Today is the 55th birthday of Rich Norgrove, the founder and brewmaster at Bear Republic Brewing Co. in Cloverdale, California. Rich won big several years ago at GABF, winning the award for Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year, amounting to validation that he’s been making some great beer for many years. Red Rocket and Racer 5 were some of my first favorite hoppy beers back in the 1990s, when few brewers were making the big, hoppy beers that are nearly ubiquitous nowadays. Did I mention that Rich is also one of the coolest, nicest people in the beer business? Join me in wishing Rich a very happy birthday.
At an unknown beer festival with his daughter several years ago.
Vinnie Cilurzo from Russian River and Rich at Drake’s Summit Hop Festival several summers ago.
Jeremy Cowan (He’Brew) and Rich at Falling Rock in Denver.
Rich and the Team from Healdsburg, California won four awards and the big award for Small Brewery Company and Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year in 2006.
Rich and Vic Krajl at the Bistro IPA Festival in 2010.
At a Giants game a few years back, Porter and I joined Rich and his son for a game, where we ran into Steve and Gail, from Beer By Bart, before the game began.
At the Rohnert Park brewpub a few years ago for a speakeasy-themed night.
Happy Birthday to a genuine person and fantastic brewer. He and his father (and Jode?) gave a gang of us the most relentless tour of their facility last February. Spent hours with us when he clearly could have been doing something more constructive.
Hats off to the Norgroves and Best of Luck to BR in 2007.
Cheers!
And a great race car driver, too, don’t forget …
Cheers to the Norgrove clan and happy belated birthday to Ricardo!
One really great brewer and a really great guy! Happy Birthday Ricardo!
Happy Birthday Ricardo, Wish I was sitting at the Brewery right now sharing an Ale with you! Thank you for being a sincere, real, Brewer, who always strives for the BEST! It was an honor to serve your beer at Lyon’s Brewery. Cheers and Hoppy Brew Year! Judy
Rich,
Looks like you have a birthday coming up on January 9. Well, my mom and I just finished watching Shop Around the Corner with Jimmy Stewart. Every time I see that film, I see you and Tami on that stage. You were perfect in those roles and with Tim Halbur and the others, it was quite a play. One of these days mu mom and I will have to visit you at one of your Bear Republic locations for lunch. Would be so great to see you both again. Until then, happy birthday! — Ms. Pavelka