Editor’s note: this interview has been edited for clarity and space.

Adrian Glasenapp is no stranger to carbonated drinks. Though the Glenwood-born native moved back to the Roaring Fork Valley years ago, he spent over 16 years working for New Belgium Brewing. His expertise is in marketing and design, and that creative spark, led him to the craft beer company and guided his entrepreneurship since. He spoke with The Sopris Sun about one of his new ventures: RKYMTN Adult Drinks (RAD), a lightly carbonated, wine-based libation that went on the market earlier this summer. 

What got you interested in working in fermentation?

Creativity and beer is what got me interested initially. I applied for an art director position at New Belgium Brewing in 2003 because I loved the culture, brand and beer ethos. I wanted to bring my creativity to the coolest craft company in the U.S. and help them build their company and brand as an employee-owner. Since leaving New Belgium in 2019, I have been driven to bring super creative and delicious non-beer beverages to the market. 

With RAD, our focus is delivering a natural product with incredible flavor, driven by the use of real fruit, natural botanicals and a unique and super clean agave wine base. Consumer and industry response has been incredible as we scale quickly on the Western Slope and in Fort Collins. People deserve better post-adventure beverages and more interesting brands. 

What inspired you to move from beer?

Our inspiration comes from wanting to make something better that we can enjoy with our friends that is not beer and is gluten-free. We are ultimately a winery in terms of designation. We have low carbonation, real color and body, low sweetness, natural — not artificial — taste, a normal 12-ounce can, a compelling local lifestyle-driven brand story and a somewhat small batch brewing and blending craft process.

Was the current form of RAD always the vision, or has it evolved?

The only constant is change, as they say. There have been multiple iterations and many, many twists and turns. I have had a lot of help along the way, especially from a few advisors who watch trends and help with brand positioning at Ahead Of the Curve.

When was the launch date?

June 21 was our official commercial launch date at the infamous and legendary Town Pump in Fort Collins. We launched on the Western Slope with Tiny Pine and Sopris Liquors as our second and third accounts. I have so much love for Kiko, Chris and the entire Sopris team. They featured us with a floor display, tasting and a really clutch refer placement which is really hard to get for a new brand. Same with Tiny Pine. Leslie, Charles, Jeff, Pete, Peter and the crew there are top notch. They added RAD to the menu immediately and helped us throw an incredible launch party. Hanz and the entire staff at the Black Nugget have been incredible to work with as well. The Nugget is such an incredible place to drink a RAD and see some live music; a perfect brand fit for us.

What makes you most excited about releasing this product?

Bringing a highly differentiated and delicious liquid to people that is natural and ultimately better built. Watching people taste [it] for the first time is incredibly rewarding. 

As a company, we have two very important force-for-good core tenets. One being mental health. It’s high time alcoholic beverage brands became a part of this conversation instead of a symptom. Two: clean, free-flowing rivers. That wild and fresh river water that starts its journey up in those elevated, gorgeous and legendary Rocky Mountains is our main ingredient and it’s a big part of why RAD tastes so great. 

How can interested Valley folks support the brand?

Please support RAD and our key retail partners by purchasing us at Sopris Liquors, The Black Nugget, Tiny Pine, Ploskys, Roxy’s Liquor, Cooper Wine & Spirits, The Riviera Supper Club or Glenwood Springs Golf Club. Happy to connect with anyone for a drink and a conversation on how to grow our distribution footprint and investment team; I’ll put a RAD hat in your hands. Please follow us @RKYMTNdrinks