Emerald City Brewery Debuts First Beer From a Familiar Address

If you commute regularly on I-5, be it to the south end of Seattle or north into downtown, you probably recall that iconic R affixed atop a certain building.

The once-mighty Rainier Brewing was OUR local brewery. Sure Olympia might have been a fan fave to some, but dammit we had those commercials.

Today, the once-mighty Rainier has been replaced by a coffee 'brewery' (Tullys) but to most of us the building has always been Rainier. However someone else has been toiling away in the building, producing beer once again inside the former home of the storied brewery.

Emerald City Beer Company taps its first beer tomorrow. The brewery is the brainchild of owner and head brewer Rick Hewitt. A homebrewer since 2005, Rick was inspired to open ECB after years of honing his craft. Using the formula of taking only the best things from each style, the intent is to create balanced beers that everyone can enjoy.

For Rick and Emerald City Brewing, it all starts with Dottie Lager. At a sessionable 4.90% ABV, this "truly Seattle lager" reminds us of old school German lagers. Here is what Rick had to say about the brewery's first beer.

Dottie pours a clean and clear copper-reddish color with a frothy white head. The beer’s medium body and crisp finish results is a great all-season session beer best known for its balance, complexity and malt forward flavor.

Hey, stop reading this and head down to Jillian's Thursday evening to check it out for yourself!

5 p.m. - 9 p.m. // August 12th // Jillian's Billiards Club, 731 Westlake Ave. N // Pints are $3

Cheers