E-Malt.com News article: USA, WA: Lucky Envelope Brewing opens in Ballard

Lucky Envelope Brewing at 907 NW 50th St., Ballard, opened its doors and its taps on May 7. Barry Chan and Raymond Kwan are the owners and brewers of the new brewery, Ballard News Tribune reported on May 12.

Chan is from Lancaster, Pa., outside of Philadelphia and has lived in Seattle since 2008.
“Of the new transplants to Seattle, I’m more of a veteran,” said Chan.

Barry was in graduate school at UCLA when he caught the beer bug. He graduated with a masters degree in structural engineering and got a job in Seattle. That’s when he bought his first beer kit.

“I caught myself criticizing a beer, and then I had a realization moment: I didn’t even know how to brew a beer, so why would I criticize something I didn’t even know how to make. So I ended up getting a kit.”

Chan said he slowly immersed himself in brewing. He read and listened to podcasts focused on brewing and learned the chemistry and biology of beer production.

“It kind of clicked with me, and I started going crazy with it.”

Kwan has an MBA from Georgetown University and met Chan in Los Angeles where he worked in finance. He moved to Seattle to work for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation around the same time Chan moved to Seattle. Later Kwan dabbled in entrepreneurial ventures and start-ups in the tech industry. The two remained friends with a common passion: beer.

“We ping-ponged ideas back and forth. … I kept on bringing up starting a brewery and Kwan thought maybe we should do a sports pub, but we realized we aren’t restaurateurs. The brewery seemed like a good route to go.”

The two started their plans for Lucky Envelope Brewing back in September of 2013. They found their space on NW 50th Street, Ballard, with what Chan says was a “string of good luck” and knew it was going to be a great fit.

“Ballard was at the top of my personal list just because you are surrounded by so many great breweries. Stoup, Reuben’s and Populuxe are all within two to three blocks of us. It’s a great area.

Lucky Envelope Brewing has a 15-barrel system (about 450 to 500 gallons). Chan said they can brew an entire batch in close to an eight-hour day. With their current system they are planning to produce a maximum of 3,000 barrels, but Chan said they are not producing that volume yet.

Chan and Kwan are both Chinese-American, and Chan said that the name of the brewery is seeded in their heritage and culture. Their emblem, a red envelope, is symbolic for the passing of coins strung on a red ribbon from the older generation to younger generation during the lunar New Year. The coins were meant to bring good fortune. The custom has evolved into the tradition of giving money in red envelopes to younger relatives during a weddings or special occasions in hopes of helping to bring good fortune.

“It’s kind of a way for us to pay homage to our heritage without getting too crazy with it.”

With that, Chan said that Lucky Envelope Brewing has a big focus on having a family friendly environment and has a place for kids to hang.

Under the symbol of good fortune and giving, Chan said he and Kwan are eager to share their brews and company with the community.

“When you start a business that’s kind of your dream, it kind of is -- in a cheesy way – it’s your own little package you are trying to give to people to enjoy. Beer is a good thing. I love beer because it brings people together. It’s always a great excuse to get together.”


13 May, 2015