Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro, center, holds a resolution from the California Assembly presented to the family owners of Bear Republic Brewing Co. of Healdsburg. The owners are, from left, Sandra and Richard R. Norgrove and Richard G. and Tami Hucke Norgrove. Chesbro selected Bear Republic as the First Assembly District’s Small Business of the Year and recognized the Norgroves at a luncheon Monday sponsored by the California Small Business Association at the Sacramento Convention Center.
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) on Monday honored Bear Republic Brewing Co. in Healdsburg as the Small Business of the Year in the First Assembly District at California Small Business Day in Sacramento.
"Small businesses are the anchor of California's economy and their success is critical to the prosperity of the state," Chesbro said. "Bear Republic Brewing Company is a family owned business that treats its employees like family and is like family to the community. The Norgrove family took a home brew hobby and developed a personal style for their award-winning hand-made ales and lagers that are renowned locally, nationally and internationally. The Norgroves also built a brewpub restaurant that offers healthy food choices for the entire family that locals call home and where visitors feel at home."
Bear Republic Brewing Co. is the proud creation of third and fourth generation Sonoma County residents Richard R. and Sandra Norgrove and their son and daughter in law, Richard G. Norgrove and Tami Hucke Norgrove.
Chesbro recognized the Norgroves at a lunch ceremony Monday hosted by the California Small Business Association at the Sacramento Convention Center across from the Capitol. He presented the family with a plaque from the Association and a framed resolution from the Assembly.
Bear Republic Brewing Co. employs 110 people at two locations: The brew pub in Healdsburg and the production brewery in Cloverdale.
The Norgroves take pride in the green practices of their business. Spent grain and hops go to ranchers to feed livestock. Cooking oil in the restaurant is shipped to a local winery where it is converted into biodiesel fuel to run machinery. All food waste is picked up by a composter. Water is reused as much as possible.
Bear Republic's best-selling and signature brew is Racer 5 India Pale Ale followed by Red Rocket Ale, an American amber. Bear Republic ships beer to 36 states and Puerto Rico, and five foreign nations: Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
Bear Republic is known in Sonoma County for its many contributions to non-profits and local causes – to the tune of about $90,000 in monetary and product donations. The Richard G. Norgrove is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Healdsburg and a volunteer firefighter for the Healdsburg Fire Department.
Richard R. Norgrove is a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Healdsburg and also currently serves on the board of directors for the Healdsburg Performing Arts Theater.
Tami Hucke Norgrove, the company's chief financial officer, is a member of Soroptimist International of Healdsburg.
Sandra Norgrove is a former community volunteer who now spends most of her time helping care for her six grandchildren while the family works at the brewery and brewpub.
"It was my pleasure to meet the Norgroves today and recognize Bear Republic's high business ethics and their commitment to the community," Chesbro said.
Contact: Andrew Bird, Chesbro communications director, (916) 319-2001
