Ken Grossman, owner of Sierra Nevada Brewing, is now a billionaire, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index.

“It’s been a pretty phenomenal last 30 years for the American craft beer industry,” said Grossman in a July interview at his Chico, California, headquarters. He’s gone from storing beer in his grandmother’s fridge to the head of the country’s second-largest craft brewery, becoming a billionaire in the process, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Ken Grossman started Sierra Nevada 34 years ago and it’s been an amazing ride to the top of the craft beer rankings since then. Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale is considered one of the standards for Pale Ales. It’s a beautifully crafted beer. Grossman really mirrors the craft industry here:

“Consumers would rather connect with producers who are growing their food, cooking their food, making their beer, making their wine -– that personal connection with the brand, the people behind the brand, is more and more important,” said Grossman. “Having a multinational company provide their food and beverage just doesn’t feel right.”

Sierra Nevada has been in the news lately. Lagunitas Brewing sued Sierra Nevada for the design of “IPA” on their beer cases. The suit was rescinded the next day due to a huge backlash on social media.

Head over to Bloomberg news for an awesome article on Sierra Nevada, craft beer and the state of the industry.