Washington State Beer Scene….Circa 1984
Back in 1984 the beer scene in Washington was beginning to expand from the golden days of only Olympia Brewing and Rainier Brewing. During this time Washington saw newcomers Redhook Brewery, Thomas Kemper Brewing, Pyramid Ales, Bert Grants Brewery, Hales Ales, and Kufnerbrau Brewery. Unfortunately only three of these breweries exist today. Oly and Rainier are now brewed in Southern California while Redhook, Pyramid and Hales continue on, albeit in new surroundings.
Want to see what the beer scene was like in 1984? Here’s an old video that we found on the WashingtonBeerTV that brings us a bit of Washington Beer history. There’s even a spry Will Kemper featured in the accompanying video. Enjoy!
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About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.
I toured the Ranier brewery in 95 or so and it was super fun. It was my first brewery tour though. The tour guide took my friends and I out to his VW van where a hidden compartment had many cases of Ranier’s beers and we all toasted our health before venturing off into the Seattle streets.