Northwest Brew News
A quick look at top regional stories
April, 1998Rande Reed is new Brewmaster at
Snoqualmie Falls
Fate? A happy coincidence? Let's just say that Beer Notes was doing its job. The juxtaposition of stories in our December '97-January '98 issue about the debut of the Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company and the dismissal of Rande Reed from his job as executive brewmaster of Pyramid Ales /Seattle turned out to be as effective as a personal matching service. On January 9, Reed was hired as Snoqualmie Falls' new brewmaster. Going from a 60,000 barrel brewery to what may be a 1,200 barrel per year operation, from a 40 barrel kettle to a 6.5 barrel one, Reed may well redefine "downsizing" in the craft beer business. Rande was on hand for a party on January 10 to celebrate the release of the brewery's inaugural Falls Ale, a very hoppy brown ale (O.G. 1.060, made with Chinook and Centennial hops). Beer Notes raises a toast to the success of the new brewery and its veteran brewer!
Redhook "Scales Back" Fremont Brewery
Redhook Ale Brewery announced on January 16 that it was "scaling back" operations at its Fremont brewery. "This reduces costs while maintaining our historical commitment to Seattle," according to Redhook CEO Paul Shipman. Approximately ten employees at the Seattle plant have been laid off. Corporate offices have been moved to the building, and Redhook still plans to maintain its equipment there and to brew on a limited basis. Most of its beers for the West Coast market will continue to be produced at its giant Woodinville brewery east of Seattle. Redhook sales declined 3.8% in 1997 to $37.9 million (shipments actually declined 4.5% from 1996 totals to 214,600 barrels.) However, the company points out that its sales in Washington State for the fourth quarter of 1997 were up 7.1% compared to 1996 figures.
The Redhook Fremont facility, built in Seattle's historic Fremont Trolley Barn, has been a Northwest craft brewing landmark. The Trolleyman Pub at the site will remain open, and tours of the brewery are expected to continue. (Source: BeerWeek - The Real Beer page, www.RealBeer.com)
Redmond Brewing
Company Closes
The Redmond Brewing Company of Redmond, WA, a suburb of Seattle, closed its doors on January 10, 1998. According to brewer Ted Palmer, a lack of business during the last few months of 1996 prompted the decision. No further details about the closure were available at press time.
Walkabout, Ashland
Area's New "Garage Brewery" Opens
Australian Ross Litton has opened Walkabout, a new brewery in Central Point, near Ashland, OR. Located in his garage, the brewery consists of a 7-barrel system, with two 7-barrel and one 14-barrel fermenter. Walkabout makes all ales, the current offering being an English strong ale called Jabberwocky ( O.G. 1.064, with Northwest Willamette, Perle, and Cascade hops.) Brewer Litton learned his trade at the former Rogue brewpub in Ashland. He now produces between 14 and 21 barrels per month for 10 accounts in the Ashland-Medford area. Walkabout ales are currently available at the Siskiyou Micro Pub in old Ashland and at Mick's Alehouse at the Rogue Valley Mall in Medford. The brewery is located at 5204 Dobrot Way, Central Point, OR 97502, telephone (541) 858-5723.
New Brewpub Opens
in Walla Walla
The Mill Creek Brewpub opened last summer in Walla Walla, WA. Owner Gary Johnson has built a 7 barrel , 1600 square ft. brewery surrounded by a 4500 square ft. full service restaurant at 11 South Palouse street. Brewer Jack Riehl (pronounced Real) has six different beers on tap, some with unusual names such as "Riehl Light", a brew made with rice and Spalt hops. There is also a golden ale, Dunkelweiss, Brew 22 Lager and a Wry Stout ( made with guess which grain adjunct). On January 8, Mill Creek began bottling its Penitentiary Porter, named for the famous Federal prison at the edge of town. For more information, call the brewpub at (509) 522-2440.
Harmon Pub & Brewery
is Tacoma's Latest
Wort in Beer
The beerscape of Tacoma, WA received a new addition on September 5 with the opening of the Harmon Pub & Brewery at 1938 Pacific Avenue. It is located in the Harmon Building, a nine-story former furniture warehouse at the corner of Pacific and 21st Street, with a conspicuous 60 foot grain silo outside. The establishment has a fully visible 15 barrel brewhouse made by Liquid Assets with four fermenters and six serving tanks. There is a 249 seat restaurant adjoining the brewery. Brewer Michael Davis has five ales currently on tap, with a sixth in the works. The beers include: Pinnacle Peak Pale Ale, Wollochet Bay Dark Wheat, Brown's Point Bitter (an English style dry hopped with Fuggles), Two Dog Stout (a dry Irish style served on mixed nitrogen and CO2 gas) and Puget Sound Porter (a robust porter, 5.8% a.b.v.) The sixth brew, soon to be tapped, is White River Rye, made with 5% rye malt and all Liberty hops. A special strong Scotch Ale (8.8% a.b.v.) will be introduced on February 6. Hours for the pub are from 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday - Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Call (253) 383-BREW for more information.
Liberty Malt to Host Book Signing April 18
Liberty Malt Supply Company of Seattle will host a book signing to celebrate the release of Fal Allen and Dick Cantwell's Barley Wine on Saturday, April 18 from 2 to 5 p.m. Both authors will also be pouring samples of the Elysian Old Cyclops and Pike's Old Bawdy, and free munchies will be provided. The store is at 1419 First Avenue. For more information, call (206) 622-1880.
Bert Grant Wins Big in Britain
Bert Grant's Imperial Stout was nominated for the Grand Prize in the dark milds, stouts, and porters (packaged) category at the 1998 Brewing Industry International Awards in Burton-on-Trent, England. Judges evaluated more than 800 beers from 200 breweries in 32 countries. Sharing honors with Grant's brew were Marston's Oyster Stout of England and Samuel Adams Cream Stout. "It's nice to see that the judges have such great taste," Grant said. Final Grand Prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 28.
Red Dawg Brewpub Announces Music Schedule, Homebrew Competition
The Red Dawg Brewpub of Chehalis, WA will have a strong line-up of live music for its patrons in April and May. The schedule includes: Bumble Bees, Zydeco, on April 4; Sweet Tweety, high energy blues, April 18; Steve Cameron, blues guitar and vocals, April 25; JW Sparrow, singer-songwriter, May 2; Catfish Zydeco, high energy Zydeco, May 16; and Klemens Davidson, Chicago blues duo, May 23. All events have a cover charge, and start at 8;30 p.m. The Red Dawg Brewpub is located at 492 N. Market Blvd., Chehalis, telephone (360) 740-8072.
The Red Dawg second annual homebrewer's competition will be held on May 2. Deadline for entries is Wednesday, April 29. The winning recipe will be brewed by Red Dawg. Call Dave or Susan Moorehead at the pub for more details.
