If you’re a Chris Miller fan, you should know that he will be making his final appearance for Snipes Mountain Brewing tonight at the Green Frog Cafe in Bellingham (6:00 – 9:00). Although he has already moved on and is opening a new brewery in California, he will be representing Snipes Mountain one last time at a brewers night event.

That's Kim (Mrs. Beer Blog) with Chris Miller at last year's Washington Cask Beer Festival.

In baseball, I guess this would be the part where the managers meet with the umpire at home plate to go over the lineup cards before the game. I know that some of you Washington beer geeks are keeping score and there certainly have been a lot of roster moves on the Washington beer scene in the last few weeks.

Yesterday I reported that Drew Cluley was leaving Pike Brewing to replace Bill Jenkins at Big Time Brewery. I mentioned some other lineup changes as well. I was dealing with breaking news at the time, and was in a bit of a rush, so I missed a couple of key moves. Let’s get it straight. I think the following list covers all of the recent jostling.

• Chris Miller resigned from Snipes Mountain Brewing and is moving to California to open Berryessa Brewing in the Sacramento area.
• Janelle Pritchard resigned from Trade Route Brewing. No word yet on where she will land.
• Bill Jenkins resigned from Big Time Brewery and is reportedly taking some time off to spend with his family.
• Drew Cluley resigned from Pike Brewing and is moving to Big Time Brewery.
• Dave Seiler resigned from Hale’s Ale Brewery to spend more time with the family.
• Nick Heppenstall resigned from Mac and Jack’s Brewing and is headed to Odin Brewing Company.
• Art Dixon is no longer brewing for Baron/Three Skulls Brewing. No other information.
• Laura Stoudt, beer sales diva extraordinaire, has left Elysian Brewing and is now with Pike Brewing.

Janelle Pritchard (formerly of Trade Route Brewing) with Kim (Mrs. Beerblog)

The new issue of Draft Magazine arrived the other day. Upon one of the many slick pages featuring glossy photos of perfectly posed, buxom brews airbrushed to pornographic perfection, you’ll find the What’s in a Name feature. This month the featured brewery is Washington’s own Trade Route Brewing.

The secret is out. Now the whole world knows what Joe Valvo, Chris Castillo and the Trade Route crew have been brewing. The May/June 2010 issue of Draft includes a nice writeup that explains the story of Trade Route Brewing clearly and efficiently. The point of the What’s in a Name feature is not only to tell the world a bit about a local brewery, but also to explain what is behind the name.

As most Washington beer lovers are probably aware, the brewery formerly know as Laughing Buddha changed its name to avoid a legal fistfight with an Australian company, Lucky Buddha. To local beer enthusiasts, it’s not news that Trade Route Brewing is now more aptly named given Joe and Chris’ passion for using uncommon, well-traveled ingredients to give their beers a worldly character—such as pandan leaves, palm sugar, kaffir lime leaves, and mangoes.

There are two really good things about getting this kind of recognition in Draft Magazine. The first is obvious: the magazine is read by a nationwide audience of beer enthusiasts. Second, and perhaps more important, the full-page, full-color feature will look really nice framed behind the bar at the Trade Route Taphouse in Pacific, WA.

Way to go Trade Route. You deserve it!

(We should mention that Redmond’s Black Raven Brewing was the featured brewery back in the January/February issue, as we reported here.)

Congratulations to Trade Route Brewing!  This past Saturday they celebrated the grand opening of the new Trade Route Brewery and Taphouse in Pacific, WA – just a couple of clicks south of Auburn on Hwy 167. We stopped by for a little bit to check out the new digs and raise our glasses in celebration.

When you pull in to the complex off of Valentine Ave., don’t be distracted by the battalion of sleeping semi trucks parked next door. This is the right place. The Brewery and Taphouse is located in a light industrial business park amidst machine shops, exhaust repair shops, and big rigs. When we pulled into the parking lot just after dark, we were amazed at how many cars and people we saw. My first reaction, “This is going to be a zoo.”

We were expecting to find a simple little tasting room bursting at the seams with people. Once we made our way inside, the crowd was easy to navigate. Sure, there were a lot of people, but it wasn’t even difficult to get a beer. Trade Route adequately staffed the event and the space is large. This is not a simple little tasting room. The Pacific Fire Department says they’re good for up to 85 people, so this is one of the larger brewery tasting rooms I’ve ever seen. No wonder they call it a taphouse.

We shot a short video while we were there. It should help you get a feel for the space. Read the entire story to see pictures.

We fully expected to see all the familiar faces from the greater-Seattle beer scene; however, we quickly learned that the grand opening was a much-anticipated occasion for the locals as well.  To continue reading the entire story…

Apparently the usual suspects had been there earlier in the day and by the time we arrived it seemed to be nothing but locals. And a lot of them. Anyone who knows the town of Pacific, and the “south county” in general, recognizes that it is a region still starving for craft beer.

A somewhat haggard and sleepless-looking Chris Castillo (Trade Route owner/brewer/impresario) told us that this event was catered. The taphouse normally will offer a limited food menu, focusing more on the beer. He also told us that the crowd has been steady throughout the day.

To get to the new Trade Route Brewery and Taphouse from the Seattle side, take Highway 167 south from Renton. Just south of Auburn, take the exit for 8^th Street / Steward Road. Turn left and head east for two blocks. Turn left on Valentine Ave. and then turn right into the parking lot. Trade Route is towards the back of the complex.

Trade Route Brewing Co.
1091 Valentine Ave SE
Pacific, WA 98047
253-987-5680
[Click for map]

Photo thanks to Johanna Garcia.

Photo thanks to Johanna Garcia.

Chris Castillo, Trade Route Brewing (photo thanks to Johanna Garcia).

Trade Route Brewing has moved south to Pacific, Washington. The official grand opening of the tasting room is this weekend. Here is the message we received from Trade Route:

Please join us at our new brewery and taphouse this weekend for our Grand Opening!

Here is our new address:

Trade Route Brewing Co.
1091 Valentine Ave SE
Pacific, WA 98047
253-987-5680
[Click for map]

From Seattle: Take I-5 South, to I-405 South. Exit to Hwy 167 South. Take the Milton/Pacific exit (8th St/Stewart Rd). Turn left at Exit to Stewart Rd. Turn Left on Valentine Rd. First driveway on Right.

Live Music & Beer Specials

Saturday, Oct. 17th: 11am – 10 pm
12-4pm: PHIL SLATER: Motown, R&B, Classic Rock, Country, & Big Band
6-10pm:  VZ VALLEY BOYS: Blue Grass

Sunday, Oct. 17th: 11am – 6pm
1pm: Watch the Seahawks battle the Cardinals
3pm: Chainsaw Carving Demonstration by national champion and Pacific resident, Bob King.

We’ve been waiting for some kind of official word to report that Trade Route Brewing had moved. Well, we just got it. They have abandoned their old digs in South Park and moved to Pacific – a community just south of Auburn. If nothing else, the new location provides them with the ability to greatly expand the hours that the Tap Room is open.

Unlike the old spot, the new Trade Route location is easy to find. From Hwy. 167, take the Steward St./8th Ave. exit and head east. Take your second left (just before you cross the railroad tracks) and you are there.

The brand new Tap Room is open from  Mondays through Saturdays from 11am to 10pm. On Sundays, they’re open from 11am to 6pm.

SAVE THE DATE– Saturday, October 17th: Official Grand Opening. More details coming soon!

Trade Route Brewery
1091 Valentine Ave SE
Pacific, WA 98047
(253) 987-5680

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