Customer Reviews

Redhook: A Microbrew Success Story

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For those of us with an entrpreneurial spirit, we enjoy learning how others make successes out of ideas. It's an added bonus when that success story is about a brewery.

The author offers captivating details on how Paul Shipman, a charismatic man with the gift of persuasion, and Gordon Bowker, founder of Starbucks Coffee and advertising guru, found their way to a passionate persuit of a shared vision.

An easy read chock full of the successes and failures of these two leaders, "Redhook - Beer Pioneer" inspires you to believe you can accomplish anything as long as you are persistent and dedicated to success.

Some of the books highlights include:
-Bananna Beer and House Character - How Shipman spun to the local beer drinking public the breweries funny tasting beer caused by contaminated yeast. I think the late beer author Michael Jackson saved the day on this one.

-The Bitter that was Sweet - How Redhook ESB, originally known as Ballard Bitter, made Redhook beer a drinkable alternative.

-Selling your Soul - Perceived as a controversial move for a craft brewer, Redhook made history by partnering in distribution with Annheiser-Busch. The book offers great insight on how this partnership was actually structured and why it was beneficial to Redhook without compromising their craftsmanship heritage.

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This was a good read about the early days of the craft brewing industry. I have a hard time considering Redhook a craft beer. In the book they go into details how they raised the money to open the doors. They did a complicated investment strategy that would not work in today market. It was also really neat to see one of the principles was also the ground level with Starbucks. How both companies were started on the same idea.

This is must read for anyone interested in the brewing industry.

A fun read for anyone interested in starting a small business. Though the subject is brewing, the struggles and challenges faced by the founders are not unique to the industry. Excellent source of information for anyone interested in learning about the rise of the American craft-brewing industry in the Pacific Northwest. Cheers and enjoy!

I enjoyed the book immensely. It of course helps that the beer has been a favorite since inception and that I'm from the area but I would think anyone interested in the beer industry, entrepreneurial pursuits, or a sense of humor would like the book. The players involved in the formation of Redhook represent some of the business icons of the Pacific Northwest. It really truly was a great read.

Could this be the great Peter Krebs, native of Corning, New York, and schooled on the golf course of St. Bonaventure University. It is a fine, fine book, and I suggest you read it, for the hearty good cheer and sudsy tales that it tells.

I enjoyed the book a great deal. It was cool to see how the company grew from a minor player in to a major craft brewer.