Cycling Pilgrimage Spins Inspiration into Beer-Making Journey for Camino Brewing.
It’s not every day that a company’s inspiration comes from arduous bicycle treks through Europe. But that is exactly what happened to two friends while cycling 1,900 miles through the continent, a life-changing experience that taught them to embrace the unexpected curves in the road and enjoy the adventure. Strong, dark coffee was involved too.
Camino Brewing Company founders Allen Korenstein and Nathan Poulos developed their idea for turning their homebrewing hobby into an award-winning local craft brewery in San Jose while completing a month-long bicycle pilgrimage through Europe along the religious pilgrimage trail known as the Camino de Santiago.
Nathan first approached his friend in 2006 with the idea to complete the traditionally Catholic pilgrimage through Northern Spain, culminating at the shrine of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, the City of Stars. The scallop shell, which is an emblem of St. James and worn as an important relic for Camino pilgrims, would later be reflected in Camino Brewing’s logo. Three years after completing their first journey, the pair decided to complete an even lengthier journey—this time beginning in Rome, Italy.
Nathan had been a passionate homebrewer and often shared his creations with friends and family. Yet the idea of opening a brewery was not a venture either had seriously considered. During their pilgrimages, however, the two would discuss a vision to grow Nathan’s hobby into the business of professionally brewing. While the plan appeared overwhelming at first, Allen described treating their new venture with the same persistence as their biking excursions, one mile at a time and facing any obstacles with unwavering enthusiasm.
They befriended people active in San Jose’s growing local beer community, and regularly met with Hermitage Brewing Company, Strike Brewing Company and Santa Clara Valley Brewing to discuss plans for establishing their own brewery.
In one of these meetings they found their first break when a regional beer distributor for Whole Foods approached them about serving their pale ale at the Mission Creek Brewing taproom in San Jose. This chance opportunity to introduce their beer to the public, which Allen likened to the coincidences of good fortune they experienced along the Camino, would lead to the establishment of Camino Brewing Company. This April, Camino Brewing celebrated the first anniversary of opening their taproom in San Jose.
Camino Brewing serves a broad spectrum of beer styles, some with the perfect local twist. Notable standouts range from their Pale Rider pale ale, prepared with grapefruit zest from Spade & Plow Organics in San Martin, to a Café con Leche coffee milk stout, a beer that was inspired by the strong early-morning coffee they would drink while completing the pilgrimages. The rich and chocolaty coffee stout is produced with San Jose’s Chromatic Coffee Company and was awarded “Best in Show” recognition at the Sacramento Coffee Beer Fest 2018. Whether grapefruit zest or coffee infused, the beer (and philosophy) at Camino Brewing aims to reflect their story of persistence and belief in pursuing life’s adventures.
Having been inspired by the Camino de Santiago, it is most fitting that the brewery and its taproom are located just a few steps away from one of the historic mission bells of California’s original El Camino Real. That’s the spirit!
