Are you a fan of Belgian and French style beers? Alex Ganum, head brewer at Upright Brewing Company, certainly is. Not content to limit his creations to traditional beer styles, Ganum strives to craft beers that stand out from the rest. If you're looking for something unique but still rooted in classic traditions, look no further than Upright Brewing Company. With Ganum at the helm, you can be sure you're getting only the best.
Alex Ganum is a small business owner, entrepreneur and the owner of Upright Brewing Company located in Portland, Oregon. Upright Brewing Company is considered a craft brewery, capable of producing over 3,000 barrels of beer per year. Alex’s journey to owning his own business has been an inspiring one and has earned him acclaim from both patrons and industry professionals alike.
Alex was born and raised in Eugene, OR and attended the University of Oregon, graduating with a degree in biology. His career began with a job at the Ninkasi Brewing Company in Eugene, OR as a cellar worker. He quickly fell in love with craft beer and the industry, and it wasn’t long before Alex found himself as the head brewer of Ninkasi.
Alex opened Upright Brewing Company in Portland in 2009, starting out as the sole owner, worker and brewer. His love of craft beer drove him to adopt the mantra of “rely on the best ingredients and a commitment to making beer with character.” He sequentially began producing a series of classic and obscure beer styles from all around the world, including German, American and Belgian-inspired ales.
Alex’s commitment and focus on craft beer quality began to draw the attention of beer lovers, and the sales of Upright beers gradually picked up. He invested the profits into expanding facilities, equipment and personnel and by 2012, sales had increased five-fold. Orders had started to come in from all over the United States and Alex quickly realized the potential of his little startup.
It wasn’t long after the expansion before Alex Ganum and the Upright Brewing Company began to receive recognition from both consumers and industry professionals alike. By 2017, Upright was being distributed all over the world, turning Alex’s original dream of owning a craft beer business a reality.
Alex Ganum places Upright Brewing Company in the Belgian/French farmhouse vein, in the sense that the brewery is cranking out beers that can stand on their own, without getting hung up on style. Upright Brewing Company believes in brewing the highest quality beer regardless of beer style and this shows in the delicious beers they have produced.
Upright Brewing Company beers are special in that they honor classical beer styles from all around the world but also push the boundaries on quality ingredients and brewing techniques. Alex refers to it as “old world craftsmanship and new world innovation” and his beers have been popular with craft beer drinkers everywhere.
Looking to the future, Alex has plans to focus on quality ingredients, investing in his staff and creating unique beers that pay homage to both traditional and modern beer styles. He is committed to learning and growth, which has resulted in numerous accolades and awards for Upright Brewing Company beers over the years.
The Upright Brewing Company has an impressive collection of beers, ranging from light, summery ales to darker, malty beers with complex character. Whether it’s their classic Belgian tripel or their new CBD-infused IPA, Upright beers have something to offer to any beer lover.
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