About Black Shirt Brewing Co


Black Shirt Brewing Co is a progressive, artisanal brewery located in the RiNo Art District in Denver, CO. The brewery was founded by brothers Chad and Branden Miller and Chad's wife Carissa. Our focus is on creating unique, assertive, vibrant, complex, and ultimately perfectly-balanced beer. We do everything by hand, in small batches. No gimmicks. No bull shit.


Genuine. Passionate. Soulful. Authentic. Beer.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Fall-ish In Denver...

As I sit here looking out the window at the beauty that Denver offers, I am feeling so connected and inspired. Earlier this week, we set a new record high temperature in the city, only to be followed by a sizable winter storm on Wednesday that dropped several inches of heavy, wet snow and crippled Denver for almost a day. Tree branches broke and smashed unsuspecting cars, and power lines snapped and left thousands of people without electricity for hours. There is a saying here - "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes!" It is a laughable notion but one that proves true more often than not. The weather here is dynamic. It is moody. It gives us the best of the best and, every now and then, the worst of the worst. But without hardship, we wouldn't embrace success and the same goes for living in this great city. We are fortunate to live in a place that challenges us, and then rewards us so greatly.

The morning light earlier today, and even more so yesterday, was so brilliant bouncing off the fresh coat of white that I just stared in awe as I sipped my cup of coffee. I don't remember an early season snowstorm of this size in some time. I am sure it isn't the earliest or biggest on record, but the fact that even the trees and bushes weren't ready for it is a sign of it's untimeliness. In years past, Halloween is usually the day that the weather turns the corner from fall to winter. It was always so frustrating as a kid because it made trick-or-treating a burden instead of a blast. The ears and nose were turned to ice and we couldn't feel our fingers to open the candy we had just scored. But, as I said earlier, the sun is back and it's warmth is melting the snow so quickly that soon we will forget the storm even happened. We are now stronger and more prepared for the coming winter, and we will do our best to enjoy every little turn that Momma Nature has in store for us! Happy Halloween! Be safe, warm, and have fun!


Monday, October 24, 2011

The Newest Addition To BSB...

We got our hands on a sweet, vintage tricycle complete with 3 speeds and a pop-up basket on the back. I haven't actually tried it, but I believe 2 cases of beer will fit in that basket! It has a great, faded red paint job and black wheels and tires, keeping it inline with the BSB aesthetic. We can now deliver by tricycle!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Feeling So Humbled...

Upslope Brewing Co in Boulder recently wrote a short article about our relationship and mutual admiration. It was, in fact, written by Matt Cutter who is the founder and operator of Upslope Brewing. To say that the article was flattering would be a gigantic understatement. What we did as a company for them was the only thing that made sense. To have said no to their request would have been impossible. But, the way Matt perceived our actions and to know deeply how much it meant to him, has made a big impact on us all. We are so happy and feel so lucky to have such good friends as we enter this industry, and this new chapter in our lives. We have heard a lot about the brotherhood of brewers, but to experience it firsthand is entirely different. Go Upslope! And go BSB! Have a great weekend.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Time Flies When You Are Havin Fun

Well, we find ourselves in the middle of fall here in Denver. The leaves are changing colors and falling off their branches in preparation of the coming winter. It is so beautiful! The afternoons are warm with highs in the 60s and 70s and then it is cooling off considerably in the evening. In fact, we have begun to hear the occasional roar of our furnace, a sound not heard for months! The body begs for a little additional sleep, and the stomach is constantly asking to be fed, a sure sign of the times! We have transitioned to acorn, butternut, and spaghetti squashes at the restaurant, and the first beautiful apples of the season have shown up recently.
 Around the brewery, we have been continuing the struggle for permits with the City of Denver, making progress at what seems to be a snail's pace. We recently received more beautiful stainless tanks that will serve as our hot and cold liquor tanks. It is always a fun time when more shiny pieces of equipment are delivered! We will be getting our 15-barrel fermenter back from Upslope Brewing Co in the next week or so, as they have gotten their Pale Ale back on the shelves, and have received two additional fermenters - requiring ours to get out of their way. Nice job guys! Keep up the good work!
Kickstarter has been going strong. We definitely have a long way to go to reach our goal, but the strong showing of support from family and friends has been amazing! We have been filming with Free Mind Productions on their follow up to Beer Culture. This time, they are planning to film at breweries around the country and, eventually, get this movie on the big screen. It has been fun and they are great guys! Motivated, inspired, and charging ahead at their goals. A story that we can relate to and get behind!
Happy Fall! - Black Shirt Brewing Co