Not long ago we reported that Big Al Brewing was closing down its brewery and taproom in White Center, the unincorporated urban community just south of Seattle’s city limits. The closing left a whole in the heart of the neighborhood, which had come to embrace the brewery as its own. Today we are happy to announce that a new brewery, Unified Brewing, plans to move into the former home of Big Al Brewing and begin its own operation.
“After nearly two years of searching for a location, and trying to keep our plans under wraps, we are excited to introduce to the world, Unified Brewing Company,” said the company in an announcement today. “We recently signed a long-term lease to move into the old Pacific Rim Brewing / Big Al Brewing location in White Center, Seattle. There has been a brewery in that building for nearly twenty years and we’re happy that we can continue that tradition of being White Center’s Brewery.”
“We’ll be doing a little more than putting on a fresh coat of paint. We recently put down our deposit on a new 20-barrel brewhouse from JVNW out of Canby Oregon, a manufacturer we feel is at the top of their game for brewing equipment. We’ll brew a wide variety of styles to be served in our brewpub as well as some limited distribution.”
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Given the renovations, equipment orders and licensing, Unified Brewing expects to be open for your enjoyment in early 2018.
Collectively, the Unified Brewing team has over 50 years experience in all facets of the beer industry, including production, importing, distribution, and onsite retail (pub ownership).
The Unified Brewing team shapes up like this:
Kevin Watson, one of the partners and the brewer, has over 18 years experience brewing for the likes of Hale’s Ales, Allagash Brewing, and most recently Elysian Brewing. Having grown up in White Center, he is excited to start making beer just down the street from where he played Little League Baseball and just a few blocks from his parent’s home, where he first home brewed in their kitchen.
Mike Baker, former founder and owner of Baron Brewing Company in South Park, Seattle, is also responsible for bringing delicious German beers to the U.S. through his import company NW Beverage Group.
Dean Hudgins and Ian Roberts are the owners of The Pine Box, a successful craft beer bar on Capitol Hill.
New to the beer biz is Larry Solomon, a friend from across the bar top with a wealth of business knowledge.
Mike Baker and Ian Roberts are also two of the founders and organizers of Seattle Beer Week, a ten day celebration of all things beer across the city, now going on it’s 10th year.
Cheers to our sponsors, like…
Very cool!
Great news. Grew up about three blocks north that location and can’t wait to have one of their beers. Go Rat City!
As a longtime regular from Big Al’s I hope they embrace the neighborhood shared living room atmosphere. We lost a lot of that spirit with the surprise closure. Their is a family of people here that share no relation except a love of beer and camaraderie that we want back. Capture that and welcome to White Center, happy to have you!
Or they can make their own mark with their own beer and their own way of doing things…and welcome them.
That’s what you should be embracing.
The family living room thing is great as long as you feel like one of the family, which luckily I always did at Big Al’s, but some people told me that they felt out of place, like they were crashing someone else’s party. There is a happy medium.
Also, they said “brewpub” and not “tap room.” I’m sure we’ll learn more about that in time.
I hope SOMEONE can finally make that location profitable.