One of the highlights of this Saturday’s Washington Beer Open House is the grand opening of American Brewing Company in Edmonds (noon – 8:00). The Grand Opening party will include live music and appetizers. We will have more information about Washington Beer Open House for you tomorrow.
Yesterday I stopped by to see how things are shaping-up at American Brewing. The new brewery is located in a great location on the Edmonds waterfront (180 W. Dayton Street). It is not exactly simple to find. That’s why I shot a video showing you how to get there. American Brewing is actually in the same building as the new Gallagher’s Where U Brew, as the video shows.
American Brewing has a nice, brand-spanking-new taproom that was a bit disheveled when I was there, but will easily be ready in plenty of time for Saturday’s soiree. There’s a good-sized bar and a couple of flat screens. The brewery is visible from the taproom.
How to get there
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To begin with, head towards Edmonds and follow the signs for the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry. If you can’t do that much, you are on your own. Head down the hill towards the ferry and the waterfront, but instead of getting in line for the ferry take a left at the light. Then take the second left into the parking lot, just before the railroad tracks. Once you make it to the parking lot, follow the yellow foam road to the taproom.
Shooting the following video probably was not the safest thing I’ve ever done, and it is a bit shaky, but it should help you get there. Note the prolific use of cowbell.
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The Return of the Wookie
For some time now, local beer geeks have been waiting patiently for brewmaster Skip Madsen (a.k.a. the Wookie) to resurface. As we reported back in October, Skip is now the brewing kahuna at American Brewing Company. You can read that post here. Back then, when I first stopped by American Brewing, most of the brewhouse was still in pieces on the floor, awaiting assembly. When I visited yesterday, I was happy to find Skip Madsen brewing beer. Neil Fallon was washing and filling kegs.
I sampled what they had to offer.
First up was a Blond Ale, which is very light, bright and probably over-filtered, which I have no qualms about telling you because both Neil and Skip admitted as much. This was the first beer they brewed on the new system. It’s a beer with training wheels, so to speak. Not a bad beer, just very light and very clear.
Next up, something just the opposite: unfiltered Breakaway IPA. Breathtakingly delicious, as expected. Nobody should be surprised.
I tasted two beers straight from the tanks, at least one of which Skip hopes will be ready by Saturday: a Red Ale and an Oatmeal Stout. Skip told me that the Red is based on his Panama Red (a beer he brewed at Water Street Brewing) but is not as aggressively hopped. The stout is designed to be a bit more sessionable than many of the Imperials you find these days. It weighs in at about 7.5 ABV, but still offers the rich, smooth character you expect from an Oatmeal Stout. The stout is still very young—do not be disappointed if it’s not ready by Saturday.
It was great to see Skip Madsen back in an active brewery again. I know that I am not the only person glad to have him back on the scene.
There are a lot of breweries for you to visit this Saturday. The Washington Beer Open House runs until 4:00 p.m. The American Brewing Company’s grand opening party runs until 8:00 p.m. You do the math.
