San Jose, Calif. (September 13th, 2022) — Mad River Brewery, a tribally-owned, 30+year craft brewery from Humboldt County, California is happy to share their award-winning craft ales with hockey fans in the newly constructed Tech CU Arena. The presence of a tribally-owned brewery in professional sports arena at this level is an historic first, marking a turning point for Indigenous representation.
“We celebrate every moment of recognition and visibility as a tribally owned business, but a physical space is monumental. The Barracuda have provided true support and made real space for us where visitors will see our story and what we’re fighting for, our Yurok Country certification, all while experiencing the craft that goes into our products while enjoying their visit.” said Linda Cooley, Mad River Brewery CEO.
The bar, located on the 200 level of Tech CU Arena, is flanked by the Sturgeon design, a design used by the Yurok Tribe and featured in the brewery’s logo. The bar features a variety of Mad River Brewery ales, including the release of “Barracuda Sparkling Ale” a light sessional ale that rounds out the brewery’s award-winning portfolio. Pouring a straw color with a beautiful white head, a nose of malty goodness and floral characteristics, this ale features a light mouth feel and overall crispness that truly satisfies. Boasting flavors of malt, a touch of spice, and a crisp drying aftertaste, Barracuda Sparkling Ale is a must for Barracuda fans. In addition to the East Bar, visitors can enjoy Mad River Brewery packaged products in the arena’s Drink Market, as well as in the San Jose Sharks’ SAP Center.
Back in June, the partnership with the brewery and the San Jose Barracuda, affiliate team of the San Jose Sharks, was announced, highlighting the team’s continued mission to provide a platform for smaller businesses and commitment to diversity. In 2022-23 the Barracuda will have multiple promotional nights to celebrate diversity, as well as craft brewing. Mad River Brewery will be part of the Barracuda’s Opening Weekend, October 22nd-23rd, and the team’s annual Hoptoberfest, a craft brewing event hosted pregame until the end of the 1st intermission on October 29th where fans will have the opportunity to taste a variety of local craft beer.
About Tech CU Arena
Tech CU Arena is a state-of-the-art, 4,200-seat arena located in San Jose. It is the home of San Jose Barracuda. Tech CU Arena is a partnership between Sharks Sports & Entertainment and Technology Credit Union, a full-service, federally insured not-for-profit credit union headquartered in the heart of San Jose. With more than 155,000 members, Tech CU provides a wide array of financial products and services, including personal banking, financial management, private banking, commercial lending, and business banking. Learn more at www.techcu.com.
About Mad River Brewery
Mad River Brewery, a women-led Independent Craft Brewery located in Humboldt County, California has been brewing best-quality beers for more than three decades. MRB employs a time-honored, cut-no-corners approach to hand-crafting the finest quality ales, receiving four Gold Medals, four Silver Medals and one Bronze Medal from the Great American Beer Festival, which offers the most prestigious awards in the industry. Paving the way for a new Native American category in craft beer, the Tribal Brewery, owned by the Yurok Tribe, has introduced new products that promote the decades-long fight for environmental restoration and justice. Mad River Brewery is committed to producing the best-quality beverages on the planet and continues to employ the most holistic brewing methods to craft products that are in a league of their own.