(Seattle, WA)     Those in the Pacific Northwest know what is means to be spoiled by hard working craft breweries that produce some of the best beers in the country. However if you think back beyond the halcyon days of what was then "micro brewing" you might consider yourself a pariah for consuming something other than Coors, Miller, or even Olympia. In 1989 while cutting his teeth in the wine industry as a salesmen and successful architect to a European beer importing firm, Charles (along with his wife Rose Ann) Finkel nurtured along a brewery with one goal to entertain and enlighten people to the world of artisan beer.

    Like many "micro" breweries of its day they started small with a relatively obscure location before moving over to 'tourist-friendly' location on Pike Street. Using what Charles had gained from working with the likes of Samuel Smith, Lindemans, Ayinger, and Orval just to name a few, they opened up  their original location at the La Salle Hotel (formerly, Outlook Hotel) near 1426 Western Avenue.


Geographical History of Pike Brewing’s locations.
View Pike Brewing's History in a larger map

"Prior to creating Merchant du Vin our Founder, Charles Finkel, had been among the country's leading wine importers and marketers. He originally envisioned importing both beer and wine under the MdV label and in fact, did import some wine in the late 1970's. However for most of our over-twenty-five-year history we have been, and continue to be exclusively an importer of the world's finest beers." source, Merchant du Vin's website FAQ

    Using a four barrel brewing system (which produces roughly eight (8) kegs of beer at a time) the Finkels started production on some of their first ales including a India Pale Ale (b. 1989) and a Barleywine (b.1991). As the brewery began to grow so did the curiosity of aspiring brewers who wished to learn the rote of a production brewery.

     Since its inception the likes of Dick Cantwell (head brewer and co-owner of Elysian Brewing), Bill Jenkins (head brewer, Big Time Brewery), Janelle Pritchard (Brewing Mgr. Snoqualmie Falls Brewing), Skip Madsen (father of Boundary Bay IPA), Fal Allen (brewing in Singapore), Kim Brusco (Mgr. brewing operations Redhook), Kevin Forhan (Ram Brewery “Northgate”), Shawn Loring (owner and head brewer Lazy Boy Brewing), and current brewer Drew Cluley have all learned something new during their stay under Charles and Rose Ann. The names might be meaningless to the laymen but to those that have shared a pint, a conversation, or a laugh with them their names have meaning.

     Charles & Rose Ann summed up this in regards to their beers through the years and even what is to come.

“Pike has introduced, what many describe as, classic ales including  Pike XXXXX Extra Stout; 1989, Pike IPA in 1990 (Roger Protz's choice of one of the 300 beers to try before you die); Pike Old Bawdy Barley Wine, 1991 and soon to be included in the revised edition of the same book; in 1992, Pike Kilt Lifter (N.W. Brewing News Reader's Choice, Best Scotch Ale, 2006, 2007 and 2008); Cerveza Rosanna (named for Rose Ann Finkel) and Auld Aquaintence, in 1993; Pike Weisse in 1998; Naughty Nellie Golden in 1999; Pike Tandem Double in 2006; Monk's Uncle Tripel in 2007; Pike Entire Wood Aged Stout, 2008; and now, as a special treat, just for our 20th birthday, Pike Tripel Kriek, a tripel that was fermented with Brettanomyces yeast, along with the addition of 60 pounds of local organic Bing cherries per cask that were added at the peak of Washington State cherry season in June 2009. Since then, the cuveé has been aging in Washington State Cabernet wine casks. XXX Kriek will be available on draft at the pub and at Brouwers Sour Beer Festival during Seattle Beer Week 2010.” –source Owners Charles & Rose Ann Finkel, Pike Brewing.

“In addition to our standard lineup (plus Tripel Kriek), Pike will also be releasing its other oak aged beer, Pike Entire 2009, in time for their anniversary.  Entire is a blend of  Pike XXXXX Extra Stout and a Pike imperial stout (high gravity) aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels  for 7 months.” –source Owners Charles & Rose Ann Finkel, Pike Brewing.

     It should be noted that one shouldn’t have to suffer compulsion only when an establishment such as this has a party, you can visit any day of the week. The Pike Pub which is located just up the street from the former location (since 1997) much as it menu demonstrates compliments the brewery well with its excellent sandwiches, entrées, salads and pizzas. If history if more to your liking then why not stop into the brewery museum for a look back on not only the history of Pikes but of the industry as a whole. So what are you waiting for, an invitation to share in two decades of promoting artisan beer and artisan food doesn’t come along too often.

     For more information please read below for start time and additional specifications on the Entire and the Kriek.

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20th

20thstraight

5:00 PM 
Saturday, October 17, 2009
MUSEUM ROOM AT THE PIKE PUB

Thank you to our Pike customers and friends.

Please come celebrate with us!

  • Music by the Atlas Stringband
  • 7:00 pm Sing Happy Birthday
  • Free Pike Pale Birthday Cake for everyone in the Pub
  • Raffle of Authentic Pike Breweriana from 1989-2009

Bring a copy of our this announcement to receive a FREE 20th Anniversary Pint Glass.

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tripel kriek

PIKE TRIPEL KRIEK

Monks Uncle Tripel that was fermented with Brettanomyces yeast, along with the addition of 60 pounds of local organic Bing cherries per cask that were added at the peak of Washington State cherry season in June 2009. Since then, the cuveé has been aging in Washington State Cabernet wine casks. XXX Kriek will be available on draft at the pub and at Brouwers Sour Beer Festival during Seattle Beer Week 2010.

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PIKE ENTIRE

Pike's 20th Anniversary marks the official release of the 2009 Pike Entire. Entire is a blend of Pike XXXXX Extra Stout and a Pike imperial stout (high gravity) aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels for 7 months.
Last year's release sold out in 4 days-come taste it before it is released to the market.
–source Owners Charles & Rose Ann Finkel, Pike Brewing.

     Please join Rose Ann, Charles, Drew, and the entire crew of Pikes Brewing & Pub on the 17th of October as they celebrate a rare two decades in the brewing industry.

Cheers

Related

Charles Finkels Graphics Design agency

Pike Brewery, Pub, and Museum
1415 1st Avenue Seattle, WA 98101-2017 (206) 622-6044