Founded in 2012 by Blaine Landberg, Calicraft takes inspiration from the ingredients, places and people of California. We strive to create products that combine innovation with purpose - products that push the boundaries of beer, wine, and spirits. Whether its using local ingredients such as anise hyssop and wine pomace, creative collaborations with restaurants like Chez Panisse and wineries like Dashe Cellars, or developing a whole new category of beer – Calicraft seeks to answer the question: What if beer was created in California?

Way Back When
Growing up outside of Chico, California, Blaine Landberg was surrounded by craft brew enthusiasts. In his family, Christmas wasn’t about presents. It was about who brought the coolest beer. That was usually Uncle Gary. To an underage nine-year-old, these bottles were hilarious. Hence, Blaine’s surprising answer to “What do you want to be when you grow up?” 

First “Brewery”
Just when most college kids start drinking beer, Blaine started brewing it. His first brewery? A UC Berkeley dorm room. He called it Buzzerkeley Brewing Company, and he was not goofing around. Those first clandestine predecessors to what is now Buzzerkeley Sparkling Ale almost, just almost, got him kicked out. That didn’t stop him. 

Learning Curve
After graduating, Blaine got a real job with Honest Tea, where he learned the ins and outs of distribution and building a distinctive brand. Along the way, he never stopped brewing, thinking about brewing, experimenting with brewing, planning for brewing. With invaluable lessons, brilliant mentors, a business plan, he finally went all in with Calicraft in 2012.