The staff at Living the Dream Brewing Co. has developed a new beer, benefitting the Backcountry Wilderness Area in Highlands Ranch, that they hope is the perfect brew to enjoy during or after outdoor adventures.
The Backcountry Wilderness Wheat is “like sunshine in a glass,” said Emily Hutto, a spokesperson for Living the Dream.
Ten percent of all sales of the beer, which is on draft and canned at Living the Dream, will go directly into the Backcountry Conservation and Education Fund.
The Highlands Ranch Community Association’s Backcountry Wilderness Area, which makes up 13 square miles of Highlands Ranch, is a dedicated conservation area in the southern part of the community. The Backcountry Conservation & Education Fund was formed with the goals of wildlife habitat conservation in that area and environmental education, said Lindsey McKissick, outreach coordinator for the wilderness area.
“They put our mission on the back (of the can),” McKissick said. “Now, anyone who picks up a six-pack and turns the can around has a second to look at what our mission is.”
Much of the nonprofit’s work goes toward fire mitigation, noxious weed treatments, maintaining water resources for wildlife and education programs for the community.
“We’re really lucky to have small businesses like Living the Dream here backing us,” McKissick said. “Because it makes a difference.”
The local brewery has partnered with the nonprofit since it got off the ground in 2017, with Living the Dream hosting a fundraising event every second Thursday of the month that benefits the Backcountry. During the monthly Beer for Bucks event, $1 from each beer sold at the brewery goes toward the nonprofit. This is the first time the brewery has created a specific beer benefitting the organization.
“The nonprofit and brewery have been working together so long it made sense to make a beer,” Hutto said.
Cans of the beer can be purchased at the Living the Dream Brewery, located at 12305 North Dumont Way, or at limited liquor store locations across the Front Range.
“Living the Dream … really celebrates all things Colorado and Colorado is such an outdoor-centric state,” Hutto said. “The whole brand is around getting outside and enjoying beers après.”