Brewing in Seattle

Kurt Stream traces the evolution of Seattle’s beer industry in Brewing in Seattle, a volume dedicated to the city's brewing heritage. The narrative begins in 1864 with the opening of the first brewery in a small town of fewer than one thousand residents. It covers the production of porter and cream ales during those early decades. Stream details how innovation and entrepreneurship elevated local beer to significant heights over the next fifty years. By the time Prohibition began, the Seattle Brewing and Malting Company stood as the largest industrial institution in Washington state and the sixth-largest brewery globally, driven by the popularity of Rainier Beer. The text addresses the industry's collapse in 1916 and its subsequent revival led by figures such as Emil Sick after 1933. The book utilizes photographs, advertisements, and interviews to document these changes. It showcases nearly every brewery in the city from the mid-1800s through the recent craft-brewery expansion. This approach provides a visual and historical record of the innovators who shaped Seattle into a destination for beer enthusiasts. The work suits readers interested in Pacific Northwest history, alcoholic beverage manufacturing, and corporate business history. It may not appeal to those seeking current recipes or technical brewing instructions rather than historical accounts. Stream’s research offers a concrete look at how a local industry grew from a single small operation into a major global player before facing regulatory challenges. The inclusion of rare images allows readers to see the physical spaces and promotional materials that defined each era. This focus on visual history complements the textual account of industrial growth and decline.