Big changes at Seattle’s Full Throttle Bottles

If you’re attending tonight’s Women in Beer event at Pike Brewing, be sure to raise a toast to Erika, the longtime owner of Full Throttle Bottles, one of the city’s top bottleshops. She is one of the founders of the Women in Beer event and was also instrumental in the creation of the Seattle chapter of Barley’s Angels, an international organization of women and beer. I just learned that Erika has sold Full Throttle Bottles.

Opening a beer store was something of a lifelong dream, but life moves on and now Erika is moving on too. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank her for all she’s added to the local beer scene and wish her nothing but luck and happiness in her future endeavors.

In a statement released today, Erika explained that the new owner is Jon Olken. Reportedly, Full Throttle will continue to be one of Seattle’s best beer stores, but Jon will enhance the experience by adding taps and offering on-premise drinking (and presumably growler fills).

I don’t know for certain, but it seems to me that Erika opened Full Throttle Bottles in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood about ten years ago. Whenever it was, Full Throttle was one of the first dedicated beer stores in Seattle.

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Here is more from today’s statement:

“It is with great sadness yet excitement, that I want to let everyone know that I have sold Full Throttle Bottles,” Erika told the world on Facebook today. “I am sad because I will miss each and every one of you, miss being an active part of the Georgetown community and resurrection, miss being a small beer store business owner. But I am proud of what I have created and excited to let you know that young, fresh blood will be infusing the store with not just new ideas and energy, but literally bringing even more beer to you! (I’m hoping for some tasty randall infusions!)”

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“As you all know, it was my dream to own a specialty beer store. I couldn’t sell to just anyone, so I was very careful about who I sold it to. I can tell you that the buyer Jon Olken will be continuing my passion of bringing a fabulous selection of great bottles to one & all AND he will take it another step & put in taps for your on premise drinking enjoyment. He has told me he will cultivate his selection & list with great refinement and has the contacts in the industry to make sure nothing but the best is served. He has experience with both beer & wine, so expect him to present some of his favorites, and be sure to let him know yours so he always keeps your fave bottle on the shelves!”

“The name and location will remain the same and I will be helping Jon as he learns the ropes and molds the store into his dream! The official signing date for Jon will be next Monday. So yes, one week from today. Come down to the shop this week to say hello/goodbye or just Mahalo, “until we meet again” as we say in my home state. Jon has some amazing ideas and plans for the shop, I can’t wait to see what he can do with what I have built and created. I hope you will continue to support him just as I will. I have great confidence in his ability to succeed.”

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“As one of the original “Beer Broads”and founder of the Women in Beer event that has become an annual presentation by Pike Brewing during Seattle Beer Week, I am happy to say I will be there tonight for a final swan song as the owner of Full Throttle Bottles. I hope you already have your tickets and I hope to see you there.”

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