FAQ
Categories
Awards
California State Fair Beer Competition 2022 - Gold Medal
Sparkle Pony Belgian Blonde
California State Fair Beer Competition 2022 - Gold Medal
Bock Party Doppelbock
California State Fair Beer Competition 2022 - Bronze Medal
Perseverance Red IPA
US Open Beer Competition 2022 - Bronze Medal
Cuddle Puddle Hazy IPA (Gluten-removed beer Category)
California Craft Brewers Cup 2021 - Gold Medal
Gold Medal
Black Claw - Rosemary & Meyer Lemon

California State Fair Beer Competition 2018 - Bronze Medal
Bronze Medal
Nectar of Life • Kölsch

Denver International Beer Competition 2016 - Multiple Medals
Gold Medal
Sparkle Pony · Belgian Blond Ale
Bronze Medal
War Horse · International IPA
Playa Pilsen · American Light Lager

New York International Beer Competition 2016 - Multiple Medals
Awarded California Brewery of the Year
Silver Medal
Sparkle Pony • Belgian Blonde Ale
Hopportunistic • Pale Ale
Bronze Medal
Witless Zombie • Belgian Witbier
Playa Pilsen • Mexican-Style Lager
Nectar of Life • Kölsch

Brewing Techniques
Craft-Driven
We began our craft brewing journey aiming to perfect the science and precision of traditional lager brewing, but have opened our brew kettle to crafting a vast array of beer styles old and new, especially within the hazy IPA, hard seltzer, blended sour and barrel-aged spaces.
So although we remain committed to our relentless pursuit of stylistic perfection and unparalleled holistic brewing balance, we are having-way-too-much-fun-for-it-to-be-legal thumbing our nose at the Reinheitsgebot every chance we get.
Gluten-Removed
At Black Hammer Brewing we understand the importance of limiting gluten intake to those with gluten sensitivities, allergies, and celiac disease (co-founder Jim Furman was diagnosed with non-celiac gluten sensitivity in 2021).
However, we also understand that small-batch craft beer is delicious, and is a fundamental component of a happy and fortuitous life. Because we want everyone to be able to enjoy our tasty brews, have happy and fortuitous lives, and not worry about gluten issues when choosing which beer to drink, in mid-2017 we implemented our BHB Gluten Elimination Program.
We have implemented manufacturing and testing processes to ensure that gluten levels in our beers labeled “gluten-removed” contain less than 3 ppm gluten, which is well below the established FDA threshold of 20 ppm* used for labeling foods “gluten-free”.
Gluten is removed after fermentation using an industry-standard enzyme, Clarity-Ferm, which contains a highly specific endo-protease which only cleaves polypeptides at the carboxyl end of the amino acid proline, derived from a selected strain of Aspergillus niger. We have found that our process is effective for our wheat-free beers less than 8% ABV with zero effect on flavor, aroma or texture, so we apply it to all our brews falling within those limits.
Carb-Conscious
With the average 12 ounce IPA weighing at 200 calories and 20 or more grams of carbohydrates, our Black Claw hard seltzers, with less than 2g carbs and Black Hops 0-carb, nonalcoholic hopped seltzers are deliciously crafted while having a negligible carb count.
Sober-Curious
Although we love beer and the relaxation the ethanol created by our yeasty minions provides, we also recognize that reducing alcohol consumption is usually a healthy decision for anyone - including our cofounder, Jim Furman. We created Black Hops to satisfy the desire for a hoppy, tasty and 100% healthy beverage, and we created the label to present a beery aesthetic, for enjoyment while avoiding the occasional sideways glances from well-meaning, imbibing friends.
Press
San Francisco Chronicle | Laid-Back Black Hammer Brewery Pounds Out Seriously Geeky Brews
- Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle · Oct 21, 2015

The Bold Italic San Francisco | San Francisco’s Beer Scene Is Off-the-Charts Amazing Right Now. Here Are Our Favorites.
- Manali Karmarkar, The Bold Italic · Nov 13, 2015
