Craft Beer Hall of Fame Announces the Inaugural Nominees

Craft Beer Hall of Fame nominees.
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Images above via Flicker, Wikipedia, and other sources, including the Washington Beer Blog.


The American Craft Beer Hall of Fame was introduced in August 2024 to honor and remember those individuals who contributed to the growth and success of the USA’s craft beer industry. (We reported the news here.) The Hall’s mission is to inspire current and future generations to continue innovating and collaborating to help the American craft beer industry continue to grow and thrive. Recently, the American Craft Beer Hall of Fame introduced its first class of nominees.

A Board of Advisors consisting of many of craft beer’s most respected and notable analysts, commentators, and advocates, came to a consensus on the following nineteen nominees for enshrinement in The American Craft Beer Hall of Fame. The nominees are presented below in alphabetical order. But first, the nominees with connections to the Pacific Northwest.

Northwest Nominees

  • Fred Eckhardt – A highly influential Portland-based craft beer advocate, writer, and brewing enthusiast.
  • Charles Finkel – Began importing then-uncommon European beers in the 70s and later founded Pike Brewing in 1989.
  • Bert Grant – In 1982 he opened America’s first modern brewpub in Yakima and created one of American craft beer’s earliest brands: Bert Grant’s Real Ales.
  • Don Younger was a legendary publican who owned and operated Portland’s Horse Brass Pub, one of the first bars in the nation (founded in 1976) to steadfastly focus on serving the best available beer.

Complete List of Nominees:

  • Charlie Bamforth, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at UC Davis – Brewing scientist recognized for, among many other things, his work with Sierra Nevada Brewing.
  • Larry Bell – Founder of Bells Brewery.
  • Sam Calagione – Founder of Dogfish Head Brewery.
  • Fred Eckhardt – Mentioned above.
  • Teri Fahrendorf – Professional brewer, industry pioneer, and founder of the Pink Boots Society.
  • Charles Finkel – Mentioned above.
  • Bert Grant – Mentioned above.
  • Ken Grossman – Founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing.
  • Julia Herz – Longtime industry thought leader, mostly at the Brewers Association. Currently the executive director of the American Homebrewers Association.
  • Michael Jackson – An English journalist and author of, among other things, The World Guide To Beer. Hosted a TV show called The Beer Hunter back in the 90s.
  • Kim Jordan – Co-founder, Chair of the Board, and former CEO of New Belgium Brewing.
  • Jim Koch – Founder of Boston Beer Company. Introduced America to Sam Adams, etc.
  • Fritz Maytag – Longtime owner of Anchor Brewing, bought the failing brewing in 1965.
  • Jack McAuliffe – Founder of New Albion Brewing in 1976.
  • Garrett Oliver – Brewer and beer author. Since 1994, the brewmaster at the Brooklyn Brewery.
  • Charlie Papazian – Founder of the Association of Brewers and the Great American Beer Festival back in the 1980s. He also served as President of the Brewers Association for over 30 years. Beloved homebrew author.
  • Pete Slosberg – Founder of Pete’s Brewing (1986) and Pete’s Wicked Ale.
  • Carol Stoudt –  Brewmaster and founder of Stoudts Brewing Company (Adamstown, PA) in 1987.
  • Don Younger – Mentioned above.

“Craft beer is a community as much as an industry,” said Board member and Secretary, Aaron Gore. “And like any community, it is important that we recognize those who have given so much to growing and fostering it. We’re proud to be able to provide a platform for that recognition, and to hopefully inspire others in their own efforts to do the same.”


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The Hall’s Electors will vote on the inaugural class of Inductees in November 2024, and the announcement of the inaugural class of inductees made in February 2025. At this time the American Craft Beer Hall of Fame has no physical location, but it is incorporated as a non-profit organization.



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