Ken Grossman: A Local Legend

Last Tuesday I attended an hour long speech and slide presentation by Ken Grossman, Co-Founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company located here in Chico.

    Grossman spoke for close to an hour in front of nearly one hundred committed onlookers.  Grossman spoke of the early years and the struggles that he faced and in time overcame.  He spoke of times in which he handled all the physical labors of brewing beer.  He spoke of years in which he had to work a second job to just to stay afloat because the brewery was on its way under.  Ken Grossman seemed to me as a man full of determination, a man with a drive for success and a passion for making beer.  He spoke of the early equipment that they used to brew the first batches of Pale Ale, and how they obtained many of the most important pieces from dairymen.  He spoke of the success they have now grown accustomed to and the amount in which the company has grown.  The first Sierra Nevada Brewery was apparently 3,000 square feet. I tried to imagine this small time beer barn in my head but my thoughts were interrupted as Mr. Grossman proceeded on with stating the current brewery is closer to 300,000 square feet. 

Grossman was also able to educate a majority of the crowd with his information on Sierra Nevada’s new solar panel operation.  It is easy to see that the brewery is taking advantage of the technology being that the panels set up in the parking lot are visible by cars passing by on 20^th Street.  Grossman informed listeners that the main brew house is in fact 80% self sufficient, and the brewery hopes to one day completely self sufficient because of the many solar panels they have installed.  Grossman also spoke of travels to Germany in an effort to obtain better equipment, as well as mentioning the three acres of hops they have in production.  During the hour-long presentation I grew a strong respect for Grossman as he spoke with a sense of accomplishment as well as with a sense of ease that could only come from having complete knowledge of the topic of which one is discussing.  The thing that I found myself to admire most about Mr. Grossman was the fact that he attended Chico State.  To further my surprise it turns out that Grossman participated in many Ag. classes, I took special interest in hearing this because I myself am an Ag. major.  I was pleased that I attended the function and would recommend seeing Ken Grossman speak to all.