Mount Shasta Brewing Company

History:

1992--Mount Shasta Brewing Company (MSBC) renovated the old Medo-Bel Creamery built in 1952. It had fallen into disrepair and was within three days of being auctioned for taxes when Vaune Dillmann purchased the property in 1992. His life long dream had been to follow in the footsteps of his German ancestors who were in brewing-related businesses. This prime location near Interstate 5 and College of the Siskiyous was the perfect site.

1999--The first challenge was to clean up the contaminated soil caused by an underground gasoline tank. Vaune wrote a grant and was awarded a $995,000 from the CA Clean Up Fund. It took over seven years of daily restoration before the property received a clean bill of health from the CA Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB) in May, 1999. In August, on a visit to family in Minnesota, Vaune got side tracked and toured St. Paul's Summit Brewery. He "found" 1938 25 BBL German brew haus Summit had outgrown and was willing to sell. It was shipped to Weed and a major renovation began to retrofit the old creamery. A smaller 15 BBL PUB system was purchased in order to get the brewery started and develop sales. Vaune's first brew was made for his daughter's wedding.

2003--MSBC brewed it's first beer "Weed Golden Ale" in kegs and as our town was named after Abner Weed, founder of the first lumber mill, the family of Mr. Weed authorized "Abner Weed Amber Ale" in his honor. Two months before MSBC sold its first brew, a disaster occurred when Butte Creek Brewery of Chico, CA, patented a beer called Mt. Shasta Pale Ale. They sued MSBC for the right to take the Mt. Shasta Brewing Company name but lost.

2005--Bottled beer was produced to increase distribution throughout the west coast. MSBC has liquor licenses for the states of California, Oregon, Pennslyvania, and Washington. Tap handles, bottle labels, and growlers were designed to include an actual picture of the beautiful Mt. Shasta, and Vaune's Weed Arch, now the gateway to our town.

2008--MSBC submitted its Lemurian Lager label for approval. TTB would not approve the label until the "Try Legal Weed" bottle cap was removed. Vaune appeared on regional and national TV shows, radio talk shows, and was interviewed by newspaper reporters from around the world, everyone was astounded that TTB would challenge free speech. The ACLU was willing to take the case to the Supreme Court. TTB granted the challenge and reversed their decision. MSBC beers now proudly displace the "Try Legal Weed" bottle caps throughout the nation.

MSBC brews: Abner Weed's Amber Ale, Weed Golden Ale, Brewer's Creek Ale, Mountain High IPA, Shastafarian Porter, Lemurian Lager and various seasonal beers available in the Weed Alehouse Bistro. I want to express my sincere appreciation to the many people who have helped me formulate this project. Each contributed their individual talent, expertise, and effort. MSBC will always been indebted to them.

In 1987, Vaune engineered the construction of the arch over the entrance to Weed, replacing the original concrete arch erected in 1920. In 1963, city fathers could not find drawings for the old arch, were concerned it would collapse, and tore it down. Demolition took over three weeks as the structure was steel railroad track. When International Paper Company closed its doors and laid off 400 employees in the 1980s, the future appeared very bleak for Weed. A large group of people developed activities that would unite the town behind a project for its future. The idea of a new arch was born! The arch was constructed of metal with natural rock pillars. Companies contributed metal, shipping, land, rockwork; students from schools drew pictures of the arch; football players and community service organizations moved rock. A geodetic national survey marker was installed in each column, permanently insuring the longevity of this arch. State Congressman Stan Statham dedicated the arch on December 25, 1988. Weed had its identity once again! Remember...

A FRIEND IN WEED IS A FRIEND INDEED!