Eric Schaffer wanted to open his bottleshop/taproom in downtown Bothell, but he’d heard bad things about the city’s attitude toward new businesses.
Little did he know he’d not only open the business — The Hop and Hound opened in June 2014 — in downtown but that he’d work hand in hand with the city to start the Bothell Beer Fest and be appointed to one of the city’s committees.
“I’d heard horror stories about working with the city of Bothell. squashing new businesses coming in and all that,” Schaffer said. “But they’ve been nothing but supportive of Hop and Hound.”
Schaffer arrived in Bothell nearly 15 years ago after his telecom business transferred him to the Northwest from the East Coast. He fell in love with the town and wanted to bring a craft beer shop to its downtown core. Thus was born The Hop and Hound, which has 14 beers on tap and a diverse selection of craft beer in bottles.
The Hop and Hound, named so because Schaffer’s coonhound, Charlie, is at the shop nearly as much as Schaffer, is part of an influx of new businesses to downtown Bothell. A specialty grocer is going in down the street and the old Anderson School on Bothell Way is currently being renovated to become a McMenamin’s pub and restaurant, set to open this fall. A new brewery, Blue Lightning, joins breweries like Foggy Noggin, Triplehorn and Dirty Bucket in town.
“We have a real sense of community,” Schaffer said of Bothell. “You can walk around and everyone knows each other.
“It’s also growing. People are moving from the city to save a few bucks.”
Schaffer found a number of people friendly in the city, but none more so than Peter Troedsson. The assistant city manager is a craft beer fan and had the idea to put together a beer fest in downtown Bothell. He asked for help from Schaffer, who organized the breweries, bands and food trucks.
The inaugural event was a resounding success, selling out a day before the festival. The Hop and Hound was the official after party and Schaffer said there was a line out the door when they opened and a stead stream of beer drinkers for six hours.
“It was a homecoming for a lot of Bothell people,” Schaffer said.
Schaffer was recently appointed to the city of Bothell’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, which oversees and reviews how to appropriate funds the city raises through tourism.
Schaffer and his new wife, Lauren, work a combined 100-hour work week to keep The Hop and Hound flush with cold beer. A lot of that is research. Schaffer likes to highlight under-the-radar breweries, putting no tap smaller local breweries like Charging Hippo, Twin Rivers and Bellevue’s Geaux Brewing.
“It’s nice to help expose new breweries,” Schaffer said. “We’re not saying this is the best stuff in the world, but rather this is new and check it out and see what you like and don’t like.”
The Hop and Hound
Bothell, 425-486-2337, www.thehopandhound.com
Come in for a pint or take a six-pack to go from this Bothell beer shop. Enjoy that pint in a small beer garden out back or in an upstairs portion with a couple of four-top tables.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Five other great bottleshops
Ale Spike
Stanwood, 360-386-7650, alespike.com
Thinking north county needed a specialty beer shop, Chris and Lyna Pepper opened Ale Spike in January, 2014. Their shop carries 400 different bottles of beer in 12 coolers and has 26 beers on tap — 27 if you know the secret tap. Imbibers can come in and grab bottles to go or sit down at the small bar and order up a pint.
Brews Almighty
Everett, 425-252-2739, brewsalmighty.com
Joe Kutz opened his beer shop in the heart of Everett to serve thirsty craft beer fans. With 16 rotating taps, Kutz tries to keep on a mix of hard-to-find beers and local ales. There is also a small selection of bottles.
Clearview Spirits &Wines
Monroe, 360-863-3893, www.clearviewspiritsandwines.com
The Monroe shop may be known more for its wine and spirits selection, but don’t overlook its beer catalogue. Clearview Spirits &Wines has a rotating tap list of 24 beers for growler fills and recently expanded its bottle selection to more than 200 craft beers.
Norm’s Market
Lake Stevens, 425-334-4646, facebook.com/normsmarket
Don’t let the mini-mart exterior fool you, Norm’s Market is one of the best beer shops in the state. Stocking more than 1,000 craft beers and pouring 52 beers and ciders on tap for growler fills, Norm’s Market has the largest beer selection north of Lynnwood. Oh, and thank owner Shane McDaniel when you go in: He’s the one who pushed through legislation to make growler fills legal in beer shops.
Special Brews
Lynnwood, 425-741-7049, www.special-brews.com
This bottleshop and bier cafe encourages beer fans to grab a pint and drink it while their shopping for a six pack. With more than 1,000 bottles and 16 beers on tap, Special Brews has something for everyone. The bottleshop, which recently expanded its seating area, has weekly beer tastings.
Have a comment, an upcoming event that we can’t miss or an idea of a drink we must try? Email Aaron Swaney at aswaney@heraldnet.com or Jessi Loerch at jloerch@heraldnet.com.
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