Which brewing company is America’s largest? The answer may seem obvious at first. You might think it is Anheuser-Busch, the makers of Bud Light and Budweiser. Nope, think again. Next guess, it must be MillerCoors, the makers of Coors Light. Wrong again. The largest American brewing company is D.G. Yuengling and Son of Pottsville, PA. “America’s oldest brewery” is now the largest as well. This information comes from Beer Marketer’s Insight, a leading source of beer industry information.

It is kind of a trick question. America’s biggest American beer brands are not really American beer at all anymore. Is your Honda an America car just because the Japanese company assembled it in Alabama?

It is not breaking news for anyone who pays attention, but Anheuser-Busch is a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch Inbev, a Belgian-based company. MillerCoors is a joint venture of England’s SAB Miller and Molson-Coors, which operates out of Montreal and Denver but is not an American company. Even if you drink Pabst Blue Ribbon, a brand owned by an American investment firm, you are not drinking beer brewed by an American company. PBR outsources the brewing of its beer to MillerCoors, unless something has changed. It’s hard to keep track these days.

What’s more, there are deeper levels of complication. SAB Miller is actually a South African company and Inbev is actually a Brazilian company. I think it was William Shakespeare who said, “Oh the tangled web we weave when first we practice to conglomerate multi-nationally.”

If you drink beer by any of those manufacturers, you should at least know where your money is going in the end. Me, and most of you reading this blog, prefer to drink American beer.

The New Number One

The story of real interest to craft beer fans is that Yuengling and Sons recently surpassed Boston Beer (makers of Sam Adams) as America’s largest brewery. According to reports from Beer Marketers Insight’s, in 2011 Yuengling saw a 17 percent increase in production, upping its annual production to 2.5 million barrels. Yuengling attributes it success to the good people of Ohio. The brewery just completed its first full year of distribution in that large and thirsty state. Boston Beer produced 2.4 million barrels in 2011.

Another interesting fact, which I learned from a CNBC report while investigating this story, Budweiser is now the number three brand in America. Coors Light surpassed “The King of Beers” this year. For years, Budweiser sat in second place behind Bud Light.

What’s so interesting about that? CNBC ran a Twitter poll asking people why they stopped drinking Budweiser. Unscientific, for sure, but kind of revealing. Poll results saw 68.1 percent of the respondents say that they replaced Budweiser with craft beer. Another 17.8 percent said it was because of the foreign ownership. The remaining 14.1 switched because of the calories.

Of the 68.1 percent of respondents who say they replaced Budweiser with craft beer, I wonder how many are talking about Shock Top, Blue Moon, Bud Light Amber Wheat or some other faux-craft brand? I suppose we should consider that a step in the right direction. Or not.

Federal Way – It’s All Within Reach. That’s the city’s official slogan. I find the slogan a bit odd. To me, it suggests that whatever you want, it is somewhere else but at least it’s within reach. Like most other sprawling suburban municipalities, Federal Way is not generally recognized for cultural refinement, sophistication and life’s finer things. People who live there might take exception to me saying that, but I’m talking about perception and not reality.

Say what you will, disparage the city if you must, but know that Federal Way has at least one glowing beacon of sophistication, elegance and class: 99 Bottles specialty beer store. Federal Way’s esteemed beer destination is about to celebrate it’s fifth anniversary.  There will be a party on Friday, January 20th. Details below.

When 99 Bottles signed on as a sponsor of the Washington Beer Blog, we were actually proud. Not just happy to welcome them aboard, but proud to know that Tiffany and Craig Adamowski approve of what we do here at the Blog because we so seriously respect and appreciate what they do at 99 Bottles.

If you haven’t been there, don’t take our word for it. Go. The bottle selection is complete. The store is beautiful and thoughtfully laid out. If for no other reason, go to 99 Bottles to see the growler filling gizmo. It’s very cool. (See our previous post about it.)

In addition to selling great beer, Tiffany and Craig have been champions for the cause, helping to change laws and regulations to benefit their fellow bottleshop owners. In doing so, they have helped shape a better beer world for us all. You really must go see the growler filling gizmo. As you gaze upon its magical wonder, know that it wouldn’t be there if people like Tiffany and Craig had not convinced Olympia that the law needed to be changed to allow shops like 99 Bottles to fill growlers.

99 Bottles is about to celebrate its fifth anniversary. How time flies! We want to wish our friends a very happy birthday and much continued success. You are valuable and respected members of our beer community. Cheers to 99 Bottles!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012, FEDERAL WAY, WASH. — 99 Bottles specialty beer store will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Friday, January 20, 2012.

In its five-years of operation, 99 Bottles has grown from stocking 250 varieties of beer to more than 1,200, plus hard cider and mead. Over the years the store has provided thousands of people with beer style education through in-store events: First Monday Beer Adventure (themes ranging from beer styles to snack pairings), Sip&Shop Wednesday Eves (pouring two staff-selected beers), and special events with breweries and beer experts. As a result, many 99 Bottles patrons are now comfortable hosting their own in-home beer tastings with friends.

99 Bottles’s Five-Year Celebration festivities will be on Friday, January 20, where the swing-top 99 Bottles jug is included for the first 120 individuals to order a 32-ounce fill. Beers on for fills will be posted throughout the day on the store’s website at 99bottles.net/growlers. The annual 99 Bottles Beer & Cake Tasting kicks off at 4:00 p.m. and goes until 7:30 p.m., where three beers will be paired with specially made Irish Death cupcakes by Washington ’s #1 Cupcake Shop, Pinkabella Cupcakes, using Quilter’s Irish Death beer from Iron Horse Brewery of Ellensburg. The tasting fee is just $1 per person, with valid ID. There will also be celebratory drawings and giveaways at 99 Bottles beer store throughout the day.

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About 99 Bottles

99 Bottles is a premier beer store, voted #1 in KING 5’s Best of Western Washington Beer Store category in 2009, 2010 and 2011, and scoring “World Class” on the highly respected BeerAdvocate.com website. Discover more than 1,000 beers at 99 Bottles, including local microbrews, craft beers from around the USA , and beer from 50 countries. All beer is available by the bottle so you can mix your six packs. 99 Bottles also has eight rotating draft beers for fresh growler fills on a state-of-the-art Pegas CrafTap system. The family owned and operated beer store is located in the suburb of Federal Way , between Seattle and Tacoma , and has become a Northwest destination for beer lovers from around the world. For more information visit 99bottles.net or follow the store at Facebook.com/99bottles.

I’m not sure how Tim Tebow feels about it, but a Colorado brewery is now pouring a beer to honor his name. The Bonfire Brewing Company of Eagle, Colorado recently announced the name of its new American Barleywine: Tebrew, the Sunday Sipper.

Even those who avoid watching NFL football likely recognize his name: Tim Tebow. This season the notoriously pious Denver Bronco quarterback became the topic of water-cooler conversations across America because of two things. First, he drops to a knee and prays intensely after every touchdown, a ritual that is only the tip of his devotion’s iceberg. Second, Tim Tebow led the Broncos to an unprecedented string of miraculous come-from-behind victories. Not just normal fourth quarter comebacks, but truly amazing last second victories. The combination of the two things captured America’s imagination and caused people to wonder if a higher power might be involved. It’s a good story anyway.

No doubt, Tim Tebow is religious by nature. Now I suppose we’ll find out if he is also litigious by nature. What’s more, the National Football League is immensely protective of its brand. For instance, I cannot mention the name of the big championship game that takes place at the end of each NFL season without fear of lightning striking me dead. It seems unlikely the NFL would let a small brewery in Colorado profit by using a graven image of one of its players. At least not without the proper tithing.

As for the beer, Tebrew the Sunday Sipper is a small-batch American Barleywine. Bonfire brewed just 150 gallons of the beer. I am guessing the name is a one-time thing.

Here is the story of the beer from the Bonfire Brewing website:

On October 6th, 2011, in anticipation of the January Vail Big Beers fest, our brewmaster created a strong batch of American Barleywine.  It fermented out as predicted and then embarked on two solid months of aging. On Sunday December 11th, we gathered ’round the tap room to sample the beer and watch the Broncos game. Solidly warm in our bellies after one or two, the name ideas began to flow. As the beers emptied, the minutes in the Bronco game waned, and a certain quarterback had launched another miraculous comeback. When the last three points registered on the scoreboard, our Ale Ambassador called out, with his arms spread wide….”TEBREW.” The Bonfire Barleywine had a name.

As we relished the simplicity of it, we thought about how beautifully the name resonated with all that Bonfire is about — community, camaraderie, beer, dogs, and goofy beer names. Demshitz.  PINK-I.  Stranger. And now TEBREW. A high-octane beer that gets better as you drink it down.  Occasionally bringing you to a knee in appreciation. It’s only appropriate that this big beer was made in a small batch, and will disappear as quickly as a crowd when the game is over. But the fire will always burn here and the community will always have an odd beer name and a warm bar to rally around. Football will always broadcast on Sundays, and beer will always go great with it.

TEBREW is about celebrating victory, drowning the sorrow of loss, raising a glass and rooting for the home team.  Join us in the only place TEBREW will ever pour — at our tap room in tiny Eagle, CO. Just make sure you bring a designated driver. Or a really smart dog.

As we’ve reported, both of Washington’s U.S. Senators now stand in support of the Brewer’s Employment and Excise Relief (BEER) act. What’s more, Senator Maria Cantwell played an instrumental role in passing the Small Business Jobs act, which recently helped Elysian Brewing fund a major expansion of its operations. While the Washington Brewers Guild surely appreciates these efforts, Senator Cantwell and Senator Murray could do more to support the local brewing industry. Just ask the New York Brewers Association.

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer of New York announced the launch of an “I Love NY Brew” campaign intended to promote the state’s 77 breweries. In a press release Schumer said he is pushing to expand New York brewers’ market share so that they can grow their business and hire more employees in a industry that currently supports nearly 60,000 New York jobs. Recognizing that many breweries lack resources to adequately promote themselves, Schumer is calling on New York’s restaurant and retail associations to help champion the virtues of locally brewed beer.

“Local breweries across the state are proven job creators, helping support 60,000 New York jobs and brewing not simply great beer, but billions for our local economy too,” said Schumer. “Craft breweries have catapulted New York to the top shelf of beer states, and our beers are more than ready for prime time. Whether you are searching for a six-pack at your local 7-Eleven or grabbing Buffalo wings with a beer after work, you should have a wide assortment of locally brewed beers to choose from.”

While it may seem like little more than lip service, people listen when a U.S. Senator speaks. This is especially true when the Senator speaks to organizations like the National Association of Convenience Stores and Fuel Retailing and the NYS Restaurant Association. Suffice it to say that powerful organizations have relationships that need to be maintained with powerful people.

Schumer continues, “I’m strongly urging New York restaurants, bars and convenience stores alike across the state to take a close look at New York’s beers, and consider putting them on their shelves or on their menu. It would be a win-win, both for those selling the beer, and for the breweries making it.”

The Washington Beer Blog applauds Senator Schumer for recognizing the value of a vibrant brewing industry in today’s economy. Whether they are here in Washington or elsewhere, we hope others follow his lead.

Here is the press release from Senator Schumer’s office.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 14, 2011

SCHUMER LAUNCHES “I LOVE NY BREW” CAMPAIGN TO BOOST NY’S BREWERIES – PUSHES NYC & NY STATE RESTAURANTS, BARS AND CONVENIENCE STORES TO SELL LOCALLY BREWED BEER FROM UPSTATE, NYC & LONG ISLAND

Schumer, Joined By Upstate Brewers, Calls On NYC & NYS Restaurants, Bars & Heads Of Convenience Store Associations To Sell More Locally-Brewed Beer From New York – Plan Would Help Boost One Of NY’s Fastest Growing Industries

Plan Would Be A Shot In The Arm For 7 Breweries In The Hudson Valley, 15 Breweries In The Southern Tier, 7 Breweries In The Capital Region, 10 Breweries on LI

Schumer: When It Comes To Beer Choice This Holiday Season It Should Be New York’s Own!

Today, joined by the head of the New York Brewers Association and several brewery owners from Upstate New York, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced the creation of his “I Love NY Brew” campaign to place more locally-brewed, New York beer in New York City and state restaurants, bars and convenience store shelves. Schumer, a strong supporter of New York’s growing craft brewery industry, is pushing to expand New York brewers’ market share so that they can grow their business and hire more employees in a business that currently supports nearly 60,000 New York jobs. In a personal letter to the National Association of Convenience Stores and Fuel Retailing and the NYS Restaurant Association, Schumer urged both associations to offer more beer brewed at the 77 micro-breweries, regional craft breweries, and brewpubs across the state. Schumer said that pushing New York-brewed beer onto convenience store shelves and restaurants in major cities like New York would be a major step forward for an industry that pumps billions of dollars into the state’s economy each year.

“Local breweries across the state are proven job creators, helping support 60,000 New York jobs and brewing not simply great beer, but billions for our local economy too,” said Schumer. “Craft breweries have catapulted New York to the top shelf of beer states, and our beers are more than ready for prime time. Whether you are searching for a six-pack at your local 7-Eleven or grabbing Buffalo wings with a beer after work, you should have a wide assortment of locally brewed beers to choose from. I’m strongly urging New York restaurants, bars and convenience stores alike across the state to take a close look at New York’s beers, and consider putting them on their shelves or on their menu. It would be a win-win, both for those selling the beer, and for the breweries making it.”

“The growth of the craft brewing industry in New York State is tremendous,” from David Katleski, President of NYS Brewers Association. “Continued growth will greatly contribute to the number of jobs, tax dollars, and economic benefit to NYS.  Of all the beer sold in NYS, NY craft beer currently represents a 7.5% market share. One can only imagine the economic impact to our state if craft beer sales here reflected that of craft beer sales in Oregon, where they’re 30%.”

The approximately 2,000 small breweries across the country combine to employ nearly 100,000 American workers. In New York, the beer industry directly supports approximately 60,000 jobs in brewing, distribution and sales. According to the Beer Institute, these jobs paid nearly $4.6 billion in wages last year, and accounted for more than $13.2 billion in economic activity during 2010. New York breweries paid $1.13 billion in federal taxes, and $1.14 billion in state and local taxes last year. In a meeting with New York brewers from across New York earlier this month, the brewers told Schumer that local convenience stores and restaurants, particularly those in New York City, represent the largest untapped markets for Upstate and Long Island beer. Several breweries that have tapped into these markets told Schumer that they had quickly become an integral part of their business. Genesee Brewing in Rochester has become incredibly popular in Brooklyn, helping to drive up sales and overall revenue. In order to help brewers sell more beer within the state, Schumer today is launching a new campaign to encourage restaurants and convenience stores to look locally when stocking their shelves.

Schumer is asking the New York State Restaurant Association to encourage their member restaurants to offer locally brewed beer on their menu. In addition to getting more beers into restaurants close to where it is brewed, Schumer will be pushing the New York City members of the Restaurant Association to consider offering beers brewed across Upstate New York and Long Island. While some beers like Genesee and Saranac have gained popularity in the downstate market, Schumer and New York brewers believe this market is vastly underutilized and represents the chance to dramatically grow craft brewing across the state. Many smaller breweries don’t have the resources to launch extensive marketing campaigns. To combat this problem, as part of Schumer’s campaign the New York State Brewers Association will be providing promotional material, on behalf of its members, to restaurants and convenience stores to help boost awareness of locally brewed beer in hopes of increasing sales. Schumer, who toured breweries throughout the state earlier this year, noted that brewery owners tend to put increased revenue back into the business in the form of capital improvements or hiring new workers. Today, Schumer also called on the National Association of Convenience Stores and Fuel Retailing to encourage their major chain members to carry locally brewed beers at their New York location.

“Getting New York beers on convenience store shelves and in local menus would help pour jobs into New York’s breweries,” continued Schumer. “Our local breweries provide good-paying jobs and help draw tourists and visitors to the Empire State – I’m going to do everything I can to help them grow and expand even further.”

I was shocked and saddened when I drove by the Porterhouse the other day and saw paper-covered windows and a big For Sale sign. We have yet to talk to them about it, so we really don’t know the story, but the sign in the window says pretty much everything we need to know.

The Porterhouse was a welcome addition to West Seattle’s Admiral District. Here at the Washington Beer Blog we reported the opening of the Porterhouse back in July of 2009 (read it). We were excited to learn that a pub with 24 taps dedicated to west coast ales was opening in West Seattle. We are equally sad to see it go away.

Over the past two and one-half years the Porterhouse re-invented itself a couple of times. The changes were subtle, mostly to the food menu. The focus on great beer never changed.

To the best of our understanding, this does not impact the Porterhouse in Mount Vernon.

We live near the Porterhouse so I’m taking this one kind of personally. On that note, we’ll miss our Porterhouse peeps. They were neighbors and friends. I had too many great times at the Porterhouse to mention, but there is one thing that stands out in particular. If you were there, you know what night I’m thinking of.

I’ll miss stopping by the Porterhouse for that one last beer that I really don’t need. I’ll miss those sloppy, dripping hamburgers. So good. I’ll miss driving by and so easily seeing people sitting in the bar drinking and socializing. I’ll miss the people and I will miss each and every one of those 24 taps.

Cheers to all my friends at the Porterhouse. May your futures be bright and may your mugs be full of nothing but big love and cold beer.

I will never forget when John Russell was tending bar and mentioned to me that he was in a band. As if there is a bartender somewhere in Seattle that is not in a band. I thought the name -The Head and The Heart- was really silly. Oops.

We’ll always have this – the epic, legendary night when The Head and the Heart played a very quietly announced gig at the Porterhouse. Fast-forward to the 5:00 mark if you simple must hear Lost in My Mind. Otherwise, just enjoy.  If you want to cry over the closing of the Porterhouse, fast-forward to the 9:40 mark.

Someone please buy the Porterhouse and get the beer flowing again.

American Brewing Company is one of only 15 breweries from across the country invited to participate in the 10th Annual Autumn Capitol Hill Beer Tasting. The event takes place on November 2nd in Washington, DC and will be attended by over 500 members of Congress and their staffs.

The event is organized by the Brewers Association in cooperation with the National Beer Wholesalers Association. This year the purpose is to garner additional support for HR 1236 (the Small Brewers Act).

American Brewing will pour its Breakaway IPA and Caboose Oatmeal Stout at the event. The Capitol Hill Beer Tasting focuses on the educational aspects of the beer served, introducing attendees to the malt and hop varieties, characteristics of the beers,  food pairing options, brewing processes employed, and so on.

“We’re extremely pleased to have been chosen for this honor,” says Neil Fallon, CEO of American Brewing Company, “What a great distinction to have our beer being poured in the halls of Congress.” As well as being there for the beer tasting event, Fallon will meet with Congressman Jay Inslee from Washington’s 1st Congressional District. Fallon and Inslee will discuss the small brewer excise tax legislation.

Neil Fallon, American Brewing Company.

Representative Inslee has yet to sign on as a co-sponsor of HR 1236 and is not yet a member of the House of Small Brewers Caucus. Inslee’s district includes many of Seattle’s northern suburbs in King, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties, including the city of Edmonds which American Brewing calls home.

With the help of Brewmaster Skip Madsen, Fallon has put American Brewing Company on the map in just a few short months. Since opening last winter, the brewery has gained a reputation for outstanding beers and is on an impressive growth trajectory. The young brewery even brought home a medal from the Great American Beer Festival in September.

“Since American Brewing Company is doing business within the Congressman’s district, I would personally like to discuss with him the importance of his support on this matter,” adds Fallon. “I welcome the opportunity to explain that with the explosive growth and added jobs that we are providing, the reduction in excise tax would allow us to do more…faster. Pennies count in a start up.”

HR 1236 (previously HR 4278) introduces a reduced excise tax rate for all small breweries in the United States. It has gained the support of many members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. Read our previous posts about this issue. Many of our local Representatives have signed on as co-sponsors. Both Senator Cantwell and Senator Murray have signed on as sponsors of the Senate version of the excise tax relief bill.

Some time ago I came across a beer blog that caught my eye: Sweet and Stout. It was a blog focusing on cupcakes and beer. At first I chuckled. Then I thought about it for a second. “What a great idea for a blog,” I thought to myself. Then I read on and thought, “Not just beer with cupcakes, but cupcakes made with good, craft beer. Okay, now you’ve got my attention.”

Since then, the nice people at Sweet and Stout have evolved. Beyond simply writing about cupcakes and beer they are actually working on opening a business making beer cupcakes. You have an opportunity to help them bring the dream of beer cupcakes to life.

Jackie Mustard, one of the bright minds behind Sweet and Stout, recently told me, “The more people we tell, the better the chances of our campaign being successful. We’re also looking to get a brewery to possibly sponsor us, we’ve got some great incentives and rewards on our kickstarter page. We are really excited to take our beer cupcakes to the public and would love to be involved in the craft beer community.”

This brings up something else that I think is really cool: kickstarter.com. If you have a great idea you can launch a financing campaign using kickstarter.com. Basically, you pitch your idea on the website and people decide if they want to contribute. You provide some kind of incentive or reward to the people who contribute. It’s a new kind of micro-financing that is helping people bring their ideas to market. It’s cool.

On the Sweet and Stout kickstarter page, Jackie says, “We use local and regional craft beer in our recipes and combine them with high quality ingredients to create moist, flavorful and unique cupcakes.”

“You might be saying to yourself, What an odd combination! Why would anyone do that? For now, you’ll have to trust me when I say that beer cupcakes are spectacular. Imagine, a dark delicious stout paired with salted chocolate and caramel. Perhaps a lighter beer is your thing, like a deliciously crisp IPA with a spicy chipotle apple pecan cupcake. At Sweet and Stout, seemingly opposites come together to make magic happen. Magic, right in your mouth.”

To read the complete story, visit the Sweet and Stout kickstarter page. Consider contributing. After all, the only thing better than cupcakes and beer is cupcakes with beer.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sweetandstout/sweet-and-stout-beer-cupcakes-heck-yes

On August 18th we published a post about new breweries. The target is moving, so I am doing it again. More new microbreweries are on the horizon. The information below is in addition to what we published back in August (read it here). Some of those license applications are still pending approval.

For a while our new brewery reports could have been called The New Nanobrewery Report, but this time around it is different–only one of the five pending licenses appears to be for a nanobrewery. We will see how things shake out, but only one of the applications seems to be for a residential, non-commercial address.

Below we report on recent Liquor Control Board activity concerning microbrewery licenses. In addition to applications and approvals we have one discontinuance to report.

PENDING APPROVAL
There is a lot more to opening a brewery than getting a microbrewery license from the state. Still, it is an important part of the process. The Washington State Liquor Control Board recently received Microbrewery License applications from the following:

Brickyard Brewing
Woodinville, WA
The address suggests it will be in an industrial complex quite near See Kai Run (manufacturers of world famous footware for babies).

Xela Brewing Company
Chehalis, WA
Located along historic Jackson Highway near Chehalis, way out in the country but not too far off I-5, this is the future home of Baron Brewing and Three Skulls Ales. We told you about the big move here.

Anne Uther Brewing Company
Kent, WA
The address indicates a location in a small industrial complex on the south end of Kent’s business district, along East Valley Highway. Cute name.

Vashon Brewing Company
Vashon, WA
Presumably a nano-brewery. The address suggest that this is a rural location on Vashon Island near Quartermaster Harbor. Saying “rural” and “Vashon Island” in the same sentence is redundant, I suppose.

Kulshan Brewing Company
Bellingham, WA
It seems to be a commercial location along James Street, just north of downtown. Will Bellingham support a third brewery? We’ll see.

RECENTLY APPROVED
The Washington State Liquor Control Board recently approved Microbrewery license applications for the following businesses:

Click here to see our separate story about 12 String Brewing, opening soon in Spokane Valley.

Duo Brewing
Puyallup, WA
Duo Brewing is a nanobrewery at a residential location, so we’ll publish the address when the owners tell us it is okay to do so.

From the owners, Dan and Heather O’Leary, on August 18th: “We are a tiny brewery initially kegging only, but moving to bottling almost immediately. We have two preliminary label designs done for our Hefeweizen and Porter. I’m a huge fan of cask conditioned beer and will be holding special cask events in pubs in and around Puyallup. A cask-conditioned Coffee Porter is topping the list for the first cask, but we’ll see. More news will follow as we move toward getting our beer on tap somewhere around Puyallup. We have our eyes on a few downtown locations.”

RECENTLY DISCONTINUED
192 Brewing
Kenmore, WA
All we know is that the LCB shows the license being discontinued on August 22nd. This could be a temporary thing or it could be the end.

Update: Read our more recent post to learn more about the cool stuff our local bottleshops are doing to insure that you can take delicious, fresh, draft beer home with you.

Back in February we told you about a proposed new law allowing bottleshops to fill growlers (read it). Well, Senate Bill 5711 passed and became law. As of July 20^th your local bottleshop can fill growlers for you if they so choose.  Some bottleshops we’ve talked with already have plans to sell growlers. Others have yet to decide.

There are two types of bottleshops to consider. Only one is impacted by the new law.

First, some places that you might think of as bottleshops actually hold tavern licenses. The tavern license allows these establishments to sell beer for on-premise consumption, draft or bottles, and then a special endorsement to the license allows them to sell beer to go. As I understand the law, it is because they hold this type of license that places like Seattle Beer Authority, Malt and Vine, and Bottleworks allow  you to enjoy a glass of beer as you browse the shelves. I’m not sure who does and does not sell growlers, but legally they all could.

Other bottleshops hold a different kind of liquor license: a Beer and/or Wine Specialty Shop license. For example, 99 Bottles, the Beer Junction, and Full Throttle Bottles.  The law now allows this kind of bottleshop to sell growlers to go. They still cannot sell beer for on-premise consumption.

In short, we’re talking about two different business models. They’re both good, just different. The law sees one as a place where people go to drink that just happens to sell beer to go. The other is viewed as a shop selling beer and wine.

Perhaps the most significant difference is the ability for parents to bring their kids in the store. Minors are not allowed into shops licensed as taverns. For bottleshops licensed as beer and/or wine specialty shops this was quite an important distinction. Although they wanted to sell growlers to go, they also wanted to continue allowing parents to bring the kids shopping. I’ve also talked to at least one bottleshop owner who specifically said that they purposely did not want to deal with the complexities and potential headaches involved with serving alcohol to consumers. It changes a lot of things, including the type of insurance a shop must carry.

A Win-Win Situation

This new law is good news for Washington’s many breweries that do not package beer in bottles or cans. It seems unlikely that a bottleshop owner would want to sell growlers of a beer that is available in bottles. More likely, the stuff you’ll find on tap at bottleshops is the stuff that never makes it into bottles.

For a brewery that does not bottle its beer the new law creates an opportunity to introduce its product to the bottleshop crowd. What do I mean by bottleshop crowd? There are people amongst us who do most of their craft beer drinking at home. I know it seems strange to those of us with reserved seats at the local pub, but some people drink out of their fridge and only rarely make it out to Seattle’s better beer bars. These people rely on their local beer retailer to introduce them to new and different beers. This law gives the retailers more flexibility and allows them to better serve their customers.

So Who’s Filling Growlers Now?

Now that the law has been changed, it’s up to each particular shop to decide if they want to get involved in the business of filling growlers. It adds certain complexities to the business: maintaining draft systems, ordering and storing kegs, stocking empty growlers, and so on.  If you want your local bottleshop to offer this service, let them know.

We’ve talked to a few bottleshop owners about their plans. Here’s what we know.

The Beer Junction in West Seattle will soon be moving to a new location a few blocks away. They will not install draft equipment at the existing location but will include it when they build-out the new location.

Down in Federal Way, 99 Bottles has big plans. From a recent newsletter: “We’re especially excited as our original dream of 99 Bottles is nearing! That is, a beer store surrounded by a community of wonderful beer lovers, supporting breweries by carrying their complete product families whenever possible, and offering beers to-go in bottles, cans and growlers.

“That new law brings us to that final dream of offering growlers to-go! Right now we’re busy ordering the beer keg storage and dispensing systems, growler jugs, and working out all the details to start this program soon… so stay tuned as we make announcements in the upcoming weeks.”

In Georgetown, Full Throttle Bottles is not in any hurry to start filling growlers. Erika Cowan, the owner of Full Throttle has sound reasons why. “I did a poll on Facebook and everyone said that they’d rather go straight to the local breweries [for growlers],” says Erika. “Given that I have about ten breweries within five miles or so, it makes sense folks responded that way. I never say never, and I really listen to what my customers have to say. If they ask for it, I would certainly consider doing it.”

We hope other bottleshop owners will chime in here and leave comments and that readers will share what they know about which shops will and will not fill growlers now that the law allows.

Saturday’s sunny weather served as a brief reminder that it is spring here in the northwest: the season of birth and rebirth. I’m not sure craft breweries are actually born, but they certainly are springing to life at an alarming rate these days.

In the spring of 2008, Kim and I decided to write a book about Washington beer. The daunting task of visiting every brewery in the state, and doing it in a manner so timely as to collect information relevant for a print publication, steered us in a different direction. That’s why you are reading this blog instead of that book.

Back then, there were 90 breweries in Washington. Even that seemed like a lot of breweries. Time keeps marching on and so does the craft beer industry—continually evolving and growing. Fast forward three years and Washington is on the precipice of something pretty exciting: 150 breweries.

Ninety breweries. How cute.

I just updated our list of Washington’s breweries. The number is now 145. With six breweries currently pending approval, one of them will enjoy the distinction of being Washington’s 150th brewery. Amazing.

Actually, according to the Liquor Control Board, my  number is low and more breweries already exist in Washington. I’m right, they’re wrong. Well, kind of. Our lists serve different purposes.

I don’t include licensees that I can confirm do not brew beer, or do not intend to brew beer. For instance, Ale House Pub and Eatery in University Place does not brew beer. Why it is licensed to brew beer is a mystery to both me and the very confused person who answered the phone when I called to ask. Another discrepancy, Barhop Brewing and Harbinger Brewing are the same entity but are listed separately on the LCB’s list. Likewise, Orcas Island Brewery and Island Hoppin’ Brewery are one in the same. Yet another aberration, Communitea Kambucha brews tea that contains a minuscule amount of alcohol and is therefore licensed as a microbrewery. Although I have nothing against medicinal tea, it is not beer.

You should know that my list  includes two pubs that are not actual working breweries. By request of the proprietors, the Silver City Brewery pub in Silverdale and the Baron/Three Skulls Brewing pub (Pillager’s Pub) in Seattle are on my list. So when you look at the list, it will say 147, but really there are only 145 breweries.

Some of the Recent Additions

The following breweries are either already brewing or appear to be close to brewing. For certain, they are all licensed to brew beer and I cannot disprove their existence or their intentions.

• Island Hoppin’ Brewery on Orcas Island (hoping to have the tasting room open my Memorial Day)
• Heathen Brewing in Vancouver (a bit mysterious, but licensed)
• Hilliard’s Beer in Ballard (still a couple months shy of actually brewing)
• Icicle Brewing in Leavenworth (read our coverage of their opening weekend)
• Grit City Brewing in Centralia (a bit mysterious, but licensed)
• Battenkill Brewing in Poulsbo (beer in the fermenters)

Head over to our Washington Breweries page and check out the list. It is impressive.