Hops and Sips

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.

 

beer gifts

Seven gift ideas for drinkers

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

 

Nigel Lindsey of Revolution by the Barrel adds a sage leaf garnish to his spin on a New York sour while demonstrating his mobile cocktail service Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at Think Tank Cowork in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Traveling bartender wants to start a ‘Revolution by the Barrel’

Everett mixologist Nigel Lindsey works to hold cocktails to a higher standard.

Nigel Lindsey of Revolution by the Barrel adds a sage leaf garnish to his spin on a New York sour while demonstrating his mobile cocktail service Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at Think Tank Cowork in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
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)
Kim Taylor, left, and Jeff Stoner co-own Greenbank Cidery, a newly opened taproom on Whidbey Island with eight varieties of cider on tap. (Rachel Rosen / Whidbey News-Times)

Cider tasting room opens on Whidbey Island

The owners of Greenbank Cidery have opened a tasting room in Coupeville. Eight varieties of cider are on tap.

Kim Taylor, left, and Jeff Stoner co-own Greenbank Cidery, a newly opened taproom on Whidbey Island with eight varieties of cider on tap. (Rachel Rosen / Whidbey News-Times)
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)
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)
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)