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Beer Birthday: Kurt Widmer

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Today is Kurt Widmer’s 73rd birthday. Kurt is, of course, one of the bros in Widmer Brothers. He and his brother Rob helped found the Oregon Brewers Festival, created the style American Hefeweizen and are one of the few small brewers that have managed to retain their spirit and reputation as they’ve grown much larger. A few years ago, Kurt retired, which hopefully he’s enjoying to the fullest. Join me in wishing Kurt a very happy birthday.

Kurt (at left) and Rob Widmer with their wives at the Oregon Brewers Festival in 2003.
Kurt and Rob after their win for Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year at GABF in 2002.
Rob and Kurt Widmer accepting the gavel in July 2007 from Jack Joyce and John Maier from Rogue, for 2008 when that next year they hosted OBF.
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Gary Fish, Kurt and beer writer Fred Eckhardt at Don Younger’s memorial (photo by Tom Dalldorf).
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Ray, Kurt and Ron Widmer at the start of the brewery.



Comments

  4. “…one of the few small brewers that have managed to retain their spirit and reputation as they’ve grown much larger.” I don’t know if being part of CBA, AB-InBev ownership and being publicly traded would really lead to that well–that is unless it was more about a corporate growth and profits vision than that of craft one.
    Never really cared for their beer I’ve tried. Next to the light lager categories, American wheat has proved to be one of my least favorite–and I love wheat beers.
    Good for him to make it to 60 and for what he and his brother have created though.

    Reply

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