The new Gasworks Brewing, the second, is ready to open. The company announced on social media that it will officially open on Friday, July 10th.

At the new-to-them location, Gasworks Brewing will operate a brand-new 20-barrel brewhouse that will fill 20-, 40-, and 60-barrel tanks. The expanded capacity will allow the brewery to better meet demand at its taproom on Lake Union and even distribute some of its beer. In the taproom, it sounds like the menu will be pizza-focused. We will have a full report soon. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

From Gasworks Brewing’s social feed:

“The wait is over! SoDo, we’re officially opening the doors 4660 Ohio Ave S Seattle, WA 98134! Join us as we kick off the opening of our new Gasworks Brewing SoDo taproom.”

Friday Industry Night (Everyone is welcome!) | 3PM – 9PM
• Pizzas 50% off
• Fresh beer and GF sours on tap

Saturday | 1PM – 9PM
“We’re back at it with cold pints, fresh pizza, and the full tap lineup.”

Sunday
“Closed while we catch our breath and get ready for another great week.”

“Whether you’re in the industry or just looking for a new spot to grab a beer, we’d love to have you. Come help us celebrate the beginning of a new chapter for Gasworks. See you in SoDo!” 

Visit our events page and calendar to learn about all sorts of other upcoming beer events. To submit an event for inclusion on our events calendar, use our event submission form. Got more details to share, reach out to us.

When Mike Runion and Travis Guterson decided to open 7 Seas Brewing in Gig Harbor, Washington, they had no idea they were paddling out ahead of a wave that would eventually become a full-blown tsunami. When they started putting the brewery together in 2008, Washington had maybe 75 or 80 breweries. Within a decade, that number swelled past 400. Nationally, about 1,500 breweries existed in 2008. Today, it’s around 9,500. It might be a stretch to say 7 Seas inspired them all — but they were definitely among the first surfers to get up on the board.

Trend setters? You could say that. In 2010, the young brewery did something no other Washington craft brewer had ever done. Something unspeakable. Something that, in certain circles, was considered an outright abomination. 7 Seas became the first Washington craft brewery to put its beer in aluminum cans. There was backlash, but there was also vindication — craft beer in cans is now so ubiquitous it’s hard to imagine a world without it. And yet, here we are.

The cans are just one chapter in the 7 Seas story, though one I find particularly satisfying. The full arc goes something like this: a fire delayed the brewery’s launch before it ever got started. Then came a move across town. Then a bigger move — across the bridge to Tacoma — where 7 Seas took over a building that once housed an iconic Northwest legacy brewery: Heidelberg. They even brought back a beer bearing the Heidelberg name, which, if you are an oldster who remembers the original Heidelberg, hits different. And then, a homecoming of sorts: a second location, a harborside taproom back in Gig Harbor that is, speaking plainly, absolutely glorious. If you haven’t been, fix that.

Cheers to 7 Seas Brewing! Congrats on the anniversary, and here’s to everything you’ve built and everything rebirthed. One eye on the future, the other on the proud past. Keep up the good work! 

The Anniversary Beer

On to the news at hand. To commemorate its 17th anniversary, the brewery is doing what breweries do: introducing a beer. From the brewery, “Brewed in recognition of our 17th Anniversary, the Star Summer Pale Ale shines bright with a crisp balance of toasty malt flavor and electrifying hop character of citrus zest, passion fruit, and ripe summer berries.”

“Pale golden in color, refreshingly hoppy, with a supportively smooth and subtle honey-like sweetness while finishing off-dry with a kiss of pleasant bitterness.” 

“We’ll also be celebrating with fun tees for sale, as well as commemorative glassware, at both taprooms. Buy a pint, keep the glass! (While supplies last, limit one per customer.)”

The Star Summer Pale Ale is available only on draft, for a limited time.
-Style: West Coast Pale Ale
-5.4% ABV, ~40 IBU
-Hops: Chinook, Cascade, Strata
-Malts: 2-Row, Golden Promise, Munich, Dextra-Pils 

To learn about other recent beer releases, visit our New Beer Releases page. To let us know about your brewery’s new releases, here’s how to reach out to us.

Here’s something that doesn’t get enough attention: Oktoberfest — the world’s largest annual beer festival, a celebration ostensibly named after a month — takes place, largely, in September. In Munich. Every year. Has for a long time. And it’s never been called Septemberfest. Nobody seems bothered by this, and honestly, neither am I. But it does open the door for what Chuckanut Brewery is about to pull off.

If the Germans can hold Oktoberfest in September, Chuckanut can hold it in August. And they will. They’re calling it Auktoberfest. I love this.

Chuckanut Brewery Auktoberfest
Saturday, August 29th
11:00 a.m. – 8 p.m.
11937 Higgins Airport Way, Burlington, WA 98233

A Tiny Twist on Tradition

Chuckanut has always taken old-world brewing tradition seriously — their award-winning German-style lagers are proof of that. So this isn’t disrespectful or cultural appropriation. It’s practicality with a grin and a wink. Anyone who’s spent time in the Pacific Northwest knows that August is glorious and late September is a coin flip. Chuckanut knows this, too, and they’ve acted accordingly.

The Chuckanut Auktoberfest event takes place at the brewery’s Burlington location. Picture a really big tent — presumably shading people from sun rather than rain — yodeling challenges, liter-holding competitions, hammerschlagen, chicken dancing, garden games, board games, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you feel like you should be wearing lederhosen whether you own any or not. Traditional German festival attire is encouraged but not required. Heck, come dressed up like whatever you want. 

The brewery put it simply: “Chuckanut is hoping for warmer, drier weather for Auktoberfest the last weekend in August, on August 29th, 11 am to 8 pm. Join this fun, traditional family-style Oktoberfest that includes something for everyone.”

Entry is free. The beer, obviously, is the point. “Chuckanut’s award-winning German-style biers, like Dunkel Lager, Fest Bier, and Kolsch, along with Bohemian Pilsner, Polish Grodziskie, and some American-style hoppy beers, will be on tap, too, and available for toasting. Enjoy Brats, Pretzels, and Candies to fill your tummies!”

And in case you want to extend the festivities: “Don’t forget to pick up some cans to take home for your own traditional Oktoberfest later in September! Mark your calendars for August 29th and make sure to join the celebration at Chuckanut, Prost!”

Visit our events page and calendar to learn about all sorts of other upcoming beer events. To submit an event for inclusion on our events calendar, use our event submission form. Got more details to share, reach out to us.

The relationship between Deschutes Brewery and Costco has run its course, and a split is now imminent.

About 18 months ago, Deschutes Brewery of Bend, Oregon, entered into an agreement with Costco to co-brand two beers: Kirkland Signature Helles and Kirkland Signature Vintage Ale. The helles showed up at Costco warehouses across the country — everywhere except Texas, for reasons I’ll leave to the lawyers — while the Vintage Ale, a barrel-aged imperial stout, remained something of a mythical creature. I’ve never personally seen it at my local Costco. Maybe you have. Lucky you.

Savvy beer shoppers quickly figured out that the Kirkland Helles-Style Lager was a World Beer Cup medal-winning beer from Deschutes Brewery, just wearing a different jersey, in a bigger box, and priced accordingly. If you’re one of those people — and if you are, you have no reason to hide it — it’s time to make a beer run to your local warehouse. Costco is ending the relationship, and the beers are expected to be off shelves by October at the latest.

The good news: the beer itself probably isn’t going anywhere. On Bluesky, industry insider and esteemed beer writer Jeff Alworth shared this: “I asked a source inside the brewery just a couple weeks ago if they had a plan to do something with the award-winning lager that was already in the lineup before it became Kirkland. He gave me a Cheshire Cat-smile and said they had certainly blocked out a plan if that happened.”

In other words, relax. If you love the beer and not just the Costco price, it sounds like Deschutes has a plan.

They Aren’t “Your Friends,” They’re Our Friends

It started out hot and heavy, and that rarely lasts. Deschutes CEO, Peter Skrybek, told Brewbound, “The way the agreement with Costco worked is there was an initial volumetric commitment, which was, I can’t share the exact number, but it was a substantial amount of volume.”

The relationship saw Deschutes gain a whole crew of new friends, expanding its footprint from 37 to 49 states. “It accomplished effectively in a year what would have taken us a decade or more, or maybe wouldn’t have even been possible, which is awesome,” Skrybek said.

Skrbek said that the national exposure opened up conversations with new retailers that were otherwise unfamiliar with the brand, but ultimately, Deschutes needs the freedom to be itself. “The partnership with Costco was so special because we got to launch a beer that otherwise wouldn’t have seen the light of day beyond our pubs,” he told Brewbound. “But in the long run, it’s got to be value created in our own brands.”

It’s Not You, It’s Me

Think of it like a coming-of-age movie. Two star-crossed kids meet at the beach, fall for each other hard, and promise forever love — both knowing, somewhere in the back of their minds, that this was always just a summer fling. 

None of this should come as a shock, apparently — not even to Deschutes. “From the start Deschutes knew this would end,” said Alworth, who writes the estimable Beervana blog. “I have spoken with people throughout the company, and they always expected Costco to move on — no matter how successful the beer was.”

By most accounts, the short-lived relationship was successful. To a point. Reports from ProBrewer and Craft Business Daily suggest the breakup may have involved broken vows, though nobody’s talking on the record about what happened behind closed doors. In the end, this is just what Costco does. Anyone who’s shopped there long enough knows the drill — when it’s here, it’s here, and when it’s gone, it’s gone. A rotisserie chicken one week, a pallet of Deschutes helles the next. Gone like it never existed. Nothing but memories of that youthful summer of love remain.

Stock up while you can. And keep an eye on what Deschutes does next.

The first in a series of live music events in the beer garden at Jellyfish Brewing kicks off this Thursday. 

Beginning Thursday, July 9th, Jellyfish Brewing Georgetown hosts a Summer Concert Series. The shows happen in the beer garden at the Georgetown location. The first set will run every Thursday, 6-8 pm, through July. FREE. All ages. Dog friendly.

“We’re excited to invite you to join us for some fun and funky tunes in the sun! Supplied by a few cold pints, snacks, charcuterie packs – and brand new to the menu – smoked kielbasa sausages, all beef hot dogs, Blue Bunny ice cream sandwiches & Otter Pops. Bring your thirst, bring your friends, and bring the party!”

• July 9th – Scott Allen – Cellographic
• July 16th – The Mrs. Bill Larsens
• July 23rd – Doria, Heyer & Klomp
• July 30th – Funky Cosmic Trio of Spacedust Wanderlust

Visit our events page and calendar to learn about all sorts of other upcoming beer events. To submit an event for inclusion on our events calendar, use our event submission form. Got more details to share, reach out to us.

CHUCKANUT SUMMER PALE ALE IS BACK

 Chuckanut Brewery brews up a new Summer Pale Ale every summer to enjoy when the weather turns bright and sunny. This year’s Summer is bursting with fruit aromas from the use of our WA state hops. Summer Pale Ale incorporates a pinch of wheat malt to provide a dry backbone for the soft fruity hop notes. This year’s ale is dry-hopped with Galaxy, Strata and Mosaic hops bringing out a punch of aromas that shine through. Accompanied by a crisp finish, Chuckanut Summer Pale Ale is sure to be a top summer beer of choice.

With its light gold, hoppy, citrusy flavors and dry finish Chuckanut Summer Pale Ale is the go to beer for BBQ’s, whether it’s burgers, salmon or veggies this Pale Ale brings the flavor of sunshine to your taste buds! Find it in cans or on draft at your favorite NW grocery, pub, bottle-shop or restaurant!

Chuckanut Brewery brews award winning Lagers and Ales and has won Large Brewery of the Year at WA Beer Awards 2017, 2019 and 2021 and Small Brewery at the GABF 2009 & 2011. The production facility and Tap Room is in Skagit Valley at 11937 Higgins Airport Way, Burlington, WA. Chuckanut welcomes guests of all ages and has indoor and outdoor seating! Check out additional information about Chuckanut at chuckanutbrewery.com.

To learn about other recent beer releases, visit our New Beer Releases page. To let us know about your brewery’s new releases, here’s how to reach out to us.

They have a novel approach to ticketing. Not just early-bird pricing, but progressive pricing in waves. The sooner you get tickets, the lower the price. At publishing time, tickets are $70. Proceeds from the event benefit Washington Wild’s Brewshed Alliance and its continuing mission to support the health of Washington’s water sources. 

Basic Event Details

• Event: Lagerhead Beer Fest 2026
• Date: Saturday, July 18
• Time: Adults (21+) Only from 12 – 1 pm. All Ages from 1 – 6 pm
• Location: No Boat Brewing Company. Snoqualmie, WA 
• Benefits: Washington Wild, Brewshed® Alliance
• Tickets: Available here

Ticket Details

Early bird gets the worm. The tickets are available in waves, so once one wave sells out, the price goes up. Wave 1 is already sold out (as of June 4th).

• Wave 2- $70 (100 tickets)
• Wave 3- $80 (100 tickets)
• Wave 4- $90 (100 tickets)
• All tickets are General Admission. Your ticket gets you 20 pours, a commemorative glass, and admission into the festival with access to all Lagerhead has to offer.
• Designated Driver: Tickets are $20 each and include a commemorative glass, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, and festival admission.
• Under 21 – Admission for anyone under 21 is free. Note that the first hour is 21+.
• All ticket sales are final, no refunds.
• All attendees 21+ must show valid ID for entry.

My Out-of-State Picks

Complete list of breweries here. In addition to our familiar PNW brewers, which rock, here are just a few of the out-of-state breweries that pique my interest:

• Arizona Wilderness Brewing (AZ)
• Burial Brewing (NC)
• Dark Skies Brewing (AZ)
• Ghost Town Brewing (CA)
• North Park Brewing (CA)
• Sacred Waters Brewing (MT)
• Solaris Brewing (CA)
• Slow Body Brewing (AZ)
• Urban South Brewing (LA)
• Many others.

List of Breweries

Lagerheads Beer Fest FAQ

Visit our events page and calendar to learn about all sorts of other upcoming beer events. To submit an event for inclusion on our events calendar, use our event submission form. Got more details to share, reach out to us.

Iron Horse Brewery and Moses Lake Distillery Collaborate on Something Not Irish and Not Whiskey

Any business holding a Brewer’s Notice knows better than to tangle with the Tax and Trade Bureau — the TTB, the federal agency that collects excise taxes on every drop of alcohol produced in this country and holds the power to end your business with the wave of a pen. That Notice is your golden ticket to legally make beer, wine, spirits, and any other kind of booze. Don’t mess with the Revenue Man. That’s the lesson here.

Keep that in mind as I tell you about Redacted Death, a collaboration between Iron Horse Brewery and Moses Lake Distillery that produced an alcoholic beverage that is definitely, officially, and emphatically not Irish Whiskey.

Every Whiskey Starts as Beer

Here’s something I find delightful: every whiskey begins its life as beer. A grain-based, fermented liquid — essentially beer — goes into the still, and what comes out the other side is the result of a process I can only describe as sorcery. I’m a beer guy. I don’t fully understand distillation. I accept it as magic and move on.

When Moses Lake Distillery decided to make liquor with Iron Horse Brewery, the obvious candidate was Irish Death, the brewery’s beloved flagship. Dark, rich, and full of character — surely the wizards at the distillery could do something extraordinary with it. So they did. They made Irish Death Whiskey.

Which is where things got complicated.

Don’t Cross the Peaky Blinders

Riley Schmit put it well on the Iron Horse Brewery blog, comparing the TTB to Tommy Shelby’s crew of gangsters in the popular TV series Peaky Blinders — people you really, truly do not want to cross. Beyond collecting federal excise taxes, the TTB protects consumers through product integrity, labeling accuracy, and fair competition. Calling the TTB mobsters or thugs might be hyperbole, but the TTB holds real power over a producer’s right to exist.

So, politely, do not mess with them.

As Riley explains, “We can’t call it Irish Death Whiskey. Kind of like you can’t just call any old sparkling wine ‘champagne’ unless it comes from the Champagne region of France. Or tequila; if it’s not from Mexico, you can’t put the word ‘tequila’ on the bottle. In the eyes of the booze cops, putting the word ‘Irish’ anywhere on this bottle of whiskey would be considered false advertising since it’s not an Irish whiskey.”

Fair enough — though I’ll note, as a brief tangent I’ll resist pursuing, that an India Pale Ale rarely comes from India, and a West Coast IPA is often brewed nowhere near the West Coast. But I’ll leave that alone. For now.

Anticipating the “Irish” problem, they landed on a workaround: Redacted Death Whiskey. It seemed like a modest proposal (Jonathan Swift fans will get that reference). Clever. Preemptive. They submitted the label to the TTB, feeling pretty good about themselves. 

The TTB said no.

“Traditional whiskeys are made from three ingredients: water, cereal grains, and yeast,” Riley explained. “But to get the best flavor out of this particular whiskey, Moses Lake Distillery also utilized hops, which is not one of those three whiskey ingredients, and which made the TTB throw a fit and ask us to not call it a whiskey at all.”

A Mouthful of Something Not Called Whiskey

So the official, TTB-approved name is Redacted Death Distilled From Grains With Hops. Nice the way that just rolls off the tongue. A mouthful of something, not whiskey or Irish.

The Revenue Man has his name for it. The rest of us can ignore their reasoning entirely — that’s the beauty of not having a federal license on the line. I don’t have a Brewer’s Notice or a Distiller’s Notice hanging in the balance. So I’ll say it plainly, on behalf of those who can’t:

It’s Irish Death Whiskey. And it sounds delicious.

We will keep you posted and let you know how to get your hands on some of this not-Irish, not-Whiskey as soon as it’s available. Otherwise, follow Iron Horse Brewery on the socials.

Want us to share your news here on the Washington Beer Blog? Click here to learn how to reach us.

The first-ever Batter Up Brewfest is a beer fest at T-Mobile Park, the home of the Seattle Mariners, but not at the ballgame; rather, it is a beer fest at the ballpark during a ballgame. The Mariners will be in Tampa to play the Rays. During the festival, they’ll broadcast the game on the big screen. Doors open at 11:30, the first pitch is at 1:10, and the beer festival ends when the last out is recorded.

The Batter Up Brewfest offers festivalgoers tastings from local breweries and Mariners Partners. You’ll have the chance to cast your vote to crown “Fan Favorite” and “Best Name.” 

A ticket includes 8 tastings (2-oz each). Additional tastings, 16-oz pours, and food items will be available for purchase. Guests must be 21+ to purchase a ticket to this event. You can purchase tickets and learn more here.

Event Info

• What: Batter Up Brewfest
• Where: T-Mobile Park. 1250 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
• When: Saturday, July 11th. Doors open at 11:30.
• Tickets: $59.60 each includes 8 tasters. More tasters and full pours available. Food items available for purchase. This is a 21+ only event.

Participating Breweries

• Mac & Jack’s
• Schilling Cider
• Deschutes Brewery
• Boneyard Beer
• 2 Towns Ciderhouse
• Seattle Cider
• Georgetown Brewing Co.
• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
• Kulshan Brewing
• Fremont Brewing
• Pike Brewing Company
• Chainline Brewing Company
• pFriem Family Brewers
• Hop Valley Brewing Company
• Lagunitas Brewing Company
• Aslan Brewing Co.
• Others TBA

Visit our events page and calendar to learn about all sorts of other upcoming beer events. To submit an event for inclusion on our events calendar, use our event submission form. Got more details to share, reach out to us.

Most often, I simply report what’s happening, but sometimes my obsession with beer-related news and information spawns an observation that evolves into an opinion. I want craft breweries to succeed, and I share my thoughts in the sincere hope they’ll help.

What Your Not-Beer Says About Your Brewery

The Brewers Association (BA) recently published a report accompanying its annual Harris Poll Consumer Survey. The report provides insight into the general population’s relationship with alcohol and, within that, a more focused look at folks’ relationship with craft beer. Buried in the mountain of data is one finding that every brewery taproom should take note of.

The nature of a brewery taproom has evolved. If yours does not offer something beyond beer, you are losing customers. Long gone are the days of saying, “If they don’t want to drink my beer, they should go somewhere else.” Survey says, that’s exactly what happens — and they take their beer-drinking friends with them.

Their Friends are Weirdos, but…

The Harris Poll Consumer Survey addressed an interesting and important question: why don’t some craft drinkers drink it more often? There were some predictable answers, but the BA’s Chief Economist, Matt Gacioch, zeroed in on something less expected and more actionable: young adults say one of the main reasons they don’t drink more craft beer is that their friends don’t drink craft beer.

Gacioch noted, “Compared with the overall population, 21-34 year old respondents were more likely to say they don’t drink more craft beer because their drinking companions do not drink craft beer…”

Read that again. It’s not that they hate your IPA. It’s that they go wherever their group wants to go — and if your taproom is beer-only, their group might not choose you. If you’ve got nothing to offer the beer-avoiding weirdo in the group, you’ve lost them all. Perhaps, like me, you sometimes find yourself part of such a group. It’s not some imaginary scenario. It’s real.

The fix isn’t complicated. Offer good non-beer options — and mean it. Not an afterthought cider that fell off the back of a distributor’s truck, but something you’ve actually chosen with care. Kombucha, wine, craft soda, or whatever fits your vibe. Every beverage on your taproom’s menu should be selected and served with intention.

What have we always said about craft beer? It’s a quality product, made with pride and intention by people who practically consider it an art form — superior to the corporate, mass-produced stuff. It follows that anything on your taproom’s menu should rise to that same standard.

As a beer lover, how do you feel when your friends drag you into a trendy cocktail bar where the beer options are Bud Light or Corona? You’d think more highly of that bar if it offered a couple of well-chosen craft options. It would signal that they care about quality and hospitality, not just cocktails.

One more thing: don’t forget the teetotalers. They like tasty beverages too. Everything above applies equally to non-alcoholic options — and especially NA beer. Here in the Northwest, there are some excellent locally produced choices.

Lean In

Don’t be shy about telling people what you’ve got. Put it on the menu. Post about it. Let the non-beer drinkers in your community know they’re welcome — and empower the beer drinkers in that friend group to advocate for your taproom. Holding yourself to a standard that extends beyond your beer speaks volumes. It’s more hospitable, and it shows that you authentically care about the things you say you care about.

Now more than ever, your brewery and its taproom are in the hospitality business, not just the beer business. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’ll convert someone by giving them no other choice. Craft beer is no longer unexplored territory. As much as we love it, others don’t — and that’s not because they’ve never tried it.

Be Hospitable, Unless You Can Be a Unicorn. Then, Be a Unicorn.

Every business is different, and yours is unique. Maybe you’re that rare kind of taproom that can flourish while catering exclusively to craft beer fanatics. That’s great. The world needs unicorns.

The rest of us live in a world where the modern taproom isn’t just a place to drink beer — it’s a community gathering space, a dog-friendly living room, a post-bike-ride hangout, a comfortable spot for a first date, or an impromptu event venue. Admittedly, recognizing this sometimes makes me a little sad and nostalgic. But for a lot of your customers, the beer is almost beside the point. The experience, the hospitality, and the community are the point.

The data backs this up. The question is whether you act on it. But if you can be a unicorn, by all means — be a unicorn.