Although they called it a much less romantic name ("contract brewing") back then, Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) was "gypsy brewing" in 1984, over 20 years

Although they called it a much less romantic name ("contract brewing") back then, Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) was "gypsy brewing" in 1984, over 20 years before Mikkeller appeared. Brooklyn Brewery started with contract brewing too. I hardly think you can describe Mikkeller as "the pioneer".