E-Malt.com News article: US, WA: The first brewery cooperative in the state scheduled to be open by end of 2012

The first brewery cooperative in Washington State and only the second in the nation has launched in Seattle. Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery will be built and directed by its owner-members, NWCN.com reported last week.

“We are building a community brewery based on the co-op principles. A brewery for the people,” said Jeff Hicks, President.

The brewery and taproom is scheduled to be open toward the end of 2012.

As a cooperative, Flying Bike owner-members will choose who will operate the brewery and what beers will be on tap, along with the general direction of the brewery. Owner-members will also receive a taproom patronage refund and other benefits.

“Because we are being directed by our members, the sky is the limit as far as what we can do. Look for a very diverse selection of beer," said Hicks. "Because Seattle is such a great beer community, with thousands of home brewers, we will look to our membership for recipe development. We plan to have rotating taps of member created and selected beers along with a good number of world class house beers that have been selected by our membership."

The brewery is currently in the planning stages, which includes site location somewhere in the Seattle area. A membership drive is also currently under way. A nine member Board of Directors has been established and the coop has been incorporated in the State of Washington.

There is currently only one other cooperative brewery in the nation located in Austin.

“It took them 5 years to get open. We have plans to be open in half the time.” said Hicks. “We already have very strong membership sales.”


20 April, 2011