Jester King Brewery is one of America’s most esteemed and influential farmhouse-style breweries. Is Jester King coming to Seattle? Well, kind of.
We’ve just learned that Jester King Brewery is an equity partner in a new brewery that plans to open in Seattle’s urban core. Beyond equity, the Austin, Texas brewery has offered advice and already brewed collaboratively with the founders of the forthcoming Fair Isle Brewing.
With plans to open its brewery in early 2018, Fair Isle Brewing describes itself as an urban version of a farmhouse brewery. The ownership group already had a relationship with Jester King, which explains how this partnership came to fruition.
“We’re pleased and excited to announce that Jester King has agreed to form a partnership to help Fair Isle Brewing in Seattle, Washington,” said Jester King Brewery in a blog post recently. “Fair Isle is a brewery-in-planning headed by longtime friend Andrew Pogue and his business partner Geoffrey Barker. Andrew and Geoffrey plan on opening a Seattle brewery focused on mixed culture fermentation and local agriculture in early 2018. While Fair Isle is squarely Andrew and Geoffrey’s creation and vision, Jester King will help along the way with its guidance, advice, and creative input.”
Geoffrey and Andrew met through the North Seattle Home Brew Club, which also spawned professional brewers for the likes of Reuben’s Brews, Bainbridge Island Brewing, NW Peaks Brewing, Populux Brewing, Lucky Envelope Brewing and Ravenna Brewing.
Expounding the philosophy behind Fair Isle Brewing, the company shares this on its website. “Today, farmhouse beer doesn’t have to be brewed on a farm; it’s more about a mindset and respect for it’s origins. It’s about embracing variation rather than avoiding it and letting nature run it’s course. We like to think of ourselves as shepherds rather than controllers – giving our mixed fermentation cultures the time they need to make great beer.”
Fair Isle Brewing has not yet found a home in Seattle, which is more challenging than some might imagine. They’re looking for 6,000+ square feet of suitable real estate. According to the company’s website, the plan is to find a spot in the Ballard, Fremont, or Queen Anne area.
Godspeed, Fair Isle, godspeed.
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Hilliards old spot would have been perfect
I’m guessing Skip knew, but the old Hilliard’s Brewing location will soon be the home of Lagunitas’ Seatttle brewery and taproom.
I peered through the window at the former Hilliard’s location today and there’s no way rumors of Lagunitas’ opening in a month are accurate. They’ve got heavy eqipment inside still and haven’t done much other then demolition.
Kendall, are these the same folks who split off from Jester King and are/were planning a farmhouse brewery in Mt. Vernon area, but have changed their plan? Interesting if this is two Jester King related groups?
No, Mark. Totally different people. That was head brewer Garrett Crowell and barrel goddess Adrienne Ballou. Their departure was announced back in February, or something. I think the rumors of them heading to the Northwest were confused. Maybe Northwest Texas, but I don’t think they’re headed our way.
A few points to clarify —
Actually it was managing partner Ron Extract and assistant manager Amber Watts who left in June 2016 to pursue their own farmhouse brewery project in Washington. Details http://jesterkingbrewery.com/ron-extract-amber-watts-to-leave-jester-king
Adrienne left in February 2016 to pursue viticulture and more recently has worked with central Texas winery Lewis Wines. Details here http://jesterkingbrewery.com/barrel-program-head-adrienne-ballou-leaves-jester-king
Head brewer Garrett Crowell only departed December 22, and he and Adrienne are looking for property in Johnson City for their brewery project. http://jesterkingbrewery.com/head-brewer-garrett-crowell-leaves-jester-king
GBH covered his news quite well here http://goodbeerhunting.com/sightlines/2016/12/21/jester-king-head-brewer-leaves-to-start-own-brewery
Averie Swanson has been handling the barrel program for quite awhile and is now in the well-deserved role of Head Brewer. http://jesterkingbrewery.com/averie-swanson-promoted-to-head-brewer
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