Bret and Julie Nickels founded the California Celebrator Beer News Brewspaper in January 1988 as a free 12-page newsprint publication focusing on California beer, breweries, and events. Published on a quarterly schedule, it was claimed to be the first craft beer-focused publication of its kind. Editorial coverage included beer-related events, reviews of breweries and beers, and interviews with individuals. Tom Dalldorf became managing publisher/lead editor in late 1990 until the publication ceased. Brett Nickels stayed on as editor until 1994. During Dalldorf’s tenure, the publication expanded both in page count (up to 80 pages at its peak), geographic coverage (national, later international), and increased advertising.

Many notable beer writers contributed to the magazine. San Diego-based writers include Rich Link, one of the founders of the San Diego region homebrew Club QUAFF (Quality Ale and Fermentation Fraternity) and Brandon Hernández, publisher/editor of the San Diego Beer News website.

Publication frequency increased to bi-monthly with the September/October Oktoberfest 1989 issue and maintained that schedule for the remainder of the print editions. The publication began charging a retail price of 50 cents in February 1991 and gradually increased over time to $4.95 with international prices for Canada, UK, and Japan. Hard copy publication ceased with the 30th Anniversary issue dated Feb/Mar 2018.

Digital content continued into mid-2019 in various subpages on the website. Cover images for most issues can be viewed at http://www.celebrator.com/archives/ beginning with the Dec ‘97/Jan ’98 issue. All links to full text issues (which began with Oct/Nov 2011) are broken.

Editorial versions (with pre-publication markups) were donated to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History by the publisher. That collection is not digitized but materials on beer and brewing can be searched on this page https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections