A few years back, Seattle’s Burke-Gilman Brewing earned top honors as the winner of the Alpha King Challenge. (See that story.) It is a HUGE honor, especially for the person who devised and brewed the beers. Since 1999, the annual challenge recognizes “the most well-balanced and drinkable beers with 60 IBUs or more.” IPAs, double IPAs, and such. The award is very highly regarded across the industry.
In 2020, when Burke-Gilman Brewing was named Alpha King champ, the person creating the beers was Phil Pesheck, a Seattle-born Pacific Northwest native with an impressive brewing pedigree, including an Alpha King championship. A couple of years ago, Phil moved to Hawaii, but now he’s coming home to the PNW to join the team at Vice Beer in Vancouver, Washington.
The King’s Return
“Vice Beer will be welcoming Phil Pesheck back to the Pacific Northwest,” said Michael Perozzo, one of the founders/owners of Vice Beer. “Phil previously brewed at Mac and Jack’s, Georgetown, and Burke Gilman – where he was named the Alpha king in 2020. He spent the last couple of years on Oahu, where he helped start Howzit Brewing.”
“I brewed in PDX back in 2006 and love the area,” Phil told us. “I’m really stoked to work with Michael at Vice and get back into competition brewing, which really hones your craft. Win or lose, you can really see the impact it has on each individual beer year after year.”
Phil adds, “Vancouver has been really up and coming in the medal count in the last few years, which to me means there’s a consumer base that will enthusiastically support quality craft beer. Additionally, the area is abundant with wineries, distilleries, and fruit farms. Michael and I have discussed adding a barrel-aged program. So I think we have a lot of potential to make a really great team together.”
Essential Details
Vice Beer opened in Vancouver in 2022. As the brewery’s logo and other imagery might suggest, there is a throwback vibe at Vice Beer, with plenty of references to 80s and 90s pop culture. Rest assured that the beers are completely modern. The company operates two locations. The brewery and taproom is located at 705 SE Park Crest Ave D430, Vancouver, WA 98683. The second location, a downtown taproom called Little Vice, is located at 701 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98660.
