Category Archives: Kitsap On Tap

Kitsap on Tap: Unicycle Ale

Founded: 2013

Location: 22391 Stargaten Lane, Poulsbo

Online: Facebook

Beer sold in: Bottles, limited kegs

Signature beers: Schwinn Belgian Style Ale, Eire Tire Irish Style Red, Tandem Orange

What’s brewing: A newcomer to the Kitsap beer scene, Hartley rolled out Unicycle Ale in 2013, building the brand around his lifelong hobby.

Hartley, who also serves as a vice president of sales for a Seattle firm, brews and hand-bottles about 40 cases of beer a month, focusing on just three styles.

The Poulsbo Farmers Market is Unicycle’s main retail outlet, but Hartley has interest in opening a taproom somewhere in the county.

Viewpoint:

“This is all about learning the business of brewing, developing a brand and testing the market. So far, the response has been really solid.” — Darin Hartley

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

Kitsap on Tap: Slaughter County Brewing

Tad Sooter

Founded: 2012

Location: 1307 Bay Street, Port Orchard

Online: Facebook, @SCBC_Beer

Beer sold in: Taproom/pub, kegs

Signature beers: O’Cairdubhain’s Irish Stout, Gorst Light pilsner, Ol’ One Eye IPA

What’s brewing: After selling his software company, longtime homebrewer Scott Kirvan carved out a nook on the Port Orchard waterfront.

His brewery serves up English-style ales in an “Irish pub overrun by pirates.” A menu of hearty food helps attract customers to his South Kitsap outpost.

The colorful brewery name harkens back to the early days of Kitsap, when the county was called Slaughter. Kirvan plans to grow his brewery into a regional business and hopes to see more beer makers join him in South Kitsap

Viewpoint:

“Beer is just fascinating to me. The chemistry, the art of it. Curiosity has driven me into making beer.” — Scott Kirvan

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

Kitsap on Tap: Rainy Daze Brewing

Tad Sooter

Founded: 2012

Location: 14974 Olympic View Loop Road, Silverdale

Online: Facebook, @RainyDaze Beer

Beer sold in: Kegs

Signature beers: Rainy Rye IPA, Belgian Bastard (NW IPA with Belgian yeast)

What’s brewing: Partners Mike Montoney and Mike Painter started Rainy Daze in 2012, but zoning issues forced them to close their taproom after two months. That didn’t keep their hoppy beer from creating a buzz in brewing circles.

The Rainy Daze partners are searching for a new location while picking up as many wholesale accounts as they can handle. Montoney recently closed his auto repair business to focus on brewing full-time.

Viewpoint:

“I’m a hophead anyway. I figured I could bring that style out here, make it not too unapproachable, but give them a lot of flavor.” — Mike Montoney

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

Kitsap on Tap: Bainbridge Island Brewing

Tad Sooter

Founded: 2012

Location: 9415 Coppertop Loop, Bainbridge Island

Online: Website, @bainbridgebeer, Facebook

Beer sold in: Taproom, kegs, limited bottles

Signature beers: Eagle Harbor IPA, Puget Sound Giant Hoptopus (double IPA), Kommuter Kolsch

What’s brewing: Founded in 2012 by law school graduate Russell Everett and father Chuck, Bainbridge Island Brewing is the island’s only brewery. The well-appointed taproom attracts crowds locals and tourists alike.

The Everetts doubled brewing capacity in the past two years, while gradually expanding their wholesale business. The brew house serves up well-crafted Northwest favorites, along with a rotating selection of small-batch experiments.

Quotable:

“We felt like on Bainbridge we had a unique opportunity to have a taproom integrated with the brewery that would serve as a social space as well. I view it as the island’s living room.” — Russell Everett

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

Kitsap on Tap: Slippery Pig Brewery

Tad Sooter

Founded: 2010

Location: 18801 Front Street, Poulsbo

Online: Website, @SlipperyPigBeer, Facebook

Beer sold in: Taproom, limited kegs

Signature beers: Rhubarb IPA, Curly Tail Stinging Nettle Pale

What’s brewing: As the signature beer list suggests, Slippery Pig is no run-of-the-mill microbrewery. Dave and Shawna Lambert opened the business on their Finn Hill farm in 2010 and found inspiration close at hand, incorporating fresh-grown ingredients into their recipes.

Slippery Pig made a bold move to downtown this year, opening a new brew house, taproom and live music venue on Front Street in late June. The new location will allow the brewery to expand production and fatten up its bar business with more walk-in customers.

Viewpoint:

“The more impossible something seems, the better of an idea it is. If anyone says you can’t do that, we’re going to figure out why you can’t.” — Dave Lambert

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

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.

Kitsap On Tap: Hood Canal Brewery

Tad Sooter

Founded: 1996

Location: 26499 Bond Road NE, Kingston

Online: Website, Facebook

Beer sold in: Taproom, kegs, bottles

Signature beers: Agate Pass Amber, Dosewallips Special Ale, Dabob Bay IPA

What’s brewing: Founder Don Wyatt, a longtime homebrewer and former school teacher, worked one summer at the Thomas Kemper Brewery before it closed in 1995.

He struck out on his own in 1996 and built a craft brew following in the north end of the county.

The casual Hood Canal taproom off Bond Road is a popular local hangout. Wyatt still handles all the brewing duties himself. His beer can be found in bottles or on draught at about 50 Northwest locales.

Viewpoint:

“How many businesses are there where people enjoy what they’re doing?… There’s nothing like selling a keg to someone. It puts a warm spot in your heart.” — Don Wyatt

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

Kitsap on Tap: Silver City Brewery

Tad Sooter

Founded: 1996

Location: 206 Katy Penman Ave, Bremerton

Online: Website, @SilverCityBrew, Facebook

Beer sold in: Taproom, kegs, bottles, cans. Restaurant in Silverdale.

Signature beers: Ridgetop Red, Saint Florian IPA, Ziggy Zoggy summer lager

What’s brewing: Brothers Scott and Steve Houmes joined former Thomas Kemper brewer Don Spencer to found Silver City as a restaurant and brewery in 1996.

The brewing operation moved to a larger Bremerton facility in 2010 and production steadily increased. Silver City is on pace to brew 10,000 barrels of beer this year, making it far-and-away Kitsap’s largest brewery.

While growing, Silver City remains focused on maintaining quality and serving the local market. The bulk of its sales are still made in Kitsap, though Silver City beer can be found around the I-5 corridor and across the Olympic Pensinsula. Small quantities are shipped to Japan. Continue reading →