Washington Beer Blog

One of Jim’s daughters, Jennifer, just contacted us and provided a link to Jim’s obituary. For those of you who did not know the man for whom Quilter’s Irish Death was named, the obit will give you a glimpse into the spirit of this wonderful man, beloved father, and great brewer.

http://washelli.com/obits/obituaries.php/obitID/573160

There is a link at the bottom of the obituary to a tribute page that includes pictures and a guest book.

Tags: washington_beer_news

Jim Quilter has died at the age of 52. He was a well-traveled brewer whose career included a few stops in California at Sierra Nevada, Mad River,  and Butte Creek. He is perhaps best remembered as the brewmaster at Winthrop Brewing. After leaving Winthrop Brewing, Quilter started Iron Horse Brewing in 2005. Most recently, Jim had been brewing for the RAM at University Village.

I first met Jim Quilter at the then-fledgling Iron Horse brewery on the outskirts of Ellensburg. It was early in the life of a new brewery, but it seemed clear to me that Jim was the kind of guy who did not enjoy the business of beer nearly as much as he enjoyed the artistry of beer.

Jim was an affable fella. He was easy to like. He will be missed.

Here is what we found posted on Tributes.com

Mr. James Patrick Quilter
August 26, 1956 - June 26, 2009

In Loving Memory

James Patrick Quilter, age 52
Passed away on June 26, 2009. He was a brewmaster by trade. He is survived by his loving wife Cheryll and his four daughters, Larrissa Johnson (Shawn), Jennifer McKay (Robert), Brittany and Caitlin Quilter.

Funeral Information
A Memorial service for James will be held Saturday, July 11, 2009, 12 noon in the Evergreen-Washelli chapel.

Tags: washington_beer_news

For the Washington State Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association it must seem like there is no victory in winning.

Starting back in 2004, Costco Wholesale fought to change Washington’s beer and wine distribution laws. Their adversary in the legal battle was the Washington Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association. Essentially, Costco wanted to change the three-tier system that governs how beer and wine are distributed in Washington. (That system is used in many states.) It isn’t hard to understand why Costco wanted the system changed. They wanted to buy direct from the manufacturer. They’re Costco. It’s what they do.

Way back in 2005, Costco initially won the concessions they wanted. The wholesalers appealed. The original decision was overturned in 2008 and, in the end, Washington’s wholesale distribution rules remained essentially intact.

U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman recently ruled that the defendant must now pay for Costco’s legal costs. That puts the Washington Beer and Wine Wholesale Association on the hook for a $1.9 million tab.  That is in addition to another $416,615 that the state was ordered to pay Costco last year for another part of the case.

John Guadnola, executive director and attorney for the wholesalers association, told the Seattle Times that it would work with the state to determine how to share the expense. “We don’t have that much money,” he said.

Share the expense? iCarumba! At least Costco is a locally-based company.

Costco reported a 29 percent drop in its profits last quarter. Ya, that’s a drag. But in other words, they only reported a $206.9 million profit last quarter. Last time I was at Costco, waiting in a checkout line that was at least 8 shoppers deep, they didn’t seem to be facing any real dire straits; however, a 29 percent drop in profits is no paltry thing for one of our area’s larger employers.

Can’t we all just get along?

Since this legal battle began, I have talked to a few different brewers and brewery owners about the issue. They are all over the map on this one. Some think the system should be changed while other think it should not. Some think that the three-tier system protects small brewers. Others think it hurts small brewers.

While I cannot presume to speak for everyone, I would say the most people I’ve talked to think that things need to be rethought for the 21st century, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the three-tier system should be eliminated. However, there certainly are people who think the whole thing should be blown up.

Tags: washington_beer_news