It took R.J. and Kristi Whitlow years to finally secure a home for their brewery. Now they can’t stop growing.

Less than a year since opening a taproom inside the old Carr’s Hardware building on Third Street in Marysville, 5 Rights Brewing is already expanding.

The new space, located in front of the current 5 Rights Brewing taproom, was formerly occupied by the Vintage Violet consignment shop. The owners of the Vintage Violet moved down the street in October, and the Whitlows had first-right-of-refusal on the space. They quickly said yes.

“It’ll be nice to have frontage on Third Street,” R.J. said. “It will also give us more elbow room.”

R.J. said that he’s often had to turn away customers on Fridays and Saturdays because of the lack of space in the current taproom. The expansion will triple the seating capacity with an additional 1,200 square feet and give the brewery three entry points.

“It was hard to find us before, behind the consignment shop and coffee shop,” R.J. said.

Not that sales have suffered. Since opening about a year ago, 5 Rights has exceeded sales projections by 40%, giving the Whitlows the confidence to invest in the move.

The new space, which will open this weekend, is mainly for additional seating — but the Whitlows also added a small office. A few of the tables were built from old Carr’s Hardware work benches by Sean Seifert. R.J. said he plans to install a roll-up garage door and counter-high seating along Third Street. Galloping Goose whisky wins gold — twice

Everett’s James Bay Distillers’ Galloping Goose Canadian Whisky won gold medals from the Craft Distillers Spirits Competition and the John Barleycorn Awards last month.

“Exciting days!” tweeted James Bay Distillers. “Two gold medal awards within a week for our Galloping Goose Canadian Whisky.”

James Bay’s Galloping Goose is a three-year-aged and 88-proof Canadian whisky. It has notes of caramel and vanilla up front, and moving to baked chocolate and honey, according to the website. Bottles are sold at James Bay’s tasting room in Everett.

Galloping Goose won gold in the Canadian blended category from John Barleycorn Awards. Tasting notes included: “Showing mostly vanilla cream and creme brulee notes. Yum!”

“A soft nose with notes of caramel and a touch of vanilla. Vanilla and caramel on the palate with a dry woody finish with lingering vanilla and caramel.”

Enter the GEBL IPA Bracket Challenge

The 2020 Greater Everett Brewers League is accepting entries through Feb. 2 for its IPA Bracket Challenge. The competition will be held Feb. 8 at Everett’s Lazy Boy Brewing.

The competition has five categories this year, compared to four last year. This year, Hazy/New England IPAs will have its own category, joining English IPAs, American IPAs, Specialty IPAs and Double IPAs. Brewers are encouraged to enter as many different IPAs as possible, but not to enter the same brews in different categories.

Entry fees are $8 per beer, which should be packaged in three 12-ounce bottles. Entries can be dropped off at Micro Homebrew in Kenmore, Jon’s Homebrew and Wine Supply in Puyallup, Mt. Si Homebrew Supply in Snoqualmie and Sound Homebrew Supply and The Cellar Homebrew in Seattle.

Or mail your brews to Lazy Boy Brewing, 715 100th St. SE, Everett WA 98208.

The IPA Bracket Challenge is a Beer Judge Certification Program competition and a Washington Homebrewer of the Year qualifier.

Pair of big beer vertical tastings Saturday

Bothell’s Foggy Noggin Brewing and Everett’s Crucible Brewing is hosting a pair of big beer vertical tastings on Jan. 17. Both events are ticketed affairs.

Foggy Noggin is hosting its fourth vertical tasting of its Duck’s Ass English barleywine starting at 6 p.m. There will be six versions of the beer to taste, including a 2013 version. Tickets are $60.

Crucible Brewing’s vertical tasting is for its “The Todd” Scotch ale at 5 p.m. The rare beer clocks in at 10.3% ABV, except the 2018 version, which is barrel-aged and 12%. Tickets are $25 for a five-beer flight.