Update: Co-owner Adam Merkl sent us this update: “After getting the word out about opening on 9/17, it looks like we’re going to have to push it back at least another week. We’re shooting for 9/24, but now I don’t want to say for sure until it’s nailed down. We really want to launch when we have our cans ready and it was going to be cutting it too close with their arrival, canning line training, and finishing up the beer. Apologies to your excited readers… we’ll figure out something else we can add to make the opening worth waiting for.”
Earlier: Seattle loves its beer. According to Ryan Hilliard, one of the owners of Ballard’s newest micro-brewery, nearly 30 percent of all beer consumed here is craft beer. “That’s the benefit of opening a brewery in Seattle is that in general, we’re big beer people,” he tells us in his new 6,000 square foot space at 1550 NW 49th St.
Photo courtesy Adam Merkl
A couple of years ago Hilliard entered his home brew in the Puget Sound Pro-Am and it was selected for the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. After that, Hilliard decided it was time to go big – so he is.
The taproom photo courtesy Adam Merkl
Hilliard and business partner Adam Merkl are busy getting Hilliard’s Beer ready to open to the public. They plan on canning their beer and selling four-pack tallboys at local markets and at their taproom. “There are basically three reasons why we want to do cans: It’s better for the environment, it’s better for the beer and it’s better for the bottom line,” Hilliard explains.
Ryan Hilliard (left) and Adam Merkl (right)
Their Saison-style beer is currently at several area bars, including Greenwood’s Naked City Brewery and Taphouse and the new Phinney Market. The Amber Ale will be available in the tall boys, while several of their other beers including a Saison, a Scottish-style Ale and Imperial IPA will be available in their tap room and in growlers. These offerings are subject to change, depending on what Hilliard feels like brewing.
Hilliard’s officially opens to the public on Saturday, September 17th at noon. They will turn their parking lot into a beer garden and serve three beers on tap and the Amber in tallboys. They’ll run the canning line at times during the day so people can literally have freshly-canned beer. After the grand opening, they’ll be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week. The taproom will be open for beer-to-go and “beer for here” Thursday through Saturday 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Thanks Don for the tip!)
