French Canadian descent, also credited the community for the company\u2019s success.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwenty years is a huge milestone,\u201d said Thibodeau. \u201cSouthwest Colorado has been amazing to us. It\u2019s allowed us to live our dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n
Community commitment<\/p>\n
Held to thank the community, the anniversary party also allows the company to continue its commitment to Southwest Colorado. Proceeds from the event, which can total up to $5,000, are donated to a local charity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe community is important to us,\u201d said Thibodeau.<\/p>\n
Thibodeau added that Ska Brewing also pays its employees to volunteer for area charity events. He said they\u2019ve helped to paint a home for Habitat for Humanity, participate in Durango\u2019s annual cleanup day and worked numerous events for United Way, to name a few.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to give back to the community,\u201d said Thibodeau.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s on tap?<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s anniversary party features three live bands. The Denver Vintage Reggae Society and the Mad Caddies are slated to open for headliners, Reel Big Fish. Tickets for the event are on sale now.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not sold-out yet, but it will soon,\u201d said Thibodeau.<\/p>\n
No specific plans for an anniversary beer have been planned yet, said Thibodeau, but he said Ska was preparing to collaborate with Liquid Mechanics Brewing Co. in Lafayette, Colo., to formulate what is likely to be a Belgian golden ale.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe final recipe is still being tweaked,\u201d said Thibodeau.<\/p>\n
Thibodeau said the company would also unveil one of two other specialty beers at the anniversary party; either a fresh (wet) hopped beer or a bourbon barrel-aged Euphoria, the company\u2019s winter seasonal pale ale.<\/p>\n
Ska Brewing\u2019s anniversary party is held from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12. The party\u2019s limited to 1,000 people, and tickets are $40 each. The admission price includes a commemorative pint glass and free beer samples from 35 breweries.<\/p>\n
Tickets are available at the brewery or online at www.brownpapertickets.com\/event\/1691759.<\/p>\n