Best Places to Work 2014: Bear Republic Brewing Company

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CLOVERDALE -- Bear Republic Brewing Co. has grown rapidly over its nearly two decades in business and has juggled the management and infrastructure demands of such growth.

"We are not a nonprofit; we have to make money," said Richard R. Norgrove, CEO. "However, not every decision is driven by a profit motive. Our company decisions are made with an understanding of the impact it will have on our business, our suppliers, our employees and the greater community."

The Norgroves started with a Healdsburg brewpub in the mid-1990s, and a decade later the beer brand had grown to the point that the Factory Five Brewery was built in Cloverdale. This year, Bear Republic ranks as the 36th largest craft brewery in the United States, according to the Brewers Association.

To sustain that growth yet remain local, the company made a big investment in its community. When Cloverdale told the company it didn't have the water capacity to support further expansion, Bear Republic provided the city with $466,114 to drill and install two additional water wells.

"It's a good thing we did, because along came this drought," Mr. Norgrove said.

Other philanthropic causes the workforce is involved with include collecting food during the holiday season for local food banks and participating in an adopt-a-family program during that time.

A number of employees appreciated the perks beyond the paycheck.

"We get 20 beer chits every pay period to use for Bear Republic beers," one said. "We often get opportunities to go to festivals and events as representatives of the company. We get a generous discount at the pub for food and merchandise. We are encouraged to learn all we can about the beer industry."

"I appreciate the ability to leave during the day for school events -- awards ceremonies, grandparents day -- or to pick up a sick child from class," another employee said. "I like being allowed to split the workday to accommodate picking up children at the end of the school day ... and the ability to bring children to work occasionally, if the need arises."

There's also a barbecue for the roughly 50 brewery workers certain Fridays as well as staff nights at the movies.

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