I’ve been waiting to share this news for a while now to ensure the story gets told in the right context. The shortest version is this: Rooftop Brewing is assuming operations at Maritime Pacific Brewing. Rooftop Brewing needed to find a new home after a fire badly damaged the brewery last summer. Now it has. At the same time, this marks the retirement of George and Jane Hancock, who founded Maritime Pacific Brewing in 1990.
Rooftop Brewing will take over operations soon and complete the transition in April. In addition to its own beers, the plan involves continuing to produce some of Maritime Pacific’s best-loved beers, including Jolly Roger and Old Seattle Lager. Also, the sliders aren’t going anywhere; they’ll continue to serve the Jolly Sliders and Smokers. You can see the official announcement below.
George and Jane Hancock, the founders of Maritime Pacific Brewing, have dedicated the past 35 years to the local beer industry, and we should all wish them nothing but the best. Maritime Pacific has provided a model of consistency and continuity. George and Jane helped build this industry and solidify craft beer in the Seattle scene.
Maritime Pacific Brewing gifted us with Jolly Roger, a beer that was ahead of its time and endured the decades. They also gifted the local beer industry with talented people who went on to brew at other breweries, open their own breweries, and otherwise work in the industry. The craft beer industry has reinvented itself at least three times over the past 35 years, and Maritime Pacific endured.
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I tell you the following story only to put things in context. I still remember the first time I encountered a beer called Flagship Red Alt from some new brewery in Seattle: Maritime something or other. That was probably around 1990 or 1991, and I was at the Crocodile Cafe, Central Tavern, Vogue, or some other grungy club that smelled like B.O. and cheap vodka to see some not-yet-famous band with a name the world now knows. Yep, I am old. Younger folks cannot imagine how difficult it was to get a beer like that into a place like that. Groundbreakers!
My point is we owe a lot to breweries like Maritime Pacific, who not only introduced the world to craft beer but kicked ass at it for a long time. The craft beer industry is tough sledding these days, and it is particularly hard for legacy breweries. We owe them a lot of thanks. I have respect for Maritime Pacific. That’s all.
The official announcement is below.
NEWS RELEASE
Rooftop Brewing Company Announces that they will be assuming the operations at Maritime Pacific Brewing upon the retirement of Seattle craft beer pioneers George and Jane Hancock.
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After a search for a new home stemming from a 2024 fire, Rooftop will reopen early April and continue operations at Maritime Pacific’s existing brewhouse at 1111 Ballard Ave, producing established favorites from both brands, including Maritime Pacific’s Old Seattle Lager and Jolly Roger Christmas Ale, as well as Rooftop’s Gateway Hazy Pale Ale, Tropical Staycation IPA, and La Azotea Mexi Lager.
The beloved Jolly Roger Taproom, a Ballard institution since 1990, known by regulars as “the Jolly,” will continue operations, offering both Maritime and Rooftop beers as well as favorite eats such as their Famous Jolly Sliders and Smokers.
With Seattle craft brewing pioneers George and Jane Hancock looking forward to a well-earned retirement, and Rooftop Brewing searching for a new home after a building fire in August 2024, both breweries found themselves at pivotal moments. What could have marked the end for two beloved Seattle institutions instead became an opportunity for something new. Rooftop will carry on Maritime’s legacy while bringing its own spirit to Ballard—ensuring both breweries’ communities have a home for years to come.
“Last year’s fire was a devastating blow to Rooftop,” says Rooftop’s co-founder and general manager Craig Christian. “The prospect of rebuilding and reopening was daunting, to say the least. But when the opportunity to both reopen in an established brewery location and help carry Maritime’s legacy into the future—it just felt right.”
George and Jane Hancock opened Maritime Pacific Brewing in 1990, making it the longest running brewery in Ballard, and have been an essential part of Seattle craft brewing community for a generation. After 20 years in their original Ballard brewery, Maritime Pacific relocated to their existing location at 1111 Ballard Avenue in 2010. Maritime’s beers have been staples of tap lists in Seattle area bars and restaurants for decades.
“After 35 years, stepping away isn’t easy—but knowing it’s in good hands is a real comfort. It’s always been about community, and our best memories are filled with the people who made it all possible,” says George, the self-described curmudgeon of beer. “Jane and I raise a pint to this next chapter.”
Founded in 2012, Rooftop built a devoted following and community of beer lovers just across the Lake Washington Ship Canal from Maritime Pacific. The relative proximity of the breweries—and the compatibility of spirit were important to Rooftop’s team in making this transition.
“Community has been a central part of who we are,” says Christian. “We’ve been eager to reopen for our community of beer lovers, and we are excited to bring that ethos to the already wonderful community at Maritime and the Jolly Roger.”
Christian adds, “It is an honor to continue George and Jane’s legacy. That day when regulars of Rooftop are sitting next to the regulars at the Jolly, choosing from a tap list of the best of Rooftop and Maritime’s beers… that will be a special day.”
After a closure of almost eight months, it will take time for Rooftop’s brewing operation to ramp up and for Rooftop beers to land back on Seattle taps, including at the Jolly Roger Taproom. Rooftop plans to continue operations at the Jolly without major changes, while looking for opportunities to expand community spaces such as the outdoor patio in front—much like the former Rooftop space on Nickerson St.
Plans for upcoming celebrations and other news regarding the transition will be shared on both Rooftop and Maritime’s websites and social media channels.
