Old Rip is on the scene.....

You heard it here first...

Diana had here farewell party, but appears to be staying for a bit longer, sometime around the first of August...Our beer brewed in her honor seems to have stuck around just about as long as her. There is less than a 1/2 barrel left. As the man at the bar with the big hair, think surfer voice, said "it's sooo organic man". Take it from a man who knows.....

The Old Sol in bottles is all gone, we still have this delicious beer on draft, but not for much longer...

Summer is in full swing....get out and enjoy it while its here, cause sooner than later I imagine that it will be back to rain and colder temps...

Come in and say goodbye to Diana...

When: This Thursday, July 17th, after 6:30pm, here at the Big Time. Diana, who left us a bit ago, but failed to leave the city yet, is finally about to move towards California.... She will, if you are lucky enough reveal where it is she plans to go and why...I think it has something to do with Willie Nelson...but am not sure....I hope to see you all there. Of Course the beer brewed in her honor should be flowing, ask for it by name Artemis Organic Pale...the guardian of the hunt and the forest...she is headed to Humbolt after all..... See you there.

just a quick one

The Old Sol is flowing, the bottles are flying out the door, and it is one super tasty beverage, that arrived just in time for summer.

The Artemis Organic Pale ale is a real hit. Come on in and wish Diana the very best on her new journey to who knows, I don't even think she does.

For all of you that keep coming in and asking for it, your wish has been granted....on the longest day of the year we brewed the darkest beer we make, thats right Old Rip Oatmeal Stout will make an appearance in the next couple of weeks.

Bill brewed another Hopfest, our single hop pale ale. He used Autanum hops throughout this time. Look for that real soon.

We are coming up with ideas for the 20th anniversary shirt as well as how to properly celebrate 20 years of doing business.

That is all for now.

The Buffalo Theory

This one landed in my inbox the other day. Diana, who will be leaving us soon sent it my way, I think it was passed to her from her mother. hurray for mom....

In one episode of “Cheers”, Cliff is seated at the bar describing the Buffalo Theory to his buddy, Norm. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the concept explained any better than this:

“Well you see, Norm, it’s like this. A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. When the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at th back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest numbers.

In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers.

Blanche de Mensonge, the belgian wheat beer is excellent, it looks like it brought the summer weather for a few days at least.

Artemis, the organic pale made with Cascade and Columbus hops is tasting great. It should be flowing sooner than later. It is after all Diana's last weekend with us, and she kind of has to be on hand when the beer goes on tap.

Also this weekend is the release of Old Sol Wheatwine. I expect to see you all on Saturday for some fine adult beverages. Bill has been working overtime to get the beer in bottles and ready to head out the door. Apply the Buffalo Theory and come on in, get rid of those weaker brain cells, we could call it getting smarter.....ha ha. Hope to see you all soon for a pint or two. It looks that summer is on the way, school is out and we are a bit more mellow all summer long.

just a quick one.....

The Biggest Beerfest in Washington is this weekend out at St Edwards Park in Kenmore. Those of you that haven't yet joined WABL should. One incentive, other than supporting great Washington Beer, for joining is at this festival is you get a larger, glass tasting cup, and access to a special keg of beer provided to the festival by one of the many quality Washington Breweries. We have tickets to this fantastic event.

I can not believe that I am writing this, it snowed last night at the Summit, but the following weekend is the Summer Solstice, the arrival of summer? Old Sol Wheatwine will be flowing, if this weather holds it will be the sunshine in a glass that you need to make it through until summer really arrives. I expect to see you all there snifter in hand.

We should have a few new beers on draft shortly, one should already be flowing but our friendly sign makers spelled the name wrong delaying its release.

We still have growlers available, they are very cool and since it is the first time we have ever done one everyone should be coming down to get their hands on this piece of history. Thanks so much and hope to see you soon enjoying a tasty pint or two in Seattle's Original Brewpub.

beer and gas....

There you have it folks. This landed in my inbox this morning and I thought it was only appropriate to pass it on. With the hop crisis it looks like the hop heads and the motor heads will be competing for at least the next year for which is cheaper. I am sure that gas will win this race as I have heard it is supposed to creep up to the 5 dollar mark this summer, and I don't see pints, at least in our establishment hitting that yet.

In other news the Trombipulator is all gone, if you got some you were one of the lucky, if not you really missed out. It was one of the best batches I have ever tasted.

The organic pale ale, Artemis, was brewed a few days ago, look for it in the near future. This is another first for the Big Time. The growlers are selling fast, they are beautiful. Stop in and get one.

We plan to put out a new design for the Old Wooly shirts, right now we are trying to figure out if we are going to do long sleeve shirts, zip hoodies, or pullover hoodies. Sound off with what you would like to see. Zack, the ave rat artist designed them and they are super cool.

Old Sol Wheatwine comes out on Saturday the 21st, I expect to see you all there. Come on in and celebrate half a year of rain with us, maybe it will bring the sun out of hiding.

We still have tickets to the Mother of all Father's Day, Brewer's festival out at St Edwards park in Kenmore. I expect to see you all there. Click here for more information.

Just a reminder beer is cheaper than gas, so drink up. For those of you that must know a gallon of gas is 4.25 a gallon of beer is 16.00 at our establishment so maybe beer really isn't cheaper than gas, but I do think that it has more social value than gas. On that note I will sign off, and if you drink don't drive.

Drum roll please!!!!!!!!!!!

They finally arrived. After all the talk and then the planning, which consisted of drinking a few beers at a certain friends house, while "playing" with ideas on the computer. Then there was the hashing and re hashing of ideas with Bill and Armon. Yesterday they finally arrived in the almost 20 years that we have been around we have never produced a 1/2 gallon growler, what better way to celebrate 20 years than with a commemorative beer holding vessel. They are on clear glass so the color of the beer exposes or hides different parts of the design. We did a limited number, and I anticipate that they will be a hot commodity. Come on down hoist a pint or two, fill a growler and head home with one of the few Big Time growlers. Here's to seeing you sooner than later.

In other news....

Trombipulator is almost done.
Summer is on the way...i hope.
Stay tuned for the 20th Anniversary plans.

Upcoming Beers.....

Yesterday I arrived to work, a bit sweaty and late, and was happy to see that we had added a new/old beer to the lineup, Paxton's ESB. Originally brewed by Drew Cluley now of Pike fame. Many years ago he was the bar manager, and guess what he also knows how to brew beer, so he did. I think Kevin was on vacation at the time or maybe they even collaborated. The name, well Paxton is Drew's middle name, there the secret is out. Now on the details. It is a Northwest Style ESB, using Columbus, Goldings and Mt Hood hops. It has good hop character with a solid malt backbone, the original recipe has been altered a bit, Bill likes to tweak things now and again, but the namesake stays the same.

A new beer was brewed yesterday, we are keeping the details under wraps a bit, look for something that we haven't done in the past. I'll leave it at that.....

Diana, our resident hippy, has decided that she needs to leave, it appears she is over the city life and needs to go to greener pastures, think Northern California. In sticking with the theme, that a beer is named after you upon your decision to leave i.e Firecracker Pale ale, Serrano Puzzano, Bill is brewing an Organic Pale Ale and naming it in Diana's honor. A note on the Serrano Puzzano, Sarah tried to leave and then didn't, somethings are just too good to quit, but she did get pink boots and a beer named after her, so it looks like she played it right. Back to this Organic Pale Ale, it will be brewed early next week, look for it on draft in the upcoming weeks. The name will be Artemis, which Bill tells me is the Greek Goddess of the forest and the hills, the counter part to the Roman Goddess Diana, the Goddess of the Hunt. If you know Diana and you followed the links, it all must make a bit of sense, the name that is. Our hippy returns to the forest. I'll leave it at that.

We have almost exactly one month until the release of the Old Sol Wheatwine. It will be released on the Summer Solstice which this year falls on Saturday June 21st. I'll see you all there, snifter in hand.

The weekend before that is the Mother of All Father's day Festival out at Saint Edwards State Park. A three day celebration. We will be bringing the Ave Rat Malt Liquor, the Ryenoceros Amber Rye ale, Paxton's ESB and maybe one of the above mentioned beers.

What a success.....

Street Fair was a success, thanks to all who joined us for the first truly sunny weather in years. Usually it rains at some point during the weekend, making the beer garden a nice thought. This year it was the exact opposite, it was "too hot" for people, instead of too windy and rainy. I stayed clear on Saturday, with one day off I had no desire to show up, I figured I would get my share of the crowds and the madness on Sunday. We had some unfortunate breaks, of all things to break this weekend the ice machine went out, which meant many trips to Safeway to get bags and bags of ice, talk about irony. I won't bore you with more details, some of my favorite moments and sightings were.

An old man wearing a shirt that put it all in perspective..."got dates?"

Little dogs in the purses of woman in high heels and jeans, should we thank Paris Hilton?

More tie die than I have seen in years.

The familiar smell of caramel corn.

Kids with face paint, adults for that matter, maybe I should have gotten my bald head painted in spirit.

I was also confused at certain points in the day when I saw more than a few people wearing jackets, or long sleeves. I ask you Seattle are we that afraid to shed our winter armor? What is that bright ball in the sky anyways?

I brought my camera which died as soon as I turned it on, or I would have a photo gallery for you all. Lets face it a picture is worth a thousand words. Thanks to all who came and joined us on this fine weekend.

Ave Rat Malt Liquor

Ave Rat arrives on Wednesday when we open, just in time for the U-Districts street fair, this weekend May 17th and 18th. We will have a giant beer garden in front of the building, and with the temps predicted to be in the 80's summer looks to be here. The Big Time Brewery's beer garden looks to be the spot to be. I expect to see you all there with sunglasses, and of course a pint of tasty Ave Rat in hand. Just what the doctor ordered after a long winter of hibernation. We will have t-shirts and pint glasses available in limited supply. It is after all the year of the rat, so we have a very special logo, different than last years. We plan to keep changing the logo every year, in fact we already have next years logo, we think. Last year we sold all the shirts before the street fair, and missed a golden opportunity, lets just say we prepared a bit better this year. Zack, the ave rat artist, is a great guy to see more of his stuff go here or here. Bill and I give him a vague idea of what we are thinking and her translates, or channels it through him and out comes a magic.

According to Wikipedia:
Behind the smiles and charm, rats can be terribly obstinate and controlling, insisting on having things their way no matter what the cost. These people tend to have immense control of their emotions, which they may use as a tool to manipulate and exploit others, both emotionally and mentally. Rats are masters of mind games and can be very dangerous, calculative and downright cruel if the need arises. Quick-tempered and aggressive, they will not think twice about exacting revenge on those that hurt them in any way. Rats need to learn to relax sometimes, as they can be quite obsessed with detail, intolerant and strict, demanding order, obedience, and perfection.

this is another way to look at it taken from this website.

In Chinese, the Rat is respected and considered a courageous, enterprising person. People born in the Year of Rat are clever and bright, sociable and family-minded. They have broad interests and strong ability in adapting to the environment and able to react adequately to any changes.

I have noticed a lot of changes going on around me, maybe it is attributed to the year of the rat, many relationships are in flux, people are committing to do different things. Does this all have something to do with the animal that guides us all. Rats seem to be very tenacious and adaptable, willing to sacrifice a bit now for more down the road. Thrifty, demanding and focused. There is more information if you follow the links above. I will leave your with this years ave rat logo....

In the interest of promotion.....

In the interest of shameless self promotion I am urging each and everyone of you to vote for us as your favorite Brewpub in the NWsource's People's Picks. Here is the link. Let the city know how much you love us.

In other news there is more and more beer blogging going on out there. If you don't already know about these blogs and would like to hear someone's opinion on all things beer related here in Seattle and the greater Northwest I suggest that you take a look.

Chris Devlin's beer examiner site. This is where the beer retard as he has affectionately dubbed himself steps in to the spotlight. His first blog in his own words is taking a back seat at the moment. Two beer blogs, might not be as easy to maintain. That's a lot of saying the same thing differently. Way to go Chris.

I met Geoff a few months back, well now it is almost a year ago across the bar, we started in to a conversation about the Old Sol Wheatwine. Then again at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, it was a bit fuzzy, and from time to time he stops by. Turns out he's got a blog for the Seattle PI. Check out what he has to say on his Blog What's on tap.

Are there other beer bloggers that I should know about. If you are out there, let me know. Thanks so much for all your promotion of all things craft beer here in the great Northwest.

For a limited time only.....

Can you say a day late and a dollar short....wish I had this up yesterday, but better late than never. Our Chili Beer, Serrano Puzzono is on draft for a limited time only. Bill dry hopped our Prime Time Pale Ale with some serrano chili peppers, adding a bit of spicy and earth tones to an already great beer. Come on in and try a pint. Hint, it will pour from the large pink handle.

We've turned back the clock....

Fridays have turned in to a celebration of the 80's. Sarah and Diana have taken it upon themselves to turn back the clock so to speak, complete with hair scrunchies, bright makeup, leg warmers, bad sugar candy, and most importantly all 80's music. Flock of Seagulls, The Thompson Twins, Seena Easton, and the list goes on. They are also taking requests all day long. I have said it before the 80's are coming back in everyday fashion and I am scared, florescent colors are on the rise.... So you are sincerely invited to make a pilgrimage to the Big Time on Friday, heck wear your favorite t shirt from days gone by. I know a lot of you were too young to remember much of the 80's, so you don't remember just how wacky it was...come on down and find out. Sarah and Diana will take you down memory lane, call it a history lesson if you will.

This guy agrees the idea rocks.

Diana pours a beer.

The masterminds.....

In other news we have a new beer call Ryenoceros. Bill describes this beer as "Strong, full bodied with a big nose." There you have it. Using Simcoe, Ahtanum, and Mt Hood hops and coming in at 7.5 % abv. It is delicious. Stop on in for a Pint.

20 years of award winning beers and tasty food.

December 7th marks the 20 year anniversary of the Big Time. 20 years of award-winning beer and tasty food. We are in the process of planning the activities, we plan to celebrate a few days in the months prior and then for the whole week leading up to the actual anniversary day. Monday the 1st Old Wooly Barleywine will be released to start off a week that will sure go down as one to be remembered. Our plan is to have the days sured up and the plan set so that no one will have an excuse not to be there.

Other ideas that have bee thrown around:

a bring back old employee party.

a where are they now night..past employees/brewers celebration.

new and exciting beers, old recipes.

Those are just a few, I don't want to give too many details, lets just say 20 years is a long time and Seattle's Original Brewpub plans to remember and celebrate its long tradition in the U-district.

In the near future look for a series of where are they now posts, as well as some short history posts.

Open a beer and prepare to be amazed

Our friend and regular Wolfgang brought this to our attention, enjoy.

Spring is most definately in the air......

"Tulips for your tulip," Patrick said as he arrived on this fine day. "Or is it two lips for the tulip," was all I could think to say. However you see it, or slice it up, on this the 15th brewing of everybody's favorite sign that warmer temperatures, longer days, and more sun are on the way has arrived. Trombipulator is here!!!! You should all be making your way, canceling your plans and settling in for a glass or two of this tasty adult beverage. We all know that it doesn't take more than that to help find the silver lining in it all. Look at how happy our very own Beer Janitor is, he is practically glowing, and you will too. Thank you Patrick for adding cheer to our day, we really appreciate it. This moment was brought to you courtesy of the I phone, for without it we never would have had the photo documentation, again Patrick we owe you there, I can just never seem to remember to bring the camera.

The rumblings of Ave Rat

That's right the sun is starting to shine a bit more, and we all know what that means, Malt Liquor, am I right? There you have it our infamous Malt Liquor that burst on the scene last year will be back again. Right around the time of Street Fair, mid May. We are putting the finishing touches on the new shirt, it is the Year Of The Rat after all, and a few other surprises we have up our sleeves, expect to see pint glasses. I will keep you updated as I know more. You know how secretive that Brewer, Bill can be.

Trombipulator is almost ready to be served to the masses. Expect it within the week. It is delicious this year, as always.

We are also devising a plan for the celebration of our twentieth anniversary. You'll know when I know.

We are planning...

On having too much fun at the Cask Festival. We love this event.

It's our 20th Birthday coming up in December 7th to be exact, look for us to have a few events in the months leading up to the actual birthday. We plan on bring back some old bartenders, brewing some celebratory beers. How often is it that you turn 20.

We will be playing the NCAA games on our 50 inch HDTV's come on down and watch a game or two over a couple of beers. The Big Dance Imperial Amber is tasty and brewed just for the Tournament.

The Firecracker Northwest Pale Ale is back, inspired by an old employee who embodied this beer in spirit, feisty and full bodied. Which is her in a nut shell.

Trombipulator is tasting good, and almost ready to be served to the masses, I'll keep you posted.

Thanks....

Thanks to all who came out and enjoyed the night of delicious darkness that we dubbed the "Art of Darkness." It appears that not everyone is a Hophead, or at least everyone is willing to put down the IPA's for a night. It was a bit rocky in the beginning, to be truthful we were a bit surprised by all the interest. We had a great time I am sure you were entertained. I am unsure what the favorites were, it seemed a majority of people really liked the Stranahan's Oaked Old Rip, but then again the Raspberry Old Rip and the Stumptown Coffee Cask Buck Mulligans all seemed to tickle peoples palettes as well. Again, thanks to all who came out and made this night a success. Who knows what the next event might be....you'll have to wait and see.

In other news. It's that time of year again. College Hoops are in full swing and March is just around the corner. We will be doing a March Madness pool, come in and fill out your bracket. We will of course be pouring the Big Dance, our Imperial Amber to celebrate the event. We will have the brackets available the day after they are announced. Come on in an fill one or two out.

Thanks again for all the interest last night.

The Art of Darkness

WABL member #1000 checking in with an idea for a WABL night of different beers for next Tuesday, February 26th. I want to do an "Art of Darkness" night, where we'll pour four different Stouts along with our delicious Porter. I'm planning to serve: Old Rip Oatmeal Stout, Buck Mulligan's Irish Stout, a cask of the Buck conditioned with Stumptown Coffee's Ethiopian Biloya roast, and a keg of Rip matured with American Oak soaked in Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey. And maybe something else, we'll see. We'll do a WABL thing where all the dark beers are Daily Special price, $3.50 per pint. How 'bout that?

Cheers,
bill

There you have it straight from the brewer. Non WABL members are invited to come on down as well. Join WABL and you get to save 75 cents a beer.

Tuesday is also Logo glass night. Buy a logo glass with beer in it for 6 dollars and get refills for $3.50, all night, then take the glass home with you.

Late edit: It will start at 5pm, sorry for the lack of information earlier.

The Maine Thing....

"The main thing is to keep the Maine thing the main thing." life according to Bill. A few weeks back our friend Kevin Watson, of Far West fame, returned from his current local, the Stone Coast brewery in of all places Maine. Bill being a native of Maine, and having many fond memories wanted to brew a beer with him. They brought a little of the East Coast to the West coast in this tasty, crisp adult beverage. Drink up. It has been dubbed an East Coast pale, we threw around a hoppy pale, or a few other variations, but the end result was East Coast pale. They used Simcoe, Liberty and Northern Brewer hops, a little bit of wheat and lots of The Maine thing in this little creation. Topping the scales at 5 1/2 % alcohol.
"Its crisp, hoppy and full bodied with hints of lobster and whoopie pies." tasting notes from Bill Jenkins

Kevin it was great to see you out here. Thanks for leaving us with something tasty to drink.

Happy New Year to all...

I hope you are able to keep those resolutions that you undoubtedly made, at least for a bit. Here are some of the ones I have heard:
To eat bacon at least once a week.
To drink less
To drink more
To be more aware
To be less aware
To exercise at least 3 times a week, (arm curls at the bar don't count)
To ride more
To consume less
and the list goes on. These all seem vague, to really succeed don't goals need to be really specific. Send your Resolutions here and I will, hopefully, post the good ones.

My favorite so far is at the top of the list.

The Old Rip Oatmeal Stout is back, and the experimentation should continue more Breakfast in a Glass, some sort of Bourbon Wood aged tasty adult beverage, and who knows what else we can come up with.

Our friend Kevin Watson, of Far West fame, now brewing on the other coast at The Stone Coast Brewery is in town for a little visit. According to their website he is becoming a real Mainer making a home out there. Right now he and Bill are hard at work collaborating on brewing who knows what, but I do know this, you will like it. It will be good. I imagine that Bill has Kevin hauling spent grain out at this very moment, he is such a surly fella and a drill Sargent underneath that calm, cool, collected exterior. Look for it in the upcoming weeks.

I would like to get some more pictures here on the blog, I like taking them I just never seem to have the camera along at the right time.

Hope you are enjoying the new year and it is the best one yet. Cheers to livin' the dream.