Tag Archives: microbreweries

Kitsap brewers medal at Washington Beer Awards

Poulsbo’s Sound Brewery and Silverdale’s Rainy Daze Brewing claimed gold at the Washington Beer Awards this month.

Overall, four Kitsap-based breweries — Sound, Rainy Daze, Silver City Brewery and Bainbridge Brewing — combined for 13 medals.

Kitsap breweries made an especially strong showing in Belgian- and Abbey-inspired categories, where Sound picked up three golds.

Rainy Daze won the American-style pale ale category with its Stash Box III.

Here’s the full list of Kitsap medalists:

Other Wheat and Rye Beers

Bronze: Rainy Daze Brewing Co. – Rainy Rye IPA

English Ales

Bronze: Rainy Daze Brewing Co. – English Pale Continue reading →

Cidery gives fresh spin to Kitsap craft brew scene

Tad Sooter

In a county bursting with microbreweries and distilleries, a cidery was only a matter of time.

Homebrewers Joel Atteberry and Melissa Kittrell have stepped up to fill that fresh niche in the local craft beverage market. They recently founded the Bushel & Barrel Ciderhouse, a small cider making operation just north of Poulsbo.

While still in its “infancy,” Bushel & Barrel’s hard cider is starting to pop up in stores and drinking establishments around the county.

Kittrell said starting the cidery was a way of becoming more involved in the community. Sales of specialty ciders will benefit local charities.

Their business motto is “Micro cidery… macro cause.”

“I have always wanted to find a way to give back to the community that I love so much,” Kittrell said in an email. “The ciderhouse seemed to be a fun way that also added to the growing craft brewing culture that Poulsbo is embracing.”

Bushel & Barrel is making cider in a traditional style.

“I am striving to create a cider that is similar to and English style cider in craft, but exhibits an off dry and tart flavor from an abundance of granny smith apples,” Kittrell said.

Farmhouse Apple Cider is the cidery’s flagship variety. Kittrell is also producing limited specialty batches, including a hopped cider, and an oak and ginger cider.

Bushel & Barrel doesn’t have a tasting room yet, but you can find the cider on tap at Hare and Hounds Public House and Slippery Pig Brewery in Poulsbo; the Wig Wam Pub in Gorst; and Slaughter County Brewing and the Central Docks in Port in Port Orchard.

Marina Market in Poulsbo carries 22 oz. bottles.

Check the cidery’s page on Facebook for information and updates.

Courtesy images.

Silver City announces major expansion

Tad Sooter

Silver City Brewery, already the county’s largest beer maker, is tripling the size of its brewing system, according to a Wednesday news release.

The Bremerton brewery plans to add a new 35-barrel brew house in May to replace the 10-barrel system it’s used since 1996. AAA Metal Fabrication of The Dalles, Oregon, is manufacturing the hardware.

“They do quality work and we can’t wait to employ the new system and continue making great beer for our fans,” Silver City owner Scott Houmes said in the release.

Silver City already installed larger fermentation tanks and bright beer tanks (tanks where beer matures after fermentation) to keep pace with increased output.

The brewery produced about 8,600 barrels (267,000 gallons) last year. The new system could allow Silver City to eventually brew 20,000 barrels annually, said Kurt Larson, director of sales and marketing.

While Silver City has grown, Larson said the brewery is still focused on serving the same Western Washington market.

“The number one goal isn’t to sell more beer,” he said. “The number one goal is to sell beer fresh.”

Silver City is rolling out new branding and packaging this year. Larson said the new logos are intended to give the brewery’s offering a “clean and crisp look” that’s easier for customers to find on busy supermarket shelves.

Four Silver City beers — Ridgetop Red Ale, Cold One Pilsner, Ziggy Zoggy Summer Lager and a Sieben Braü, set for release next month — will be offered in 12-ounce cans.

The Sieben Braü is being brewed specially for Seattle Beer Week. Silver City is the first brewery outside Seattle to be invited to brew the official beer for the event, which runs May 7-17.

Kitsap on Tap: Der Blokken Brewery

Tad Sooter

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Founded: 2010

Location: 1100 Perry Ave., Bremerton

Online: Website, @DerBlokken, Facebook

Beer sold in: Taproom/pub, kegs, some bottles

Signature beers: Praetorian pale ale, Der Blokken Double Black, Rat City Red

What’s brewing: Der Blokken Brewery has established itself as a community hub in Manette, where it occupies a sprawling corner building. It began as a brew house and pub, offering an eclectic beer selection and European-inspired food, and expanded to include a 21-and-older lounge and a game room.

The Bremerton brewery prides itself on being owned and operated by women, a rarity in the beer making world. (In fact, there’s a Pink Boots Society dedicated to advancing women in the trade.) Reina Powers became the sole owner after a recent transition. Missy Holyoak serves as manager and Amanda Brown is brewmaster.

Der Blokken is rapidly expanding its wholesale output, already producing 1,000 barrels this year. A relationship with the Rat City Rollergirls is helping grow the brewery’s presence in Seattle.

Viewpoint:

“The pub aspect of brewing is really important. It provides people a place to come and talk… Some great ideas have started over a pint of beer.” — Reina Powers

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Kitsap On Tap is an exploration of the county’s rising craft beer industry. Find the print story, more beer features and ongoing coverage at kitsapsun.com/beer.