About Us
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The founders, Eric and Rebecca Giddens, have spent most of their lives on or near a river. Both were raised in kayaking and canoeing families and continued their love for the sport into competitive arenas. As members of the United States Canoe and Kayak team for over a decade, they scored numerous medals in World Cup, World Championship and, for Rebecca, a Silver Medal in the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. All of these treasures are nothing compared to what they found in each other. When they retired from competitive sports, they moved to Kernville to start a business and a family near the waters they both love.
Kernville, the southern gateway to the Sequoia National Forest, has been a wild west town from its beginnings. Established as a mining settlement in the mid-1800s and continuing as a
ranching community through the 1900s, Kernville remains a town of adventure, offering a wide variety of outdoor activities. On any given day, the outdoor enthusiast can enjoy an exhilarating
range of activities from whitewater rafting, kayaking, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, windsurfing, water-skiing, mountain biking and climbing. For
those looking for a more relaxed approach to the day, many enjoy fishing, hiking, camping, sailing, antiquing, bird-watching or simply kicking back to take in the spectacular views of the
Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Kern River Brewing Company started in 2005 and quickly gained a reputation for making world-class beers in a beautiful setting in the Sierra Mountains of California. In December of 2022, Eric and Rebecca Giddens sold the company's shares, enabling it to become 100% Employee-owned through an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) trust. The Giddens still work for the business and say that the business is still “family-owned, our family just got a little bit bigger”.
The brewery and restaurant host locals and guests with the goal of sharing the pleasures of this small community over a great glass of beer and a meal. KRBC enjoys an overwhelming and enthusiastic response from both locals and visitors alike. We keep the names of the beers local, provide a simple yet diverse menu, and foster a comfortable atmosphere where ‘everybody knows your name’. Every Kern River Brewing Company beer is made with the finest ingredients, Sierra Mountain water and a goal of spreading friendship and happiness.
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