Stoup Brewing to open Wednesday as Ballard becomes even bigger beer destination

Ballard welcomes its ninth brewery on Wednesday with the addition of Stoup Brewing, a terrific new stop on the beer tour. Located less than a block from Bardahl Oil at 1108 NW 52nd St., Stoup is within easy walking range of several other breweries in the neighborhood (see our new Ballard breweries map).

Founded by a chemist, a wine aficionado and a beer geek, Stoup blends the “art and science of beer.” Brad Benson (the chemist) and Lara Zahaba (she worked in the wine industry) are both Ballard residents, and Robyn Schumacher (the beer geek) is a biologist and a certified Cicerone to boot.

“As scientists, we hold the microorganisms and chemical processes that create beer in the highest esteem. As artists, we revel in a good pour,” the three founders explain on Stoup’s site. When we asked Benson about Stoup’s specialty, he answered with a smile, “Brewing beers you like to drink.”

Stoup is a 15-barrel brew house that features a “Indian Session Ale” along with an IPA, Porter and NW Red. They’re working on a Bavarian Hefeweizen and a German-style Pilsner, too.

The tap room is top notch, featuring thick wood tables, heavy ironwork, small white lights and an artistic splash on an inside wall. Benson said he hopes to open a large outdoor beer garden by the time sunny season rolls around again.

Stoup may be the ninth Ballard brewery, but it won’t be the last of the beer boom — Bad Jimmy’s Brewery is coming soon to Leary Ave. near 8th Ave. So what about all the beer competition in the neighborhood?

“Ballard is becoming a beer tourism destination,” said Benson, explaining that all the breweries are helping attract beer lovers across the city to the neighborhood. “If people want a brewery tour, they come to Ballard now.”

Stoup opens Wednesday at 4 p.m. The tap room hours will be 4-8 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4-9 p.m. on Fridays, noon-9 p.m. on Saturdays and noon-8 p.m. on Sundays.

Plus: Follow @BallardBeer on Twitter for more brewery news, and check out our new Ballard breweries map to plan a tour.