Anyone who’s been around the Seattle craft beer scene for more than a minute has at least one special memory of time spent at Big Time Brewery and Alehouse in the University District. For an olderster like me, who actually remembers when the brewpub opened, the memories are as thick and rich as a glass of Big Time’s Old Wooly Barleywine. It’s time to make another memory. On Saturday, December 7th “the Big Time” celebrates its 36th anniversary.
Like its neighbor, the University of Washington, Big Time Brewery is venerable and has endured the decades. At the same time, it manages to feel young and contemporary. As time marches on, it remains a constant in the community, propelled forward by a continuing cycle of initiation, matriculation, and graduation. Recent renovations have the place looking better than ever.
The beers at Big Time Brewery belie the brewery’s age, tasting fresh and modern. The selection is always rotating to introduce new beers and new flavors. Nothing stodgy or dated here. However, if you oldsters want to lean into a Coal Creek Porter or an Atlas Amber, they’re happy to oblige.
“You are invited to join us in celebrating our anniversary! After 36 years, we feel lucky to still be here with you,” says the event page on Facebook. “In 1988, we became a part of our Seattle community and so much has happened since then. Through the highs and lows, we were committed to providing a safe and welcoming space where we treat everyone like friends and family. And after so many years? A lot of you have become our friends and family!”
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
Keep an eye on the Facebook event page as more details about the anniversary party are announced.
- Whenever Big Time Brewery marks a milestone, it packs some historical significance. Roll the clock back to 1932 and you’d find beer lovers around Seattle celebrating the end of Washington state’s Prohibition laws. Happy days were here again, but it would take another 56 years for a brewpub to open in Seattle. In 1988, Big Time Brewery and Alehouse opened in the University District, the first brewpub to operate in Seattle. I am quite sure there was no such thing as a brewpub before Prohibition.
- Big Time is now Washington’s oldest, longest-running independent craft brewery. While the Redhook brand predates Big Time, Redhook is no longer independent, and for a few years, it did not brew any beer in Washington. (Big Time opened in December 1988 and Pike Brewing opened in October 1989. Any that opened before that are now gone.)
- When Big Time opened, it had a sister brewpub in Berkeley, California. When it opened in 1986, it was called Roaring Rock, it became Triple Rock Brewery. The owners opened Big Time Brewery a couple of years later in Seattle. Triple Rock and Big Time have not been related for many years.
- Rick McLaughlin, a former bartender at Big Time is now the owner. He took over the business almost a decade ago. His brother, Roy, is the brewer at Big Time, joining a long line of great brewers who’ve stirred the mash at the venerable brewhouse. (That’s Rick and Roy pictured at the top of this story.)
“We want to raise a glass in thanks to all of YOU for the love and support. Because without you, we wouldn’t be here. Specials are in the works. We will share details as we get closer! Looking forward to partying with you!” Keep an eye on the event page for updates.
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
sponsor
Visit our Events page for information about other upcoming beer events.
