Some beer producers get very excited about their 400-year brewing history. Propeller will only be turning 12 years old in the summer of 2009.

As a film-industry prop master in the early 1990s, Propeller-owner John Allen used to make some lovely beer at his home.

Down times between TV and film productions allowed him to hone his craft, and he soon found himself basking in the warm glow of praise from visiting tipplers.

A sense of vocation began to stir. Over time he began to question his day job, which involved making things that only appeared real. He finally settled on an occupation where the product had to BE real.

In 1997, with ample help from a real-life supporting cast of family and friends, John Allen opened the Propeller Brewing Company.

John owes a special debt of gratitude to Jim Pryor. As a consultant, Jim has nurtured brewing and hospitality startups from Western Australia to Moscow. Through his talent, patience and unerring good taste, he has been a great friend to Propeller and its patrons.