History
During the late 80s, Brian Dunn spent 5 years overseas building farms in developing countries. Having grown up in a family that valued good food and drink, Dunn grew his knowledge and passion for beer during his travels. Dunn eventually returned to Colorado, started homebrewing and went to graduate school. Upon graduation in 1993, when the Denver beer scene barely existed, he set out to found what would eventually become one of America’s most decorated and celebrated craft breweries.
Beginning with a marketing study and a business plan, Dunn saw an opportunity in what would soon become Denver’s Ballpark Neighborhood to brew uniquely balanced, flavorful beers. With financial help from family, friends and a loan from the City of Denver, his dream of brewing commercially became reality in 1994.
Ballpark
The brewery started small and in the beginning Dunn was the only full-time employee: brewing, bottling and selling to accounts all in the same day. As the brewery grew, the beer spoke for itself. Dunn’s beers were balanced, flavorful and representative of a lifestyle that is uniquely Colorado. While Great Divide’s ethos may be globally-inspired, our beers are distinctly Denver.
Since 1994 we’ve brewed all sorts of exciting beer styles, added lots of brewing capacity and we’ve assembled a great staff. In 2001, we bought our building – which used to be an old dairy processing plant – and set out for over a decade of exponential growth. In 2011, we realized we would soon outgrow our space and began looking for land to expand– knowing that leaving the city was not an option.
The Barrel Bar
We are a Denver brewery, and have been involved in the craft beer scene and the community here since the beginning. In 2013, we bought 5 acres in the nearby RiNo neighborhood. It wasn’t easy, but we are so happy to have a place only a mile down the road where we can continue growing for the next 21 years. We broke ground on phase one of our expansion in 2014. In 2015, we finally had the space in our new packaging facility to begin canning. We celebrated the opening of our Barrel Bar in July, and immediately began looking ahead to our Phase Two expansion.
Our brewery has become what it is today thanks to our hardworking, creative and passionate employees. Here at Great Divide, Bold Character is more than just a catchphrase, it’s the philosophy behind what we brew, how we think, and what we believe.
Mission
The mission of Great Divide Brewing Co. is to produce high-quality, distinctive ales for our customers, and to provide service and education to our customers and the general public in regard to the craft brewing industry. We are a brewery of Great characters, making remarkable beer while being active in the community.
Independent then. Independent now. Great Minds Drink Alike.
Denver Pale Ale Foundation
Great Minds Give Alike
History of giving: Great Divide has donated more than $500,000 to various nonprofit organizations. Previously, charitable contributions were raised through the Tap Room Giving Program. The program donated a portion of proceeds from sample flights to select organizations on a monthly basis. The Denver Pale Ale Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, was established in 2021 to make an even larger impact in our community.
Mission: The Denver Pale Ale Foundation was formed to support Colorado-based nonprofits and initiatives that are important to our brewery and our consumers by harnessing the power of Great Divide’s people and beer. Charitable contributions have always been a part of our ethos and this Foundation is the next chapter in giving.
Funding: Great Divide is committed to donating a portion of proceeds per case equivalent of Denver Pale Ale sold in Colorado to the Denver Pale Ale Foundation.
Distribution: Grants will be made 2-3 times per year to nonprofit organizations with the following focuses:
Hunger Relief & Homelessness
Community & Environmental Stewardship
Education & At-Risk Youth
The Arts
Occasionally, these grants may be rolled together to further fund worthy programs and initiatives.
How we choose beneficiaries: We evaluate potential beneficiaries by comparing their missions to that of the Denver Pale Ale Foundation and Great Divide Brewing Co. Beneficiaries must be Colorado-based or have a significant presence in Colorado. Their mission should fall into one of the four focuses listed previously.
What our grants do not support: Individual fundraising efforts, national organizations with little presence in Colorado, non 501c3 organizations
How to apply: Interested nonprofit organizations can apply for a Denver Pale Ale Foundation grant here. Applications will be reviewed in a timely fashion and all applicatns can expect a response. Please be aware that our quarterly grants calendar is typically finalized up to a year in advance.
SPONSORSHIPS & DONATIONS
Another way the brewery supports the community is our involvement with great causes and events through sponsorships and donations. Over the years, we supported hundreds of different organizations through these efforts. We also put our efforts towards sponsoring large community events throughout the year like the Mile High United Way Turkey Trot, the Civic Center Conservancy, Habitat for Humanity’s Hops for Homes, and the RiNo 5K.
MILE HIGH UNITED WAY TURKEY TROT
In 2017, we had the opportunity to be the official beer sponsor for the Mile High United Way Turkey Trot for a fourth year. We have been fortunate enough to participate as a sponsor for the Mile High United Way Turkey Trot for the past few years. Each Thanksgiving, thousands of participants run in the Turkey Trot to raise money towards work that will help pull families and individuals in our community out of poverty. Every 21+ runner receives free Great Divide brews in the beer garden after the race. We’re excited to continue this Thanksgiving Day tradition with the Denver community.
RiNo 5K
First run in 2017, Great Divide has been the official beer sponsor of the RiNo 5K since 2018. The event has grown significantly since its inception and has become an annual summer tradition in the RiNo neighborhood. Great Divide is thrilled to provide runners with their post-race beverages and supports the RiNo 5K (itself a 501c3) in its efforts to eradicate homelessness in Denver.
HOPS FOR HOMES: THE HOUSE THAT BEER BUILT
In 2017 we teamed up with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver on the first ever House that Beer Built partnership. Together with the support of 20+ other breweries, Habitat was able to raise $50,000 to help a local family in Denver find strength and stability through homeownership. All participating breweries also spent the summer working alongside Habitat for Humanity to help build the home for a deserving Denver family.
Do you want your organization to be considered for a sponsorship or donation from Great Divide? Use our Sponsorship and Donation Submission Form in order to be considered.
SUSTAINABILITY AT GREAT DIVIDE
Great Divide is proud to be one of the leading craft breweries in sustainability. With the help of our Green Team, we have implemented green initiatives throughout the brewery. Our sustainability efforts include a brewery wide recycling program, sustainable breakrooms, eco-passes for all full-time employees, auditing and accountability for every brewery department, a community recycling program, re-using bottle-rinse water, Certified Green taprooms, energy saving motion sensor lights and more! If you’d like to learn more about all of our sustainability efforts including our Community Recycling Program click below.
AWARDS
Founded in Denver in 1994, Great Divide is one of the most decorated breweries in America, recognized for brewing some of the globe’s most balanced yet assertive and flavorful beers. These beers have landed an impressive amount of acclaim, earning 18 Great American Beer Festival medals, 5 World Beer Cup awards, and 14 spots on BeerAdvocate‘s “Top Rated Beers: Colorado” (2015). RateBeer.com named Great Divide among the “Top Brewers In the World” (2014), the “Top Brewer in Colorado (2013), and 12th on their list of “Best Brewers In The World” (2013). Here at Great Divide, Bold Character isn’t just a catchphrase. It’s the philosophy behind what we brew, how we think and what we believe.
2013
Great American Beer Festival, Gold Medal, Chocolate Beer
2010
Great American Beer Festival, Silver Medal, Saison
Australian International Beer Awards, Silver Medal, Saison
2011
Australian International Beer Awards, Bronze Medal, Belgian and French Style Ales
2009
Australian International Beer Awards, Silver Medal, Scotch Ale/Barleywine
2011
Australian International Beer Awards, Silver Medal, Ale Packaged
1997
Great American Beer Festival, Bronze Medal, Classic English Style Pale Ale
1998
World Beer Cup, Bronze Medal, Classic English-Style Old Ale
Westword Magazine, “Best of Denver,” Best Pale Ale
1999
Great American Beer Festival, Gold Medal, Classic English-Style Pale Ale
2000
World Beer Cup, Gold Medal, Classic English-Style Old Ale
United States Beer Tasting Championship, Regional Champion, Summer- Pale Ale
2002
Great American Beer Festival, Bronze Medal, Classic English-Style Pale Ale
2004
United States Beer Tasting Championship, Regional Champion, Summer- Pale Ale
2006
Great American Beer Festival, Bronze Medal, Classic English-Style Pale Ale
United States Beer Tasting Championship, Summer- Best of Rockies/Southwest
2007
BeerAdvocate.com, Best of Beer Advocate, Top 25 Beers
2008
European Beer Star, Nuremberg, Silver Award, Belgian-Style Ale
2009
Australian International Beer Awards, Bronze Medal, Belgian-Style Ale
2005
United States Beer Tasting Championship, Regional Champion, Winter- Double IPA
2006
International Beer Challenge, World’s 50 Best Beers
2007
Australian International Beer Awards, Gold Medal, Imperial IPA
2008
Australian International Beer Awards, Silver Medal, Imperial IPA
2009
Australian International Beer Awards, Silver Medal, Imperial IPA
1997
Great American Beer Festival, Gold Medal, Strong Ale/ English-Style Old Ale
1998
World Beer Cup, Silver Medal, Strong Ale/ English Style Old Ale
2000
United States Beer Tasting Championship, Region
2003
Great American Beer Festival, Silver Medal, Old Ale
Beer Advocate, Best Of BeerAdvocate.com
United States Beer Tasting Championship, Regional Champion, Winter- Strong/Old Ale
2004
BeerAdvocate.com, Rating of 90
2006
Great American Beer Festival, Silver Medal, Aged Beer
2007
United States Beer Tasting Championship, Regional Champion, Winter- Old/Strong Ale
2009
Great American Beer Festival, Bronze Medal, Rye Beer
2010
World Beer Cup, Bronze Medal
Australian International Beer Awards, Overall Champion Lager
Australian International Beer Awards, Gold Medal, Rye Lager
2011
Australian International Beer Awards, Bronze Medal, Lager Draught
2007
European Beer Star, Nuremberg, Silver Medal, Stout
Australian International Beer Awards, Bronze Medal, Wood-Aged Beers
2008
Australian International Beer Awards, Silver Medal, Wood-Aged Beer
2009
Australian International Beer Awards, Silver Medal, Wood-Aged Beer
2005
Great American Beer Festival, Bronze Medal, Barley Wine
United States Beer Tasting Competition, Regional Champion, Winter- Barley Wine
2006
Great American Beer Festival, Gold Medal, Barley Wine
United States Beer Tasting Competition, Grand Champion, Winter- Barley Wine
Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival, Honorable Mention, Barley Wine
2007
United States Beer Tasting Competition, Regional Champion, Winter- Barley Wine
2009
Great American Beer Festival, Bronze Medal, Barley Wine
2010
Stockholm Beer and Whiskey Festival, Bronze Medal
2007
United States Beer Tasting Championship, Best of the Rockies, Golden Ale/Kolsch
2003
United States Beer Tasting Championship, Regional Champion, Summer- India Pale Ale
2004
United States Beer Tasting Championship, Regional Champion, Summer- IPA
BeerAdvocate.com, Rating of 90
2005
United States Beer Tasting Competition, Regional Champion, Summer- IPA
2006
Stockholm Beer Festival, Bronze Medal
2007
European Beer Star, Nuremberg, Silver Medal, IPA
Australian International Beer Awards, Silver Medal, IPA
United States Beer Tasting Competition, Best of the Rockies, Summer- IPA
2008
Australian International Beer Awards, Silver Medal, IPA
2003
United States Beer Tasting Championship, Regional Champion, Summer- Fruit Beer
2004
United States Beer Tasting Championship, Regional Champion, Summer- Fruit Beer
2007
United States Beer Tasting Championship, Best of the Rockies, Summer- Fruit Beer
2004
United States Beer Tasting Championship, Honorable Mention, Winter- Imperial Stout
BeerAdvocate.com, Rating of 90
2005
Great American Beer Festival, Silver Medal, Imperial Stout
Great International Beer Competition, Bronze Medal, Strong Beer
United States Beer Tasting Competition, Grand Champion, Winter- Imperial Stout
2006
United States Beer Tasting Championship, Honorable Mention, Winter- Imperial Stout
2007
United States Beer Tasting Competition, Regional Champion, Winter- Imperial Stout
2008
Great American Beer Festival, Bronze Medal, Stout
2009
Great American Beer Festival, Silver Medal, Stout
Brew New Zealand Awards, Silver Medal
European Beer Star, Nuremberg, Bronze Medal