ProBrewer.com

An Online Resource Serving The Beer Industry

  • News
    • News From The Breweries
    • Specialty Industry News
    • Major Brand News
    • Legislative & Regulatory
    • Distribution & Retail
    • Quarterly Financial Reports
    • International
    • Commentary
    • General News
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Essential Virtual Resources for the Brewing Industry
    • Virtual Brewing Conference Guide
  • Classified Ads
    • Latest Ads
    • Ads By Category
    • Help Wanted / For Hire
    • Search Ads
    • Post Classified Ad
    • Post Catalog Ad
    • About Classified Ads
  • Jobs
  • Discussion
  • Library
    • Archives
    • Brewery Floors
    • Brewstillery
    • Distilling
    • Distribution
    • ‘DIY’ floor coating
    • Electric Brewing
    • Filtration
    • Hops
    • Kegs
    • Keg Washers
    • Malt
    • Malt handling
    • Nano Breweries
    • Packaging
    • Pumps
    • Refrigeration
    • Shipping
    • Stupid Stuff
    • Turnkey
    • Used Tanks
    • Water
    • Yeast
  • Tools
    • IBU Calculator
    • Beer Specifications
    • Water Chemistry
  • Advertise
    • Advertise & Sponsorship on ProBrewer
    • ProBrewer Advertisers
  • Allied Trade Directory
    • Search Allied Trade Directory
    • Your Companies
    • Submit New Allied Trade Company
  • Login / Register
    • ProBrewer Login
    • Register
    • Password Reset
You are here: Home / General News / Industry Loses a Pioneer

Industry Loses a Pioneer

News »  General Newsposted Oct 13th 12:00:00AM by Pat Hagerman

American craft brewing pioneer Greg Noonan, 58, died Sunday in his home after a brief battle with cancer.

Noonan opened Vermont’s first brewpub in 1988 and two others after that but his influence was national. His 1986 book Brewing Lager Beer: The Most Comprehensive Book for Home- and Microbreweries
became something of a guidebook for those opening small breweries in the 1980s and ’90s. He Later wrote Scotch Ale in 1990 and Seven Barrel Brewery Brewers’ Handbook: A Pragmatic Guide to Home Brewing in 1996, then updated Brewing Lager Beer in 2003.

Like many who would soon be commercial brewers Noonan started out making beer as a hobby at home. He was working as a manufacturing manager for paper and wood products companies in Massachusetts when news of microbreweries opening on the West Coast inspired him to go pro.

“I specifically sited my brewery in Burlington because it’s where I wanted to live. I admired the politics in Vermont,” he said. He spent three years lobbying the Vermont legislature to legalize brewpubs.

“That first year, it was a real sell,” he said 10 years after opening in the pub. “There was no built-in awareness of what a brewpub was. (Consumers) would look at you and think ‘You are a brewery, you must make Budweiser.’ There was no style awareness.”

His local impact was obvious. For instance, John Kimmich, who later started the awarding winning The Alchemist brewpub in nearby Waterbury, sought out Noonan to learn the trade. Kimmich waited tables and eventually became head brewer at Vermont Pub & Brewery.

“Greg is a major reason that The Alchemist is a success,” Kimmich says. “He’s been a wonderful mentor. He’s got the blending of the chemistry knowledge with the esoteric side of things.”

Like many other brewers, commercial and amateur, Kimmich said he still has a dog-eared copy of Brewing Lager Beer in his brewery. His book was the start of Brewers Publications, the publishing wing of the Brewers Association.

That book was quite a legacy to leave behind but Noonan left much more.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Pocket
  • Email
Pat Hagerman

Posted by Pat Hagerman

Pat Hagerman is co-founder of ProBrewer.com. When he's not leading operations for ProBrewer you can find Pat working on Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure and systems. If you're having a beer with him ask about some of the more original skills he's taught Alexa.

Search

Promoted
Alpha Brewing Operations logo
Alpha Brewing Operations
Quality Craft Demands Quality Equipment!
eLease logo
eLease
Easy Financing & Equipment Leasing Options (New & Used Equipment,
Keg Logistics logo
Keg Logistics
Buy, Sell, Rent, Lease, Pay Per Fill, Export
Ruby Street Brewing Equipment • Pro Refrigeration, Inc.

Subscribe to ProBrewer Daily

ProBrewer Subscriptions

View previous newsletters.

Connect With @ProBrewerPage

 Instagram    Facebook    Twitter

 

 

 

Join the ProBrewer mailing list

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy

Connect With @ProBrewerPage

 Instagram    Facebook    Twitter

Go Somewhere Else

News • Classifieds • Help Wanted / For Hire • Discussion • Library • Contact • Advertise • Contact Details • Help

Copyright © 2021 · RealBeer Media · Privacy Policy · Terms and Conditions

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.