Alpine Beer Company opened its doors in the fall of 2002. Years before, an interest in craft brewing developed into an actual goal for the future. There were years of home brew competitions, brew science classes, and extended beer runs thinly disguised as vacations.
Always looking for a challenge,
Pat apprenticed at a local brewery. He got some hands-on experience, and valuable knowledge. A stroke of good luck gave him the opportunity to purchase a brewing system from a local brewpub. The same system launched the careers of many local brewers. In November of 1999, Alpine Beer Company started contracting “McIlhenney’s Irish Red”, from AleSmith Brewing Company. Very quickly after that, Mandarin Nectar and Pure Hoppiness were released.
After about nine months of extremely hard work,
Pat opened Alpine Beer Company right in the middle of his home town. Just in the nick of time, too, because the AleSmith-to-Alpine commute was killing him. There are approximately eight to ten beers on tap at the brewery. These are available for purchase on site in growlers, but must be enjoyed elsewhere. Because of the small size of the operation, demand can exceed supply at times. We have a seven flavors we make regularly, and seasonal specials that come and go.
The brewery went through an expansion starting in late 2008 and became operational in mid 2009. Four double sized fermentors were installed in an old garage behind the current brewery. A cold box was erected adjacent to the garage and a bottling machine with a nice labeler are housed there too. There is a small barrel shed on the shady, north side of the garage.
A pub opened in early 2010 on the far side of the same building the brewery is in. Eventually, the goal is to have a small beer garden outside the pub.
Public Hours: Noon to 6:00pm Tuesday – Saturday
QUAFF Members: Pat McIlhenny
