Tribally owned Paskenta Mad River Brewery, based in Blue Lake, Calif., is upgrading its packaging and equipment to better reflect the brand and to more quickly pump out canned craft beer.
The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians purchased the brewery in 2024. The tribal brand is known for centering Indigenous voices and causes with its products while elevating endeavors through strategic partnerships. Repackaging its popular Steelhead Extra Pale Ale was a top priority this year.
“Steelhead is a timeless beer that has been bringing people together since its release. Its success is a testament to the heart of our efforts in the craft beer industry,” shared General Manager Linda Cooley. “While our brand has evolved, Steelhead remains a quintessential part with a huge platform. This new package exemplifies our dedication to quality while expanding our reach, spotlighting tribal self-determination and resilience with a product people have loved for decades.”
The tribal brewery is also in the process of upgrading equipment, including a larger and faster commercial canning line. While the brewery’s current canning line produces 35 cans per minute, the new line, projected to be fully operational by the end of the year, will triple the production speed of the brewery’s coveted ales and seltzers.
“This new package is symbolic of our vision for the future, expanding our offerings and making improvements that keep us ahead in the industry.” said Brandin Paya, Tribal Chairman. “As we develop a family of brands, we aim to make Paskenta tribal products stand out on the shelf, setting the bar for a new category in craft beer.”
This growth signifies the next chapter for Paskenta Mad River Brewery, asserting itself as a heritage brand in the industry with a bright horizon.
The Steelhead Extra Pale Ale story
Steelhead Extra Pale Ale first made its debut in 1989, stimulating local buzz and success and would grow to become a staple for craft beer drinkers near and far. The ale began to reach popularity beyond the Redwood Curtain in the 1990’s, when the brewery expanded distribution, later gaining new territories in Southern California, Oregon and Washington. A decade later, Steelhead, along with other notable and award-winning ales like Jamaica Red, and Mad River IPA, would cross over international waters, reaching craft beer lovers from Europe to Australia.
In the early 2000’s, Steelhead Extra Pale Ale would become a base recipe for the UC Davis Master Brewers Certificate Program, highlighting the brewery’s seriousness and passion for recipe development and craft. The program continues to develop students’ knowledge of craft brewing science, ingredients, and processes, with more than 800 completing the program since 2000.
Iterations and spins of the classic have popped up over the years, such as Steelhead Stout, Citra Hop Steelhead, and Super Chili Pepper Madness, receiving recognition for their quality. But the Extra Pale Ale stands the test of time as the most-decorated ale in the brewery’s portfolio, receiving 2 Gold & 2 Silver Medals at the Great American Beer Festival and 2 Bronze awards at the World Beer Cup, as well as its long-standing recognition as Humboldt’s favorite beer.
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