By: Dan Lovi
Around the same time the Kings moved to Sacramento in 1985, a Northern California craft brewery emerged onto the scene.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company – founded in Chico, Calif. in 1980 by Ken Grossman and Paul Camusi – has grown from a homebrew supply store to a small-scale brewery to a multimillion-dollar operation on each coast.
In the early 80s, micro-brewery equipment didn’t exist, so Grossman tracked through California and Oregon in search of scrapped stainless steel and other used equipment. He taught himself refrigeration and welding, constructing the brewery from mostly recycled equipment.
As the company began to rise in popularity, so did the demand. The Sierra Nevada team moved to a new location in 1987 so it had room to accommodate a 100-barrel brewhouse. Now located on 20th street in Chico, it’s been Sierra Nevada’s home ever since.
In 2004, Sierra Nevada installed four co-generation hydrogen fuel cells, which began the company’s path to clean and reliable energy creation. Three years later, the first solar panels were installed. It has since grown to over 10,000 individual solar panels, the largest private solar collection in the nation.
Committed to sustainability, Sierra Nevada was named the “Green Business of the Year” in 2010 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Now, its partner and neighbor to the south – Golden 1 Center – hopes to follow suit by setting a new standard for green venues when it debuts in October.
Together, Sierra Nevada and the Kings have formed a partnership that promotes their core values of sustainability and promoting local growth.
Designed by arena Executive Chef Michael Tuohy and Sierra Nevada, the organizations have teamed up to offer an exclusive Kings beer at Golden 1 Center — a blonde ale featuring a citrusy and floral aroma with mandarin and lemon peel.
The limited-release brew will be available in the open-air lounge above the arena’s grand entrance — Sierra Nevada Draught House — and will provide guests with an inside look at the craft behind the brewing process.
Stay up-to-date on development of the Draught House and the Kings specialty beer by following @Golden1Center on Twitter.
