Kelsey Grammer Talks One on One About His Brewing Company and Love for Atlantic City

Kelsey Grammer was in town May 13-15 to promote his Faith American Brewing Company, which is now available in Atlantic City at the Irish Pub, Steel Pier and Hard Rock Casino. 

Marc Berman: How did you get involved in the beer industry?

Kelsey Grammer: The beer industry found us, basically because of the land that I have in upstate New York. It was something I bought about 30 years ago. I used to vacation up there when I was a kid, near Kingston and it was one of my grandfather’s favorite places. It became one of mine as well. So when I actually had a little bit of money, I  thought about that place up there near Kingston, that’s 40 minutes from freeway and sits in a landmark depressed area in New York and decided I’m gonna go buy it.

Marc Berman: Do you eat cauliflower?

Kelsey Grammer: (Chuckling) Yes, I eat cauliflower. The land was a huge cauliflower farm back in the 70s and also a successful dairy farm.  So I acquired this piece of land with a big barn on it where Bessie the cow was being milked all the time and I thought I’m not going to be that kinda guy. Beer actually became the option because I wanted to help the property be something productive again and have some prosperity around it because it used to. It is about the land so all the beers are inspired by things that have happened on the land and the history of the local area.

Marc Berman: Kelsey Grammer is creating jobs in America and has a fascinating brew. I’ve tasted it. I love what you are doing up there because I feel that this beer is appealing to a wider range of Americans because it is less hoppy. Did you plan that?

Yeah I’m not a big hop fan. I mean I’m a fan of it and we do have a nice hop finish on the Faith American Ale. I revolt against things that start to taste like kerosene to me. I’m not good with the stuff that is like I dare you to try this. I can try but 1 sip and I’m done. It’s beer that tastes like beer. I want all my beers to taste like beer:  Hazy IPA West Coast IPA and an Ale.  We will add a couple flavors in time, probably a lager and a stout. But everyone will be distinguishable by the fact that you can drink it and it’s not a challenge to drink it. We will probably go up and down with the APV.  Less alcohol for one release or do a light beer because there is some appeal to the idea that there is not a lot of boos in it. Most people that have a beer wanna have a little “relaxation” let’s say. A barbeque and a nice cold beer.

Marc Berman: I have to ask you, I love the name Faith American Brewing Company…how did you come up with that?

Kelsey Grammer: Well, my daughter’s name is Faith. That was one of the component but the other obvious connection is I’ve loved America my whole life. I was raised by people who loved America and I just want the country to be okay. So the beer is in honor of the dream of making America wonderful and the idea that we will prevail and the country is going to be fine.

Marc Berman: Atlantic City is a very special place and you’ve adopted it as a second or third home. Am I right?  You are here quite a bit.

Kelsey Grammer: We’ve got this great roll out of the beer at the Hard Rock and Cathy has it here at the Irish Pub so we are very happy for the relationships we are developing in Atlantic City, but Atlantic City was also the highlight of my life as a little boy. My grandfather used to plan conventions here with Chevron. We would come every Easter and walk on the boardwalk. My grandmother used to love to tell the story of when I was walking along with her on the boardwalk and I had on my little blue blazer and my penny loafers and I stuck my hands in my pockets and I said ” Gram, I love Atlantic City!”

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