What’s better than a tall beer poured perfectly in the same state in which it was brewed? How about the peace of mind knowing it was brewed with the utmost regard to the environment and local community. Our list of 27 sustainable breweries near Seattle makes finding such a beer much easier.
*This list has not been updated to reflect shutdowns and closures due to coronavirus*
Washington – especially Seattle – is a hotbed for craft beer. According to Datafiniti, the Seattle-Tacoma area had 174 breweries in 2017, the most of any US city (although that number has likely changed). Ballard itself boasts 11 breweries in 5 square miles. So how does one choose what to drink and who to support?
If sustainability factors into your consumer choices (as we believe it should), look no further than these sustainable breweries and cideries. Solomon scoured dozens of Washington breweries from Leavenworth to Gig Harbor to Bellingham to identify the ones using sustainable practices and giving back to their communities. In the name of science, he may have quality-tested a few beers along the way.
Not all heroes wear capes.
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Sustainable breweries in Seattle
Aslan Brewing – Organic beer certified by USDA through the Washington Department of Agriculture. Aslan is also a Certified B Corporation, meeting “higher standards of social and environmental performance.” Visit the brewpub and depot in Bellingham or its new taproom in Fremont.
Chuckanut Brewery – Chuckanut uses ingredients grown in the Skagit Valley, recirculates hot water and CO2, and implements energy-saving technology into its brewing practices. It has also donated to a long list of local non-profits and conservation groups. Chuckanut endorses climate action and carbon pricing through the Brewers’ Climate Declaration.
Discovery Bay Brewing – Another signatory of the Brewers’ Climate Declaration. Discovery Bay recycles its water, uses a bio-swale for storm runoff, and sends it spend grain to local farmers. The Port Townsend taproom is furnished with restored tables and chairs.
Elliot Bay Brewing – At all three Seattle locations, Elliot Bay Brewing has USDA Certified Organic brews and bites. The company has been focused on sustainability since day one, taking great efforts to offer recyclable/compostable materials and organic ingredients. They also purchased wind power credits, use high efficiency lighting, recycle their oil into biofuel and more!
Floating Bridge Brewing – Brewing out of the old Rainbow Tavern, where Soundgarden, The Ramones, Bo Diddley, George Thorogood, Heart and Jimmy Page once played. FBB donates to green causes, donates spent grain, and encourages patrons to bike and walk.
Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery – Washington’s first member-owned brewery located in Greenwood.
Fremont Brewing – With many sustainable practices, and the awards to prove it, Fremont Brewing is among Seattle’s most environmentally-friendly breweries. Fremont participates in a number of community sustainability programs like EnviroStars, Seattle City Light’s Green Up, WA Business for Climate Action, Salmon Safe and Cascadia Grains Conference.
Ghostfish Brewing Company – Dedicated to brewing gluten-free beer using unusual grains, local ingredients where possible.
Lantern Brewing – Using Washington “grains, malts, fruits, vegetables and hops” to support local growers and make Belgian-style beer. Located in North Seattle.
Pike Brewing Company – Located in Pike’s Place Market, proceeds from select Pike beers support local non-profits including the Washington Trails Association. Beers made in “a unique and sustainability-focused gravity-flow, steam-powered brewhouse.”
Odd Otter Brewing Company – Located in Tacoma, Odd Otter gets it Emerald-credentials by giving back to the community through local charities and organizations.
Old Stove Brewing – An anchor tenant in Pike Place market. Old Stove Brewing features oak furnishings and “self-fashioned, dark-stained plywood booths.” Can’t get much more local than Pike Place!
Peddler Brewing Company – As the name suggests, Peddler Brewing is Seattle’s bike-friendly beer destination. Along with bike parking and a bike parts vending machine, Peddler gives discounts to Cascade Bicycle Club members.
Rooftop Brew Co – Tiny as it may be, Rooftop Brew has made an impact through its “Beer Trumps Hate” campaign, which raises money for charities.
McMenamins – Several locations along the I-5 corridor including the Queen Anne one listed above. McMenamins practices Earth-friendly brewing and has had a full-time environmental coordinator since 1991. The food is PNW local, too!
Sustainable breweries near Seattle
Dystopian State Brewing – Washington Beer Awards‘ “Small Brewery of the Year” 2019 and a signatory of the Brewers’ Climate Declaration. Dystopian State donates a portion of its proceeds to local non-profits and lends its space for fundraising events.
Two Beers Brewing Co. – Celebrating the notion that “life is just a little more honest after two beers,” founder Joel VandenBrink uses quality Northwest ingredients. Two Beers shares a tasting room called The Woods with Seattle Cider Company.
7 Seas Brewing – Taprooms in Gig Harbor and Tacoma. Try the 7 Seas Pilsner with Northwest hops and malts. First Washington brewery to utilize aluminum cans.
Boundary Bay Brewery – Located in Bellingham, Boundary Bay Brewery is celebrating its 25th anniversary by gifting $25,000 in donations “to Whatcom County non-profits, schools and clubs that are actively working to foster a healthier, happier community for us all.”
Mac & Jacks Brewery – Brewed in Redmond since 1993, Mac & Jacks boasts “one of the most efficient breweries in the country” and uses local ingredients as possible. It also donates to a long list of local and national organizations.
Icicle Brewing Company – Located in picturesque Bavarian-style town. Icicle Brewing is a 1% for the Planet company that uses local ingredients. A must-stop if you’re in Leavenworth for the holidays.
Sustainable, but not quite beer
20 Corners Brewing – Born out of a love for the outdoors, Woodinville-based 20 Corners supports environmental non-profits. It also recaptures water during brewing, uses renewable energy and re-purposes spent grain.
Schilling Hard Cider – With a cider house in Seattle and tasting room in Auburn, Schilling brews hard ciders with Washington apples. Check out a cider making class to see what it takes to brew your own cider!
Seattle Cider Co – “Seattle’s first cidery since Prohibition, bringing true craft cider back to Seattle and across the country.” Seattle Cider uses Washington apples and donates to organizations including the Washington Trails Association, The Mountaineers and Washington’s National Park Fund.
Glory Bucha – OK, it’s not beer, but this locally brewed kambucha is pretty cool. Located in Arlington, Glory Bucha uses local, organic ingredients to make a healthy, fermented drink with 2% or less alcohol.
Sustainable, but not brewed in-state
Rogue Issaquah Brewhouse – With a taphouse in Issaquah, Rogue grows many of its own ingredients in the PNW. “Feed the Fisherman” – aka giving back to its community – has been embedded in Rogue’s culture since its founding in 1989.
Lagunitas Brewing Company – Its taproom in Old Ballard stays closed on Mondays and Tuesdays to lend space to non-profits. Lagunitas also gives to a number of charitable causes through its Community Giving program.
Featured photo by Evan Dvorkin on Unsplash.
