On Saturday, February 15th, 2025, The American Craft Beer Hall of Fame announced its Inaugural Inductees, with a total of 12 first-year inductees chosen from a list of 67 nominees. The ceremony was livestreamed from five craft breweries across the country.
A board of over 100 electors, made up of many of craft beer’s analysts, commentators, and advocates, came to consensus on the following twelve:
Fritz Maytag
Michael Jackson
Charlie Papazian
Ken Grossman
Fred Eckhardt
Jim Koch
Bert Grant
Charles and Rose Ann Finkel
Jack McAuliffe, Suzy Stern and Jane Zimmerman
Full biographies of each inductee can be seen at the Hall of Fame website here.
Nominees are chosen for four different categories: founders, brewers, retail and distribution and advocates and innovators. They are chosen for their contribution in the growth and development of the American craft brewing industry.
The American Craft Beer Hall of Fame was established to “honor, celebrate, and commit to history those people who are responsible for initiating, sustaining, and promoting the American craft beer industry. This Hall is to ensure that the memories of their contributions and achievements will not fade with time.”
The Hall currently is only a digital platform, with plans to eventually add a brick and mortal component.