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(Courtesy Jolly Pumpkin / Mission Restaurant Group)
There’s been so much breaking news that we’re a little late to both of these important stories. We’ve those reports, “Words to Drink By” and more…
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales Founder Dies
On September 30, the son of Ron Jeffries, “a craft beer pioneer who helped steer Michigan’s craft brewing scene into the more than $2 billion economic powerhouse it is today,” according to Crains, announced that his father had died..
He was a legend in Michigan’s brewing scene, an early champion of sour beers, and his brewery produced some of the most artful beer labels ever.
Jeffries, who founded Jolly Pumpkin in 2004 along with his wife Laurie, had sold his interest in the brewery and moved to Hawaii where he was working to establish a family brewery when he died
In addition to being one of craft beer’s original producers of artisan rustic ales, Jeffries was a founding board member of the Michigan Brewers Guild serving from the organization’s formation in 1998 through 2003, again 2007-2008 and 2016-2018 (five terms in all).
This from his son’s Facebook announcement….
“It is with heavy hearts that we remember Ron Jeffries, a loving husband and father, who touched the lives of many with his passion and creativity. Ron leaves behind his beloved wife Laurie Jeffries, son Daemon Jeffries, and daughter-in-law Ashley Megan, who carry forward his spirit of love and ohana.”
“In his final year, Ron fulfilled the lifelong dream of moving to Hawaii where he eagerly worked on his family brewery. He was excited about what the future was bringing and what he would be bringing to the world with Hilo Brewing Company/ Holoholo Brewing. He cherished moments spent on his lanai, soaking in the Hilo rain with a pint in hand.”
“Ron’s love for ohana, brewing, and life itself will forever remain in our hearts. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire all who knew him.”
Words to Drink By
“We forget all too soon the things we thought we could never forget. We forget the loves and the betrayals alike.” – Joan Didion, American writer and journalist
Captain Lawrence Brewing beer garden / Courtesy Captain Lawrence)
Bronx Brewery and Captain Lawrence Brewing Merge
In yet another indication that the craft beer biz is looking towards more difficult times, the Bronx Brewery, the last craft brewery in the NYC borough, is heading up to Elmsford, NY, where all its production will be handled by Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, a move that brewery owners hope will help both beer brands survive increasingly turbulent economic times.
Bronx Brewery Founder and President Damian Brown told the Bronx Times “that his brand will remain distinct. Many specifics remain in the works as the two breweries go “from ‘us and them’ to ‘we.”
“Without combining forces, the future for Bronx Brewery and Captain Lawrence looked dim for both companies,” Scott Vaccaro, who founded Captain Lawrence in 2005” explained to The Bronx Times. “It’s not something either of us take lightly.”
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