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How Beer Was Discovered In Fremont
Redhook Ale Brewery
The story of craft beer in Fremont has its beginnings, oddly enough, with Starbucks Coffee. Soon after Gordon Bowker, the founder of Starbucks, struck espresso in Pike Market, he, in partnership with Paul Shipman struck beer in Fremont. The year was 1982. The name was Redhook, and it was to become the original gusher that would inspire hundreds of other micro-breweries to follow in North America's craft beer revolution.
The 10 year overnight success
Gordon and Paul had been convinced that a fresh approach to beer, brewed locally in the European tradition, would be a hit. Traditional ales are brewed according to age-old European standards and offer a freshness and palate missing in the big mass-market pasteurized beers.
At Redhook, the German purity law (the Reinheitsgebot) mandates a strict adherence to just four ingredients; malted barley, hops, yeast and water, in a precise brewing process. Redhook products are available either filtered or unfiltered and always unpasteurized to be at their freshest. By 1984, the introduction of Ballard Bitter saw demand outstrip production. By 1988 Redhook Brewery had taken up residence in its new 26,000 square foot facility in the old red brick Fremont Trolley Barn which used to serve the electric railway. Now, Redhook blends old world charm with the most technically advanced operation on the continent. By 1994 popular demand again fueled expansion to build a 24 acre site in Woodinville on the east side of Lake Washington.
Hale's Brewery & Pub
Located on the far west end of Fremont, where the Burke Gilman Trail meets Leary Way, is Hale's Brewery and Pub. Hale's was the second craft brewery to establish a wellhead at the Center of the Universe. Hale's began in Colville Washington, where Mike Hale released his flagship beer, Hale's Pale Ale, on July 4, 1983. That makes Hale's the third oldest craft-brewery in the state. Today, Hale's two Breweries (Fremont and Spokane) serve the entire Northwest from Alaska to Montana.
The Best of Britain
The vision of Hale's Ales began in 1982 while Mike Hale spent a year cycling amongst the small villages in southern England. It was there he discovered the old world art of brewing and the heart-warming charm of the English pubs. Mike had found his destiny in his pint and was determined to learn the classical methods of English brewing. He sought out the very same small village brewers that had inspired him, in particular Gales Brewery in Horndean, England, who graciously invited Mike to apprentice with them.
Bring your friends and give'm Hales!
Watch the brewing process in action. The 30 barrel, all steam-heated brewing system is in full view and features traditional English open-topped fermenters which can be viewed from the unique mirrored ceiling. The Brewpub has added a cozy new restaurant gathering place replete with a classic bar, lush leather couches, comfortable private booths, a spacious family dining area, plus a large outdoor deck for the enjoyment of Fremont's precious sunny days. Enjoy superb lunches, pub fare and the hand-crafted brews that have made Hale's famous in the great Northwest.
Dad Watsons Pub & Brewery
Dad Watsons was the third brewpub to tap into the Fremont wellhead. As part of the McMenamin family of pubs and breweries that got their start in Oregon in the 1980's, Dad Watsons is characterized less as a brand label and as more of a local neighborhood establishment with its own distinct personality and taste.
The spirit of celebration
The story behind the Dad Watson name speaks to the spirit of the beer they brew and the establishment they run. Dad's is strictly a brew pub. Good food, good beer, and a full bar. They brew their own beer styles on premise along traditional lines and produce a number of distinctive craft beers with a wide range of taste and appeal such as the original all-time favorites, Hammerhead and Terminator. Dad Watson, the pub's namesake, was one of those colorful local legends who was wonderfully larger than life. Watson was an inspirational septuagenarian who really hit his stride in Portland, Oregon, during the 1920s and 30s as the irresistible force and the passion behind the revival of the old-time dances.
Community renewal and do-se-do
Dad was the jovial, lively epitome of self-reliance and playful resoucefulness. His efforts to revive old-time dance was his way of bringing people together in order to renew the social fabric of the community. (Unlike modern couples dance, the old-time dance styles required lots of precision group team work and plenty of levity.) Dad Watson's energy and high-spirited community focus was responsible for a huge surge of popularity in dancing during the depression years. Dad departed in 1944 at the age of 92.
Celebrate life, great beer & good food
McMenamin's Fremont brewpub is a tribute to a true local hero, a self-styled community activist and to craft beers with a taste that will make you feel like dancing. Come celebrate at Dads' anytime. Open daily at the corner of 36th Street and Fremont Ave N. in the Fremont Village Plaza. | |
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