[Senior Silverback (SSB) Mark, an original member of the tribe since the days we were a film society, contacted us with the news that SB Jack had passed away. Jack McAuliffe is the intrepid fool who had the cajones to open the first operating brewery in the United States since Prohibition. His brewery was still a gleam in the eye when the Beer Trek passed through, but I couldn’t resist adding his story as an addendum. In another “small world” coincidence. His original brewing equipment was passed along to the Mendocino Brewing Company, one of whose proprietors was Silverback J (Mendocino Bonobos), whose stories have been proudly published in this Digest. SB SM]
Here’s the page, featuring an illustration by Silverbelle Vance, that appears in The Great Beer Trek.
Jack John Robert McAuliffe
John Robert “Jack” McAuliffe, 80, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at his home.
Jack was born on May 11, 1945, in Caracas, Venezuela. He was the son of John James McAuliffe and Margaret Elizabeth (Quigley) McAuliffe. He finished one year of college in Michigan before enlisting in the Navy. Jack was a proud veteran.
During his time in the Navy, Jack served on the USS Simon Lake in Dunoon, Scotland, working as a technician on maintenance of Polaris-class submarines. In Scotland, McAuliffe was impressed by the taste of local beers. He began homebrewing. Eventually, he began sharing his beer with his fellow Naval personnel as well as Scottish locals, where it was well-received.
Jack was discharged and came back to the U.S, and was living in Sonoma, California, when he founded New Albion Brewing Company in 1976. It was noticed and written about by Food & Wine Magazine, The San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and many brewing publications for its use of local ingredients and flavorful brews. Jack eventually earned an AA degree from San Francisco City College, and he was very proud of that accomplishment.
Today dubbed the “father of craft brewing,” Jack is known by everyone in the industry. He was a member of Fayetteville Lovers of Pure Suds, better known as “FLOPS.” Today Jack’s place is held in the “Brewing a Revolution” exhibit in the Smithsonian Institution Museum of American History for his contributions to the art of craft beer brewing.
Jack loved fishing, hunting, making sausages, and smoking all kinds of food, including cheese. He was a licensed pilot, as well as an accomplished engineer and programmer.
Although Jack moved to Northwest Arkansas late in life, he made many friends. His last favorite watering hole was the Creekside Taproom in Siloam Springs, where he enjoyed the fine selection of craft beers and the occasional cigar. Jack’s family is very grateful for the way they welcomed him and celebrated him.
Jack’s family is grateful for the care provided to him by Anita Gray (and her husband, Dwight) of Siloam Springs during the last five years of his life.
Jack is survived by his daughter, Renee DeLuca; a brother, Tom McAuliffe (Anita); sisters, Cathy McAuliffe and Margarita McAuliffe; granddaughter, Alienna Maxwell (Joseph); great grandchild, Rosemary Maxwell; and a grandson, Matt DeLuca; along with nieces, nephews, and a host of dear friends.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents and brother Dennis McAuliffe, as well as his son-in-law Paul DeLuca
A gathering of friends will be held at the Creekside Taproom on Saturday, July 19, 2025, starting at 8:00 p.m.
Per Jack’s wishes, cremation was chosen. His ashes will be buried at the Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The arrangements were entrusted to Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Siloam Springs, AR.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jack John Robert McAuliffe, please visit our flower store.
