Shaun O’Sullivan & Nico Freccia Stepping Away From 21st Amendment Brewery & Closing Both Locations

I’ve interviewed Shaun O’Sullivan several times, and he’s been a great evangelist for small and independent brewing. I congratulate Shaun and co-founder Nico Freccia on their move to step away from 21st Amendment Brewery’s day-to-day operations in San Francisco, California. This news from Shaun:

Ahoy friendly friends,
After 25 incredible years since opening the 21st Amendment and nearly 30 years since Nico and I first dreamed up the idea, we are both stepping away from the 21A’s day-to-day operations.

We’ve brought in a new CEO through a new partnership aimed at bringing in suppliers both inside and outside the beer space, with the goal of developing a broader platform and filling capacity at our San Leandro production facility.
I’ll be taking some much needed time off, then exploring future opportunities. I’ll see you all around the bend. The story continues…

UPDATE: Shaun has announced that both 21st Amendment locations will close over the next few months as they wind down operations and they begin the search for a buyer.

Just recently, I announced that Nico and I were stepping down from running the day-to-day operations. Then, in a bizarre and unexpected turn of events late last week, the decision was made that the 21st Amendment will be winding down operations for the foreseeable future.

It’s been an incredible run with a bewildering ending. The outpouring of support on social platforms and to me directly has been absolutely overwhelming. I can’t thank each and every one of you enough, along with all the folks I’ve met over the years in my travels, for the love and support you’ve shown me and the 21st Amendment. It’s been truly moving and unforgettable.

I wish I could give you all a ginormous hug for the kindness, encouragement, and affection you’ve shared. Whether you like them or not, the Grateful Dead said it best “what a long, strange trip it’s been”—and will continue to be.
See you around the bend, the story continues. -Sully

zzubreebym

About 21st Amendment Brewery:

The Company
In 2000, Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan founded the 21st Amendment Brewery in San Francisco’s historic South Park neighborhood. The popular brewpub is now at the heart of the new city center, just south of the financial district and only two blocks from the San Francisco Giants baseball park. In addition to rotating taps of multiple award-winning hand-crafted house beers, the pub has been voted “Best Brewpub”, “Best Burger” and “Best Happy Hour” by the San Francisco press.

Freccia and O’Sullivan met in early 1995 in San Francisco. Both had just moved from southern California to the Bay area when they heard the calling of beer. O’Sullivan, a former photographer and paralegal, “traded his suits for boots and was saved by beer”. He moved to Berkeley and took a job as assistant brewer at the Triple Rock Brewery there. Freccia, a writer, actor and, by extension, restaurant professional, was also an avid homebrewer. Frustrated with the lack of beer culture in the L.A. area, he moved to San Francisco and began writing for the Celebrator Beer News, the west’s largest beer publication. Freccia and O’Sullivan met, became friends and, while sitting together in a summer class on brewing science at UC Davis, hatched their plan for what would become the 21st Amendment.
 
What is the 21st Amendment?
Around the turn of the 20th century, in the year 1900, there were thousands of small breweries operating across America. When Freccia and O’Sullivan were researching old San Francisco breweries (trying to find a cool name for their new brewery), what really made an impact was the discovery that there were about 40 breweries operating just within the city limits of San Francisco. They realized that the brewery captured the essence of the neighborhoods of San Francisco. They were the local gathering places. Places to exchange ideas, debate politics and philosophy. Places for families to come together on weekends. Places that provided something unique—hand crafted beer that was different at every brewery and that defined the taste of a neighborhood.

In 1920, Prohibition wiped out this culture and put the “local” out of business. For 13 years, social interaction was largely driven underground, to the speakeasies, where regular citizens became a nation of outlaws.

But with the passage of the 21st Amendment, repealing Prohibition, we, as a society, were able to begin the slow climb back to reclaiming the essence of the neighborhood gathering place. At the 21st Amendment, they celebrate the culture of the great breweries of old, making unique, hand crafted beers, great food, and providing a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere that invites conversation, interaction and a sense of community.

Shaun O’Sullivan
Co-Founder & Brewmaster
Shaun is the 21st Amendment Brewmaster and co-founder with Nico Freccia. He manages and oversees brewing operations and innovation. Shaun started his brewing beginnings at the Triple Rock Brewery in Berkeley, California and also in San Francisco at Steelhead Brewery and 20 Tank Brewery. Prior to brewing, Shaun was a photojournalist for a local weekly in Los Angeles shooting political and punk rock club photographs and was once offered a position in the kitchen at Chez Panisse in Berkeley. He worked as a producer for Cable News Network and as a corporate law clerk at a large New York law firm’s office in Los Angeles. Back then he was in the process of going through the hoops and hurdles of applying to either business school or law school when he jumped ship, traded in his suits for boots and was saved by beer! Hallelujah. He enjoys being a father to his amazing son, loves to travel (does a lot of that) and has a penchant for cooking. Shaun graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in psychology.

Nico Freccia
Co-Founder & Business Operations

Nico manages all operations and business development for the 21st Amendment Brewery beer production and restaurant operations. He comes from a background of more than 25 years in the restaurant and craft beer business as a manager, beer writer and avid brewer and consultant. He co-founded the 21st Amendment Brewery with business partner Shaun O’Sullivan in 2000 and has helped grow the business to include a beer production division that is currently one of the Top 50 craft breweries in America. In addition to great craft beer, Nico enjoys an occasional good tequila, cigar and game of Texas Hold ‘em. If you’re ever at a beer festival and see a guy with a big goofy watermelon hat, vest and eyeglasses, that’s Nico. Go say hello. Nico lives in the San Francisco bay area with his wife Dana, a trauma surgeon, two daughters and menagerie of pets.