Kendall Jones

Well said! Interesting but also easy. This brewery has really found its footing in recent years!

I recognize the challenges of making lagers, especially for smaller breweries. It is not necessarily just about that, though.
My most basic premise is that it's folly to try to tell people what they should like instead of offering them what they already do.

Time for craft beer to release its fifth album, its black album As craft beer reaches middle age, it's time to reflect on what we've learned and start to plot a successful path forward. This story addresses what I see as one important course correction.

Yes, I realize some craft beer hardcores will want to chase me out of town with pitchforks and torches, but I said what I said, and I mean it! Craft beer needs a slight course correction, and that presents an opportunity. washingtonbeerblog.com/time-for-cra...

Yes, non-Washingtonians are welcome; they were focusing on getting the "invite" out to their own members and supporters first.

That, I do not know. I’ll ask.

I think of Tilray as a weed company. When it started this foray into beer, I contended it was about positioning, not profits. About establishing Tilray in the realm of adult beverages on a national level. BrewDog surprised me, but you're right about that price. Shocking, really. How do you say no?

These Tilray acquisitions have always seemed, I don't know, sus AF, as the kids say. They really can't believe there is money to be made, at any purchase price, from the rotting flesh of these flailing brands. But, it's their money, eh?

An epic Belgian beercation with the Washington Brewers Guild The Washington Brewers Guild invites you to join them for an epic beer adventure in Belgium. Here's what you need to know and how you can learn more.

The Washington Brewers Guild is putting together an epic, 9-day beer tour of Belgium, and you are invited. Happens next spring. Final details are coming together, but here's what we know so far. washingtonbeerblog.com/an-epic-belg...

Monohon Hops and the untold history behind The Monohon Lager Big Block Brewing is releasing The Monohon, a lager brewed with locally grown, historic hops from Issaquah, not the Yakima or Willamette Valleys. This beer revives a nearly lost local hop variety root...

A particularly fun story to bring together. I grew up not far from the epicenter of the story. But it's also just a cool-as-hell story about Issaquah's hop-growing tradition. Wait. What? Allow me to introduce Monohon Hops, a new/old hop variety. washingtonbeerblog.com/monohon-hops...

BrewDog's wild ride takes a new turn with Tilray acquisition Tilray Brands is acquiring the UK's BrewDog, paying the equivalent of $44 million for the global brand and intellectual property .

A fire-juggling high-wire artist in a penguin costume. Didn't take long to find a buyer. Tilray is acquiring BrewDog. Deal includes the brewery and UK pubs. Another deal for the remaining global assets will close soon. $44 million? Is that a bargain? 🤷‍♂️ washingtonbeerblog.com/brewdogs-wil...

Hop Notes | Eric R. Sannerud | Substack Howdy, I’m Eric. I care a lot about farmers and hops. I made the Hop Notes newsletter to help you make better hop decisions. Hop Notes is delivered once a month with expert analysis of current topics ...

Credit where it's due. The idea to do this survey came from something I read in Eric Sunnerud's Hop Notes newsletter. It was a pretty geeky deep dive into IPA's future from the brewers' angle. I decided to go a bit more consumer-focused. ericrsannerud.substack.com

Brewers and geeky beer folks often lean into the BJCP guidelines, but the huge majority of consumers don't know what BJCP is. Honestly, I think most IPA consumers just want to know if it is hazy or not. West Coast, American-style, NW-style just means not hazy to most folks

Results from our State of IPA Survey are here The first round of results are in from our State of IPA survey. With over 1,000 responses so far, this is what we are hearing from the craft beer consumer.

I've been running an IPA survey for the last few weeks. Here are the results based on the first 1,000-ish responses. Interesting to see what people think about craft beer's most popular style these days. What they do/don't like, what they want, etc. washingtonbeerblog.com/results-from...

Portland's SheBrew Festival celebrates women in the industry SheBrew is a festival in Portland that celebrates women in the craft beer and cider world. The event takes place on Sat. March 7th.

SheBrew festival in Portland on Sat, March 7th, kicks off Women’s History Month. A vibrant celebration of women in the craft beer and cider industry. washingtonbeerblog.com/portlands-sh...

Obec Brewing announces a series of Burlesque & Beer Shows Obec Brewing in Seattle has scheduled a series of Burlesque & Beer Cabaret events at its taproom in Ballard. The first event is on Sunday, March 8th.

Have you noticed that more breweries and beer joints are upping their events game? Not just more, but more diverse, different kinds of events to attract new, broader audiences. Not just the good ol' brewers night. Like this series at Obec Brewing in Seattle. washingtonbeerblog.com/obec-brewing...

Aslan Brewing announces it's opening a third Seattle location Bellingham-based Aslan Brewing just announced that it is opening another location in Seattle. This will be its fifth location overall and its third in the Emerald City.

Yep, Bellingham-based Aslan Brewing Company is at it again. Opening its third location in Seattle. This will be its fifth location overall. The new brewery and pizzeria will be located in the Seward Park neighborhood. washingtonbeerblog.com/aslan-brewin...

Lucky Envelope Brewing, The Fire Horse, and what it all means Lucky Envelope Brewing hosts its annual Lunar New Year celebration this Saturday to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse.

The Year of the Fire Horse is here, and I'm ready for it. Lucky Envelope Brewing celebrates the Lunar New Year this Saturday. So, what is the Fire Horse all about, and what does the brewery have planned? washingtonbeerblog.com/lucky-envelo...

Crux Fermentation gets new owners as the Oregon Beverage Collective is formed Five craft beverage companies in Central Oregon have combined forces to face the future. Cascade Lakes Brewing, Crux Fermentation Project, GoodLife Brewing, Silver Moon Brewing, and Tumalo Cider are n...

Big news coming out of Bend, OR, as some familiar names in the beer biz announce they are combining forces under one organization: the Oregon Beverage Collective. At the core, Crux Fermentation Project was acquired by another brewery. washingtonbeerblog.com/crux-ferment...

The State of IPA in 2026 This survey is for people who drinking IPA, whether they drink it often or occasionally. IT IS NOT for IPA haters. If your opinion is hardcore anti-IPA, it's not for you. Please only take the quiz o...

Resharing this. The survey is still live. Help me find out what people want from an IPA in 2026. Simple, quick survey about your thoughts on the State of IPA. I'll follow up with a story about the results. forms.gle/RpxhtUqM6bhH...

Yakima Valley Residency Program with NAGBW The Yakima Valley Tourism is sponsoring the Yakima Valley Residency, a new program open to North American Guild of Beer Writers (NAGBW) members.

Are you a beer-focused, new and emerging freelance writer, storyteller, and communicator? Are you a member of the NAGBW? (You should be.) Visit Yakima has an opportunity for you! Earn a residency in Yakima, home of the hops. @nagbw.bsky.social www.visityakima.com/nagbw

A Really Special Bitter, for a really special cause, at Logan Brewing A beer and event to celebrate resilience and independence, and honor the life of a special man. Logan Brewing's Really Special Bitter.

Sometimes a beer is more than a beer. It's a memorial and a celebration. This one is an example. It remembers and celebrates a special man, and supports the things he cared about. A senseless and tragic story, but a poignant memorial. washingtonbeerblog.com/a-really-spe...

The State of IPA in 2026 This survey is for people who drinking IPA, whether they drink it often or occasionally. IT IS NOT for IPA haters. If your opinion is hardcore anti-IPA, it's not for you. Please only take the quiz o...

I sometimes worry the industry isn't listening to its audience because they don't ask, so I put together a quick survey to gauge where people's heads are at these days regarding the state of IPA. You can take the survey here. I will compile and share the results. forms.gle/aYtN58apZiWe...

Tacoma Beer Week , 10 days of events starting February 27th Tacoma Beer Week offers dozens of events at many different locations, all to celebrate the city's current and past, rich beer scene.

Tacoma Beer Week is coming up soon. Feb 27 through March 8th. Events across the city celebrate the city's vibrant beer culture, both today and yesterday. More details in the story. washingtonbeerblog.com/tacoma-beer-...

Untappd ratings are a funny thing. There is an Emperor’s New Clothes effect, for sure.

I agree. It's nice when something lives up to the hoopla.

A plastic cup of Pliny the Younger triple IPA. Served in a mini mart environment.

It’s a Super Sunday. A great day for a Pre-Game Pliny the Younger. Wait… what? Yep. On tap at Super Deli Mart. (They got a full keg this year!)

GoSelfDistro Gives Self-Distributed Breweries a Collective Voice Self-distribution is one expression of the independence that defines craft beer, but it comes with real challenges. GoSelfDistro aims to help.

GoSelfDistro is a new resource for Northwest breweries that choose to self-distribute their beers. And there are a lot of those. It's a collective, valuable to the breweries and the pubs/restaurants/bars. washingtonbeerblog.com/goselfdistro...

Forged in SoDo: Ghostfish Celebrates 11 Years with SODO Steel IPA Seattle's Ghostfish Brewing celebrates its 11th anniversary on Sat. Feb 7th. Event at the taproom and a special beer release. Details here.

Ghostfish Brewing (perhaps the most esteemed GF brewer in the nation) celebrates its 11th anniversary on Sat. Event and beer release: SODO Steel IPA. Why steel? They have their reasons. I share info about that and a bit about how Ghosfish works its magic. washingtonbeerblog.com/forged-in-so...

Bale Breaker's Five Star Dive Bar taps into a trend in the right way Bale Breaker Brewing introduces a new full-time brew: Five Star Dive Bar Light Lager. Available in 12-oz cans, soon in 12-packs. It's trendy, but that is NOT a bad thing.

This new brew from Bale Breaker Brewing taps into a trend. AND that is not necessarily a bad thing. Five Star Dive Bar provides a craft-brewed alternative to "those beers." In case you haven't noticed, a lot of folks are looking to lower ABV beers these days. washingtonbeerblog.com/bale-breaker...

% It is a dismal month for beer sales, but Washington breweries hope the Seahawks' Super Bowl run will help thaw Frigid February.

Got plans for the big game on Sunday? I hope it involves some locally brewed craft beer. Let's make the Seahawks success translate into good news for our local breweries. I talk about that, and "Frigid February" in general, in a story on the blog today. washingtonbeerblog.com/can-the-seah...