BREWERIES
Rainbow Ryders, Boxing Bear team up for Balloons and Brews
In ballooning, it鈥檚 a tradition to conclude each flight with a celebratory champagne toast.
Considering sa国际传媒官网网页入口鈥檚 vibrant brewery scene, it only makes sense to add beer to that equation. That鈥檚 at least part of the inspiration behind the Balloons and Brews experience, where local ballooning company Rainbow Ryders has teamed up with Boxing Bear Brewing Co.
Those who purchase a flight through Rainbow Ryders can receive 20% off their tab at Boxing Bear鈥檚 Firestone taproom by showing their completed waiver, confirmation email or promotional info card that same day.
鈥渟a国际传媒官网网页入口 is where we got our start, and we love the community that鈥檚 there. So we鈥檙e always looking for ways that we can partner with other community members,鈥� Lindsay Mayer, Rainbow Ryders director of operations, said.
鈥淭he quality of their beer kind of parallels our focus on quality, so we loved that side of it. And then personally, I love their Chocolate Milk Stout, so it seemed like it would be a good partnership.鈥�
Founded in 1983, Rainbow Ryders is the official hot air balloon ride operator of the sa国际传媒官网网页入口 International Balloon Fiesta and boasts 45 balloons in its fleet. The sunrise hot air balloon rides are offered year-round 鈥� weather permitting 鈥� with a flight time of approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Sunset flights, meanwhile, are only available from Nov. 1 through Jan. 31. And for the record, the champagne toast remains part of the proceedings 鈥� even if one heads to the brewery afterward.
The flight experience begins at the Rainbow Ryders office before heading to the launch location, which can vary depending on the winds that day. Guests will get to witness all that is involved with the balloon setup before taking flight.
鈥淲e like to try to hit the river if we can, but if we can鈥檛, they still get beautiful views of anywhere in sa国际传媒官网网页入口,鈥� Mayer said.
Guests are advised to prepare as if they are going on a hike, bringing closed-toe shoes, long, loose pants, sunglasses and sunscreen. It鈥檚 also not necessarily off-limits for someone with acrophobia.
鈥淲e have some of our own pilots who are scared of heights,鈥� Mayer said. 鈥淪o we kind of specialize in being able to provide that peaceful, calming experience. It鈥檚 unlike any other form of aviation. You don鈥檛 get the engine noise. You don鈥檛 get the turbulence. It鈥檚 just tranquil, peaceful, beautiful panoramic views of our city.鈥�
According to Mayer, there is currently no expiration date assigned to the Rainbow Ryders-Boxing Bear partnership.
鈥淎s long as they鈥檙e willing and able, we are as well,鈥� Mayer said.
Combining the balloon ride with some post-flight camaraderie at Boxing Bear (along with a discounted tab) gives participants the chance to make a full day of the experience.
鈥淭his partnership turns one activity into a whole outing within the community,鈥� Mayer said. 鈥淪o you get the flight, you get the views, you get the tranquility and then you get to go somewhere after where you can swap stories of the experience you just had and kind of relive the highlights and cheers to that adventure.鈥�
