In 1983, Barbara Groom, a pharmacist in her late 30s, found herself discontented with her career. While traveling through Mendocino County, she noticed a sign for a craft brewery in Hopland, which caught her interest. She assumed breweries belonged to large industrial complexes, not modest brick buildings in rural towns. Curious, she decided to stop and explore.
Mendocino Brewing Co. was California’s first brewpub licensed to sell its craft beer brewed on-site. Observing workers boiling wort, the base for beer, she immediately realized her true passion was not in pharmacy. “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life,” she expressed.
Fast forward to 1990, Groom launched Lost Coast Brewery in Humboldt County, becoming one of the first female microbrewery owners in the U.S. Her brewery earned national recognition, and she was known as “craft beer’s original female gangster” by Hop Culture magazine. Today, Lost Coast Brewery includes a 75,000-square-foot facility with a capacity of filling 1,400 kegs daily. With Groom set to turn 80 soon, she’s ready to sell her business and seek new adventures.
A Challenging Era for Craft Breweries
The craft brewing industry expanded significantly in the 2010s. However, recent times have been difficult. The Brewers Association reported that more craft breweries closed than opened in 2025, which marked the second consecutive year of decline. Rising costs, market saturation, and decreased alcohol consumption among younger generations contributed to these challenges. California saw its number of craft breweries decrease from 987 in 2023 to 939, reflecting this trend.
Groom anticipates that selling the brewery will take time, hoping for a younger, energetic individual to take the helm. Despite challenges, her enthusiasm remains unmatched.
The Journey of a Beer Queen
Barbara Groom, from Stockton, was a versatile farm girl. Initially aspiring to be a skier, she financed her skiing interest by selling Avon cosmetics, despite her own disinterest in makeup. Eventually realizing skiing wasn’t for her, she turned to pharmacy, practicing for two decades, before seeking to satisfy her creative itch elsewhere.
After obtaining brewing knowledge over six years and visiting various breweries, she decided to invest in a century-old building in Eureka. It served as a lodge for the Knights of Pythias and became the home for Lost Coast Brewery. At first, business was slow, but creative approaches like offering free chicken wings drew in patrons.
Looking Ahead
Groom is selling her brewery to pursue travel photography worldwide. Destinations include China, Romania, India, and more. She plans to visit Iceland and Azerbaijan shortly.
As one of the pioneering female brewpub owners, Groom faced occasional skepticism. Once at a plumbing supply store, she was told to send her husband next time. Yet, she never married. Proudly independent, she managed everything herself.
“A woman’s wort is never done,” Groom humorously noted, referring to the beer starter. She focused on what she wanted to do, overcoming any obstacles and moving forward undeterred.
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