Bison Brewing Company was founded in 1989 by brewpub pioneer, Bill Owens.  Along with Assemblyman Tom Bates (now Berkeley’s Mayor), Owens introduced the California legislation that legalized brewpubs.  Bison operated as a brewpub for the first 14 years of its life.  Bison brewers have a long history of innovation, using unique ingredients such as honey, sage, basil, chocolate, cranberry and coriander to augment the characteristics of beers primary ingredients: malt, yeast, water, and hops.

In early 2003, after nearly 14 years, we closed the doors of one of California’s oldest brewpubs.  Not enough patrons = not enough cash.  So we focused on brewing our organic beer and expanded bottle distribution outside the Bay Area. We got to capacity after a year, and have been looking for contract brew partners to expand.