Beyond the Pale: The Story of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Beyond the Pale: The Story of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

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Ken treats his staff, his beer, his facility, even his environment with the utmost respect. It is wonderful to have such a responsible leader in the industry truly worthy of our admiration. Ken is honest about the hard times and doesn't shy away from the frustration he faced along the way but his tenacity and commitment to build the best beer company he could build is nothing short of inspirational. Ken also pays homage to those who paved the way. Jack and Fritz were key figures in the early stages of the craft beer renaissance and it was nice to learn how the threads of New Albion and Anchor brewing were woven together with Sierra.

For anyone interested in the early days of the craft beer movement this is a must read. Or if you are sick of hearing about corporate greed, it's refreshing to see what can happen when a company stays far away from Wall Street, takes the long view and does what's right despite how it impacts the quarterly earnings. Sep 26, Jacob rated it it was amazing.

Massive respect to Ken Grossman and Sierra Nevada- he proves the American Dream is still out there for those who will work and sacrifice for it. Aug 23, Bill rated it really liked it Recommends it for: Mark Slater, Glynn Kelly Phillips. Living in Chico during many of the years chronicled in the book, I had personal recollections of many of the events covered in the book, and I found it interesting to see behind the curtain, so to speak, and learn the history behind them. If you have an interest in the craft brewing industry or in the struggles of a small business trying to make it's way in the world, you'll find it an interesting read.

Oct 19, Tarmo Tali rated it really liked it. Ken Grossman is craft brewing god. Although book feels more engineered than told.

He is not great storyteller but story of Sierra Nevada Brewing as seen by its founder is worth reading whichever way it's written down. Aug 21, Susan rated it liked it. If you like beer, you will probably like this book. A wee bit too long for my taste, but still an interesting tale of building a successful brewery.

It was pretty interesting to see how e brewery started and how it has grown over 35 years.

Unfortunately, the NC location was barely mentioned at the end of the book as it was still being built. Kenn Grossman is quite a man- very knowledgeable and mechanical. He seems to be a guy who succeeds at everything he does, but in a good way. I want a Sierra If you like beer, you will probably like this book. I want a Sierra Nevada Pale ale now. May 23, Ashley Hite rated it really liked it. Story of the founding of one of the craft brew legends, Ken Grossman at Sierra Nevada.

[Review] Beyond The Pale – The Story Of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Interesting read about the beginning days of the brewery and how they become an industry leader. Must read for craft brew lovers. Sep 05, John rated it really liked it. A dry but informative look at the beginnings of Sierra Nevada. A great look into the revolution of good beer on the West coast, and into what it takes to build an energy efficient brewery from scratch.

Sep 03, Erinp rated it liked it Shelves: This book was interesting enough if you love beer and Sierra Nevada. Mar 07, Heather Keller rated it did not like it. Did he even have an editor?! What you'll take away from this book first and foremost is that Ken Grossman is good guy with his heart in the right place. Passionate for beer and honest in business. I wish i had boss like Ken. I wish i worked at a brewer for that matter. Ken might not be the best writer but this book is a pleasant and fairly easy read.

Ken Grossman is of course the owner of Sierra Nevada brewing and one of a handful of true American Craft beer pioneers.

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The book is part autobiography and part history of histor What you'll take away from this book first and foremost is that Ken Grossman is good guy with his heart in the right place. The book is part autobiography and part history of history of Sierra Nevada. I thought the first half to be most interesting, reading about Grossman growing up and the early stages of setting up the brewery.

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Later on the book gets a bit drier, mainly listing the developments regarding the brewery when it is already a established business. This part might be a little less interesting if you're not really into the craft scene. The origin story of Sierra Nevada is inspiring though. The way Grossman build his first jury-rigged brewery with sheer hard work, fabricating stuff himself, scraping by with money lent from family and friends. All with one clear vision; making better beer and, against all odds, making the business a succes.

For Sierra Nevada to be successful and ever expanding 35 years on, to be independent, to be a good employer to it's employees, to strive for self-sufficiency regarding energy and water usage and above all to place consistent quality of it's beers above all else, Grossman deserves the utmost respect. Don't know if there's a Beer Hall of Fame but if there is, Grossman definitely deserves a spot. The book is fairly easy to read, there is some technical stuff which for some might be a bit dull. A basic understanding of brewing helps but there's more about the business side of things than there is about brewing.

You could definitely read this as an inspirational story about building a ethical and healthy small business, brewery or something else. If you are thinking of starting a brewery this book is definitely recommended. And if you're a lover of craft beer it is as well as Sierra Nevada is one of the originals, in business long before you got the craft beer bug. Now all i have to do is finally secure me some Sierra Nevada Brews. Apr 18, John G. The best beer book I've ever read! Sierra Nevada holds a special place in my heart and I'm even more fiercely loyal after reading this.

Their Pale Ale was the beer that really turned me on to craft beer, still remember where I was when I discovered the joys of craft beer. I bought this book at the Sierra Nevada east coast brewery in Mills River, North Carolina after touring their brewery and dining in their Taproom and restaurant. This book chronicles the history and struggles of their owner and The best beer book I've ever read!

This book chronicles the history and struggles of their owner and brewery as well as filling you in on what the beer brewing industry used to be like before the craft beer revolution. This book expands upon their founding principles and core values which I can say from having visited their brewery in person, are very much still alive and in operation today.

This beer also gives one a good, but not too geeky or complex description of the brewing process. It's also a case study of a rebel company that went against prevailing corporate "wisdom" and succeeded on their own terms. This is the real American dream, doing something you love, providing a quality product, taking pride in your work, and taking care of your customers and employees! This book captures all that is good about craft beer and beer lovers! Apr 12, Lizz rated it it was ok Shelves: If you're looking for a book on the history and growth of a craft brewery, this one is comprehensive, which is both a good and bad thing.

I'm not going to give this one a starred rating because I don't necessarily think it's fair: I'm so not this book's target demo and I only read this because a family member was recently hired at Sierra Nevada and I wanted to be able to talk to him about it. I don't drink alcohol either, which created another issue for me: Grossman talks extensively about brewi If you're looking for a book on the history and growth of a craft brewery, this one is comprehensive, which is both a good and bad thing. Grossman talks extensively about brewing which shouldn't be surprising but he assumes that his audience already knows the basics of what beer is and how it is made.

Again, that may be true for his target demographic, but as someone outside of that, I spent a lot of time texting the aforementioned family member to figure out what was going on. As I said, being comprehensive is both a positive and a negative: If you're looking for more of an overview, like I was, the book drags significantly.

If you're the target demo, you'll probably really enjoy this book. If you're not, don't bother. Jan 11, Bryan Boyd rated it really liked it. It seems to me that Ken Grossman was engrossed no pun intended in developing equipment and process technology to efficiently a our country needs more entrepreneurs like Ken Grossman. It seems to me that Ken Grossman was engrossed no pun intended in developing equipment and process technology to efficiently and consistently produce Sierra Nevada Beer.

Beyond The Pale – The Story of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Grossman and thank you for living the "American Dream" Sep 05, Tom Aguero rated it liked it. This is a good book, but not for everyone. I think the best audience on this is really people who are already brewing craft beer at small breweries as a profession and want to grow their company. Next to that would be home brewers looking to go pro or honestly any business people in any management capacity. This price is valid for United States. Change location to view local pricing and availability.

Using homemade equipment, he began brewing five-gallon batches of beer on his own, and soon became a proficient homebrewer. In , Ken opened his own store, The Homebrew Shop and soon after, began building a small brewery in the town of Chico, California.

Ken Grossman shares his story in the new book, Beyond the Pale: Ken Grossman couldn't have known that his early fascination with taking apart household appliances would eventually lead to welding together Sierra Nevada's first malt mill and customizing its bottling equipment. Grossman recalls the role models and life experiences that fed his curiosity and drive—from a neighbor's obsession with science and gadgets to the friends who drew him to hiking, and, finally, to the brewing community that provided both support and friendly competition.

It shares the business decisions that nearly broke him, yet eventually drove him to success. The sum total of his life provides the foundation of the "Sierra Nevada way," a company philosophy that emphasizes sustainability, nonconformity, following one's passion, and doing things the right way. Since Grossman founded Sierra Nevada in , part of a growing beer revolution in America, critics have proclaimed his beer to be "among the best brewed anywhere in the world. His story shows how, with hard work, dedication, and integrity, you can be successful in following your dream.

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