Inaugural class announced for American Craft Beer Hall of Fame

The American Craft Beer Hall of Fame announced its inaugural class of inductees last week. The induction ceremony was live streamed on Saturday, Feb. 15, from five breweries across the country, including Bierstadt Lagerhaus (Denver), Deschutes (Portland), Dogfish Head (Milton), Dovetail (Chicago), and New Realm (Atlanta).

A board of over 100 Electors, made up of many of craft beer’s most respected and notable analysts, commentators, and advocates, came to consensus on the following twelve Inductees for enshrinement in The Hall:

• Fred Eckhardt
• Charles and Rose Ann Finkel
• Bert Grant
• Ken Grossman
• Michael Jackson
• Jim Koch
• Fritz Maytag
• Jack McAuliffe, Jane Zimmerman, and Suzy Stern
• Charlie Papazian

These inductees come from several facets of the industry – brewery owners, brewers, writers, and educators – each having contributed greatly to the growth and development of craft beer in their own ways.

American Craft Beer Hall of Fame

The American Craft Beer Hall of Fame or ACBHOF is the vision of Marty Nachel, a long-time beer writer, beer judge and beer educator, who wanted to recognize and memorialize the people who made the American craft beer industry happen. For this project, Nachel has organized a team of directors, advisors and electors that is a veritable who’s who in the American craft beer world.

The American Craft Beer Hall of Fame was established to recognize and celebrate those who have significantly contributed to the evolution of craft beer in the United States. From brewers to advocates, to educators and entrepreneurs, the Hall of Fame honors individuals and organizations whose dedication and innovations have shaped the American craft beer landscape through the decades.

While the ACBHOF is not yet a bricks-and-mortar location, it will reside online for all to visit and to enjoy. In addition to biographical information about the inductees, the website will provide historical perspectives of the industry, details about the key events that helped form it, and the greater significance that craft beer brings to other areas of American life

The Hall aims to inspire current and future generations to continue to innovate and collaborate so that it may thrive for many years to come. For more information, please visit the Hall online at www.AmericanCraftBeerHallofFame.com