Ray Hill's
Award Winning Beers

HISTORY

Ray Hill began brewing beer at home after he was introduced to brewing on a business trip to Colorado in 1998.  He read several books on the subject, and began brewing beer as a home brewer, and eventually became a Recognized Beer Judge through the Beer Judge Certification Program. 

Ray Hill decided to leave his Federal Government career with the Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining, to start his own brewing company in June 2002.  He quit his government job as a computer network administrator; cashed in his retirement savings plan and started his own brewing company.

Over the next few years a loyal following formed from him offering samples of his beer at social events throughout the Midwest.  By 2005, Ray was successful in placements with local supermarkets and specialty stores.  He approached Anhueser Busch, Inc. with the proposition to brew his beer under contract on a larger scale.  Success was achieved when A-B’s renowned brew-masters tasted Ray’s beer.  In 2007, the contract with Anheuser-Busch was signed and Ray Hill’s Classic American Pilsner landed over 500 retail accounts in seven states.

The agreement that was signed became Anheuser-Busch’s first contract production agreement with an entrepreneur.

By October 2008, AB’s merger with In-Bev was imminent.  Ray told the executives at AB that he would be happy to become independent and start his own MicroBrewery.  In October 2008, Hill Brewing Company, Inc. became an independent craft beer company.