Great Divide Brewing joins Wilding Brands in major Colorado craft beer acquisition

Another heritage brand gets scooped up as Wilding expands its brewing empire

In another sign of consolidation within the independent beer world, Great Divide Brewing Co., one of Colorado’s original craft breweries, has been acquired by Wilding Brands, a fast-growing family of beverage brands formed last year. The move adds another major player to Wilding’s expanding lineup and signals a new phase in the craft beer world — especially in Colorado. From the press release:

“The dedication to evolving the business and a passion for Colorado make Wilding and Great Divide a perfect match. I couldn’t be happier knowing that Eric, Charlie, and Brad will be carrying the torch forward,” said Brian Dunn, Founder of Great Divide. “I’ve seen a lot of change in the craft beer industry over the years, and Wilding is building with a clear vision. This is exciting news for Colorado and the industry.”

Wilding Brands now owns Great Divide’s wholesale operation and will manage all future taproom developments. Great Divide’s outposts in Castle Rock, Lone Tree, Belmar, Denver International Airport, and its flagship Tap Room and Barrel Bar in Denver will remain untouched. Production will shift to Wilding’s Canworks facility in Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood. Wilding says fans can still find all their favorite Great Divide brews — with new twists and collabs on the way.

Meet Wilding Brands: A new powerhouse in Colorado craft

Formed in 2024 from a merger of Stem Ciders, Denver Beer Co., and Funkwerks, Wilding Brands has quickly built a beverage ecosystem that spans beer, cider, hop water, and hospitality. Founders Eric Foster, Brad Lincoln, and Charlie Berger (who got his start bottling at Great Divide) are now leading a beverage empire headquartered in Lafayette, Colorado. From the press release:

“We’re honored to welcome Great Divide into the family,” said Charlie Berger, Chief Development Officer, Wilding Brands. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the craft and quality of the product, and Great Divide has a rich history and a well-earned reputation for brewing some of the best beers in Colorado and arguably the country. Our goal is to honor that legacy while bringing new energy and resources to help the brand grow and continue to be a foundation of the Colorado craft beer story.”

Wilding’s growing portfolio

• Stem Ciders — Known for dry, creative cider expressions
• Denver Beer Co. — Urban beer brand with five locations
• Cerveceria Colorado — Mexican-inspired brews with cultural flair
• Funkwerks — Fort Collins Belgian-style specialists
• Formation Brewing — Arizona expansion into the Phoenix scene
• Howdy Beer Co. — Approachable, classic beer styles
• Easy Living Hop Water — A non-alcoholic option with a craft vibe
• Great Divide Brewing Co. — Now, its flagship heritage brand

With 13 taprooms and restaurants (including Acreage and Ghost Box Pizza), Wilding is quickly becoming a lifestyle brand rooted in craft culture.

Founded in 1994 by Brian Dunn, Great Divide helped put Colorado beer on the national map. Known for pushing boundaries while staying balanced, the brewery collected 19 GABF medals and five World Beer Cup awards over the years. The brewery became synonymous with boldness — both in branding and in ABVs. It is a true classic.

Great Divide Brewing & Roadhouse: A hit with food and beer lovers

The brand isn’t just about cans and kegs. Great Divide has made a successful foray into elevated brewpub dining with Great Divide Brewery & Roadhouse, operated in partnership with Vibe Concepts. Dig our story from last year.

• Castle Rock: Opened in 2020, during the worst of the pandemic, and still thrived.
• Lone Tree: Opened in 2024 with a stunning 8,200-sq-ft layout, private dining, and a four-season patio.
• Lakewood (Belmar): Great Divide Brewing Co. is now open in the Plaza at Belmar.

These locations pair flagship Great Divide beers with chef-driven menus and cocktails, offering a restaurant experience that goes far beyond standard pub fare.

Great Divide’s core and seasonal lineup

Great Divide’s portfolio remains a deep dive into craft beer culture:

Core beers

• Yeti Imperial Stout (9.5% ABV) — Rich, roasty, legendary
• Titan IPA (7.1% ABV) — Classic American IPA bite
• Colette (6.5% ABV) — Belgian-style farmhouse ale
• Denver Pale Ale (5.0% ABV) — A local staple
• Samurai (5.0% ABV) — Crisp Japanese-style lager
• Strawberry Rhubarb Sour (6.2% ABV) — Fruity and tart
• Hazy IPA (6.2% ABV) and Hazy Hercules (9.5%) — For the haze heads
• Tangerine Riot (6.4% ABV) — Fruited IPA with a citrus punch

Seasonals and specialties

• Orabelle (8.3% ABV) — Belgian strong ale, Jan–Mar
• Love and Lemons (5.0% ABV) — Summer lemonade ale
• Hoss (6.2% ABV) — Oktoberfest lager
• Pumpkin Ale (6.5% ABV) — Fall favorite
• Hibernation Ale (8.7% ABV) — English-style winter warmer
• White Russian and Horchata Yetis — Rotating dessert stouts

Great Divide also offers variety packs, hard seltzers, and barrel-aged releases like Laws Barrel Aged Yeti (12.5% ABV), proving it can hang in nearly every craft category.

Meanwhile: Left Hand Brewing reinvents itself too

The Great Divide deal isn’t the only big move in Colorado beer. Left Hand Brewing, founded in 1993 and known for pioneering nitro bottles and widget cans, just joined forces with Dry Dock Brewing to form a new independent craft platform. Under the partnership, Dry Dock’s production shifts to Left Hand’s Longmont facility. Dry Dock keeps its Aurora taproom. Founders from both companies remain involved in operations. This move follows Left Hand’s recent Wefunder campaign, which opened ownership to the public. The goal? To create a community-driven network of like-minded craft producers. More brands are expected to join.

Craft beer consolidation, the new way?

These two strategic moves signal a shift — but not a sellout. Colorado’s oldest breweries aren’t cashing out to conglomerates. They’re forming creative, local alliances that keep independence alive while staying competitive in a changing market. Great Divide’s future now flows through Wilding’s broad, diversified portfolio. And with fellow OGs like Left Hand also reimagining their business structures, it’s clear: the next chapter of craft beer might look different, but it’s still being written by the brewers who built it.