As a Colorado startup, it would be hard for any entrepreneur not to view SendGrid as an example of where vision and execution can align to disrupt an entire industry.  SendGrid is an alumnus of the 2009 TechStars Boulder class (check out that vintage logo) and has arguably become one of the more successful startups to graduate from the famed accelerator.   Today, SendGrid is delivering over 27 billion emails (that’s with a B) a month and is planning to file its S-1 to go public next year.

I recently interviewed Scott Gerlach, SendGrid’s resident brewer and Sr. Information Security Architect, to discuss the creations the SendGrid Team will be serving at Colorado Startup Brews on September 9^th.  Scott started brewing three years ago in the metro Phoneix area where Arizona’s sweltering heat really made brewing a challenge during the warmer months.   “Drinking homebrewed Porter in September in Phoenix felt like blasphemy,” said Scott.  At the beginning of 2016, Scott packed up his family and moved to Colorado to join the team at SendGrid.  Colorado affords a much more suitable climate for brewing while providing the backbone for inspiration with over 350 craft breweries in the state.

This year, SendGrid will be showcasing two craft beers:  A Robust Porter and an American IPA.  The first, “Actual Fall Porter” is a sessionable porter with notes of chocolate and melanoidin toasted biscuit backed by roasted malt while being aged on Mexican Vanilla beans.  Scott’s second beer, “Zythos” IPA is a west coast IPA made with Zythos, Citra and Mosaic Hops. 

In three years, Scott has gone from brewing beginner kit beers to being awarded first place from the Colorado State Fair Homebrew Competition for his IS-O-Tropic IPA.  It’s impressive to see how the Colorado ecosystem has not only fostered a startup destined to become the next technology giant, but it’s diverse team can create award winning beers ranked highest in the state.  For those attending Colorado Startup Brews, be sure to visit SendGrid’s booth to sample and cast your vote in the people’s choice competition.