After Prohibition ended, the craft beer renaissance began in California. The open-minded culture and the wine industry’s established presence combined with the hop harvests of the Pacific Northwest to set the stage for the craft beer revolution.
In 2012, the California State Senate voted unanimously to designate February as California Craft Beer Month. Mendocino Brewing was named in the bill as one of the leaders in the craft brew industry, an honor we don’t take lightly! So who were these craft beer pioneers?
The First Craft Breweries
Anchor Steam
In 1965, Fritz Maytag took over the ailing Anchor Brewing in San Francisco. A self-taught brewer, he embraced new ideas like dry-hopping and flash-pasteurization. His new and improved Anchor Steam Beer was an instant success, and as its popularity continued to grow, the brewery soon was operating at maximum production capacity. Because Maytag didn’t want to expand again, and true to the spirit of the craft, he helped fledging brewery rivals develop their skills! With his expertise, these new ‘micro’ breweries helped forge California’s influential role in the rise of craft beer.
New Albion
New Albion Brewery followed in 1976. The first microbrewery in California since prohibition, it was founded by Jack McAuliffe in Sonoma, California—deep in wine country. McAuliffe had developed a taste for strong brews while in Scotland, and the flavorful beers from New Albion stood out from the pale light lagers that dominated the Brewing Industry at the time.
Mendocino Brewing
The first brewpub in California—and the second in the US—since Prohibition, Mendocino Brewing Company opened in 1983. Originally called Hopland Brewery, it soon became a landmark along Highway 101. Within five years of opening, the demand for Mendocino’s beer had expanded to 300 outlets around Northern California. Using New Albion yeast and following the traditions of whole hops and bottle conditioning, Mendocino Brewing quickly established itself as a craft beer pioneer.
And it’s good for business!
Along with opening the door to a whole new world of flavors, the California craft beer industry adds over $500 million to the state’s economy and creates more than 17,000 jobs. California has more breweries than any other state, and is recognized internationally for its award-winning beers.
So what’s next?
The craft beer industry continues to grow. As more people discover the wide range of beer varieties, brew bars are replacing wine bars and craft beer is showing up more often at the dinner table and in restaurants. The sales of craft beer have doubled in the past six years, and are expected to triple by 2017.
And to think, it all began right here in our own backyard! So raise your glass and give a toast to these early brewers who made it all possible.
And tell us in the comment section below—How have you noticed the increase of craft beer popularity in your area?