History of Craft Beer in Chico, California: From Sierra Nevada to a Thriving Scene
Chico, California, has earned its place as a cornerstone of the American craft beer movement. Nestled in Butte County, this college town transformed from a Prohibition-era temperance stronghold into a nationally recognized hub for quality beer — largely thanks to one groundbreaking brewery that changed everything.
Early Beer History in Chico: A Temperance Town
Chico’s beer roots trace back to the late 1800s. The city’s founder, John Bidwell, and his wife Annie were strong supporters of the temperance movement. John even ran for U.S. President as the Prohibition Party candidate in 1892. A small Chico Brewery operated from 1865–1899 on Broadway, but alcohol faced significant resistance.
Prohibition (1920–1933) further suppressed local brewing. For decades afterward, Chico remained quiet on the beer front — until a young homebrewer arrived and sparked a revolution.
The Birth of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (1979–1981)
The modern history of craft beer in Chico begins with Ken Grossman. A homebrewer since age 14, Grossman moved to Chico in the early 1970s. In 1976, he opened The Home Brew Shop downtown, supplying ingredients to local enthusiasts.
In 1979, Grossman partnered with Paul Camusi to found Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. They built their first brewhouse in a rented warehouse using scavenged dairy equipment, scrap metal, and handmade parts. Grossman even took welding classes to fabricate equipment.
Their first beer was a stout, but the breakthrough came with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Brewed in November 1980, it took 11 attempts to perfect. Released in 1981, this hop-forward American Pale Ale — loaded with whole-cone Cascade hops — initially received mixed reviews for being “too bitter.” Yet those who loved it really loved it.
Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale helped ignite the national craft beer renaissance. It introduced bold hop flavors at a time when American beer was dominated by light lagers. By focusing on quality, freshness, and innovation, Sierra Nevada grew from producing just 500 barrels in its first year into one of the largest independent breweries in the U.S.
How Sierra Nevada Sparked Chico’s Craft Beer Boom
Sierra Nevada’s success inspired a new generation of brewers in Chico and Butte County. The brewery’s presence created jobs, attracted beer tourists, and fostered a vibrant local beer culture.
In the 2010s and 2020s, a wave of smaller craft breweries emerged, expanding beyond Sierra Nevada’s influence:
Secret Trail Brewing Company
Ramble West Brewing
British Bulldog Brewery
Eckert Malting and Brewing (known for gluten-free innovations)
Farmers Brewing
And others like Beer Lobo and taprooms in downtown Chico
Chico’s scene now features everything from traditional ales to innovative styles, often paired with local farm-to-table food. The city’s taprooms, brewery tours, and annual events draw visitors from across California and beyond.
Sierra Nevada itself remains a major attraction, offering in-depth brewery tours, a large taproom and restaurant, live music in The Big Room, and seasonal releases. The brewery has shown deep community ties, notably through its Resilience Butte County Proud beer after the 2018 Camp Fire.
Why Chico Became a Craft Beer Destination
Several factors helped Chico thrive:
Access to high-quality ingredients and Sierra snowmelt water
A creative, youthful population thanks to Chico State University
Ken Grossman’s vision and commitment to whole-cone hops and traditional methods
A supportive community that embraced bold flavors
Today, Chico stands as a living museum of American craft beer history — a place where a single Pale Ale helped launch an industry now worth billions.
Plan Your Chico Craft Beer Experience
Whether you’re a beer historian, hophead, or casual drinker, Chico offers:
Self-guided or booked tours at Sierra Nevada
Taproom crawls downtown
Events, festivals, and fresh local brews
From its temperance past to its current status as a craft beer gem, Chico proves that great beer can emerge from unlikely places.