FRIDAY FIELD TRIPS WITH THE CHAMBER
Bainbridge Brewing
On a Friday each month, the Chamber team hits the road to visit one of our members. We take a peek behind the scenes and ask business leaders to discuss their experiences owning and operating a business on Bainbridge Island. These Friday Field Trips offer the opportunity to showcase the diversity of our business ecosystem while gathering data about how we can best support our members.
Last month’s Friday Field Trip took us on an amazing discovery of beer making from grain to glass. We learned a ton, and we will never look at a pint the same way—so much science, art, and craft goes into the process. We were reminded many times over how incredibly fortunate we are to have this award-winning family business in our community. Did we mention Bainbridge Brewing also supports nonprofits across the island with special pricing, donations, and fundraising support? We’ll raise a glass to that!
BAINBRIDGE CHAMBER: What do you like most about operating a business on Bainbridge Island?
BAINBRIDGE BREWING: “There's real satisfaction to be found in operating a small business that provides a good or service to a small town. As the island's own brewery, we feel like we fit into the community alongside the proverbial butcher, baker, and candlestick maker. It's a pleasure to provide beer to be enjoyed principally by our friends and neighbors here on the island. Having lived on the island since the 90’s it's nice to feel like I am contributing something of value that makes life here that much better!” - Russell Everett, Co-Owner
BAINBRIDGE CHAMBER: What are the greatest challenges you face?
BAINBRIDGE BREWING: “Like many (probably all) small businesses, we are struggling with the rising cost of everything. Tariffs and inflation have increased the cost of everything we use to brew. Malt prices have nearly doubled since 2019; shipping has tripled; I could go on. The craft brewing business is a weird one, in that we are a producer, a wholesaler, and a retailer all at once; so, price changes impact us across all levels. Similarly, the entire hospitality industry is still recovering from the devastating impact that Covid-19 had on us. Numbers are down for everyone, and when the other bars and restaurants are slow so are our wholesale beer sales to them. Cost of living is a perennial problem for the island. We take pride in the pay and benefits we provide to our employees but it's not easy to budget for. So if you still want to have places on Bainbridge Island to eat out at, go out there and support the island's restaurants. Particularly in the winter!” - Russell Everett, Co-Owner
BAINBRIDGE CHAMBER: What would you like the community to know about Bainbridge Brewing?
BAINBRIDGE BREWING: “Around 90% of the 27,000 gallons of beer we brew each year is consumed on and around Bainbridge Island! Our two locations cater to different groups of clientele and allow us to try and provide a little something for everyone. The Alehouse (by law) is 21+ and is a great place for colleagues and friends to meet up for a pint after work. Meanwhile the brewery itself is all ages and more family and locals focused—with pinball upstairs, a food truck and pizza nearby, and various all ages events. This new year, we introduced several new non-alcoholic options to the wide variety of offerings available at both locations. We make sure there's always a nice drink available for everyone!” - Russell Everett, Co-Owner
Check out the new mural at their Coppertop Location!
Mural by local illustrator, tattoo artist, and muralist Kyler Martz
