SEATTLE — Washington’s oldest craft brewery is moving operations to a larger, more efficient facility in January.
Pike Brewing Company, which was founded in 1989, brewed the last batch of beer at its location near Pike Place Market in Seattle on Wednesday before it plans to transition brewing operations to the SODO neighborhood.
The company will keep its brewpub and restaurant near Pike Place Market.
“It’s with some sadness we have to decommission our brewery because it’s a history-making brewery and we love it, but from a practical point of view business is about growth,” said Charles Finkel, Pike Brewing founder.
After the final brew Wednesday, Finkel said the company would decommission the old space. To commemorate the event, Pike brewed a batch of Pike Place Pale Ale, which was the first beer the brewery made on Oct. 17, 1989.
Finkel said the new brewing facility will be more efficient and sustainable, allowing the company to increase beer production. Some new features within the SODO facility include a grain silo, allowing Pike Brewing to purchase larger quantities of malted barley for lower prices, and an onsite warehouse. In the space near Pike Place Market, Finkel said it’s been a challenge to get trucks up Post Alley, and from there the beer has to be carted to a warehouse where it’s picked up by distributors.
“It’s exciting to think that this brand will turn into something that’s more easily produced and therefore more easily attained by everyone who lives in this area and hopefully a bit more further flung,” said Leslie Shore, head brewer at Pike Brewing Company.
Finkel said the new spot would allow Pike Place to produce more beers that are popular with consumers today. Since Pike Brewing opened, Finkel said he has seen beer sales move from darker beers, like stouts, to lighter beers.
Pike Brewing Company has been near the Pike Place Market location since 1996 when it opened its brewpub. Previously, brewing operations were housed down the street on Western Avenue.