The Johnsons met each other while volunteering in their neighborhood. Ken, who had grown up farming the same Nebraska corn farm homesteaded by his great grandfather in 1878 and farmed by his grandfather and father before him, had moved to Oregon to pursue his love of performance cars. Bennett, who grew up in the countryside west of Eugene, was an executive at a large northwest nonprofit.

Ken began entering his beer in competitions, winning medals nearly every time, including the Masters Championship in Amateur Home Brewing (MCAB) which draws serious home brewers from all over the world. The Johnsons took this as a sign and began saving money and hatching a business plan to open a brewery and pub with a rural twist.

Fearless Brewing Company opened its doors in Estacada on June 6, 2003. The Johnsons chose the Viking theme to honor Ken’s Swedish ancestry, hence the Viking names for some of the beers. Today Fearless beers are distributed in Oregon, Washington and Canada.

Everyone asks where the name “Fearless” came from. If you ask Ken (he was the one who actually chose the name) he will tell you it was his childhood nickname. If you ask Bennett she will tell you that you pretty much have to be fearless (or crazy) to open a brewery and pub way out in the sticks and so far off the beaten track.

The Johnsons are grateful to the community, to friends and family who provided support and elbow grease when they were trying to open, and to their wonderful customers. They feel blessed in many ways.