It is a well-known and well told story of the New Albion Brewing becoming the first American modern day craft brewery built from the ground up. But after all these years of the story being told, there is an integral and important part of that historic brewery that has never been revealed. Until now.
Jack McAuliffe is the face behind the historic New Albion Brewing Co. that opened in Sonoma County, California in 1977. But what has never been widely told before is that two women, Jane Zimmerman and Suzy Denison not only invested money into the project at the very beginning, they also participated in the day-to-day buildout and business operations once the brewery opened.
McAuliffe designed the brewery and sourced old parts from local dairies and junkyards while Denison and Zimmerman took care of securing building permits and even took on some welding and building preparation including drywall installation.
In the first year of operation, Denison and Zimmerman often handled the beer brewing themselves until Don Barkley was hired as a brewer in 1978.
Zimmerman decided to leave within the first year to pursue another career but Denison stayed on. When Barkley and another homebrewer Michael Lovett were brought on to handle brewing, Denison took over the administrative duties.
The company did not last long and ceased operations in 1981. Barkley and Lovett went on to co-found Mendocino Brewing Company in 1983 along with two other partners.
“There is absolutely no doubt Suzy was instrumental at New Albion, and it never would have gotten where it did without her,” Barkley told the Press Democrat. “Jack’s personality was pretty rough. Suzy was able to connect with people, and that was essential in opening doors for the brewery.”
More on the story here.