Sometime around late 1994 and early 1995 two friends, Tom Atmore and Bill Beeghly, were discussing new business ideas for Chico, CA. Since Chico was already the home of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, one of America’s most successful craft breweries, the idea of starting another brewery seemed a natural. Soon afterwards, they brought Roland Allen, Sierra Nevada’s #2 brewer (or Brew Master), on board and an LLC was formed with the three as founders. Tom would handle the business operations, Bill the marketing and sales and, of course, Roland would be the master brewer.     After acquiring a lease-purchase on a former Miller beer distribution facility, the three started the process of getting licensed, raising money and building the brewery – Chico Brewing Company. During this process, Sierra Nevada claimed they had the trademark rights to using the name “Chico” in brewing. Rather than fighting “Goliath”, this young “David” decided to change the name to Butte Creek Brewing.