Tapping The Community

By Liv Stecker

Billy and Emily Burt, owner/operators of RBC

It takes a village to raise a business, or that's what Billy and Emily Burt found out when they set out to open a brewing company in Republic, Washington. Both born and raised in the tiny town, they started dating in high school. After graduation, Billy went to Walla Walla Community College and Emily studied in Spokane. Eventually they both ended up at the University of Montana, where Billy was introduced to the science behind brewing beer by a biology professor. Coming from Republic before the craft beer trend had swept the nation, Billy's first taste of a microbrew was the iconic Moose Drool from Big Sky Brewing in Missoula. It's a big switch up from Coors Light, and for Billy, it was an acquired taste. He brewed his first batch while they lived in Montana, and continued the hobby when they moved back to Republic after graduation.

Emily worked as a forester for WSU in remote Ferry County. Billy continued to rodeo and log as they settled back into the town that they knew and loved. He also kept brewing beer - more and more, which friends and neighbors gladly helped them consume. It struck Emily and Billy, after spending most of their lives in this town, that the one thing Republic was lacking was a place to gather and drink good beer with good friends but skip the rowdy aspect of the full bar scene. While drinking home brew in the garage was a fine solution temporarily, at some point the cost of feeding free beer to an ever-growing fan club was beginning to weigh on the couple.

Republic's Historic Fire Hall houses the brewpub

In 2010, Emily and Billy traveled to Europe, where they spent time tasting beers and contemplating the idea of opening a brewery. All of the stars aligned when they returned to Ferry County. They approached the owner of the historic Republic Fire Hall about turning the unused space into a pub. The building that began as City Hall and was later converted to the City Fire Station had been mostly empty since the Fire Hall relocated in 1994. As the Burts tackled the extensive rehabilitation of the old building, they expanded their brewing repertoire and within a matter of months and a whole lot of community elbow grease, they were ready to move in. The double barrel brewing system that they had established, producing 3 batches a week, or the equivalent of just under 200 gallons of beer a week, proved to be inadequate for the demand the Burts experienced immediately upon opening. The RBC upped their production to six batches a week to keep up with demand in the busy season.

Billy keeps the two barrel system hopping (pun intended)

In 2013, Joe Wilson came to RBC and interned under Billy in the brewing process, after which he moved on to Scotland to finish out his brewing education. In late 2014, when Emily was 7 months pregnant with the Burt's first baby, Billy broke his neck in a diving accident and became severely restricted in not only his brewing capabilities, but all activity. Once again, family and friends in the community swooped in to the rescue. Joe came back to Republic and brewed while Billy recuperated, crafting his own recipe: "Reason for the Season", a dark American Belgian brewed with an unusual blend of juniper and other flavors, making it a stand out seasonal beer on tap. Billy made a full recovery, Emily gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and the Burts are back up and running at full speed, with a little help from their friends.

Currently 90% of RBC beer is sold in house. Three local establishments serve their brews on tap, but as Billy says, it's all about making enough beer for the community, and providing a place for friends and family to spend some quality time with a quality beverage. The brewpub draws all types, from backwoods hippies to logging rednecks, and all of the fine folks in between. Billy says "This place is Switzerland - leave your issues at the door!" Using positive peer pressure to create a sense of community that revolves around good beer, good people, and good music.

Working in cooperation with the local mining industry, Emily has established a steady stream of live music performances that draw crowds to the brewpub, and also provide shows at the local schools. She has used the brewery as a vehicle to bring in world-class musical acts, which are then sponsored for performances at both Republic and Curlew School districts. Emily sees this as a chance to expose local students to a level of musical culture that was lacking during her education in Republic.

For the Burts, operating the RBC involves giving back to the community and creating a culture of easy-going fun where everybody belongs. In addition to live music from around the country, The RBC hosts a monthly Marine Bar Call when the pub is closed to the public, trivia on the first Thursday of the month, and a variety of other events, contests and celebrations. In April, customers can buy or fill a growler and earn a clue to help them find a hidden Easter keg in the woods… and a free fill-up.

taste the rainbow of flavor in a sample flight at RBC

On tap right now the RBC has the standard offerings, including The Republic Pale, Big Mischief Porter, Brush Fit Brown and a rotating lighter beer – at present an easy drinking Kolsch. Additionally they are featuring an Irish Eyes Stout on nitro for a little extra kick, and the evolving flavors of the Reason for The Season. Later this year look for the Kettle River Drifter to re-emerge in time for floating season, a light wheat ale made with Mt. Hood hops. The RBC also offers several non-alcoholic sodas created by assistant brewer Amber.

Check out the event calendar at republicbrew.com for upcoming live music and other happenings, as well as a tap list. You can reach the pub at 509-775-2700.