(Courtesy McAuliffe family)

Often called the original American microbrewer, Jack McAuliffe died on July 15^th and his impact on the craft beer biz is immeasurable…

Here the deal…

Jack McAuliffe, who passed  away on July 15, 2025, at age 80 was a true visionary whose creation of the New Albion Brewing Company in 1976 is considered by many to mark the beginning of modern American craft beer

Legacy & Influence

McAuliffe founded New Albion Brewing in Sonoma, California, in October 1976 (or 1977, as some accounts differ slightly) alongside partners Suzy Stern and Jane Zimmerman. Their small‑scale, handcrafted ales, porters, and stouts broke free from the mass‑produced lagers dominating the era.

Despite closing in 1982 after producing around 450 barrels at its peak, New Albion’s ethos inspired the next wave of craft brewers, including Sierra Nevada’s Ken Grossman and Jim Koch (Boston Beer Company/Samuel Adams).

Ken Grossman and Sierra Nevada later crafted “Jack & Ken’s Ale” in homage to McAuliffe, and Boston Beer Company resurrected New Albion Ale (2012–2013), returning profits, and the trademark, to McAuliffe and his daughter, Renee DeLuca

New Albion and McAuliffe were enshrined in the Brewing a Revolution exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History museum

Reflections on His Passing

McAuliffe’s death was reported by multiple outlets following his passing at home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. And as Washington Beer Blog noted, he was “a true pioneer” whose influence endures well beyond the six‑year run of his brewery.

Beervana’s Jeff Alworth nailed it when he described McAuliffe’s demise as the departure of one of the original “elders”—a moment that prompts reflection on the roots of craft beer and the often-overlooked community behind it.

“Jack was brewing craft beer when nothing was easy,” Boston Beer co-founder Jim Koch, reflected in 2012. “Nobody made small-scale brewing equipment, nobody wanted to invest, retailers and distributors didn’t want your beer, drinkers couldn’t understand why the beer didn’t taste ‘normal.’ It was so different from today.”

Jack McAuliffe’s influence cannot be overstated and his journey—naval engineer turned home‑brewer turned trailblazer—spoke to the depth of his passion for brewing..

And although he may have spent decades away from the spotlight, McAuliffe’s spirit lives on, having ignited the multibillion‑dollar industry that the craft beer biz is today and inspiring generations upon generations of brewers in his wake.

Jack McAuliffe (1945 – 2025)