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Archives for September 2025

Brink Brewing Recognized As Brewery Of The Year at 2018 GABF

September 26, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

Brink Brewing Recognized As Brewery Of The Year at 2018 GABFCincinnati’s College Hill powerhouse, Brink Brewing Co, just pulled off the ultimate craft beer underdog story at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival® (GABF®)! In only 19 months of operation, this neighborhood gem crushed the competition — and they did it with head brewer Kelly Montgomery fresh out of the hospital!

A great deal of effort goes into winning one let alone two GABF® medals, but rarely does that effort include a hospital stay. Kelly Montgomery, named Very Small Brewer of The Year, was in the hospital with a lung infection the weeks leading up to the dates scheduled to brew the batches submitted to this year’s competition. “We were honestly worried about making the deadline,” says Brink Brewing Co-Owner Sarah McGarry. “When he was released from the hospital Kelly jokingly said Eh, I think I’ve got just enough energy to squeeze out very small brewery of the year… “So, you can only imagine how stunned we were that it actually happened!”

Moozie is a rich Milk Stout. Like a chocolate milkshake without the straw, it features chocolate and coffee notes and is almost chewy thanks to the addition of lactose and flaked oats. This beer also boasts a bronze medal from the 2018 World Beer Cup®, silver at the inaugural Ohio Craft Brewers Cup earlier this year, a bronze from the 2017 Denver International Beer Competition and a gold medal from the 2017 U.S. Open Beer Championship after only being open for four months (one of the youngest breweries to place that year).

Hold the Reins is an English Mild, a classic “Session Ale” while still full flavored. Moderate sweetness, a bit nutty with a touch of caramel. Chocolate and roast notes give way to a dry finish. Last year Brink Brewing was awarded a gold medal for Hold The Reins in the same English Mild Ale category.

“Three GABF medals and Very Small Brewery of the Year in just 19 months of operation is even more than we ever could have hoped for, but tells us we are on the right track,” McGarry adds.

Moozie and Hold The Reins are available year-round on draft at Brink Brewing’s tasting room and at select craft-centric draft accounts in Cincinnati.

About Brink Brewing:
Discover Brink Brewing Co: Cincinnati’s Award-Winning Neighborhood Gem in College Hill!  Nestled in the heart of College Hill, Cincinnati, Brink Brewing Co is your go-to craft brewery serving up fresh, flavorful beers in a cozy, welcoming taproom perfect for locals and beer lovers alike. In just under two years, this rising star has racked up an impressive trophy case of national and international honors:
🏅 3 Medals – 2017 Great American Beer Festival®
🥉 Bronze Medal – 2018 World Beer Cup®
🏆 7 Medals – U.S. Open Beer Competition
🌟 3 Wins – Ohio Craft Brewer Cup
🍺 2 Awards – Denver International Beer Competition
From hoppy IPAs to smooth stouts, every pint is brewed with passion and precision. Whether you’re a craft beer newbie or a seasoned sipper, Brink’s friendly vibe and top-tier brews make it a must-visit Cincinnati hotspot. For more information visit brinkbrewing.com.

Top 10 Beer Festivals in America plus a few more: Click Here!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

National Pancake Day – Drink a Renegade Pancakes Maple Porter

September 26, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

National Pancake Day – Drink a Renegade Pancakes Maple PorterRenegade Pancakes Maple Porter is dark and roasty and is uniquely balanced with the flavor and aroma of maple syrup without any of the sweetness. The unmistakable maple hits the nose right off the bat, with the smokiness of a traditional porter hitting your palate to create a balanced and dry experience. Perfect for an after snow day warm up or a mid-summer camping adventure.

Pairing:
Mole, vanilla, roasted squash, pulled pork, breakfast, bourbon and good friends.

Malt: 2-ROW, C55, BISCUIT, ROASTED BARLEY, CHOCOLATE

Hops: MT. HOOD, FRAGGLE

RENEGADE BREWING CO
720.401.4089
925 W 9TH AVE
Denver, Colorado, 80204
Website: renegadebrewing.com

NATIONAL PANCAKE DAY
The table is set, the batter is mixed, the griddle is hot, and the butter and syrup are ready. This means you are prepared for National Pancake Day. This food holiday is observed each year on September 26.

You may not have time to make a pancake breakfast, but that is okay, pancakes make a great dinner as well. Pancakes can be served at any time and with a variety of toppings or fillings from sweet jams and syrups to savory meats and sauces.

There is archaeological evidence suggesting pancakes are probably the earliest and most widespread breakfast food eaten in prehistoric societies.

HOW TO OBSERVE
To celebrate National Pancake Day, enjoy one of the following pancake recipes:

Lemon Blueberry Pancakes
Banana and Pecan Pancakes with Maple Butter
Applesauce Pancakes
Buttermilk Pancakes
Pumpkin Pancakes

HISTORY
National Pancake Day’s humble beginnings in 2005, originally started as Lumberjack Day. Marianne Ways and Collen AF Venable sought an excuse to eat pancakes and waffles with friends and as it was one week after “Talk Like a Pirate Day” and that theme had been worn out, eating lots of pancakes like a lumberjack seemed a better holiday than ever.

Top 10 Beer Festivals in America plus a few more: Click Here!

Filed Under: Beer, breweries

What beer are you drinking to celebrate Fat Bear Week

September 23, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

Fat Bear Week, an annual celebration hosted by Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, transforms the primal act of brown bears bulking up for hibernation into a global online spectacle. Each October, fans worldwide vote in a bracket-style tournament to crown the chubbiest bear, using live webcams and before-and-after photos to marvel at their salmon-fueled transformations. Launched in 2014 as “Fat Bear Tuesday” by ranger Mike Fitz, it has grown into a week-long event, drawing over a million votes in 2024 and spotlighting conservation issues like salmon run preservation. More than a quirky contest, Fat Bear Week celebrates survival, showcasing bears like two-time champ Grazer, who embody nature’s awe-inspiring resilience.  Katmai Conservancy and Fat Bear Week Website

Sipping in Solidarity: Beers to Pair with Fat Bear Week
Fat Bear Week isn’t just about voting for the chunkiest grizzlies at Alaska’s Katmai National Park—it’s a call to celebrate survival through epic bulking. And what better way to toast those salmon-stuffed bears than with a beer that matches their vibe: rich, hearty, and unapologetically full-bodied? Skip the light lagers; we’re talking brews that evoke the wild Alaskan frontier, the thrill of the Brooks River, or just the joy of getting comfortably plump. Here’s an updated lineup of recommendations to crack open while you fill out your bracket (voting runs September 23–30, 2025, at fatbearweek.org). I’ve added a spot-on Alaskan gem requested by a fan: Midnight Sun Brewing’s Kodiak Brown Ale, with its iconic Kodiak brown bear on the can—perfect thematic symmetry for our rotund heroes.

1) Russian Imperial Stout (The Bear’s Winter Bulk-Up Brew)
Why it fits: These dark, roasty heavyweights are like the bears themselves—massive, malty, and built for hibernation. With notes of chocolate, coffee, and a boozy warmth (often 8–12% ABV), they’re perfect for curling up with the live cams on Explore.org as Chunk or Grazer defends their title.
Top Pick: North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout. At around $4–6 per 12-oz bottle, it’s a Katmai classic: bold enough to honor the bears’ 1,000-pound gains, but smooth for marathon viewing sessions.
Pro Tip: Pair with a cheese board to channel that “Fat Bear Training Regimen” from X users—beer, cheese, nap, repeat.

2) Midnight Sun Brewing Co. Kodiak Brown Ale (The Thematic Kodiak King)
Why it fits: Named after Alaska’s legendary Kodiak brown bears (the very species bulking up at Katmai), this rugged American brown ale channels the event’s wild essence. With balanced caramel and roasted malts, subtle Northwest hops (Perle and Willamette), and fruity undertones of grape and apple, it’s smooth yet adventurous—like a bear flipping salmon without the splash. At 5.3% ABV, it’s sessionable for all-day voting, and the can’s fierce Kodiak bear artwork makes it an instant conversation starter (or bracket mascot).
Top Pick: Midnight Sun Kodiak Brown Ale ($2–4 per 12-oz can). A top seller since 1995 from Anchorage’s Midnight Sun Brewing Co., it’s widely available in Alaska and beyond—proof that Alaskans aren’t afraid of the dark (or a good malt-forward pour).
Pro Tip: Crack one open during the cub bracket reveal; its nutty, roasty finish pairs perfectly with trail mix, evoking the bears’ pre-hibernation feast.

3) Alaska Brewing Co. Alaskan Amber (The Local Legend)
Why it fits: Brewed in Juneau, this malty red ale nods to Alaska’s rugged spirit and the salmon runs fueling the bears. It’s balanced with caramel sweetness and a hoppy edge, evoking the crisp fall air at Brooks Falls without overwhelming your palate.
Top Pick: Alaskan Amber Ale ($2–3 per bottle). Affordable, widely available, and a subtle tie-in to the state’s brewing scene—imagine toasting to the ecosystem that keeps those sockeye swimming.
Pro Tip: If you’re feeling festive, hunt for seasonal releases; Alaska breweries often riff on wildlife themes during fall.

4) Belgian Tripel or Quad (The Bracket-Busting Indulgence)
Why it fits: Golden and complex, these abbey-style ales are effervescent celebrations of abundance, much like the bears flipping salmon mid-air. High ABV (7–11%) means one glass packs a punch, mirroring a dominant male bear’s tournament run.
Top Pick: Chimay Blue (Quadrupel) or Westmalle Tripel ($5–8 per bottle). The fruity esters and spicy yeast cut through any post-vote hype, and they’re great for sharing at a virtual watch party.
Pro Tip: Go for a “Fat Beer Week” twist—inspired by a podcast episode riffing on the event—by aging a quad for deeper flavors, just like bears layering on blubber.

5) Hazy IPA (The Underdog Cub’s Wild Card)
Why it fits: Juicy and forgiving, hazy IPAs burst with tropical notes, capturing the playful energy of Fat Bear Jr. contenders. They’re sessionable yet satisfying, ideal for late-night bracket predictions without the crash.
Top Pick: Tree House Julius ($6–7 per can). Cloudy like a foggy Alaskan morning, with massive mango and passionfruit vibes to keep the party going through the finals.
Pro Tip: For a thematic hack, seek out “Bear”-named IPAs like Russian River’s Pliny the Elder (a double IPA) or New Belgium’s Fat Tire Amber—easy crowd-pleasers that nod to the event’s body-positivity roots.

No matter your pick, drink responsibly—bears don’t hibernate with regrets, and neither should you. These beers turn passive scrolling into an immersive ritual, raising a glass to resilience and rotundity. What’s your go-to? Vote for your fave bear, sip accordingly, and may the chubbiest contender win.

The Plump Legacy: A History of Fat Bear Week
In the wild expanse of Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, where the Brooks River teems with sockeye salmon, an unlikely annual spectacle has captured hearts worldwide. Fat Bear Week isn’t just a quirky online tournament—it’s a celebration of survival, resilience, and the sheer audacity of nature’s engineering. Each fall, as brown bears bulk up for the brutal winter ahead, millions tune in to vote for the chubbiest contender. But how did this rotund rivalry begin? Let’s trace the fattening footsteps from its humble origins to its status as a global phenomenon. Website and

The Salmon-Fueled Spark: Origins in 2014
Fat Bear Week traces its roots to 2014, when it debuted as the more modest “Fat Bear Tuesday.” The mastermind behind this ursine extravaganza was Mike Fitz, a former interpretive ranger at Katmai National Park. Fitz noticed something remarkable: the park’s live webcams, streaming bears feasting on salmon at Brooks Falls, were drawing unprecedented online attention. These weren’t just casual viewers; people were hooked on the drama of grizzlies defending their fishing spots, flipping salmon mid-air, and—most importantly—packing on pounds.

Inspired by this digital devotion, Fitz proposed a simple contest. Park visitors would pore over before-and-after photos of select bears: scrawny spring arrivals versus autumnal behemoths swollen with success. Using a single-elimination bracket, participants voted for the bear that best embodied “fatness and success.” It was a nod to March Madness, but with claws, fur, and zero timeouts. The inaugural event, held in October 2014, was a hit, proving that even in the age of cat videos, a good bear belly could go viral.

From Tuesday to Tournament: Expansion and Evolution
By 2015, the event had outgrown its one-day format. Renamed Fat Bear Week, it stretched to a full seven days of bracket battles, hosted entirely online through partnerships with Explore.org and the National Park Service (NPS). This shift democratized participation—no park visit required. Suddenly, anyone with an internet connection could champion their favorite from afar, turning a remote Alaskan river into a virtual arena.

The tournament’s structure refined over time. Rangers select 12 adult bears (and later, cubs) based on criteria like clear before-and-after photos, frequent webcam appearances, and a mix of ages and genders. Head-to-head matchups pit fattest foes against each other, with public votes deciding who advances. The winner, crowned on the final day, becomes the Fat Bear Week champion—a title that signifies not just girth, but survival prowess. After all, these bears must amass enough blubber to endure five to seven months of hibernation, losing up to a third of their body weight without a single snack.
A milestone came in 2021 with the introduction of Fat Bear Junior, a cub-only bracket held a week earlier. This pint-sized parallel celebrates the next generation, highlighting family dynamics and the bears’ hierarchical society. It’s a reminder that in Katmai, fat isn’t frivolous—it’s essential.

Furry Fanfare: Memorable Moments and Viral Victors
Over the years, Fat Bear Week has spawned legends. In 2019, 435 Holly—a sassy sow known for her bold personality—claimed victory after a nail-biter against the massive 747, a bear whose belly reportedly measured three feet wide. 747 himself dominated in 2022, earning the nickname “Chunk” for his prodigious paunch.

But triumph has been bittersweet. The 2023 bracket reveal was postponed after a fatal clash between two bears, underscoring the raw wildness beneath the whimsy. And in 2024, Grazer, a resilient female and two-time champ (back-to-back with 2023), defended her title amid record-breaking viewership. These stories humanize the bears, transforming anonymous numbers (each bear is tagged with an ID like 480 or 151) into personalities: the underdog scrapper, the dominant dad, the clever fisher.
The event’s cultural ripple extends beyond brackets. It has inspired memes, merchandise, and even body-positivity campaigns. “Fat Bear Week is about celebrating success,” says NPS Superintendent Mark Sturm. “These bears remind us that in nature, bigger can be better—for survival.”

Why Bears Bulk Up: The Science of Salmon and Slumber
At its core, Fat Bear Week spotlights a biological imperative. Katmai’s Brooks River hosts one of the world’s largest sockeye salmon runs—millions of fish surging upstream to spawn. Bears exploit this bounty, consuming up to 30 salmon a day in peak season, prioritizing high-fat brains and eggs. A single bear might gain 30% of its body weight in summer, ballooning from 500 pounds to over 1,000.

This isn’t gluttony; it’s strategy. During hibernation, bears’ heart rates drop to eight beats per minute, and they recycle urea to build muscle and bone. A well-fed bear emerges in spring ready to breed and forage anew. By highlighting this, Fat Bear Week underscores threats like climate change and habitat loss, which could disrupt salmon runs and doom the bears’ buffet.

Global Impact: From Clicks to Conservation
What began as a ranger’s whim has ballooned into a movement. In 2024 alone, over a million votes poured in from 100 countries, with live cams on Explore.org racking up billions of views since 2014. Partnerships with the Katmai Conservancy and NPS channel enthusiasm into action: donations fund bear monitoring, trail maintenance, and advocacy for Bristol Bay’s intact ecosystem.
As 2025’s edition kicks off on September 23—mere hours from now—the stage is set for another showdown. Will Grazer make it a three-peat? Or will a newcomer steal the spotlight? One thing’s certain: Fat Bear Week endures because it taps into our primal awe of the wild. In a world of fleeting trends, these fattening felines remind us to root for the underbelly of nature’s grand design.
To join the fray, head to fatbearweek.org. Vote wisely—your click could crown the next legend of the Brooks. After all, in the kingdom of Katmai, the fattest bear isn’t just the winner; it’s the one most likely to roar into spring.

Filed Under: Beer, Beer Festival

Thesaurus yesterday and today for the word, Beer

September 22, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

Thesaurus - Beer

In the first edition of Peter Roget’s Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases (1852), words are organized by conceptual classes rather than alphabetically. “Beer” appears under Class V (Formation of Ideas), Division 2 (Space in general), Section 1 (Inorganic matter), Subsection 2 (Liquids), numbered 333. “Liquids,” specifically under the sub-subsection for intoxicating liquors.

The entry lists the following synonyms and related phrases for “beer” (presented as a noun in the list of specific examples of alcoholic beverages):
Ale, Porter, Stout, Heavy wet, Swipes, Small beer, Table-beer, Bitter beer, Munich beer, and Lager beer.

Below is a list of the top 50 synonyms for “beer” in modern English usage as of September 16, 2025. These synonyms include specific beer styles, colloquial and slang terms, and general descriptors commonly found in thesauruses, linguistic resources, and contemporary contexts. The list is comprehensive, covering both formal and informal terms used in English-speaking regions, presented in no particular order:

  1. Ale
  2. Lager
  3. Brew
  4. Stout
  5. Porter
  6. Draft
  7. Pilsner
  8. Suds
  9. Malt
  10. Brewski
  11. Hops
  12. Amber
  13. IPA (India Pale Ale)
  14. Bock
  15. Wheat
  16. Craft
  17. Pale
  18. Brown
  19. Blonde
  20. Saison
  21. Cold one
  22. Pint
  23. Stein
  24. Bitter
  25. Lager-beer
  26. Gose
  27. Hefeweizen
  28. Kölsch
  29. Schwarzbier
  30. Barleywine
  31. Shandy
  32. Radler
  33. Cream ale
  34. Steam beer
  35. Dunkel
  36. Weissbier
  37. Tripel
  38. Quad
  39. Lambic
  40. Alehouse
  41. Brewage
  42. Swill
  43. Sip
  44. Tipple
  45. Bevvie
  46. Froth
  47. Juice (slang, e.g., hoppy juice)
  48. Nectar (informal, poetic)
  49. Pintje (regional slang, e.g., Dutch-influenced)
  50. Stingo (archaic, strong beer)

Notes:

  • The list includes specific beer styles (e.g., IPA, hefeweizen), which are often used as synonyms in contexts where the type of beer is emphasized.
  • Slang terms like “brewski,” “cold one,” and “bevvie” are common in casual conversation, especially in North American and British English.
  • Some terms, like “stingo” or “nectar,” are less common but appear in historical or poetic contexts.
  • Regional variations exist; for example, “pint” often refers to a serving of beer in the UK, while “bevvie” is more common in Australia or the UK.

More fun facts about beer: Click Here

Filed Under: Beer, craftbeer

Full Sail Brewing’s Cool Like That Cold IPA – Beer of the Day

September 22, 2025 by Dustin Scoggins

Full Sail Brewing Releases Cool Like That Cold IPA

Full Sail Brewing’s Cold IPA, aptly named Cool Like That, captures the essence of a Pacific Northwest summer in every crisp sip. Brewed in the wind-swept town of Hood River, Oregon, this seasonal gem from the Strong Current IPA Series blends the clean, lager-like fermentation of a classic cold brew with the bold, hop-forward punch of an IPA. At 7% ABV and 47 IBUs, it’s deceptively sessionable—light and ultra-bright from a Pilsner malt base that lets the stars of the show shine: massive dry-hop additions of Mosaic and Eclipse hops bursting with tropical mango, juicy clementine, ripe stone fruit, and a whisper of coconut. Whether you’re cracking open a 16-oz can after a day on the Columbia River or pairing it with grilled seafood, this Cold IPA delivers refreshment without the haze, making it a go-to for hop lovers seeking something chill yet intensely flavorful.

What sets Full Sail’s Cold IPA apart in the crowded craft beer scene is its nod to innovation rooted in tradition. Since 1987, Full Sail has been a pioneer in sustainable brewing, drawing pure Mt. Hood spring water to craft beers that have snagged over 300 awards, including Beverage World’s Craft Brewer of the Year. Cool Like That embodies that legacy as a hybrid style—fermented cold for clarity and drinkability, then loaded with vibrant hops for that IPA edge—perfect for late-afternoon adventures or backyard hangs. Available seasonally in 4-packs or on draft through September, it’s a limited-run reminder that great beer, like the Gorge’s fleeting bluebird days, is best savored fresh. Grab one, raise a toast to the outdoors, and let the tropical vibes transport you straight to the bluff overlooking the mighty Columbia.

About Full Sail Brewing Company
Founded in 1987 in the heart of Hood River, Oregon, Full Sail Brewing Company emerged as a trailblazer in the craft beer movement, transforming a derelict Diamond Fruit cannery into a vibrant brewery with a vision for independence and quality. Originally known as Hood River Brewing Company, it became the first commercially successful craft brewery to bottle beer for retail sale in the Pacific Northwest, producing just 287 barrels in its inaugural year amid the rise of windsurfing culture in the region. Led by founders including Irene Firmat and later Brewmaster Jamie Emmerson, the company achieved early acclaim when its Amber Ale secured a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 1989. As an employee-owned enterprise committed to sustainability—through practices like local sourcing, water treatment, and community support—Full Sail has maintained its pioneering spirit, balancing innovation with environmental responsibility for nearly four decades.

Full Sail Brewing boasts a diverse and award-winning portfolio of beers that reflect its Pacific Northwest roots and dedication to craftsmanship. Flagship offerings include the Session Premium Lager, a smooth 5.1% ABV American-style lager with a crisp finish, and the classic Amber Ale, a balanced 6% ABV brew with malty notes that has become a perennial favorite. The lineup expands to hop-centric IPAs such as Hop Pursuit, Slipknot, and Bridge to Nowhere Hazy IPA, alongside seasonal specialties like Wassail, a robust 7.2% ABV winter ale, and Wreck the Halls, a hoppy holiday brew. Innovative releases, including Blood Orange Wheat Ale and pub exclusives like Accidental Art IPA and Heather Canyon Kölsch, showcase the brewery’s experimentation with flavors, all crafted using local hops, barley, and Mount Hood spring water to deliver fresh, high-quality experiences for beer

 

For More Information:
https://fullsailbrewing.com/beers/cool-like-that-cold-ipa/

For Brewing fun fact, trivia, movies and more, Click Here.

Filed Under: Beer, craftbeer

Cliff Thompson – The World’s Tallest Beer Salesman at 8′ 7″

September 17, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

Cliff Thompson - The World's Tallest Beer Salesman at 8' 7".

In the annals of extraordinary individuals, few stand as tall—literally—as Cliff Thompson. Towering at an incredible 8 feet 7 inches, this North Dakota native wasn’t just one of the tallest men in history; he was a multifaceted personality who blended law, entertainment, and salesmanship into a larger-than-life career. Best known as the “World’s Tallest Beer Salesman,” Cliff turned his remarkable stature into a marketing marvel, charming crowds and boosting brews in the heart of beer country. Let’s raise a glass to his story—a tale of height, hustle, and heart.

A Giant from the Prairie: Early Life and Rise to Fame
Born Clifford Marshall Thompson on October 18, 1904, in Rugby, North Dakota, Cliff’s extraordinary growth began early. Afflicted with gigantism, a condition caused by excessive growth hormone, he shot up to heights that made everyday life an adventure. By adulthood, he measured 8’7″, making him the tallest man in the world from 1940 to 1955, after the passing of Robert Wadlow. Recent analyses suggest his height might have been slightly less, around 8’3″ to 8’6″, but his billed stature of 8’7″ cemented his place in record books and public imagination.

Cliff’s early years were marked by challenges, from custom clothing to navigating a world built for average heights. Yet, he embraced his uniqueness, pursuing education and turning heads wherever he went. He attended the University of Wisconsin and later law school, becoming a practicing attorney—earning the title “World’s Tallest Lawyer.” But law wasn’t his only path; Cliff’s charisma led him to Hollywood, where he appeared in films and circus sideshows, captivating audiences with his gentle giant persona.

From Courtroom to Kegs: The Beer Salesman Era
What truly set Cliff apart in popular culture was his venture into sales, particularly in the beer industry. Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin—America’s beer capital—Cliff became a promotional sensation for local breweries including Blatz Brewing. Billed as the “World’s Tallest Salesman,” he leveraged his height to draw crowds at events, trade shows, and advertisements. Imagine a man who could peer over booths, hand out samples from on high, and pose for photos that made everyone else look pint-sized.

His role wasn’t just gimmicky; Cliff’s genuine enthusiasm for people and products made him effective. He worked for companies like the Wisconsin Brewing Company, where his presence boosted sales and brand visibility. At a time when marketing relied on spectacle, Cliff was a walking billboard, shaking hands with newspapermen and celebrities alike. His marriage to Mary Mars in 1939 added a personal touch to his public life, as the couple navigated the spotlight together.

Legacy and Fun Facts: A Towering Impact
Cliff Thompson’s influence extended beyond beer and law. He practiced in Iola, Wisconsin, where a historical marker now commemorates his time there. The Prairie Village Museum in Rugby honors him with exhibits, showcasing his life alongside other quirky artifacts like Queen Victoria’s dress. Even in Ames, Iowa, his visits left lasting impressions, as seen in historical photos.
Here are some fun facts about this remarkable man:

Record Holder: Cliff was once considered the tallest living man, surpassing the average male height of his era by over three feet.
Multitalented Giant: Beyond sales and law, he acted in movies and performed in circuses, proving height was no barrier to versatility.
Everyday Epics: Cliff’s home in Milwaukee was customized for his size, and he drove specially modified vehicles to accommodate his frame.
Enduring Memory: Though he passed away on February 15, 1955, at age 50, his story lives on through museums, markers, and online tributes.

Cheers to a Legendary Life
Cliff Thompson wasn’t just tall; he was a symbol of resilience and reinvention. From North Dakota prairies to Milwaukee’s brewing scene, he turned potential obstacles into opportunities, leaving a legacy that’s as inspiring as it is impressive. Whether as a lawyer, actor, or the world’s tallest beer salesman, Cliff proved that true stature comes from within. Next time you enjoy a cold one, think of the giant who helped make beer a little more fun—for everyone looking up.

For Fun Stuff:

George Washington’s Beer Recipe – Oldest known writing from George Washington
George Washington’s Distillery – Largest Distillery in the U.S. in 1799.
The History of Beer in the United States

For Brewing fun fact, trivia, movies and more, Click Here.

 

 

Filed Under: Beer

Louis Pasteur Patents How to Brew Beer – January 28, 1873

September 16, 2025 by Andrew Innes

Louis Pasteur Patents How to Brew Beer – January 28, 1873

Louis Pasteur Patents How to Brew Beer – January 28, 1873
Beer was first made by the Sumerians, and the technology was absorbed into the Babylonian and ancient Egyptian cultures. The practice of the Sumarians was to bake grains into bread, and the bread was moistened to begin the process of making beer. The baked bread was a way to preserve the grain for later use in the beer making process. A Sumerian beer was recreated recently by the folks at Anchor Steam Beer, as an experiment.

In more recent times, Louis Pasteur studied beer and wine making and patented a process for making beer which resulted in a better beer. Previously the wort was boiled and exposed to the air for cooling. In Pasteur’s process, the wort is kept in closed vessels and cooled by spraying the outside of the vessel with water. A special yeast was introduced into the mash after it cooled, thus preventing contamination of the wort with stray wild yeasts floating through the air.

More about Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur, the renowned French microbiologist and chemist, revolutionized the brewing industry with his pioneering research on fermentation and beer spoilage in the 19th century. Through meticulous studies, Pasteur proved that alcoholic fermentation is caused by living yeast cells converting sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide, debunking the outdated theory of spontaneous generation. His groundbreaking 1876 book, Études sur la Bière, detailed the “diseases” of beer caused by contaminating bacteria and wild yeasts, providing brewers with scientific insights to produce cleaner, more consistent beers.

Pasteur’s discoveries led to the development of pasteurization—a gentle heating process that kills harmful microorganisms without altering flavor—first applied to beer to extend shelf life and prevent souring. This innovation not only elevated French brewing to compete globally but also laid the foundation for modern hygiene practices in the craft beer world, ensuring safer and higher-quality brews enjoyed by enthusiasts today. Pasteur’s enduring contributions continue to inspire brewers committed to excellence in fermentation science and product stability.

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Filed Under: Beer, breweries

The First Photo of People Drinking Beer Features Scottish Ale in 1844

September 16, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

The First Photo of People Drinking Beer Features Scottish Ale in 1844

Picture this: it’s 1844 in Scotland, and the first photo of folks drinking beer is snapped, just 18 years after the world’s first photograph. Scottish shutterbugs Robert Adamson and David Octavius Hill are behind the lens, capturing a chill moment.

Hill wasn’t just a tech whiz with his calotype camera—he had a knack for charm, cracking jokes, and reading the room, which made his photos pop. In this shot, he’s on the right, likely sharing a laugh and a brew with his pals James Ballantine and Dr. George Bell. Bell, the guy in the middle, helped shake up Scotland’s poor relief system with the 1845 Poor Law and wrote Day and Night in the Wynds of Edinburgh. Ballantine? He was a writer and stained-glass artist, plus his dad was an Edinburgh brewer—talk about beer in the blood!

On the table, you’ve got a classic beer bottle and three fancy 19th-century “ale flutes” for sipping. Word on the street was that Edinburgh’s favorite brew, Younger’s ale, was so strong it practically stuck your lips together. No wonder most folks could barely finish a single bottle!

Photography before 1850
Before 1850, photography was still a fragile, experimental miracle that only a handful of wealthy amateurs and scientists could actually practice. The earliest permanent images—Nicéphore Niépce’s 1826 heliograph of a rooftop in France—required an eight-hour exposure on a pewter plate coated with bitumen, while Louis Daguerre’s polished silver-plated daguerreotypes (publicly announced in 1839) cut exposure times to minutes but produced one-of-a-kind positives that couldn’t be duplicated and were insanely delicate. Across the Channel, William Henry Fox Talbot’s calotype process (also introduced in 1839) used paper negatives to allow multiple prints, yet the images were softer and the process was maddeningly slow and chemically unstable. Every photograph before 1850 was essentially handmade: exposures ranged from several minutes to half an hour, sitters had to stay motionless with head clamps, cameras were the size of small suitcases, and toxic chemicals like mercury vapor or silver iodide fumes made darkroom work genuinely dangerous. Fewer than a few thousand photographs existed worldwide, most were unique objects rather than reproducible images, and the idea of photography as something ordinary people could own—or that it could document daily life—was still pure science fiction. In short, pre-1850 photography was less an art form or industry and more an expensive, hazardous alchemy practiced by a tiny elite on the very edge of possibility.

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Filed Under: Beer

The 2020 Canadian Brewing Awards

September 15, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

 Canadian Brewing AwardsThe Canadian Brewing Awards is Canada’s national competition for judging the quality of Canadian manufactured beer. The Canadian Brewing Awards invites Canadian majority-owned breweries of all sizes to compete in a Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) sanctioned blind tasting determining the best beers in 55 style categories. A Canadian Brewing Award medal is a widely recognized symbol of Canadian brewing excellence.

European Style Lager (Pilsner)
GOLD: Kinabik Pilsner | Snake Lake Brewing Company | Alberta
SILVER: Bohemian Style Pilsner | Flora Hall Brewing | Ontario
BRONZE: Pixel Pils | Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks | British Columbia

European Style Amber to Dark Lager
GOLD: Fahr Munich | Brauerei Fahr | Alberta
SILVER: Fahr Copper | Brauerei Fahr | Alberta
BRONZE: Ladder Run Amber Lager | Thornbury Village Craft Brewery | Ontario

Bock – Traditional German Style
GOLD: Elevator Dopplebock | Hell’s Basement Brewery Inc. | Alberta
SILVER: BEER 101 BOCK | Niagara College Teaching Brewery | Ontario
BRONZE: Bringing Sexy Bock | Garrison Brewing Company | Nova Scotia

Kellerbier/Zwickelbier
GOLD: Rockwell Pilsner | The Collingwood Brewery | Ontario
SILVER: Hazy Blonde | Old Flame Brewing Company | Ontario
BRONZE: POTTS PILSNER | Moon Under Water Brewery | British Columbia

German Style Kolsch
GOLD: Rhine Stone Cowboy Kolsch Style Ale | Big Rock Brewery | Alberta
SILVER: Lighthorse Lagered Ale | Bogside Brewing | Prince Edward Island
BRONZE: Köl Story Bro Kölsch | Brewhall Beer Co. | British Columbia

Wheat Beer – Belgian Style (Wit)
GOLD: Jongleur | Strange Fellows Brewing | British Columbia
SILVER: Farmer’s Tan Belgian White | Brewsters Brewing Company | Alberta
BRONZE: SNOangel | SNO Microbrasserie | Québec

Wheat Beer – German Style (Weiss)
GOLD: Beautiful Aurelia | Foundry Brewing Inc | Ontario
SILVER: Wheat Kings County | Bogside Brewing | Prince Edward Island
BRONZE: Fahr Hefe | Brauerei Fahr | Alberta

Baltic Porter
GOLD: Two Rivers Baltic Porter | Tatamagouche Brewing Company | Nova Scotia
SILVER: Baltistar Galactiporter | Bent Stick Brewing Co. | Alberta
BRONZE: Vistula | Altitude Beer Inc | British Columbia

Belgian-Style Dubbel or Quadrupel
GOLD: Directissima Dubbel | Whitetooth Brewing Company Ltd. | British Columbia
SILVER: Mic Drop | Inner City Brewing | Alberta
BRONZE: Gros mollet | Microbrasserie du Lac St-Jean | Québec

Belgian-Style Tripel
GOLD: HAMMER OF THE DAWN | Indie Alehouse | Ontario
SILVER: Soap Box Preacher | Inner City Brewing | Alberta
BRONZE: Trepanation Tripel | Whitetooth Brewing Company Ltd. | British Columbia

Belgian-Style Abbey Ale / Pale Ale
GOLD: Marigold | Clifford Brewing Company | Ontario
SILVER: La Tenace Belgian Single | Whitetooth Brewing Company Ltd. | British Columbia
BRONZE: Burnabarian | Dageraad Brewing | British Columbia

Belgian-Style Strong Ale Pale / Dark / Specialty
GOLD: Cousin Eddie’s | Cassel Brewery | Ontario
SILVER: Mons d’abbaye Blonde | Belgh Brasse | Québec
BRONZE: Belgian Blond | Sooke Brewing Co. | British Columbia

French and Belgian Style Saison
GOLD: Saison du Djâbe | Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault | New Brunswick
SILVER: La petite duchesse | Little Beasts Brewing Company | Ontario
BRONZE: 18 Juillet 1853 | Siboire | Québec

Belgian-Style Brett Beer
GOLD: Name TBD | Royal City Brewing Co. | Ontario
SILVER: Square One | Tatamagouche Brewing Company | Nova Scotia
BRONZE: Funk et Furie | Avant-Garde artisans brasseurs | Québec

German-Style Sour Ale Berliner-Style Weisse or Gose
GOLD: Cool As | Cabin Brewing Company | Alberta
SILVER: Limoilou Beach | Microbrasserie La Souche | Québec
BRONZE: Saltwater Cowboy Gose | Tatamagouche Brewing Company | Nova Scotia

Belgian-Style Sour Ale – Flanders Red Ale , Oud Bruin , Lambic / Gueuze , Fruit Lambic
GOLD: Pic-Barrique (2020) | Microbrasserie Le Prospecteur | Québec
SILVER: Mueuze | Meuse Brewing Company Inc. | Ontario
BRONZE: Profondo Rosso | Parallel 49 Brewing Company | British Columbia

Porter
GOLD: Brick and Mortar Porter | Medicine Hat Brewing Company | Alberta
SILVER: Old Man Winter Porter | Ribstone Creek Brewery | Alberta
BRONZE: STEADFAST | Tooth and Nail Brewing Company | Ontario

Brown Ale
GOLD: Coppersmith Brown Ale | Common Crown Brewing Co. | Alberta
SILVER: Brown ale de seigle | Microbrasserie Pit Caribou | Québec
BRONZE: Woodnutt Brown Ale | Coast Mountain Brewing | British Columbia

Scotch Ale
GOLD: Andys Wee Heavy | Common Crown Brewing Co. | Alberta
SILVER: Hellroaring Scottish ale | Fisher Peak Brewing Company | British Columbia
BRONZE: Rob Roy Scotch Ale | Walkerville Brewery | Ontario

English Style Pale Ale
GOLD: Steam Whistle Pale Ale | Steam Whistle Brewing | Ontario
SILVER: Honey Hop Pale Ale | Longwood Brewery | British Columbia
BRONZE: Free Range Country Ale | Farm Country Brewing | British Columbia

English Bitters – Ordinary or Special Bitters / Best Bitter or ESB
GOLD: Best | Henderson Brewing Co. | Ontario
SILVER: Gros Pin | Microbrasserie La Souche | Québec
BRONZE: Iconic Bitter | Warehouse Brewing Company | Saskatchewan

Sweet Stout or Cream Stout
GOLD: Stout Milkshake | Vox Populi | Québec
SILVER: Easy Stout | Walkerville Brewery | Ontario
BRONZE: Chocolate Milk Stout | Wellington Brewery | Ontario

Oatmeal Stout
GOLD: Gentlemen’s Stout | Medicine Hat Brewing Company | Alberta
SILVER: Blackmail | Strange Fellows Brewing | British Columbia
BRONZE: Collectively Smashed | Inner City Brewing | Alberta

Dry Stout
GOLD: Angus Stout | 9 Mile Legacy Brewing Co. | Saskatchewan
SILVER: Davy Jones Nitro | Corsaire Microbrasserie | Québec
BRONZE: Woodhouse Stout beer | Woodhouse Brewing | Ontario

Imperial Stout
GOLD: Liquid Lullaby Imperial Stout | Town Square Brewing | Alberta
SILVER: Imperial Oatmeal Stout | Barnside Brewing Co. | British Columbia
BRONZE: Tempest | Amsterdam Brewing Company | Ontario

English Style India Pale Ale
GOLD: Englishish IPA | District Brewing Co | Saskatchewan
SILVER: Geronimo IPA | Walkerville Brewery | Ontario
BRONZE: La Bittt à Tibi IPA | Belgh Brasse | Québec

North American Style Lager
GOLD: Crispy Buoy | Tapworks Brewing Company | British Columbia
SILVER: Twin City | Medicine Hat Brewing Company | Alberta
BRONZE: Red Racer Lager | Red Racer | British Columbia

North American Style Premium Lager
GOLD: Blonde | Old Flame Brewing Company | Ontario
SILVER: Beach Chair Lager | PEI Brewing Company | Prince Edward Island
BRONZE: Craft Lager – Canadian Style Lager | Big Rock Brewery | Alberta

North American Style Amber Lager
GOLD: The Wobbly Code | Electric Bicycle Brewing | British Columbia
SILVER: SNOfox | SNO Microbrasserie | Québec
BRONZE: Pond Surfer California Common | Town Square Brewing | Alberta

Light (Calorie-Reduced) Lager
GOLD: Death Wave Lager | Sea Change Brewing Co. | Alberta
SILVER: Light Eh! Lager | Kingsville Brewing Company | Ontario
BRONZE: Cracked Canoe | Moosehead Breweries | New Brunswick

Cream Ale
GOLD: The Specialist | Tire Shack Brewing Co. | New Brunswick
SILVER: Cream Ale | Anderson Craft Ales | Ontario
BRONZE: Roger That | Overflow Brewing Company | Ontario

North American Style – Amber / Red Ale
GOLD: Varsity Hall Red Ale | Snake Lake Brewing Company | Alberta
SILVER: Rodeo Red Ale | Big Ridge Brewing | British Columbia
BRONZE: Round Trip Amber Ale | Red Truck Beer Company | British Columbia

North American Style – Blonde or Golden Ale
GOLD: Belmont Village | Red Circle Brewing Co. | Ontario
SILVER: La Libertine | La Voie Maltée | Québec
BRONZE: Nokomis Golden Ale | Nokomis Craft Ales | Saskatchewan

American Style Black Ale
GOLD: Black Rock | Stack Brewing | Ontario
SILVER: Cascadian Dark Ale | Blindman Brewing | Alberta
BRONZE: Snake Island Cascadian Dark Ale | White Sails Brewing Ltd. | British Columbia

North American Style Pale Ale
GOLD: Sickbird Northwest Pale Ale | Whitetooth Brewing Company Ltd. | British Columbia
SILVER: Uncle Leo’s Sunburst | Uncle Leo’s Brewery | Nova Scotia
BRONZE: Method West Coast Pale Ale | Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers | British Columbia

Wheat Beer – North American Style
GOLD: Ploughman Wheat Ale | Common Crown Brewing Co. | Alberta
SILVER: Grasshopper Wheat Ale | Big Rock Brewery | Alberta
BRONZE: Smooth Sail Summer Ale | Walkerville Brewery | Ontario

American Style India Pale Ale
GOLD: Filthy Dirty | Parallel 49 Brewing Company | British Columbia
SILVER: Jet Fuel IPA | Ace Brewing Company | British Columbia
BRONZE: La Racoleuse | La Voie Maltée | Québec

New England Style India Pale Ale
GOLD: Presta | Siboire | Québec
SILVER: Creature Feature | Good Robot Brewing | Nova Scotia
BRONZE: Ring Pop | Eighty-Eight Brewing Company | Alberta

Session India Pale Ale
GOLD: Glitter Bomb Hazy Pale Ale | Phillips Brewing & Malting Co. | British Columbia
SILVER: Beep Beep | Steel & Oak Brewing Co. | British Columbia
BRONZE: White IPA | Pile O’ Bones Brewing | Saskatchewan

American Style Imperial India Pale Ale
GOLD: Deep Thoughts | Triple IPA | Another Beer Company | British Columbia
SILVER: Parkman Ave | Copper Bottom Brewing | Prince Edward Island
BRONZE: Faces Double IPA | Wellington Brewery | Ontario

American Belgo-Style Ale
GOLD: Icefields Belgian-Inspired Pale Ale | Whitetooth Brewing Company Ltd. | British Columbia
SILVER: Bootsy | House of Funk Brewing | British Columbia
BRONZE: Jordan Harbour Belgian Pale Ale | Bench Brewing Company | Ontario

American Style Brett Beer
GOLD: Hedgerow | Strange Fellows Brewing | British Columbia
SILVER: Tropicale IPA | Brasserie Dunham | Québec
BRONZE: Mr Natural | brassneck | British Columbia

American Style Sour Ale
GOLD: Super Fusion | The Establishment Brewing Company | Alberta
SILVER: Goses and Goblins | Analog Brewing Company | Alberta
BRONZE: Hawk Tail Lemon Kveik Sour | Hawk Tail Brewery | Alberta

Special Honey / Maple Lager or Ale
GOLD: Rousse à l’érable | Ferme Brasserie Schoune | Québec
SILVER: Honey Brown – Amber Lager | Big Rock Brewery | Alberta
BRONZE: Bear Paw Honey Lager | Whistler Brewing Company | British Columbia

Fruit / Fruit Wheat / Field / Pumpkin Beer
GOLD: La Classic Rosé | Brasseux d’la Cote | New Brunswick
SILVER: Creamsicle Ale | Medicine Hat Brewing Company | Alberta
BRONZE: Dwarf Sour Cherry Saison | Blindman Brewing | Alberta

Gluten Free Beer
GOLD: Glutenberg Red | Glutenberg | Québec
SILVER: Forager Gluten Free Lager | Whistler Brewing Company | British Columbia
BRONZE: Glutenberg Gose | Glutenberg | Québec

Session Ale
GOLD: Abbey Lane English Mild | Ribstone Creek Brewery | Alberta
SILVER: Azacca Session IPA | Propeller Brewing Company | Nova Scotia
BRONZE: Setting Day | PEI Brewing Company | Prince Edward Island

Experimental Beer
GOLD: Moosehead Shaker Tropical Pina Colada | Moosehead Breweries | New Brunswick
SILVER: Red Racer Street Legal IPA | Red Racer | British Columbia
BRONZE: Lawyers Guns & Honey | Bent Stick Brewing Co. | Alberta

Herb and Spice Beer
GOLD: Aki No Seishin | Ippon | Québec
SILVER: Nightwatch Coffee Lager | Lighthouse Brewing Company | British Columbia
BRONZE: Fireside | Salt Spring Island Ales Brewery | British Columbia

Smoked Beer
GOLD: Prairie Fire Rauchbier | Town Square Brewing | Alberta
SILVER: Moosehead Small Batch Rauchbier | Moosehead Breweries | New Brunswick
BRONZE: Das Winter Projekt | Frampton Brasse | Québec

Barley Wine-Style Ale – English Style / American Style
GOLD: Barrel Aged Ape Index Barley Wine | The OT Brewing Company | Alberta
SILVER: Perepllut Barley Wine | Blindman Brewing | Alberta
BRONZE: BarleyWine édition 2019 | Ferme Brasserie Schoune | Québec

Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer – Pale to Amber / Dark
GOLD: Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout | Russell Brewing Company | British Columbia
SILVER: Entropy Series No. 12 – Old Bretts | Dageraad Brewing | British Columbia
BRONZE: Four Barrels | Red Circle Brewing Co. | Ontario

Wood and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer
GOLD: Tempestarii Sour Cherry Saison | Low Life Barrelhouse | Manitoba
SILVER: BBA Triple Stout | Longwood Brewery | British Columbia
BRONZE: Aki No Seishin- Imperial | Ippon | Québec

Wood and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer
GOLD: Abricotine | Microbrasserie La Souche | Québec
SILVER: Uncertainty Principle No. 6 | Nickel Brook Brewing Company | Ontario
BRONZE: FOUR Barrel-Aged Golden Sour w/ Plum & Lingonberry | Foamers’ Folly Brewing | British Columbia

Flavoured Stout / Porter
GOLD: UVB-76 Maksim | Wellington Brewery | Ontario
SILVER: Birds of a Feather | Little Beasts Brewing Company | Ontario
BRONZE: Hazelnut Coffee Stout | Publican House Brewery | Ontario

BEER OF THE YEAR
Glutenberg Red | Glutenberg | Québec

BREWERY OF THE YEAR
Common Crown Brewing Co | Alberta

More about the Canadian Brewing Awards
The Canadian Brewing Awards, Canada’s premier national beer competition since 2000, celebrated outstanding craft brewing excellence in 2025 with a record-breaking field of over 1,600 entries from nearly 270 breweries across all provinces and territories. Judged blindly by certified experts in dozens of style categories, the awards highlighted innovation and quality, culminating in Smithers Brewing Company (Smithers, BC) being named Brewery of the Year and Godspeed Brewery (Toronto, ON) earning the prestigious Best of Show for their richly peated Scotch lager, Irori. These accolades underscore the vibrant diversity and world-class talent in Canada’s craft beer scene, inviting enthusiasts to discover award-winning brews from coast to coast.

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Filed Under: Beer, Beer Festival, craft lager

21st Amendment Brewery to Close After 25 Years in the Bay Area

September 4, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

21st Amendment Brewery to Close After 25 Years in the Bay Area
After a remarkable 25-year journey, 21st Amendment Brewery, a staple in the Bay Area’s craft beer scene, is set to cease operations. Founders Shaun O’Sullivan and Nico Freccia announced plans to gradually wind down production at their San Leandro facility over the next two months, with a full closure expected by early November 2025. The brewery aims to keep its San Francisco brewpub on 2nd Street and taproom operational as long as staffing allows, according to industry outlet Brewbound.

A Surprising Turn of Events

The closure comes as a surprise, especially after O’Sullivan and Freccia revealed last week that they were stepping back from daily operations to welcome a new CEO. The leadership transition was part of a strategy to expand the brewery’s reach through new supplier partnerships and increased production capacity at the San Leandro facility. O’Sullivan shared his optimism on Instagram, stating, “I’ll be taking some time to recharge before exploring new ventures. The journey continues, and I’ll see you around the corner.”

However, Brewbound reports that a financial lender, crucial to these expansion plans, recently withdrew support, citing broader challenges in the craft beer industry and uncertainty about the brewery’s future. This decision disrupted plans that had been in motion since July, leaving the brewery in a precarious position.

A Legacy in Craft Beer

Founded in 2000, 21st Amendment Brewery quickly rose to prominence, thanks to its prime location near the San Francisco Giants’ Oracle Park. The brewery became a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike, known for its innovative brews and vibrant taproom. In 2015, the company opened a state-of-the-art production facility in San Leandro to meet growing demand, with sales soaring by 30–50% annually in its peak years.

However, growth stalled just before the COVID-19 pandemic. “We invested heavily in the San Leandro facility during a time of rapid industry expansion,” Freccia explained to Brewbound. “But that momentum slowed dramatically after we opened.” The pandemic brought additional challenges, including the acquisition of their local distributor, DBI Beverage Inc., by Reyes Holdings in 2019, forcing a shift to Anheuser-Busch networks. A dissolved partnership with Brooklyn Brewery also limited national distribution, while a dispute with a can supplier restricted beer availability.

Financial Struggles and an Uncertain Future

Freccia revealed that the brewery has not been profitable for several years, with the San Francisco brewpub operating at just 40% of its pre-COVID capacity. The withdrawal of financial backing further dimmed prospects for recovery. “We believed this partnership would provide a strong path forward,” Freccia told Brewbound. “The lenders saw potential in the brand, but they’re focused on the bottom line and recognized the industry’s challenges.”

Despite the closure, O’Sullivan and Freccia remain open to new opportunities, including potential buyers for the 21st Amendment brand. “The craft beer landscape has evolved tremendously since we started in 2000, and we’re proud to have been part of that transformation,” O’Sullivan said. “While this chapter is ending, we hope our legacy inspires future brewers to chase their dreams.”

Looking Ahead

As 21st Amendment prepares to close its production facility, the brewery’s founders are reflecting on their impact on the craft beer community. The San Francisco brewpub and taproom will continue to serve patrons for as long as possible, offering a final chance to enjoy their iconic brews. For now, the future of this Bay Area institution remains uncertain, but its influence on the craft beer world will not be forgotten.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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