Brewing Pioneers: Founders, Heroes, and Innovators of the Craft and Homebrew Renaissance

This article originally appeared in the May/June 2024 issue of Zymurgy Magazine

By Charlie Papazian, Roxanne Westendorf, and Sam Calagione

Brewing heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Many go unsung, and it would fill a book to properly recognize them all, but in this issue, we take a moment to recognize a few of the founders of our great craft and hobby with their thoughts, reflections, and brewing inspirations.

Charlie Papazian, along with Charlie Matzen and a little legislative help from former President Jimmy Carter, practically invented homebrewing in this country, and one can certainly make an argument that craft brewing, now ubiquitous the world over and still gathering momentum, was part of his legacy. He posted his own thoughts on his legacy on social media, and that post follows.

Roxanne Westendorf continues to inspire a nation of brewers both amateur and professional with her tireless commitment to brewing education and exploring world fermentation styles.

Last but certainly not least, Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione, who began as a homebrewer in college. Using fresh culinary ingredients to create innovative, flavorful beers found nowhere else, Calagione founded one of the most successful, creative and inventive craft breweries at a time when craft brewing was still in its infancy.

Here are their stories, and to give you a taste of their unique vision, they include sample recipes for you to make on your next brew day.

Access the full article in the May/June 2024 Zymurgy magazine.

This article includes the following: