New Albion Founder & Craft Brewing Pioneer Jack McAuliffe Has Died At Age 80

I’m sad to report that craft beer pioneer and founder of New Albion Brewing, Jack McAuliffe has passed away at 80 years old. This from New Albion:

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Raise a glass to the founder of New Albion Brewing and the US craft beer movement, Jack McAuliffe. Jack passed away today in NW Arkansas at the age of 80. Craft beer LEGEND.

From Jack’s daughter – The Brewers Daughter:

Please raise a glass to my father, Jack McAuliffe, founder of New Albion Brewing Company and the father of the craft beer movement in the United States, as he has passed away today at the age of 80 at his home in Northwest Arkansas. Jack’s health had been declining in the past few months, but never his unflagging sense of humor and wry smile.

I had made plans to go see Jack two weeks ago, but unfortunately events with my mother’s health prevented me from going. Instead, I had the chance to have a video call with him as my Aunt Cathy McAuliffe, his sister, was there with him. Cathy held the phone up for him, and when he caught a glance of me on the screen he declared, “That’s my daughter!” He had been nonverbal for some time, so this was a delight to me and those present.

Those of you who know my story know that I did not grow up with Jack. I am an adoptee, and only found him 20-some years ago in my search to learn about my biological roots. Jack and I bonded quickly over the story of his part in the rise of microbrews in the U.S., and I encouraged him to come out to beer festivals.

At the Great American Beer Fest in 2011, we were introduced to Jim Koch, founder of Boston Beer, who invited us out to his brewery to revive New Albion Ale. And in 2012, Jack and Jim re-introduced this flagship beer to the gathered crowd at GABF in Colorado, then made a cross-country tour promoting the brew. I accompanied him on some of his stops including in my hometown of Cleveland.

After that, Jack gifted me with the business of New Albion Brewing, and in following years, I partnered with several breweries including BrewDog out of Columbus, Ohio, and Raleigh Brewing in North Carolina to produce his beer for craft beer lovers today. He was happy to see his brand live on in present times.

One of the highlights of those years was the installation of Jack and New Albion in the Smithsonian Institution’s “Brewing a Revolution” exhibit in the American History Museum, just down the hall from where Julia Child’s kitchen stands. You can still visit it today. We attended the opening party, and Jack was reunited with many other industry pioneers like Fritz Maytag, Charlie Papazian, Ken Grossman, Charlie Bamforth, and Sam Calagione.

Jack’s place among United States craft brewers as a change maker and inspiration will be a part of the beer world for generations. His legacy continues, and my great fortune in finding Jack, and getting to know and love him is a gift I will always be grateful for and will live on forever in my heart. He was my birthfather, but over time, he also became my Dad.

Slainte! ~ Renee M. DeLuca