Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians Purchases Mad River Brewing

March 21, 2024 – Mad River Brewing, the 35 year old brewery based out of Blue Lake, California, has been sold to the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, according to a press release issued yesterday by the tribe.

The group is one of two federally recognized tribes of the Nomlaki people, and is located in the Northern California counties of Tehama and Glenn. It consists of roughly 240 people, and has operated the Rolling Hills Casino in Corning, California since 2002. In 2021, the tribe created the Paskenta Brewery and Distillery within the Casino. At the time, it was the first tribally owned distillery in California, and only one of a handful of tribally owned breweries in the United States.

Mad River Brewing was one of the other two. Founded in 1989 by Bob Smith, it was sold in 2019 to the Yurok Agricultural Corporation, a wholly owned commercial entity of the Yurok tribe in Humboldt county.

“We’re honored to extend our expertise in blending tribal identity and craft beer to the Northern California community and tribes across the nation,” said Tribal Chairman Andrew “Dru” Alejandre. “As we continue to innovate, we proudly lead the way in crafting beers and spirits within Indian Country.”