By CatholicVote | Created at 2024-11-27 17:21:24 | Updated at 2024-11-27 20:34:03
3 hours ago
CV NEWS FEED // What began as a home brewing hobby in an Illinois basement has blossomed into a faith-inspired craft beer business as a Wisconsin family launches Tridentine Brewing Company.
Founded by brothers Trevor and Cameron Alcorn with their father, Jeff, Tridentine Brewing began as a hobby in 2013 when Trevor found his dad’s old brewing equipment in their basement, according to Forbes magazine.
Drawing on Jeff’s earlier brewing experience with his own father, the trio expanded their efforts and, in 2019, named their venture “Tridentine Brewing” in honor of the traditional Latin Mass their family attends. The company officially launched sales in fall 2024.
What sets their brews apart is their elaborate labels and faith-inspired themes, which gained significant attention on social media. Cameron, a graphic designer, took the lead in creating the labels, while the trio worked together to develop a cohesive theme.
“They were way more elaborate than most home brewers,” Trevor said. “They were an interesting thing to share and to inspire others to find a way to share their own faith, too.”
One notable creation was a Vienna lager dedicated to Bl. Karl of Austria. “The response we got from people was so positive,” Trevor said, adding that many people expressed interest in purchasing the beer. However, as homebrewers, they were unable to sell their creations. So people would sometimes ask if they could make a “donation” in exchange for a beer.
Fans urged the family to sell their beers, prompting them to partner with Karben4 Brewing in Madison, Wisconsin, to begin commercial production.
Their first beer, “Cristeros,” is a Mexican lager honoring the Catholic resistance to government oppression in 1920s Mexico.
Tridentine Brewing is proud to unveil our first commercial beer: Cristeros Mexican Lager!
We are thrilled to collaborate with Chris Lewis of @BaritusCatholic to bring the artwork honoring these brave heroes of the Faith to life.
¡Viva Cristo Rey! pic.twitter.com/7AxyszlDbJ
Cristeros was followed by “Quartermaster Jerry,” a blonde ale named for their Navy veteran grandfather, and “Dies Irae,” (“day of wrath”) an imperial stout symbolizing life’s deeper purpose and final judgment.
“[T]hat beer gets to what is the purpose of life,” Trevor said. “It’s not dark just to be dark for dark’s sake, but to really focus more on the important things in life.”
According to Trevor, their company is seeing a steady increase in sales. The family is focusing on growing the business more in Wisconsin, while making plans to expand to their home state of Illinois.
“Business is steadily growing,” Trevor said. “The beers allow us to have conversations about our faith that wouldn’t happen any other way. The artwork draws you in, and then people ask questions.”
