(Courtesy Wilding Brands)

The wave of brewery consolidation rolling through Colorado shows no signs of slowing down. Upslope Brewing Company, a well-known Boulder-based craft brewery founded in 2008, has officially been acquired by Wilding Brands, adding yet another familiar name to the growing list of independent breweries changing hands.

Upslope built its reputation on easy-drinking, adventure-ready beers—especially its popular Craft Lager and Citra Pale Ale—with packaging designed to appeal to hikers, skiers and outdoor enthusiasts. The brewery expanded steadily over the years, opening a second location in Flatiron Park and securing distribution across multiple states. But like many mid-sized craft operations, rising costs, tight competition and shifting consumer preferences have made long-term sustainability more challenging.

Wilding Brands, a company focused on acquiring and scaling lifestyle-driven beverage companies, says the deal will allow Upslope to strengthen production capabilities while retaining its outdoor-oriented identity. According to early comments from both parties, Upslope’s core team and brewing operations will remain in Colorado, and the beers fans know shouldn’t disappear—at least not immediately.

Wilding Brands has been growing its portfolio through a series of mergers and acquisitions, particularly within the Colorado craft beer scene. And the brands it now owns include:

Denver Beer: An urban beer brand with multiple taproom locations.

Great Divide Brewing: A heritage brand known for a variety of core and seasonal beers like the Yeti Imperial Stout and Titan IPA.

Station 26: An award-winning craft brewery located in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood.

Funkwerks: A brewery specializing in elevated Belgian Style beers and Sours.

Howdy Beer: An approachable, classic beer style brand.

Cerveceria Colorado: A brand that focuses on Mexican-inspired brews.

¡Venga!: Another brand within the portfolio.

Formation Brewing: An Arizona-based taproom and craft kitchen operation.

Easy Living Hop Water: A non-alcoholic hop water option.

Upslope Brewing: the most recent addition to the Wilding Brands collective.

Yes, Upslope is just the latest in a string of acquisitions across the state, highlighting how difficult it has become for independent breweries to grow without outside investment. Some see it as a necessary evolution; others worry it’s a sign that beer culture is inching further away from its grassroots.

For now, fans can expect business as usual—with a larger corporate engine now powering the ride. Whether that brings fresh opportunity or marks the beginning of a shift in flavor (both literally and figuratively), remains to be seen.

Another day, another deal in Colorado’s increasingly tumultous beer scene.

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