Holidaily Founder Karen Hertz in her thinking chair. Photo credit: Kimberly Swanson Photography.
In the coming weeks, Holidaily Brewing, one of the few certified gluten-free breweries in the United States that has planned some big moves, will break ground on a new production facility that will dramatically expand its production capacity. The new brewhouse is being built across the street from the current Holidaily taproom located at 801 Brickyard Circle in Golden.
Ultimately, 20,000 barrels a year will be brewed in the new 10,000-sq-ft facility, which is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2018 and fully built out by 2021. All of the beer produced by Holidaily is, and will continue to be, certified gluten free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization.
“Through our first two years of existence, we’ve seen great growth and acceptance of the Holidaily brand,” Founder Karen Hertz said. “The demand for gluten-free products is strong, and we’re excited by the opportunity to distribute our beer to all of Colorado and potentially beyond.”
Holidaily Brewing opened in Golden in 2016 to fulfill Hertz’s belief that gluten-free beers can taste as good as traditional brews. Using grains such as millet and buckwheat from Colorado-based Grouse Malt House, the company produces a number of full-flavored beers, with as many as 10 variations regularly available in its taproom. Holidaily also self-distributes three canned variations — its flagship Favorite Blonde Ale, Fat Randy’s IPA and Riva Stout — to retailers, bars, restaurants and other breweries along Colorado’s Front Range.
What’s the market opportunity?
Holidaily’s beer production nearly tripled from 2016 to 2017, and the company plans further growth in 2018. Much of the consumption of gluten-free products is driven by the 3 million Americans who suffer from Celiac disease, a condition in which gluten — a protein found in common beer ingredients barley, wheat and rye — can damage the small intestine. Only eight of the nearly 6,300 craft brewers in the United States run dedicated gluten-free brewing operations, and Holidaily is the lone brewer in Colorado to adhere to the strict Certified GF standards.
The market opportunity is considerable: While the broad craft beer industry is expected to see a continuation of single-digit growth rates, gluten-free beer is projected to grow at an annual 14 percent clip between now and 2022.
“When your body has an intolerance to gluten, traditionally brewed beer and even gluten-reduced beers can cause a range of symptoms,” Hertz said. “Our beer resolves such issues — and is delicious too.”
