Today is an exciting day for the 900 member-owners of Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery. It was in April of 2011 that I first told you about Flying Bike and its unusual approach to funding, building, and operating a brewery (see all of our stories about Flying Bike). Today, almost four years later, I am happy to report that this most-uncommon brewing adventure is one big step closer to taking off.
The member-owned, cooperative brewery announced today that it signed a lease on a location in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood where it will build a brewery and taproom. The location at 8570 Greenwood Ave North is next door to Naked City Brewery and Taphouse, just north of the beer garden. (map)
A quick check of state records shows that Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery has not yet received or applied for a liquor license, which it will obviously need to brew and serve beer. Presumably, now that Flying Bike has secured a location, receiving a Microbrewery License from the state is one of the essential next steps. Then, of course, there is the pesky federal permitting. When it’s time to actually put hammer to nail and build the brewery and taproom, there will be county and city permits and inspections to navigate. And there’s more. Still, signing a lease is an important step.
To the best of my knowledge, Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery will be the first co-op brewery in Washington. Some guys up in Bellingham tried to do it a few years ago, but they ran into regulator issues before they even got out of the gate.
Here’s the press release from Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery:
Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery signs lease for Brewery & Taproom
SEATTLE, WA, 12/17/2014 Flying
Bike Cooperative Brewery (FBCB), Washington’s first planned cooperative brewery, is excited to announce the signing of a lease for a 3,000+ sq ft brewery and tasting room space in the vibrant Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle, at 8570 Greenwood Ave N. This is an extremely important milestone for the cooperative, with construction to commence this month.
Throughout 2014 the cooperative searched exhaustively for a suitable space, executed a successful Member Investment Campaign, negotiated lease terms, and grew to over 900 memberowners. Proceeds from the Member Investment Campaign have enabled the cooperative to execute the lease and commence construction. With strong support from its membership, the cooperative is making the Flying Bike dream a reality.
“It’s really amazing to see all the hard work we’ve put in over the last year start to pay off,” stated Ryan Vanderpol, President of the Board of Directors. “Signing this lease and starting construction on the brewery and tasting room represents a huge milestone for the coop.It has taken thousands of hours of volunteer work to get here. We have a great group of people working on this project and the support we’ve had from the membership has been truly humbling for all of us. I’m very proud to be a part of this remarkable project and am looking forward to having a pint of Member Driven Beer in Flying Bike’s tasting room on opening day!”
As a cooperative, FBCB memberowners choose board members, what beer will be brewed and what beers will be on tap, along with the general direction of the brewery. Memberowners will also receive a tasting room patronage dividend, access to educational events, and other benefits. FBCB has supported many Seattle beer events including the signature Tour de Pints bike ride during Seattle Beer Week each May. The coop has supported the launch of other new breweries and pubs in the Puget Sound area as well through member events.
To learn more about Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery, or to become a memberowner, please visit http://flyingbike.coop. Construction progress will be communicated via blog posts as well as social media outlets (Facebook, twitter @flyingbikecoop)
About Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery:
Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery (FBCB) is a memberowned cooperative developing a brewery in the Seattle area. FBCB will feature beers from membersourced recipes and fosters cooperative principles built around community, collaboration, and education. FBCB has over 900 members.
For more information or to join contact:
Press Inquiries: marketing@flyingbike.coop
General Inquiries: info@flyingbike.coop
www.flyingbike.coop