Other
Ken Grossman
Brewer
- Discipline
- Other
i. Biography
Beer with a defined house character depends on repeatable process, raw-material choices, and the ability to make distinction legible in the glass. Ken Grossman’s work at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is positioned in that lane: beers built for identifiable character that drew a dedicated niche of beer enthusiasts. “ninety percent of people hated it. But the people who loved it, loved it.” Ken has said.
Coming Up
Homebrewing supplied the practical brewing base before the company scale arrived. Ken Grossman studied at Butte College and California State University, Chico, began as a homebrewer in 1969, opened The Home Brew Shop in 1976, and co-founded Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in 1978. The progression kept brewing knowledge close to materials, equipment, and process before it moved into commercial production.
The Current Work
Continuity in a brewery of this kind is a production question as much as a management one: keeping quality, creativity, and operating discipline aligned as the company changes scale. Ken Grossman serves as Interim CEO of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., the Chico, California brewery he co-founded, and remains tied to the company’s current direction within craft beer.
Signature
Signature beers include Pale Ale.
Credentials
Industry and business recognition includes the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award (2004).
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Ken
Where did Ken Grossman train or study?
Ken Grossman trained at Butte College and California State University, Chico.
What recognition has Ken Grossman received?
Outstanding Entrepreneur Award (2004).
