Table of Contents
Hops
and Dreams: The Story of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. by
Rob Burton
Two homebrewers open a
microbrewery that achieves astonishing success
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter One
Beer History 101 and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
“The most perfect brewery on the planet”
“I’ve said it all when I’ve said Bud”
John Barleycorn, Pink Boots, and Pilgrimages
From Tesguino to Billy Beer
Chico Culture and Counterculture
Scenes from the Taproom, Part I
Chapter Two
The Making of a Dream and the Birth of a Beer: 1972-1980
Beer, Bikes, and a Volkswagen Bus
“A Cool Town”
Bikes or Beer?
Gilman Way and the First Batch of Beer: November 15, 1980
Scenes from the Taproom, Part II
Chapter Three
From Fledgling Microbrewery to Flagship Craft Brewery: 1981-1999
Early Marketing and Distribution in Chico
Bavarian Interlude
Bohemian Rhapsody
Key Endorsements (and Product Placement)
Move to 20th Street
Craft Brew Bubble
The buyout of Paul Camusi
Scenes from the Taproom, Part III
Chapter Four
In Pursuit of Hop Harmony: 2000-2010
Footprints
Y2K
The Big Room
Quality and Innovation
Sustainable Brewing
A Tragic Episode
Bold New Directions
Doctor Grossman, We Presume
Hop Harmony at Work: Chico Fest, 2009
Coming Full Circle: A Celebration of Craft Brew Pioneers
Scenes from the Taproom, Part IV
Chapter Five
Hop Harmony at Work: Sierra Nevada and the Triple P (People, Planet, Profit)
Narratives of Hope
When Gown Meets Town
The Triple P
Ten Defining Business Practices
Scenes from the Taproom, Part V
Conclusion
“A Long Strange Trip”
Core Values
Sobering Truths
Hop(e)s and Dreams
Appendix
A Timeline for Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
A Profile of the Beers: The Brewmaster, Steve Dresler, Speaks
The Brewery Tour
Interview with Head Chef Micheal Iles
Beer and Bikes
The Birth of a Dream: An Extract from Sierra Nevada’s 1979 Business Plan
Glossary of Terms
Works Cited
Index
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