The 2006 Durango Independent Film Festival Inspires it’s Own Beer…DIFF BEER!

“Drink the DIFF!”

That’s the chant that will be heard throughout The Durango Independent Film Festival as glasses clang and celebrating film-goer’s imbibe in a new, tasty and DIFFerent beer. Durango, Colorado’s Ska Brewing a long-time supporter of film in Durango, was inspired to create “DIFF” to help celebrate the Durango Independent Film Festival.

"We just love the idea of having a film festival in Durango and thought this would be a unique way to support the inaugural Durango Independent Film Festival’s efforts,” states Dave Thibodeau one of the owners of Ska Brewing. “If a normal guy like Homer Simpson can drink DUFF BEER we thought why can’t our regular hometown Durango folks who are attending this community film festival drink “DIFF BEER”.

DIFF BEER is based on Ska Head Brewer Jeff Ogden’s 1999 Great American Beer Festival Medal winning “Cloud Nine” brew. The DIFF is an unfiltered Belgian Wit Beer with a touch of the Orient for good measure. Most of the flavor comes from an authentic Belgian Yeast Strain, but there is also added Pilsen malts and raw wheat and oats that help to give it a cloudy hazy effect. It is also spiced with orange peel, coriander seed and oriental lemongrass.

“When Dave talked to us about creating a beer branded for, and in honor of the Durango Independent Film Festival we just loved the idea,” says Scott Stewart Director of PR and Marketing for DIFF. “We have four different microbreweries in town so we are both a film- loving town and a beer-loving town. So why not combine the two with a beer created to help us celebrate independent film. It’s really a great fit!”

“The Durango Independent Film Festival is a different film festival in many ways and having Ska Brewing create a different kind of beer in honor of our festival is fantastic!” adds Shan Wells beer lover and Art Director for the Durango Independent Film Festival. “I’m so excited about the beer I may just dress up as Homer Simpson on our opening night March 1 – 5, 2006 in celebration!”

Ska Brewing Company is the Durango craft brewers of Ten Pin Porter, True Blonde, Pinstripe Red and Buster Nut Brown Ale. SKA Brewing took shape in 1995 out of a love of beer and and listening and dancing to ska music. For more information on Ska Brewing please visit their website at www.skabrewing.com

The Durango Independent Film Festival’s goal is to connect Durango to the world through film. DIFF will screen over 60 independent films over five nights March 1 – 5, 2006, and will offer Free Opening night movies and a 2 for $10 Coupon program to help make this “Connection” possible for many in the community. For more information on the Durango Independent Film Festival please go to www.durangofilm.org