Warning Sign -- The Official Festival Beer
"The Earth Saving Beer!"
Warning Sign Imperial Eis Bock is team-brewed every year specifically for the Craft Lager Festival, and each year the host brewer changes. The 2008 batch was brewed in Highlands Ranch at C.B. & Potts Restaurant & Brewery. Led by host brewer Bill Eye, the versatile brewing group known as the “Good Ol' Boys”, along with a mob of Colorado brewers -- a total of fourteen breweries contributed to this fantastic batch -- making it the largest group thus far for the collaborative effort. C.B. & Potts served a great lunch to the feisty group, and a small container of the prior year's Warning Sign was tapped to remind everyone of the fine reward to come!
The amount produced each year changes depending on the brewer, but typically it’s 7-50 barrels (14-100 kegs). The alcohol content of Warning Sign ranges from 10-14% ABV, making the Eis Bock one of the stronger lagers you'll ever drink. The recipe started from Jason Yester's experience creating imperial beers at Bristol Brewery and his commercial barley wine (Old #23). One theme is to intentionally break the German Purity law, which allows more creative latitude with the recipe. People come from all over to sample this one-of-a-kind Eis Bock.
How Did Warning Sign Start?
The very first time we brewed Warning Sign was on a homebrew system in a garage. We had to brew three batches that year to fill a keg, because we could only make about five gallons at a time. By the last batch we still hadn't come up with a name. While brewing the last few gallons of homebrew, we were sampling some of the finished batches (for scientific purposes, of course), and listening to the Talking Heads. The tune "Warning Sign" came on, and voila, the beer was named.
What's up with the Dinosaur?
The catchy logo was designed by the owner of Ska Brewery, Dave Thibideau. When Dave hosted the team brew he decided to age a small amount on a single oak barrel, and bottle a very special small amount. He searched online for label images and discovered our trusty dinosaur logo. Everyone loved it, so we've stuck with it ever since.
How are the Sales and Distribution Handled?
Each participating company is given a keg to serve and sell at its brewery. This tradition has really enhanced the grassroots-driven campaign of spreading the good word about the beer. Besides being served by the brewers who attended the team brew, the only other place it's available is at its true home -- the Craft Lager Festival.
Where has Warning Sign been brewed?
2003 – The Garage
2004 – Palmer Lake Brewing Co.
2005 – Bristol Brewing Co.
2006 – Ska Brewing Co.
2007 – Rockyard American Grill & Brewing Co.
2008 – C.B. & Potts Restaurant & Brewery (Denver)
2009 – Trinity Brewing Co.
2010 – McClellans Grill & Brewing Co.1.
2011 -- Rock Bottom Colorado Springs
Next Year’s Brewer?
Sign up to brew next year’s Warning Sign!

