America’s Billionaire Beer Barons

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“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer” – Abraham Lincoln

We weren’t the first to brew it and we won’t be the last, but there’s no doubt that Americans can go blow-for-blow with any European brewery out there. In honor of Sierra Nevada founder Ken Grossman becoming a billionaire, we’re raising a chalice to the elite club of billionaire brewers of America.

1. Dick Yuengling (D.G. Yuengling & Son) — $1.7 billion

Photo Credit: Bloomberg

What You Didn’t Know: During the Prohibition, the Yuengling business survived by selling “near beers” with .5% abv. As a payoff, America’s oldest brewery delivered a full case of brews to President Roosevelt when the Prohibition was lifted. (H/T Thrillist)

2. Jim Koch (Boston Beer Co.) — $1.3 billion

Photo Credit: Huffington Post

What You Didn’t Know: Both Jim Koch and the actual Samuel Adams went to Harvard … only Adams enrolled at the age of 14.

3. Ken Grossman (Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.) — $1 billion

Photo Credit: Bloomberg

What You Didn’t Know: In its 35 years of existence, Sierra Nevada has never had a year of declining sales.