A severely scaled-back version of itself, Seattle Beer Week 12 returns. A conversation with its founders and what makes the beer so special.

Seems only a few months ago when the collective United States was comfortably relaxing as reports came in from China about the “Coronavirus”. It was late December 2019. 

A comfort that allowed the unconcerned to generate jokes about getting the flu from beer and whether it was like swine or avian flu. But a few months after, the nation states reported cases of what they would later call COVID-19. And around the country, it forced businesses both large and small to recognize that normal operations would never be the same.

Some of the hardest affected were those in the food and beverage industry, forcing everything from wholesale suppliers to brewery owners to publicans to adapt to a reduction in sales. During this same period, a trio of men saw their dream of another Seattle Beer Week slip away, with each evolving decision by the state and county health department. Each with their own unique relationship to the food and beverage industry, they return in 2021 

Today, they look back on the impact it has had to their individual lives and why, a year later, they feel comfortable celebrating another Seattle Beer Week despite the evolving changes in the state and county. For Seattle Beer Week co-founder Ian Roberts, this year’s ‘Beer Week is an attempt to remind people that the end to the pandemic is almost here. 

A husband and father of two, Ian is co-owner of The Pine Box beer bar in Seattle’s Capitol Hill, and Future Primitive Brewing Company in Seattle’s White Center neighborhood. With decades of experience in the food and beverage industry, the pandemic has tested his rigidity towards loss and depression. Recalling when he realized the nation would not be returning to normal in months, came in March 26th, when he and his co-owners laid-off most of the staff at The Pine Box and Future Primitive Brewing. 

Like so many businesses, Ian and his co-owners adapted that often used term, pivoting by selling takeout food, cocktails, cider, and beer out of The Pine Box. They invested in a canning machine at Future Primitive, which has allowed them to gain access to locations that didn’t support draft beer. The result of their investment in takeout has been a near flat improvement when compared with 2019. But Ian wouldn’t trade swollen bank accounts for the safety and health of his staff, his customers, or his family. Which is why Seattle Beer Week is scaled back but reminds everyone to visit their local food and beverage business during Seattle Beer Week.

And the beer? Well, that’s inspired by a suggestion from Seattle Beer Week co-founder, Matthew “Matt” Younts. 

Rather than select a single brewery, as they did in most years, Matt suggested they support multiple breweries, including Ian’s Future Primitive Brewing company. The result is an India Pale Ale that conceived of by Holy Mountain Brewing, Burke-Gillman Brewing Company, Hellbent Brewing, Stoup Brewing, all brewed, fermented, and packaged at Future Primitive Brewing Company. And the name is fittingly, called Light at the End.

This year, the breweries all voted on using all Washington ingredients, including the hops, malt, yeast, and (naturally) the local water. And at the time of this story, it’s been on shelves throughout the area since April 24th, including Future Primitive Brewing Company. Oh, and a bit of trivia for those loyalists, confused by the 12, it’s a throwback to last year's missed Beer Week. Technically, it’s the 13th year of Seattle Beer Week.

Starting today, May 6th, with the triumphant evacuation of the ‘Official Beer of Seattle Beer Week"‘, and for the next 10 days, the trio of Seattle Beer Week invite you to support your local food and beverage.

As for Ian, despite reduction to his familiar “Beer Week hangover”, he is happy to share another Seattle Beer Week with his friends, family, and colleagues who make this industry feel like a second family. 

That’s something that this writer can crack open a tallboy of Light at the End to!