Established in May 2009 with the creation of its flagship Hops of Wrath IPA, Turlock’s Dust Bowl Brewing Company is gearing up to mark its fifteenth year in the business this May. Over the past decade and a half, the Central Valley craft beer pioneer has seen significant growth, and it plans to commemorate this milestone with a series of promotions and events to thank its loyal supporters.
Reflecting on the journey, Founder and Owner Brett Tate shared, “It’s hard to believe we’ve been at this for fifteen years. So much has changed for our brewery and the Central Valley craft beer scene since we first started brewing in ’09. I remember being a door-to-door salesman, dropping off samples of our Hops of Wrath IPA to local bars, trying to establish our brand one tap at a time. It was tough in the beginning because there wasn’t much of a craft beer scene in our area, and introducing an IPA was a challenge.”
The turning point came in 2011 with the opening of Dust Bowl’s first taproom in Downtown Turlock. According to Brett Honore, who partnered with Tate in 2010, “The taproom model allowed us to engage and educate consumers, which remains a cornerstone of our business today. Craft beer has so much more to offer than just IPAs, and having our own space to showcase that was pivotal.”
Currently, Dust Bowl Brewing Co. operates four taprooms across California, serving nearly one million customers annually. This widespread presence has significantly contributed to growing the brand and sales beyond the taproom walls. With the help of multiple wholesalers, Dust Bowl’s portfolio is distributed primarily in California, Northern Nevada, and parts of Arizona, Pennsylvania, Texas, Oklahoma, and Vermont.
From its modest beginnings, Dust Bowl Brewing Co. now boasts a lineup of 17 year-round styles and a limited series, along with a variety of draft options to cater to taproom guests. In 2022, the company produced over 22,000 barrels of beer, placing it among the top 2% of craft breweries both in California and nationally. The brewery employs approximately 175 staff members across its taprooms, brewery, sales, marketing, and administrative departments.
Don Oliver, Brewmaster, expressed pride in the journey, stating, “It has been a blessing working for two families who truly care about their employees and the products they produce. They’ve allowed us to embrace our creativity and invest in quality to grow the company and provide the beers our fans know and love.”
Over the years, Dust Bowl Brewing Co. has received several accolades, including Brewery Partner of the Year by the National Beer Wholesalers Association in 2015, Regional Brewer Status by the Brewers Association in 2020, and Craft Brewery of the Year by the California State Fair Commercial Craft Beer Competition in 2022. The brewery has also been recognized by the Brewers Association with numerous Craft Beer Marketing Awards for its packaging design, video content, taproom design, and marketing materials.
Expressing gratitude to the community, Tate said, “We want to thank our hometown of Turlock, the communities surrounding our taprooms, and all the beer fans who purchase our products. Without you, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Come by and celebrate with us at your closest taproom on May 16th.”
To commemorate the anniversary, Dust Bowl Brewing Co. will release Triple Dry Hopped Therapist, a limited-edition Imperial IPA with a bold 10.4% ABV and over 100 IBUs. Anniversary Week will feature daily taproom specials from May 13-16, culminating in taproom parties, live music, and giveaways at all locations on May 16th starting at 5:00 PM.