Dave Thibodeau admits he wasn’t a model student in high school. He liked to party.
So did his friend Bill Graham.
And after Thibodeau, at age 17, stumbled across his dad’s “Brew Book,” the duo teamed up to brew their own beer, using Thibodeau’s patriarchal recipes, which dated to 1969.
“It was like a light bulb went off for us,” said Thibodeau. “We were just trying to make alcohol. We didn’t know what good beer was.”
Then, on the second Saturday in September 1995, with a decade of home-brew experience, Thibodeau and Graham joined forces with Matt Vincent to establish Ska Brewing in Durango. And keeping with their roots, the company celebrates its 20th anniversary with a party, no less, on Sept. 12.
“It’s so much fun,” said Thibodeau. “It’s a nice way to end the summer.”
Reflecting on 20 years
Looking back at the past 20 years in business, Thibodeau said he was surprised that he and his co-founders survived.
“We were all pretty young when we started,” he said. “Unlike today, we didn’t have any mentors that were brewing. We had no idea what we were doing.”
Thibodeau credited the longevity, in part, to family support. Today, the company’s recipes for its flagship, award-winning Pinstripe Red Ale and its back-to-back Great American Gold Medal winner True Blond Ale were home-brew derivatives made in collaboration with Thibodeau’s father.
Thibodeau, of French Canadian descent, also credited the community for the company’s success.
“Twenty years is a huge milestone,” said Thibodeau. “Southwest Colorado has been amazing to us. It’s allowed us to live our dreams.”
Community commitment
Held to thank the community, the anniversary party also allows the company to continue its commitment to Southwest Colorado. Proceeds from the event, which can total up to $5,000, are donated to a local charity.
“The community is important to us,” said Thibodeau.
Thibodeau added that Ska Brewing also pays its employees to volunteer for area charity events. He said they’ve helped to paint a home for Habitat for Humanity, participate in Durango’s annual cleanup day and worked numerous events for United Way, to name a few.
“We want to give back to the community,” said Thibodeau.
What’s on tap?
This year’s anniversary party features three live bands. The Denver Vintage Reggae Society and the Mad Caddies are slated to open for headliners, Reel Big Fish. Tickets for the event are on sale now.
“It’s not sold-out yet, but it will soon,” said Thibodeau.
No specific plans for an anniversary beer have been planned yet, said Thibodeau, but he said Ska was preparing to collaborate with Liquid Mechanics Brewing Co. in Lafayette, Colo., to formulate what is likely to be a Belgian golden ale.
“The final recipe is still being tweaked,” said Thibodeau.
Thibodeau said the company would also unveil one of two other specialty beers at the anniversary party; either a fresh (wet) hopped beer or a bourbon barrel-aged Euphoria, the company’s winter seasonal pale ale.
Ska Brewing’s anniversary party is held from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12. The party’s limited to 1,000 people, and tickets are $40 each. The admission price includes a commemorative pint glass and free beer samples from 35 breweries.
Tickets are available at the brewery or online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1691759.
