California Breweries History: Mad River Brewing With a small group of investors Bob Smith formed Mad River Brewing Company in 1989. Mad River Brewing is located in the beautiful small town of Blue Lake, California. It is a town of only 2800 people and is reached off Hwy. 299, just east from Humboldt County's largest City, Eureka and nearby Arcata, home to Humboldt State University. Concern for their community and for the environment has been part of their mission statement since the beginning. Mad River Brewing Company has received the State of California "Waste Reduction Awarenesss Award" the past six years running. Currently, they recycle or reuse 98% of their waste, as well as operate their own wastewater treatment facility to reduce their local impact within their community. The Mad River Brewery has expanded severl times since its start and now ships keg beer accross the entire United States.