Brew Beer

Brew Beer

Jim Koch gave up a lucrative career as a business consultant to become a brewer. His family had been brewers back to his great–great–grandfather, but Koch's parents had steered him to a different profession. Koch (pronounced "Cook") founded Boston Beer Company in 1984, and brought American drinkers a domestic beer, Samuel Adams, that competed with imports on taste and quality. Koch's marketing skill made Samuel Adams the best–selling craft beer in the United States. Koch began by aggressively promoting his beer at bar after bar, trying to persuade Boston innkeepers to stock Samuel Adams. Now he presides over a company with sales of more than $200 million, at what might be called the largest small brewer in the country. A fanatic for taste, Koch still personally samples every batch of Samuel Adams.

Koch was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to a family of German descent. His ancestors had made beer in the old country, and his father was a brewer for a Cincinnati beer–maker. Koch did well in school, and was accepted to prestigious Harvard University. After completing an undergraduate degree in government, Koch went on to a combined program at Harvard that offered both a law degree and a master's in business. It was a particularly difficult course of study that attracted some stellar candidates. One of Koch's classmates was Mitt Romney, who went on to become governor of Massachusetts. But Koch was dissatisfied with life at Harvard. At the age of 23, he felt he had done nothing in his life yet but go to school. He wanted different kinds of experience. So he left his graduate program and became an instructor at the outdoor adventure school Outward Bound.

Brew Beer

Brew Beer

Brew Beer

Brew Beer

Brew Beer

Brew Beer

Brew Beer

Brew Beer

Brew Beer