USA, WA: Stoup Brewing to open in Ballard

Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood welcomes its ninth brewery on October 23 with the addition of Stoup Brewing. 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, reported Myballard.com on October 21.

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.

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

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.

“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.”

22 October, 2013