The new American Craft Beer Hall of Fame has announced a list of nominees from whom the Hall’s inaugural class of inductees will be chosen. Your friendly columnist is delighted to be a member of the ACBHOF Board of Advisors; the election process is explained here.
Founded with the mission of honoring and remembering those who have contributed to the growth and success of the country’s craft beer industry, The Hall hopes to inspire current and future generations to continue to innovate and collaborate so that it may thrive for many years to come.
Preliminary voting yielded nineteen nominees (in alphabetical order): “These people represent various facets of the industry — brewery owners, brewers, writers, educators, and others; they are recognized by The Hall for their involvement in and support of the American craft beer industry.”
● Charlie Bamforth (born 1952) … English scientist specializing in malting and brewing
● Larry Bell (born 1958) … homebrewer and founder of Bell’s Brewery
● Sam Calagione (born 1969) … founder of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
● Fred Eckhardt (1926-2015) … homebrewer, writer; the dean of American beer writing
● Teri Fahrendorf (born 1960) … brewer and founder of the Pink Boots Society
● Charles Finkel (born 1943) founder of Bon-Vin, Merchant du Vin, and The Pike Brewing Company
● Bert Grant (1928–2001) … expert on the hop plant; founder of Yakima Malting and Brewing Co. (brewer of Grant’s Real Ales)
● Ken Grossman (born 1954) … co-founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
● Julia Herz (born 1968) … beer judge homebrewer, longtime “face” of the Brewers Association, now the director of the American Homebrewers Association
● Michael Jackson (1942-2007) … English journalist and writer whose 1977 book The World Guide To Beer kickstarted a revolution
● Kim Jordan (born 1958) … co-founder, chair of the board, former CEO of New Belgium Brewing
● Jim Koch (born 1949) … fifth-generation brewer and co-founder of the Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
● Fritz Maytag (born 1937) … former owner of Anchor Brewing Company in San Francisco
● Jack McAuliffe (born 1945) … founder of the New Albion Brewing Company in Sonoma, California, the first American microbrewery of the modern era (1976)
● Garrett Oliver (born 1962) … brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery and writer (The Brewmaster’s Table)
● Charlie Papazian (born 1949) … homebrewer, writer (The Complete Joy of Home Brewing), educator and founder of Association of Brewers (later the Brewers Association) and the Great American Beer Festival
● Pete Slosberg (born 1950) … founder and namesake of Pete’s Wicked Ale
● Carol Stoudt (born 1950) … founder and brewmaster of Stoudt’s Brewing Company
● Don Younger (1941-2011) … Portland OR publican who founded the legendary Horse Brass Pub in 1976
The vote on an inaugural class of inductees takes place in November, 2024, and the announcement of those elected for enshrinement will be made in February, 2025.
Any such list will be imperfect, as is the very concept of “hall of fame.” It will take time to be thorough. However, the overarching aims of education and perpetuation make the game worth the flame. For those interested in baseball and music, it might be interesting to compare and contrast the inaugural inductees of their respective halls of fame.
Baseball’s first hall of fame, class of 1936: Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Honus Wagner, and Babe Ruth.
The first group of inductees into the rock and roll hall of fame (1986) as performers: Elvis Presley, James Brown, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Early influencers were Robert Johnson, Jimmie Rodgers, and Jimmy Yancey. John Hammond received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Alan Freed and Sam Phillips were chosen as non-performers.
The names above appearing in red are the ones recorded on my ballot. Like most other human endeavors, the ACBHOF’s first class represents a start, and a good one. With time, there’ll be plenty of opportunities for expansion and improvement.
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Now for news items closer to home. First, SoIN pizza and beer.
New Albany: 8th Street Pizza will relocate to Donum Dei Brewstillery
The preceding link is from August, when Donum Dei Brewery and Distillery (3211 Grant Line Rd.) and 8th St. Pizza (founded 2016 but on hiatus) agreed to combine forces at the brewery. Soft opening for pizza was two weeks ago, and so far the relationship seems to be thriving.
Both roomies have events on the calendar. On Sunday, Nov. 3 Donum Dei honors the start of the college basketball season with the Tip Off Dip Off Challenge: “Immerse yourself in a friendly competition with chefs, friends, and family while enjoying our craft nacho dips paired with sensibly chilled brews. Proceeds benefit Apron Inc.”
Then, from November 11 – 17, 8th Street Pizza is a Louisville Pizza Week participant. Did I mention beer with pizza?
My friend Michael Moeller, a founder of Kentucky Ale Trail, has launched a non-alcoholic, craft beer-influenced beverage. Since I know he writes his own information releases (kudos, and he’s man after my own heart), it is reprinted here in full.
Kentucky Hop Water Announces Launch
New Non-Alcoholic Beverage Coming to Retailers Across Kentucky
October 17, 2024 (Louisville, KY) – Kentucky’s innovative beverage scene welcomes its latest entrant this fall: Kentucky Hop Water, the Commonwealth’s first canned hop water. This non-alcoholic, carbonated, and calorie-free beverage will be available in 16oz four-packs at retailers across Kentucky through a partnership with Beer House Distributors and online at kentuckyhopwater.com.
Made with Citra and Amarillo hops, Kentucky Hop Water features citrus and tropical fruit flavors with floral and herbal notes, offering a hoppy craft beer experience without alcohol or calories, making it ideal for those looking for a distinctive, sparkling choice.
“Kentucky’s rich beverage tradition is built on generations of expertise and innovation, from bourbon and beer to a new wave of creative craft drink options,” said Michael Moeller, Founder of Kentucky Hop Water. “After years of promoting hundreds of beverage brands throughout my own marketing career, I’m excited to finally launch my own. I can’t wait to see Kentucky Hop Water become available across the Commonwealth, continuing Kentucky’s proud tradition of innovation in beverages.”
With consumers shifting toward alcohol-free choices, Kentucky Hop Water provides hop lovers and health-conscious individuals with a satisfying, non-alcoholic offering perfectly suited for the growing demand in the market.
“The non-alcoholic beverage market has seen significant growth in recent years, and we’re excited to see Kentucky Hop Water fill a much-needed gap,” said Justin Wellington, Beer House Distributors’ Assistant General Manager. “As the first local option in this space, Kentucky Hop Water brings a high-quality, unique product that we expect will strongly resonate with consumers seeking a refreshing, locally made alternative.”
In addition to retailers, Kentucky Hop Water will be offered directly to consumers through e-commerce. Preorders for 16-oz eight-packs, priced at $17.99 plus shipping, are available now. For more information or to place an order, visit kentuckyhopwater.com.
Best wishes to Michael. He’s one of the good guys, and here’s to the prospects for Kentucky Hop Water (surely there’s an emoji of clinking water glasses).
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Previously at “Hip Hops”:
Roger Baylor is an entrepreneur, educator, and innovator with 
