From the Inside Flap
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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. Although obstacles obscured Grossman′s
path, his determination to brew the kind of he liked to
drink and be his own boss led to the success of one of America′s
best–loved craft breweries.
From his youthful adventures to his experience in dealing with
the complex landscape of the industry, Beyond the Pale
chronicles Grossman′s trials and tribulations in building a
brewery that now produces more than 800,000 barrels of
annually. 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.
Beyond the Pale details Grossman′s start, from homebrewing as a
teenager, to becoming a skilled brewer, and, later, to building a
small brewery in the town of Chico, California. 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 1980, part of a growing
revolution in America, critics have procled his to
be "among the best brewed anywhere in the world." Beyond the Pale
describes Grossman′s unique approach, focusing on people, the
planet, and the product. His story shows how, with hard work,
dedication, and integrity, you can be successful in following
your dream.
From the Back Cover
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Praise for Beyond the Pale
"This is the creation story of the American Craft Brewing
Renaissance. Ken Grossman and Sierra Nevada Brewery not only
exemplify the fearless, entrepreneurial, creative, DIY ethos they
wrote the book on it."
SAM CALAGIONE, founder and President, Dogfish Head
"In this fascinating book, Ken Grossman tells the tale of his
brilliant brewing success with his inimitable charm and his
famous humility. Those of us who were there watching Sierra
Nevada′s amazing rise to the heights can now savor the intriguing
inside story. It′s an American story of dogged persistence and
brilliant creativity. This is business at its best and at
its best a great story that′s true."
FRITZ MAYTAG, Chairman Emeritus, Anchor Brewing
"Anyone who has enjoyed a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale has
experienced, firsthand, Ken′s commitment to brewing one of the
finest s in the world. Now, in addition to savoring Ken′s
delicious , we can enjoy the incredible behind–the–scenes
story of its creation. Beyond the Pale recounts Sierra Nevada′s
journey from grassroots beginnings to astonishing success and all
the ups and downs in between. It is a story about following
through on inspiration, leading with integrity, and the passion
that is poured into making great ."
GARY ERICKSON, founder, co–owner, and co–CEO, Clif Bar & Company
"In my many years in the brewing industry, nobody has impressed
or inspired me more than Ken Grossman. His tale is astonishing:
how he rose from brewing in the proverbial bucket to being the
genius behind the world′s most beautiful brewery. Ken is a
legend, yet remains one of the most unassuming people in the
business. Quality attitudes, responsibility, fairness, and hard
work with an underlying enjoyment in seeking the best: these are
the attributes of the Sierra Nevada success story that Ken tells
in this brilliant book."
CHARLIE BAMFORTH, Professor of Malting and Brewing Sciences,
University of California, Davis
"This is Ken′s personal story of his path and the people and
circumstances that have brought Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. to the
forefront of American craft brewing. It is rollicking and a fun
story full of life and overflowing with wisdom."
CHARLIE PAPAZIAN, author, The Complete Joy of Homebrewing;
founder of the Great American Festival and the American
Homebrewers Association