A sixth-generation Coloradan is leading a transformative effort to unite Colorado’s craft beer industry and ensure local favorites remain accessible to consumers across the state.
Charlie Berger, a longtime figure in Denver’s brewing community, first developed his passion for craft beer working on the bottling line at Great Divide Brewing Company. This early experience sparked a lifelong dedication to the craft beer scene, culminating in the co-founding of Denver Beer Company nearly 15 years ago.
Berger’s latest venture, Wilding Brands, emerged from conversations among Colorado craft beverage producers seeking to shape the future of the industry. This collaborative initiative has brought together a family of local brands—including Denver Beer Company and Stem Ciders—and recently expanded to acquire two prominent Denver breweries, Station 26 Brewing Co. and Great Divide Brewing.
“Wilding Brands is assembling an all-star team within Colorado’s craft beverage sector,” Berger said, emphasizing the collective strength of these partnerships.
This consolidation reflects a strategic business model that deviates from traditional practices in Colorado and across the country. Amid an uncertain economic landscape, Berger believes that merging resources and expertise will enable sustainable growth while preserving the unique identities that have made each brand popular.
“We want to assure Colorado consumers that their favorite beers will remain unchanged,” Berger stated. “Denver Beer Co. is still Denver Beer Co., Stem Ciders is Stem Ciders, and Great Divide remains true to its roots. We remain founder-owned, founder-run, and fiercely independent.”
Through this collaborative approach, Wilding Brands aims to safeguard the future of Colorado’s craft beer industry while maintaining the variety and quality that local drinkers have come to love.
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