USA, WA: Elysian Brewing closes Seattle production brewery and taproom

Elysian Brewing’s Georgetown production brewery will close Dec. 31 and its taproom closed permanently on November 14, a company spokesperson confirmed on November 15.

It’s unclear how many jobs will be affected by the closures, which follow a year of unionization efforts at the Seattle-based craft brewery — purchased by Anheuser-Busch in 2015 — and represents the latest shake-up in the city’s swirling beer scene.

“This update impacts a very small number of Elysian employees,” said an Elysian spokesperson. “We are committed to ensuring that this transition is as smooth as possible for our people.”

The spokesperson did not confirm the number of employees affected but disputed a report from Washington Beer Blog that as many as 90 people will lose jobs.

Elysian is the second-largest brewery in the state of Washington, known nationally for its Space Dust IPA and locally for its Great Pumpkin Beer Festival. According to Puget Sound Business Journal, Elysian produced 49,885 barrels of beer last year, behind only Georgetown Brewing (121,190 barrels) and ahead of Fremont Brewing (43,116 barrels).

Behind the scenes, labor tensions were also brewing.

In October last year, 33 Georgetown production facility employees voted to join the Teamsters union Local 117. This past September, employees picketed outside the Georgetown facility, claiming that they had been fighting for over a year for a first-time contract that would include wage increases and improved health care. And last month, the Elysian Teamsters voted to strike, with contract bargaining with Anheuser-Busch scheduled for October and November.

“We believe Anheuser-Busch is retaliating against Elysian employees for their union involvement,” Paul Dascher, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 117, said in a written statement. “It’s unfortunate that this company would rather shut down an iconic brewery with deep roots in the Seattle community than allow its workers to have a voice and earn a fair wage. The fact that they are harming these workers over the holidays is disgraceful.”

Elysian also announced a $1.7 million investment in its brewery and pub on Capitol Hill, where beer production will continue. The company said there will not be changes at the Elysian Fields sports bar near Lumen Field.

“We opened the doors of our Capitol Hill Brewery & Pub in 1996, and since then, it’s been the heart and soul of Elysian,” the Elysian spokesperson said. “This $1.7 million investment — the largest we’ve ever made in our flagship location — will ensure that our Capitol Hill Brewery & Pub continues to be a gathering place for beer lovers into the future and we’re proud to continue brewing locally and serving our beloved Capitol Hill community.”

The closures of the Elysian production brewery and taproom fall amid a tumultuous time in Western Washington’s beer scene.

Last October, Pike Brewing moved its longtime brewing digs from Pike Place Market to Sodo.

In April, Pike Brewing owners Seattle Hospitality Group acquired a controlling interest in Fremont Brewing. Matt Lincecum, Fremont Brewing’s founder, said Friday that Pike and Fremont are consolidating production and that there have been discussions of turning Pike’s Sodo production facility into another brewery.

And last month, Airways Brewing closed its Kent bistro and beer garden, while Bellingham’s oldest craft brewery, Boundary Bay, announced last week that it will close next September.

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