Ken Grossman 
Beyond the Pale 
The Story of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Personal tales of perseverance and beer making from the founder
of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Beyond the Pale chronicles Ken Grossman’s journey from
hobbyist homebrewer to owner of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., one of
the most successful craft breweries in the United States. From
youthful adventures to pioneering craft brewer, Ken Grossman shares
the trials and tribulations of building a brewery that produces
more than 800, 000 barrels of beer a year while maintaining its
commitment to using the finest ingredients available. Since
Grossman founded Sierra Nevada in 1980, part of a growing beer
revolution in America, critics have proclaimed his beer to be
‚among the best brewed anywhere in the world.‘

* Beyond the Pale describes Grossman’s unique approach to
making and distributing one of America’s best-loved brands of beer,
while focusing on people, the planet and the product

* Explores the ‚Sierra Nevada way, ‚ as exemplified by founder Ken
Grossman, which includes an emphasis on sustainability,
nonconformity, following one’s passion, and doing things the right
way

* Details Grossman’s start, home-brewing five-gallon batches of
beer on his own, becoming a proficient home brewer, and later,
building a small brewery in the town of Chico, California

Beyond the Pale shows how with hard work, dedication, and
focus, you can be successful following your dream.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

PREFACE IV

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS VIII

Chapter 1 A Toaster, a Dryer, and a Glimpse of Things to Come 1

Chapter 2 Chico 25

Chapter 3 Pioneer Days 39

Chapter 4 Materials and Ingredients 65

Chapter 5 A Bag Full of Dreams but Empty Pockets 81

Chapter 6 To Market, To Market 91

Chapter 7 Growing Pains 109

Chapter 8 Moving On Up 125

Chapter 9 The Time of Troubles 147

Chapter 10 The Winchester Mystery Brewery 163

Chapter 11 Fork in the Road 175

Chapter 12 Germinating a Workforce 183

Chapter 13 New Millennium, New Challenges 199

Chapter 14 Doing the Right Thing 207

Chapter 15 Good Is Not Good Enough 217

Chapter 16 The Future 235

INDEX 243

Über den Autor

KEN GROSSMAN is the founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., established in 1980. Ken’s passion for good beer began when a friend showed him the basics of homebrewing. He began brewing five-gallon batches of beer on his own and soon became a proficient homebrewer. In 1976, Ken opened his own store, The Home Brew Shop, and, soon after, began building a small brewery in the town of Chico, California. His goal: to brew exceptional ales and lagers. An avid backpacker, Ken named the new company for his favorite hiking grounds–the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Finally, on November 15, 1980, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. brewed the first batch of what would soon become a landmark in American craft brewing: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Today, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is considered one of the premier craft breweries in the United States.