Hops and Sips

From left, Rachael Carrigan, Nate Hanson, Erin Hanson, Jeff Hanson and Kacie Hanson pose for a group photo at Thirsty Crab Brewing in Clinton. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘Quite a leap of faith’: Family’s taproom opens in Clinton

The Hanson family has weathered the COVID storm and has at last opened their taproom in Clinton.

From left, Rachael Carrigan, Nate Hanson, Erin Hanson, Jeff Hanson and Kacie Hanson pose for a group photo at Thirsty Crab Brewing in Clinton. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Chris Langford holds onto 5-year-old Fezzik while enjoying a beer during Pints and Pups’ grand opening Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

A place in Everett for dogs — and the beer drinkers who love them

At Pints and Pups, a beer bar and indoor dog park, pooches run free while their humans enjoy pints of craft beer.

Chris Langford holds onto 5-year-old Fezzik while enjoying a beer during Pints and Pups’ grand opening Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A non-alcoholic old fashioned, made with espresso, is prepared at Nadine’s Coffee House Friday, March 25, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

All sip, no hangover: Local businesses serve up exciting, non-alcoholic drinks

Snohomish County businesses are embracing the non-alcoholic beverage market with exciting options.

A non-alcoholic old fashioned, made with espresso, is prepared at Nadine’s Coffee House Friday, March 25, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Kory Dyer, center, along with his parents, Kent and Tania Dyer, sit inside the dining room Friday, March 4, 2022, at Meatheads Smokehouse and Beer Works in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Smoke marks the place for beer and barbecue in Lake Stevens

Since opening last year, Meatheads Smokehouse and Beer Works has won plaudits for its brews and slow-roasted meats alike.

Kory Dyer, center, along with his parents, Kent and Tania Dyer, sit inside the dining room Friday, March 4, 2022, at Meatheads Smokehouse and Beer Works in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Dave Kolbe, Max Neumann and Savanna Diemer are brewers at Skookum Brewery in Arlington, Washington on January 31, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Trio of new brewers aim to build on Skookum’s strong brand

Max Neumann, Dave Kolbe and Savannah Diemer now run the day-to-day operation of the Skookum brewhouse in Arlington.

Dave Kolbe, Max Neumann and Savanna Diemer are brewers at Skookum Brewery in Arlington, Washington on January 31, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
R.J. Whitlow, co-owner of 5 Rights Brewery, has recently expanded to the neighboring shop, formerly Carr's Hardware. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

County craft breweries’ past lives: hardware store, jail

Most breweries in Snohomish County operate in spaces that formerly housed something far different — from boat builders to banks.

R.J. Whitlow, co-owner of 5 Rights Brewery, has recently expanded to the neighboring shop, formerly Carr's Hardware. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Bugu owners and father-son duo Kipp and Bradly Strong pose behind the bar of their Monroe brewery on Dec. 10. (Aaron Swaney)

New brewery in Monroe is truly a ‘family affair’

Before Kipp and Bradly Strong opened their new brewery in Monroe, they tested the concept out on some friends. They built a small out-building on… Continue reading

Bugu owners and father-son duo Kipp and Bradly Strong pose behind the bar of their Monroe brewery on Dec. 10. (Aaron Swaney)
Jeff Barnett, owner of Salish Sea-Boathouse during the soft opening in Edmonds on November 24, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Salish Sea sets sail at second location in Edmonds

In honor of the nearby waterfront, The Boathouse has a decidedly nautical feel — and it’s more of a taproom and brewhouse than its sibling brewpub up the street.

Jeff Barnett, owner of Salish Sea-Boathouse during the soft opening in Edmonds on November 24, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Evan Watts, Watts Brewing Co.

Small Bothell brewer is a big winner in statewide beer contest

Watts Brewing takes home a hold and silver medal and was named Very Small Brewery of the Year at the Washington Beer Awards.

Evan Watts, Watts Brewing Co.
Head brewer Hollis Wood at Skookum Brewery is leaving Arlington for a job at Ever Grain Brewing in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

Drink This: Skookum’s head brewer is heading to the East Coast

After 10 years with the Arlington brewery, Hollis Wood will work for Ever Grain Brewing in Pennsylvania.

Head brewer Hollis Wood at Skookum Brewery is leaving Arlington for a job at Ever Grain Brewing in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)
Penn Cover Brewery owners, Mitch and Mark Aparicio, at their new Freeland location on Thursday, July 22, 2021. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Brewery in the barn: Here’s Whidbey’s newest craft-beer hotspot

Penn Cove Brewing Co. has expanded its operations to a scenic spot on Whidbey Island with views of Holmes Harbor and the Olympic Mountains.

Penn Cover Brewery owners, Mitch and Mark Aparicio, at their new Freeland location on Thursday, July 22, 2021. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville's 5 Rights Brewing's collaboration fresh hop Dippin’ Hops. (Aaron Swaney)

Drink This: Fresh hop beers on tap in Snohomish County

If you can’t make it to Yakima for the Fresh Hop Ale Festival, then go to these four local breweries.

Marysville's 5 Rights Brewing's collaboration fresh hop Dippin’ Hops. (Aaron Swaney)
A beer is poured at UpperLeft Beerfest on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Drink This: Beer and food truck festivals team up in Everett

Enjoy 25 breweries and cideries at the Upper Left Beerfest and 16 food trucks at the Everett Food Truck Festival.

A beer is poured at UpperLeft Beerfest on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Hamilton-Beachbum Zombie served at Latitude 29 in New Orleans — and now your own home bar. (Randy Schmidt)

He cracked the Zombie code. Now he has his own Zombie rum

A new spirit from Jeff “Beachbum” Berry is here to reanimate your tiki cocktails.

Hamilton-Beachbum Zombie served at Latitude 29 in New Orleans — and now your own home bar. (Randy Schmidt)
Phil Bannan at Scuttlebutt Brewing Restaurant and Pub Friday afternoon in Everett on July 2, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Drink This: Scuttlebutt brewery celebrates 25 years in Everett

A 25th anniversary party is scheduled for July 30-31 and new beers will be released each Friday in July.

Phil Bannan at Scuttlebutt Brewing Restaurant and Pub Friday afternoon in Everett on July 2, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
5 Rights Brewing in Marysville recently built the Second Street Community Pavilion, which will be open year-round and have electricity and heat. (5 Rights Brewing)

Drink This: 5 Rights now has year-round outdoor seating

The new Second Street Community Pavilion is just one way the Marysville brewery continues to expand.

5 Rights Brewing in Marysville recently built the Second Street Community Pavilion, which will be open year-round and have electricity and heat. (5 Rights Brewing)
Penn Cove Brewing Co. now has three taprooms on Whidbey Island. Yes, three. The newest opened over Memorial Day Weekend in Freeland. (Tyler Rowe / Cold Pizza Creative)

Drink This: Penn Cove opens its 3rd taproom on Whidbey Island

Brothers Marc and Mitch Aparicio opened a new Freeland taproom at The Barn over Memorial Day weekend.

Penn Cove Brewing Co. now has three taprooms on Whidbey Island. Yes, three. The newest opened over Memorial Day Weekend in Freeland. (Tyler Rowe / Cold Pizza Creative)
Hammered Dwarf owner and cider-maker John Flemming poses in front of a trailer full of barrels he recently purchased. Flemming is filling the barrels with cider to create a lineup of enticing barrel-aged ciders. (Hammered Dwarf Cider)

Drink This: Hammered Dwarf opens new cidery in Snohomish

Head brewer and co-owner John Flemming hopes to make barrel-aged ciders a cornerstone of his business.

Hammered Dwarf owner and cider-maker John Flemming poses in front of a trailer full of barrels he recently purchased. Flemming is filling the barrels with cider to create a lineup of enticing barrel-aged ciders. (Hammered Dwarf Cider)
The beer is flowing again at Snohomish County breweries as COVID-19 restrictions ease. (Kevin Clark / Herald file)

Drink This: Raise a pint to breweries that survived COVID-19

The Herald’s beer aficionado enjoyed a beer crawl from Everett’s At Large Brewing to 5 Rights in Marysville.

The beer is flowing again at Snohomish County breweries as COVID-19 restrictions ease. (Kevin Clark / Herald file)
Empty crowlers and growlers from Everett’s Crucible Brewing wait to be filled and delivered to thirsty beer fans in and around Everett. (Crucible Brewing)

Drink This: How breweries survived without bar service

The pandemic led brewers to invest in canning machines, offer curbside pickup and add outdoor seating.

Empty crowlers and growlers from Everett’s Crucible Brewing wait to be filled and delivered to thirsty beer fans in and around Everett. (Crucible Brewing)