End of an era: 30-year-old Durango brewery sells to new owners

Colorado craft beer fans took another hit to the heart Friday when Dave Thibodeau who co-founded Ska Brewing in Durango years ago reported the company has been sold The new owners are two longtime Durango families the Arianos and the Wests who have been involved in multiple businesses over the decades including beer distribution Ska Brewing owners left to right Bill Graham Dave Thibodeau and Matt Vincent sold the company in June Provided by Ska Brewing I understand certain people will be sad but the beer landscape has shifted so much that I think people understand Thibodeau declared explaining the Ska had taken on million in debt for expansion plans that never materialized At the end of the day this is the best thing that could have happened Now we have a solid foundation and we can start marching forward Thibodeau will remain with the brewery along with longtime executive Steve Breezley who becomes CEO I m not going anywhere and the brewery s not going anywhere he added Ska s sale first disclosed by The Durango Herald underlines not just the age of the industry and its pioneers specific of whom want to retire but the stark economics of the business which grew hastily in a can-do-no-wrong fashion in the s before hitting a wall of changing tastes and competition around the same time that the COVID- pandemic crushed food and beverage businesses nationwide For instance Great Divide founder Brian Dunn sold his -year-old Denver brewery to growing local beverage manufacturer Wilding Brands in April and will shutter both of his Denver taprooms this month Kevin DeLange and Michelle Reding sold -year-old Dry Dock to Longmont s Left Hand Brewing the same month the future of Dry Dock s Aurora taproom is unknown Left Hand is now the only major legacy craft brewery years or older in the state that is still run and partially owned by one of its founders A handful of smaller legacy breweries including Carver Brewing and Golden City are still owned by their founders or their families But selected of Colorado s older modern breweries born after are also selling leading to a whirlwind of changes in the arena The the majority latest sale was stated Thursday when Denver s Station Brewing founded was acquired by Wilding Brands a holding company created by Stem Ciders founder Eric Foster Wilding based in Lafayette also owns Denver Beer Co and its five taprooms founded and Funkwerks Everyone is trying to figure out the next move to stay sustainable asking themselves What is a good move for us Thibodeau explained For us this is a chance to stop saying no wherever an opportunity comes up It s given us a renewed morale It provides several levity Related Articles These Colorado brewery patios feel like backyard parties Strange Craft brewery to open outpost in Buena Vista What to do this week Have a beer on Boulder creek visit Denver Arts Festival South Broadway brewery closing after years We needed more patrons Brewery owner opens retro-themed dive bar on Colfax In Colorado craft beer is such a part of who we are There are still opportunities for development and fun We want to keep the legacy positive he added Ska grew to prominence in the s and s with beers like Modus Hoperandi IPA Pinstripe Red and Steel Toe Stout and stood out among Colorado breweries for its tongue-in-cheek messaging and its dedication to ska music hosting an annual birthday bash featuring several of the best ska musicians in the business In later years the brewery which Thibodeau co-owned by Bill Graham and Matt Vincent became known more for its lagers including Ska Mexican Logger Rue B Soho Grapfruit Lager and Oktoberfest Subscribe to our new food newsletter Stuffed to get Denver food and drink news sent straight to your inbox