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The ?Sierra 30? group (from left): Charlie Papazian, Fritz Maytag, Ken Grossman, Fred Eckhardt and Jack McAuliffe. Photo: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.
23 April 2010

Sierra Nevada turns 30

Fritz Maytag, Jack McAuliffe, Fred Eckhardt, and Charlie Papazian: together, this group is credited as “the men who launched a thousand breweries”. Without them, the craft beer renaissance in the U.S. might never have happened.

“We wanted to pay tribute to the original pioneers who helped me and hundreds of others get started,” said Sierra Nevada’s founder Mr Grossman. “Few people in the craft-brewing world have accomplished more than these guys, and we thought it might be fun to get the original crew together and make something special.”

In December 2009, these pioneers gathered at the Anchor Brewery in San Francisco to develop four beers which will be released periodically throughout the year, starting with the first release in March, the so-called Fritz and Ken’s Ale, and continuing until Sierra Nevada’s 30th anniversary on 15 November 2010.

These limited-release 750ml cage-and-cork bottles will be available at select retailers and beer-centric bars.

Sierra Nevada started in 1980 with a humble hand-built brewhouse in Chico, California, and some interesting ideas about beer. Today it’s America’s longest-running craft brewery, and boasts the number-one best-selling craft brand in the country - the legendary flagship, Pale Ale.

A lot has changed in the generation since Mr Grossman first met these brewing pioneers. When Sierra Nevada first opened its doors, there were less than 50 breweries in the U.S., today, there are more than 1,500 craft breweries in operation, and American brewers lead the world in variety of styles, innovation, experimentation, and quality.

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