Aaron Swaney

Ryan Hembre prepares a Spring Wish cocktail at Skip Rock Distillery on March 3, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. Owners Ryan and Julie Hembre recently opened their new remodeled space and will be serving cocktails with their own spirits for the first time. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Skip on over to downtown Snohomish for a libation

Skip Rock Distillers now serving cocktails that show off the spirits it’s been making since 2011.

 

Designer Alyson Osborn with a handful of beer labels she illustrated and designed for Skookum Brewery on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Craft brewers turn to Bothell artist for creative labels

Like record album covers back in the 1970s, Alyson Osborn’s designs help brewers build their brands and sell more beer.

 

From left, Wild Roots flavored vodka, La Gritona Tequila Reposado, Woodinville Bourbon, Brockmans Gin and Coopers' Craft Bourbon sit on a cask on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, at the Evergreen QFC liquor section in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Pick Six: an adventurous gift guide for good spirits and wines

The libations expert at QFC Claremont in Everett selects some of her favorite spirits for holiday giving.

 

beer gifts

Seven gift ideas for drinkers

From books to bourbon, ideas for the lovers of beer and spirits in your life.

beer gifts
A pint of In the Shadows’ HBL — Honey Basil Lemon — blonde ale, which took home a bronze medal in the 2022 Washington Beer Awards. (Aaron Swaney)

Tiny but mighty: These Snohomish County breweries won big at Washington Beer Awards

Check out this year’s Washington Beer Awards winners from Snohomish County.

A pint of In the Shadows’ HBL — Honey Basil Lemon — blonde ale, which took home a bronze medal in the 2022 Washington Beer Awards. (Aaron Swaney)
A sign celebrating the hop harvest is seen outside Carpenter Ranches hop farm in Granger. (Photo courtesy of R.J. Whitlow, owner and head brewer at 5 Rights Brewing)

Hop season is here. So is fresh, locally brewed craft beer.

Our resident craft beer expert rounded up a list of fresh hop beers hitting the taps soon.

A sign celebrating the hop harvest is seen outside Carpenter Ranches hop farm in Granger. (Photo courtesy of R.J. Whitlow, owner and head brewer at 5 Rights Brewing)
Jordan and Brandon Molina at the newly opened Peace of Mind Brewing Tuesday afternoon in Lynnwood, Washington on September 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

New Lynnwood brewery opens at former Cask & Trotter location

Peace of Mind Brewing is filling a craft beer void in south Snohomish County.

Jordan and Brandon Molina at the newly opened Peace of Mind Brewing Tuesday afternoon in Lynnwood, Washington on September 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Ruse Brewing Insulator IPA, Wayfinder Hell Lager and Zoiglhaus Zopo Italian Pilsner at Josh’s Taps & Caps on Monday, July 18, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Old-school lagers, freshened for the craft-beer generation

Beer lovers asked for elevated versions of the brews their dads drank, and Snohomish County beermakers answered

Ruse Brewing Insulator IPA, Wayfinder Hell Lager and Zoiglhaus Zopo Italian Pilsner at Josh’s Taps & Caps on Monday, July 18, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Upper Left Beerfest: The full pour list

Find every type of beer, cider and more served at this year’s Upper Left Beer Fest in Everett.

A beer is poured at UpperLeft Beerfest on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

This weekend, take a sip out of Upper Left Beerfest in Everett

Upper Left Beerfest is back in Everett this weekend, with more than 20 craft breweries and cideries.

A beer is poured at UpperLeft Beerfest on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A sour tasting flight from Wild Barrel Brewing, of San Marcos, Calif. (Aaron Swaney)

Beer lovers can get funky at 5 Rights Brewing’s Sour Fest

Learn all about (and drink plenty of) sour ales this week during the Marysville craft brewer’s Funkville Sour Festival

A sour tasting flight from Wild Barrel Brewing, of San Marcos, Calif. (Aaron Swaney)
Nick Hegge, brewer and owner of Wild Oak Project, runs a brewery out of his garage in Everett, Washington on July 25, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Meet the Everett brewer cranking out craft beer from his home

Nick Hegge and his Wild Oak Project brews barrel-aged beers in a 500-square-foot garage.

Nick Hegge, brewer and owner of Wild Oak Project, runs a brewery out of his garage in Everett, Washington on July 25, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Cutline: Former Fuller’s Brewery head brewer John Keeling will be speaking at Foggy Noggin Brewing in Bothell on July 31.

Summer finally begins for craft beer aficionados

Here’s the scoop on beer-related events in Everett, Marysville, Bothell and Snohomish.

Cutline: Former Fuller’s Brewery head brewer John Keeling will be speaking at Foggy Noggin Brewing in Bothell on July 31.
Hops & Seed head brewer Dru Seed (left) and owner John Bigelow share a pint at the Hops Seed taproom. (Caleb Smith)

Catch Snohomish brewery Hops & Seed at state Brewers Festival

After a two-year hiatus, the festival returns this weekend, with several Snohomish County breweries participating.

Hops & Seed head brewer Dru Seed (left) and owner John Bigelow share a pint at the Hops Seed taproom. (Caleb Smith)
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)
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Make the best G&T ever at Lynnwood distillery’s party

At Temple Distilling’s G&T Garden Party on May 21, you can choose your gin, tonic and garnishes.

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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)
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)