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Elysian Brewing’s Georgetown Brewery Closure: What It Means for Seattle’s Beer Scene

B. Kline — Sat, 16 Nov 2024 01:00:28 +0000

Elysian Brewing’s Georgetown Brewery Closure: What It Means for Seattle’s Beer Scene

Seattle’s craft beer landscape is undergoing yet another shake-up as Elysian Brewing, owned by Anheuser-Busch, announced the permanent closure of its Georgetown production brewery and taproom by December 31st, 2024. This marks the end of an era for a facility that had been a significant contributor to the brand’s identity since its acquisition by the beer giant in 2015. While details are still unfolding, the closure has sparked questions, speculation, and concern within the local beer community.

Elysian Brewing Company’s Georgetown Location

Elysian Brewing’s Georgetown Brewery Closure

The End of Georgetown Production

The Georgetown brewery, known for its large-scale production of popular beers like Space Dust IPA, is shutting its doors, with reports indicating that brewing will now shift to other Anheuser-Busch facilities. The smaller, original Capitol Hill brewery—Elysian’s birthplace—will remain operational and has been touted as the future focal point for the brand. According to Elysian representatives, a $1.7 million investment will be made to expand and enhance the Capitol Hill location.

The Georgetown brewery (located at 5410 Airport Wy S, Seattle, WA 98108), is one of the largest full scale production breweries in Seattle. (It is also one of the largest across the country comparative to many of the other Top Producing Breweries.)

However, the announcement leaves many unanswered questions. What happens to Elysian’s third location, Elysian Fields, near T-Mobile Park? For now, its fate remains unclear, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the brand’s Seattle footprint.

Impact on Employees

Employee layoffs are perhaps the most sobering aspect of this closure. Conflicting reports suggest anywhere from a handful to as many as 90 workers could be affected. According to insiders, most Georgetown staff, including the Brewmaster and Lead Brewer, have already been let go, with only two employees reassigned to the Capitol Hill location.

This isn’t the first instance of such consolidation. Employees have likened the move to what happened at Golden Road Brewing, another Anheuser-Busch-owned craft brewery, where production was similarly centralized.

Did Unionization Play a Role?

Adding a layer of complexity is Elysian’s unionization efforts. In 2022, employees at the Georgetown facility voted to join the Teamsters Union, but negotiations for a labor contract reportedly stalled. Some speculate that the closure could be retaliation for unionization, although this remains unconfirmed. With Anheuser-Busch’s broader workforce already unionized, the relationship between Elysian’s closure and its union efforts remains murky.

A Changing Strategy for Craft Beer

This closure is part of a broader strategy shift for Anheuser-Busch, which recently sold off eight of its craft beer brands, including Seattle’s own Redhook, to cannabis-focused company Tilray Brands. While Elysian wasn’t included in that deal, the move signaled a departure from A-B’s previous approach to craft beer. The focus now appears to be on consolidating production and streamlining operations—a strategy that has clearly impacted Georgetown.

Capitol Hill’s Beer Evolution

Elysian’s Capitol Hill brewery will now bear the weight of the brand’s legacy. Opened in 1996, this location has been the heart of Elysian Brewing, and the company plans to invest in its infrastructure to support both brewing and customer experiences. However, for fans of Elysian’s larger-scale offerings, future batches will be brewed outside Seattle, potentially altering the perception of the once-local favorite.

The move also highlights Capitol Hill’s shifting beer scene. Recent years have seen major changes, such as Stoup Brewing’s acquisition of Optimism Brewing and the sale of Redhook’s E Pike Brewlab to Tilray. Smaller breweries like Outer Planet Brewing remain resilient examples of independent craft beer, but Elysian’s closure underscores the challenges and transformations within the local industry.

What’s Next for Elysian and Seattle Beer Fans?

While Anheuser-Busch paints the closure as an opportunity to refocus on Capitol Hill, many in the community are left questioning what this means for Seattle’s craft beer identity. For now, Elysian enthusiasts can still visit the Capitol Hill pub to enjoy their favorite beers, but the shift in production raises questions about how connected the brand will remain to its Seattle roots.

For beer lovers in the Pacific Northwest, this news serves as a reminder of the ever-changing dynamics of the craft beer industry. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Elysian’s Space Dust or a casual beer enthusiast, the closure of the Georgetown facility is a bittersweet chapter in the brand’s story. As the dust settles, one thing remains clear: the Seattle beer scene is evolving, and local beer lovers will be watching closely to see what comes next.

What are your thoughts on Elysian Brewing’s closure? Have you visited their Capitol Hill pub recently? Share your experiences in the comments below or let us know your favorite Seattle brewery!

(Stay updated on craft beer news by following The Beer Thrillers!)

More Information on Elysian Brewing Company

The following comes via Untappd.

Elysian Brewing Company, a Subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, is a macro brewery from Seattle, Washington. They have 878 unique beers and over 1.5 Million ratings, with a global average rating of 3.74 (as of 11.15.24). Their Untappd description reads: “We opened our doors in 1996 when bold art and music defined Seattle. Over the past 25 years, we’ve carried this same spirit in the way we brew our beer – shaking up classic styles, using unusual ingredients, and learning from experimentation. Come chase down the rabbit hole with us.”

You can find them at the following social media platforms:

Elysian Brewing Company – Official Website
Elysian Brewing Company – Facebook
Elysian Brewing Company – Instagram
Elysian Brewing Company – Twitter
Elysian Brewing Company – Untappd

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Brink Brewing Co. Expands Production and Patio Space in Cincinnati’s College Hill

B. Kline — Tue, 07 May 2024 18:22:24 +0000

Brink Brewing Co. Expands Production and Patio Space in Cincinnati’s College Hill

Brink Brewing Co., an award-winning Cincinnati craft brewery, is nearing completion of a significant expansion at its College Hill location. The project includes a new production space, a dedicated canning line, a barrel-aging room, and a larger patio, with construction expected to wrap up this summer.

Located at 5905 Hamilton Ave., Brink Brewing is expanding into the adjacent building at 5909 Hamilton Ave., adding an additional 2,400 square feet to its current 3,200-square-foot space. This expansion will enable the brewery to significantly boost its production capacity and packaging capabilities.

Brink initially considered expanding outside College Hill, but after discussions with the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CHCURC), they decided to keep the investment local. According to Andrew McCleese, founder and director of operations, “We explored opening a second location, but the costs were high. Instead, we opted to grow right here in College Hill.”

The brewery officially purchased the adjacent building in September 2023, and construction began shortly after. The $300,000 project includes a $180,000 investment in new equipment like a canning labeler, palletizer, walk-in cooler, and pallet stacker. The expansion is expected to allow Brink to produce 85% of its beer in-house, up from just 30% in previous years.

Production Boost and Future Plans

In 2023, Brink Brewing produced 1,200 barrels of beer, ranking as the 18th-largest brewery in the Cincinnati area. With the new canning line and additional space, the brewery plans to produce up to 900 barrels in-house, continuing its relationship with Impact Brewing for contract brewing of its flagship IPA and core brands.

“We’re leaving room to add more tanks in the future if needed,” said McCleese. “This expansion gives us flexibility to grow our production and canning operations as demand increases.”

Increased Distribution and Visibility

Thanks to a new partnership with Heidelberg Distributing, Brink Brewing has significantly expanded its brand presence. The brewery’s products can now be found in Great American Ball Park and at major events like Taste of Cincinnati, further boosting its visibility in the region.

Brink has also seen success in retail, securing placements in 72 Kroger stores by 2021, alongside multiple awards, including three consecutive Great American Beer Festival gold medals for its Moozie milk stout. The brewery has been recognized as the Best Very Small Brewery in the United States two years in a row.

Expanded Patio and Community Growth

Brink’s expansion isn’t just about production. Its patio space is doubling in size to 3,000 square feet, providing a more inviting space for guests. This upgrade is part of a collaboration with CHCURC and Cincinnati’s outdoor improvement program.

“We were one of the first businesses to invest in College Hill when there wasn’t much happening here,” said McCleese. “It’s been incredible to grow alongside the neighborhood.”

Brink Brewing Co. opened its doors in 2017, founded by Jack Duncan, Mark Landers, and Kelly Montgomery, who turned a homebrewing hobby into an award-winning brewery. McCleese, a long-time friend, joined early on, helping the brewery maintain its focus on small-batch, organic growth.

For More Information on Brink Brewing Company

The following comes via Untappd.

Brink Brewing Company is a micro brewery from Cincinnati, Ohio. They have 465 unique beers and over 68,000 ratings with a global average rating of 3.87 (as of 5.7.24). Their Untappd description is currently blank.

You can find them at these social media platforms:

Brink Brewing Company – Official Website
Brink Brewing Company – Facebook
Brink Brewing Company – Instagram
Brink Brewing Company – Twitter
Brink Brewing Company – Untappd

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Congressional Gridlock Could Threaten Small Breweries: What Craft Beer Fans Need to Know

B. Kline — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 02:35:39 +0000

Congressional Gridlock Could Threaten Small Breweries: What Craft Beer Fans Need to Know

The Capitol Building (in Washington, D.C.)

If you love independent craft beer, the latest turmoil in Washington might hit closer to home than you think.

While much of the media spotlight has been on Capitol Hill’s ongoing dysfunction—think leadership battles and budget showdowns—there’s a lesser-known consequence brewing behind the scenes: the impact on small and independent breweries across the U.S.

What’s Going On in Congress?

The U.S. House of Representatives has been facing serious hurdles in passing key legislation. Ongoing political infighting and short-term budget fixes have created instability in how federal funds are allocated—and how small businesses are supported. For the brewing industry, this dysfunction can disrupt everything from tax relief to supply chain stability.

Why It Matters to Brewers

At the center of it all is the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA). This critical piece of legislation made permanent a set of reduced excise tax rates for small brewers—giving them room to grow, hire, and invest in their local communities.

But the fight isn’t over. Many in the craft beer world are also looking for support on issues like supply chain relief, postal reform (to allow for more flexible beer shipping), and funding for programs that help brewers access raw materials like hops and barley.

Unfortunately, legislative gridlock means these priorities could be left hanging.

What This Means for Your Favorite Local Brewery

Without consistent action from Congress, the burden of rising costs, disrupted distribution networks, and uncertain tax policy falls squarely on the shoulders of small breweries—the same folks who bring you your favorite hazy IPA, crisp lager, or seasonal stout.

If breweries can’t plan for the future or rely on stable tax policy, that could mean fewer jobs, fewer taproom expansions, and even fewer new beer releases.

What Can You Do?

The Brewers Association is urging beer lovers and brewery owners to stay informed and stay active. That might mean contacting your representatives, sharing accurate info about the challenges breweries face, or simply supporting your local taproom with a few more pints.

Because let’s face it—craft beer doesn’t just magically appear in your pint glass. Behind every pour is a team of passionate brewers, workers, and owners who depend on a fair, functional government to help keep the industry thriving.

For More Information

For more information, you can visit the Brewer’s Association article here: https://www.brewersassociation.org/federal-affairs/how-discord-in-congress-could-impact-small-and-independent-brewers/

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The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of May 2025.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

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