New Albion Brewing Company

Jack McAuliffe, a former Navy man who had drunk ale in Scotland, founded New Albion in Sonoma, California, in October 1976 with Suzy Stern and Jane Zimmerman. It is counted as the first American microbrewery of the modern era. McAuliffe built it from converted Coca-Cola syrup drums and scrap, and brewed about 7.5 barrels a week of bottle-conditioned pale ale, porter and stout. Unable to grow or raise money, it closed in November 1982; its equipment went to the Hopland brewery that became Mendocino Brewing. Sierra Nevada credits New Albion as an inspiration, and Boston Beer brewed New Albion Ale again in 2012 and 2013 before handing the name back. McAuliffe died on 15 July 2025, aged 80; his daughter Renee DeLuca holds the company.