

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company: Ken Grossman
5 snips Mar 30, 2020
Ken Grossman, the visionary founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, shares his journey from brewing in high school to building one of America's largest craft breweries. He delves into the challenges of launching a brewery from scratch with limited resources and the importance of community support, especially during crises like the 2018 campfire disaster. Ken also discusses the pivotal role of hops in crafting distinctive flavors and his commitment to maintaining consistency in their iconic Pale Ale, all while navigating the evolving craft beer landscape.
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Early Brewing Influence
- Ken Grossman was exposed to homebrewing at a young age through his neighbor's father, Cal Moeller.
- Moeller's scientific approach to brewing fascinated young Grossman and influenced his own brewing journey.
Early Homebrewing Challenges
- In 1969, homebrewing was more challenging due to limited resources and information.
- Ingredients like malt extract were available, but quality hops and brewing knowledge were scarce.
Move to Chico and Meeting Katie
- After high school, Ken Grossman moved to Chico, California, and worked at a bike shop.
- He later attended Butte Community College and Chico State, where he met his wife, Katie.