To online shopping (Amazon) and PC software (Microsoft) and and fresh coffee (Starbucks), add craft beer brewing to the list of modern culture where Seattle has led the way. Red Hook Ale Brewery began in a former transmission shop in Ballard and become so popular that it was bought out by Anheuser Busch. Many others followed and most were also bought out but Seattle’s Fremont Brewery has stayed independent and become one of the most successful independent breweries in the country. Started by burned out attorney and home brewer Matt Lincecum with $10000 home equity loan in a 4000 square foot commercial garage space the brewery produced a scant 1700 barrels in their first year. Last year they produced 43,000. Now some 70 employees they produce a range of ales and stouts, with distribution up and down the West coast and in Colorado and Lincecum, a true fanatic about quality and craft still maintains control over the recipes. He regrets the fact that so many of the new breed of craft brewers have been snapped up by multinationals. Lincecum checks his own brew kettles and inspects the barrels of aging specially ales. Patrons and their dog enjoy an evening at the brew bub
