Brewing Beer for the Greater Glory of God: The Tridentine Brewing Story
Blog Version of Ep #5
What happens when faith, family, and beer come together? You get Tridentine Brewing—a Catholic craft beer company on a mission to bring people great beer while subtly evangelizing along the way.
On the latest episode of the Catholic Founders Podcast, I sat down with Trevor Alcorn, one of the owners of Tridentine Brewing, to talk about how this family hobby-turned-business is making waves in the Catholic and craft beer worlds. What started as a home-brewing passion project shared on social media has quickly become a growing business—one that Trevor and his family are navigating with faith, prudence, and a strong sense of mission.
This conversation dives into entrepreneurship, the challenges of scaling a brewery, the pitfalls of consumerism, and why Catholics should think bigger when it comes to business.
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Okay, back to the program.
From Prohibition Bathtub Brews to a Family Business
Tridentine Brewing isn’t just a trendy craft beer startup—it has deep roots in family tradition. Trevor’s great-great-grandmother was brewing beer in her bathtub during Prohibition (not that he’d necessarily recommend trying that today). Home brewing remained a family pastime for generations until Trevor stumbled upon his father’s old brewing equipment and suggested they start again.
At first, it was just a fun family activity. But when they started sharing their creations online, the response was overwhelming. People loved the branding, the concept, and most importantly, the beer itself. They realized they had something more than a hobby—they had a potential business.
Taking Beer to Market: The Challenge of Scaling Up
The transition from home brewing to commercial brewing isn’t as simple as just making bigger batches. Trevor broke down some of the challenges they faced, including:
Licensing and legal red tape – The alcohol industry is heavily regulated, and getting approval in each state is a slow process.
Choosing the right production model – Instead of opening their own brewery and taproom (which requires major upfront investment), they opted for contract brewing, partnering with an established brewery to produce their beer at scale.
Ensuring quality at scale – Home brewing allows for tight control over recipes, but making beer in bulk required working with experts to tweak ingredients while maintaining the original flavors.
It’s been a wild ride, but Tridentine Brewing is now selling in Wisconsin, with plans to expand into Illinois and beyond in 2025. If your state doesn’t have it yet, be patient—it’s coming!
Balancing Business and Catholic Principles
One of the most interesting parts of our conversation was about the ethical responsibility of running a beer company as a Catholic. Let’s be real—beer can be enjoyed in moderation, but overconsumption is a real issue.
Trevor and his team take this responsibility seriously. Unlike massive beer companies that thrive on selling as much as possible, Tridentine focuses on craftsmanship, intentional branding, and quality over quantity. Their beer isn’t mass-market cheap—it’s a carefully crafted product meant to be enjoyed, not abused.
“We don’t want to create or exacerbate problems for people who struggle with alcohol,” Trevor shared. “If you have an issue with drinking, please don’t buy our beer. But for those who can enjoy it responsibly, we want to provide something that reflects the beauty and richness of our faith.”
Entrepreneurship as a Catholic Vocation
If you’re Catholic and have ever thought about starting a business, this episode is packed with insights. Trevor touched on several key points:
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about money—it’s about creating something meaningful. If you’re discerning starting a business, ask yourself: Is this aligned with my faith? Can this serve God in some way?
Don’t underestimate the power of networking. Some of their biggest business breakthroughs have come from real-world connections—not just online interactions.
You don’t need to go full-time right away. Tridentine Brewing is a side business for now, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t growing. Sometimes, the best businesses start small before they turn into something much bigger.
Changing the Culture, One Beer at a Time
We live in a culture that often disconnects faith from business. Tridentine Brewing is proving that Catholics can build great businesses without compromising their values. Their branding is unmistakably Catholic, but you don’t have to be Catholic to enjoy their beer.
Trevor’s advice for Catholic entrepreneurs? Think bigger. There’s a temptation to keep Catholic businesses small and niche, but we should aim higher. If Catholics want to influence the world, we need to build excellent businesses that stand out on their own merits.
Listen to the Full Episode
This conversation was packed with insights on faith, business, and the practical steps of scaling a unique brand. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love the full discussion.
🎧 Listen to the full episode today.
And if you want to support Tridentine Brewing (or just try some incredible Catholic craft beer), check out their website at tridentinebrewing.com. Cheers! (While you can’t drink it today, you can still order it 😉)
Until next time—God bless and happy building!
ICYMI: check out our post about Ash Wednesday
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