This last weekend wrapped up the 75th annual Laramie Jubilee Days, and along with it the 10th annual Downtown Laramie Brewfest.
This year’s festival drew hundreds of participants and dozens of breweries from around the country, with several coming from Wyoming.
The number of breweries involved in the festival has grown every year, as interest in craft beer and locally brewed beer has increased.
Wyoming itself boasts over 24 breweries, a majority of which opened in the last 10 years. The demand for local craft beer is what made Coal Creek TAP decide to open its doors in March 2014.
“We recognized that there is a need in a small community for another provider of locally brewed craft beer,” Colby Wyatt Brandt, brewer at the TAP, said. The interest in craft beer in Wyoming has grown significantly over the past 10 years, largely due to the massive waves Colorado’s front range has made in the industry.
In the fall of 2014, Colorado Public Radio reported a new brewery was opening in the state nearly every week.
While Wyoming has not hit such a pace, the demand for locally crafted beer is still prevalent Andy Glines, Crowbar and Grill owner, said Laramie’s thirst for craft beer is growing.
“Our distributors work hard to pull in new breweries all the time,” Glines said. “We have access to at least five to ten new breweries a year, whether that is local, state or national.”
The Crowbar celebrated its third year in downtown Laramie last month.
The Crowbar offers dozens of bottled craft beers and devotes its 14 taps to different craft beers, which often includes local brews from TAP and Altitude Chophouse and Brewery.
According to the Brewers Association, Wyoming ranks fifth in breweries per capita, at 5.3 (per 100,000 adults).
In February, the Wyoming State Legislature and Governor Matt Mead signed a law ensuring the future of microbreweries in Wyoming.
The law, which took effect on July 1, raised the maximum amount of beer that a microbrewery can produce and still keep its “micro” status.
The distinction can be helpful for breweries that were previously nearing, or planning to near, the upper limit of the “microbrewery” definition. Microbreweries, under state law, are allowed to distribute their own product, while larger breweries can not.
Brandt said the TAP does not want to do any major expansions, just to continue to put out a local product
The TAP was well received at this year’s Downtown Laramie Brewfest, as it won the People’s Choice Award, given to the brewery that receives the most votes from the Brewfest attendees.
“It is very rewarding and warming to be continually received so well from Brewfest to Brewfest in Wyoming,” Brandt said.
