Update 4/18/22 – The Seattle Times has delved deeper into this story. I link to that story below. However, it is paywalled, so I share some key points here. The Seattle Times reports that Seattle Hospitality Group’s acquisition of Fremont Brewing raises ethics questions because Sara Nelson (one of the brewery’s founders) is on the Seattle City Council. She is the President of the Council. The concerns center around the idea that SHG is a big local company and Nelson may be positioned to make decisions and impact policies that benefit SHG. There are no accusations that she’s done so, but it does raise questions as explained in the Seattle Times story.
Original Post 4/15/22 – Seattle Hospitality Group (SHG) has acquired a definitive controlling interest in Fremont Brewing. The move brings two iconic Seattle breweries together under the SHG roof. Pike Brewing joined forces with SHG in 2021 (reported here). Fremont Brewing Company will continue operations without interruption or outwardly noticeable change, as Pike Brewing did three years ago. The most significant impact of this acquisition is that Fremont Brewing will gain resources and support to accelerate its growth plans.
An announcement from Seattle Hospitality Group said that by combining resources and expertise, Pike Brewing and Fremont Brewing will work together to continue to push the boundaries of local craft beer excellence and growth.
With the acquisition, Pike Brewing’s beers will continue to exist as separate products within Fremont Brewing’s offerings, with each brand maintaining its existing individual brand identity and product assortment. Why is Pike Brewing now “within” Fremont Brewing? In terms of production volume, Fremont is nearly 10x the size of Pike. The former produces roughly 50k barrels annually, while the latter produces about 5k annually. Reportedly, both breweries (the physical brewing facilities) will remain in operation and no staffing changes are planned. Time will tell.
“I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about joining the Fremont Brewing team and the opportunity it presents to enhance our legacy,” said Charles Finkel, Founder of Pike Brewing. “This move allows us to continue our tradition of crafting exceptional beer while embracing new possibilities for increased distribution, growth, and innovation. Together, we’ll honor the spirit of Seattle’s brewing heritage while charting a course for a dynamic and vibrant future.”
Matt Lincecum, owner of Fremont Brewing, said, “We are excited to embark on this journey with Seattle Hospitality Group and Pike Brewing. Charles and Rose Ann built Pike into a legendary brewery, and we look forward to honoring and building upon their legacy. Both of our breweries share a deep-rooted passion for brewing exceptional beer and fostering meaningful connections within the local community. Keeping it local is really what this partnership with SHG, Pike, and Fremont is all about.”
“We founded Seattle Hospitality Group in 2002 with the mission to invest in iconic Pacific Northwest brands, and our acquisition of Fremont Brewing is a continuation of this long-term vision,” said Howard Wright, Founder and Chair of Seattle Hospitality Group. “We are excited by this opportunity to invest in a Seattle company that shares our passion for culture and vision for growth.”
The Seattle Hospitality Group’s portfolio now includes Ethan Stowell Restaurants, Kenmore Air, Pike Brewing, Fremont Brewing, and other notable local companies. It is also affiliated with several others, like the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Sheraton Grand Seattle, Cedarbrook Lodge, and Semiahmoo Resort. And that’s not all. Read more about SHG here.
