Denver-based Great Divide Brewing Co. has been acquired by Wilding Brands, the Colorado-based and founder-owned family of craft beverage brands.

Great Divide was founded in 1994 and is known for its bold character beers. The Denver craft beer staple will be joining the Wilding Brands family, which includes Denver Beer Co.

Great Divide Brewing Co. won the Denver Gazette’s 2023 Front Range Brewers’ Bracket, beating Golden’s New Terrain Brewing to claim the championship.

The acquisition marks an “exciting new chapter for Wilding Brands” as it continues brewing world-class craft beverages while expanding opportunities for growth, according to a news release.

Formed in 2024 in a merger between Stem Ciders, Denver Beer Co. and Funkwerks, Wilding Brands is led by Colorado “craft beverage innovators” and founders Eric Foster, Brad Lincoln, and Charlie Berger, who started his career on the bottling line at Great Divide before founding Denver Beer Co.

“We’re honored to welcome Great Divide into the family,” Chief Development Officer Berger at Wilding Brands said in the release. “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.”

Great Divide has played a pivotal role in shaping Colorado’s craft beer industry, earning national recognition for its award-winning lineup including the legendary Yeti Imperial Stout, Titan IPA, and Colette Farmhouse Ale.

According to Wilding Brands’ ownership, Great Divide will maintain its commitment to quality and innovation, ensuring that fans continue to enjoy the craft beverages they love.

“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,” Brian Dunn, founder of Great Divide, said in the release. “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.”

Wildings Brands said the acquisition includes Great Divide’s wholesale business and any future brick-and-mortar locations.

There will be no changes to the Great Divide Colorado outpost locations in Castle Rock, Lone Tree, Belmar, Denver International Airport Concourse C, or the Tap Room and Barrel Bar locations in Denver.

Production brewing will move to Wilding’s Canworks facility in Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood, and the acquisition retains and creates many employment opportunities in the Wilding Brands organization.

Wildings Brands said customers can continue to expect to see their favorite Great Divide beers on shelves and on tap, with new offerings in the future.