Optimism Brewing Company was a brewery in Seattle, in the U.S. state of Washington. It was the largest taproom in Washington in terms of square footage as well as draft beer sales, and was purchased by Stoup Brewing in 2023.
| Optimism Brewing Company | |
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 The brewery's exterior, 2023 | |
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 2013 |
| Owner(s) |
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| Coordinates | 47°36′46″N 122°19′14″W / 47.6128°N 122.3205°W |
| Website | optimismbrewing |
Description
editOptimism Brewing Company was a brewery with a taproom in Seattle. Fodor's described the business as a "multifunctional third place for locals" by serving as a beer bar, a gathering space for events and parties, and a play space for children and dogs.[1] The spacious venue had large windows and the interior had picnic tables.[2] Guests could bring food, and food trucks were hosted outside.[3] Optimism's Heliotropic was described as a "hoppy, tropical" India pale ale.[4] Other beer names included Afraid of the Dark. Don't Boo, Unicorn, and Vote.[3]
History
editSpouses Troy Hakala and Gay Gilmore established Optimism Brewing Company in 2013, then spent approximately two years converting a 16,000-square-foot warehouse into a brewery.[5][6] The building was completed in 1920 and had previously served as a showroom for Great Western Motors Co.[7][8] Olson Kundig designed the new Optimism space.[9][10] Eater Seattle said "the space was innovative in many ways, including its gender-neutral bathrooms and a kids play area that made it especially welcoming for families".[5] Optimism's taproom opened in December 2015.[11][12]
Optimism did not serve food. Tipping was not required and cash was not accepted.[13] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Optimism was the first business in Seattle to acquire a street permit for seating outdoors,[14][15] and the brewery "started renting space as a part of a co-working program that involved reserving space for claustrophobic tech workers -- and included a beer".[16][17]
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Optimism was Washington's largest taproom in terms of both square footage and draft beer sales.[18] Optimism had 21 employees.[5] Stoup Brewing purchased Optimism in 2023.[19][20] Financial details have not been disclosed, and Hakala and Gilmore continued to own the building.[21] Stoup committed to continuing Optimism's dog- and family-friendly environment.[22]
Reception
editIn 2017, Aimee Rizzo of The Infatuation wrote, "Don't come here looking for a basil-beet-dragonfruit-infused sour ale—Optimism is about simple, classic stuff. Grab a long table with your crew next to the mountain range of steel beer-making tanks, have a bite from the daily-rotating food truck, and Saturday afternoon is officially excellent."[23] Jen Woo included Optimism in Time Out Seattle's 2021 list of "the 11 best Seattle breweries for a tasty pint".[3] The brewery's Passion Fruit Solarpunk was awarded silver in the American-style fruit beer category at the Washington Beer Awards in 2021.[24]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Fodor's Seattle. Fodor's Travel. 2021-02-02. ISBN 978-1-64097-281-0.
- ^ Lonely Planet Seattle. Lonely Planet. 2017-04-01. ISBN 978-1-78701-027-7.
- ^ a b c "11 Best Seattle Breweries for Cold Craft Beer". Time Out Seattle. 2021-12-30. Archived from the original on 2023-06-04. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ Pfeuffer, Charyn (August 10, 2017). "5 Breweries to Visit in Seattle". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
- ^ a b c Cheadle, Harry (2023-06-20). "Optimism Brewing Is Being Taken Over by Stoup". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ Rizzo, Michael F. (2016-05-30). Washington Beer: A Heady History of Evergreen State Brewing. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-62585-678-4.
- ^ "Optimism Brewery". Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. Archived from the original on 2022-12-01. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ Porter, Lynn (March 15, 2016). "Capitol Hill couple turns 1920s showroom into Optimism Brewing". Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. Archived from the original on 2017-10-04. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ "Optimism Brewing Company". Architect Magazine. Archived from the original on 2022-06-10. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ "Optimism Brewing Company by Olson Kundig". Architizer. 2017-03-14. Archived from the original on 2021-07-26. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ Hill, Megan (2015-12-02). "Optimism Brewing Holding Grand Opening Saturday". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2022-05-19. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ Hill, Megan (2015-12-04). "Tour Optimism Brewing, Launching Tomorrow on Capitol Hill". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2022-05-28. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ "Starbucks Delivery Launches in Seattle, Optimism Brewing Opens". Seattle Magazine. 2022-07-08. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ Guarente, Gabe (2020-08-11). "Optimism Brewing Gets First Approval for Seattle's New Street Closure Permits". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2023-05-31. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ Forster, Tim (2020-08-18). "During the Summer of COVID, Here's How Seattle Restaurants Are Taking Over Outdoor Spaces". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2023-01-31. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ "Seattle brewery Optimism adapting to latest round of COVID-19 restrictions". king5.com. November 17, 2020. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ Guarente, Gabe (2020-10-14). "Could Seattle Breweries Make Coworking a Permanent Side Hustle?". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2023-01-31. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ Thompson, Joey (June 21, 2023). "Capitol Hill's Optimism Brewing sells to fellow Seattle brewery". Puget Sound Business Journal.
- ^ "Stoup to acquire Optimism Brewing and take over Capitol Hill taproom". Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. Archived from the original on 2023-06-22. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ Cheadle, Harry (2023-08-18). "Stoup's New Capitol Hill Location Is Opening Next Week". Eater Seattle. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
- ^ Smith, Rob (2023-06-20). "Stoup to Buy Optimism Brewing". Seattle Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ Gilbert, L. B. (2023-06-21). "Optimism Brewing sells Capitol Hill location to Stoup Brewing". MyNorthwest.com. Archived from the original on 2023-06-23. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ "Optimism Brewing Company Review - Capitol Hill - Seattle". The Infatuation. 2022-08-23. Archived from the original on 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ Craighead, Callie (2021-11-16). "25 Seattle breweries win big at the Washington Beer Awards". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on 2023-06-19. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
External links
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