Meet Chris Asher, the brain behind Colorado’s first all-organic brewery, the Asher Brewing Company. Chris, an east coaster at heart, moved to Colorado after graduating from Wesleyan University, and his career as a brew master began to flourish.

As an east-coaster myself, I was already familiar with Chris through the crazy 6 degrees of separation. Oddly enough, my mom, back in Mass, happens to work at Chris’s high school alma mater, the Noble & Greenough School. So, of course, I had to meet Chris upon moving to Colorado. I mean, come on, he went from teaching home-brewing classes in college to brewing in the craft beer capital of the US. I’d say that’s a pretty impressive resume.

Not only has Chris become an exquisite brew master, but he’s created a dynamic business that is much more than just beer. Thanks to his ingenious innovations, he’s brought the Boulder community together through sustainable brewing practices.

Asher sources ingredients locally whenever possible, supporting  Boulder County’s economy, while minimizing it’s carbon footprint. On top of that, they protect the environment, purchasing wind credits through Schneider Energy, and enforcing the use of compostable cutlery for vendors providing food at Asher.

Breweries like Asher are why we need to protect the craft beer community. The Asher Brewing Company supplies Boulderites with crisp beers, all while supporting its fellow small town businesses. If that’s not caring for your comrades, I don’t know what is. Well done, Chris, and the folks at Asher!