By Liv Stecker
For Jake Wilson and Patrick Sawyer, brewing is just as much about the people as it is about the beer. What began as a quest to find a meaningful livelihood in the area they loved, opening a craft brewery held promise as both a business and a community network. Jake grew up in Colville, attending college at Eastern Washington University where he graduated with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management. He met Patrick in Chewelah, where Sawyer was working in outdoor education at the Chewelah Peak Learning Center. The two beer fans found that they had a lot in common, and began brewing at home a few years ago.
Like many of us, the idea of turning passions and hobbies into gainful employment became a driving force for Jake and Patrick. Their dream became a reality as they started exploring options in the small town. Renovating an old automotive shop just off the main drag, they started from the ground up, and with the enthusiastic support of local fans, opened Quartzite Brewing Company in January of this year. Chewelah received the new business with open arms, and soon the two barrel brewing system was having trouble keeping up with demand. Opening initially only on Fridays and Saturdays from 4-8 PM, even with limited hours the brewers find it hard to produce enough beer to keep the doors open. Wilson and Sawyer are able to crank out 1-2 new batches a week, alternating between a variety of styles, all named for local geologic features, as is the brewery itself.
The taproom is situated looking out toward the expansive face of Quartzite mountain, which lies east of Chewelah. Patrick says finding the name for their business as well as for their beers hasn’t been hard, living in a place with so many unique landmarks. “We grabbed a Forest Service Map and started picking names,” he says. Angel Peak Amber, Stranger Mountain Saison and Iron Mountain Stout are a few of their regular brews on tap, as well as Blacktail Mountain Pale Ale and Goddard’s Peak IPA. They also feature guest taps including beers from Republic Brewing Company, Northern Ales in Kettle Falls, and cider from Whiskey Barrel in Pullman. Working together with local breweries is part of the big picture for Patrick and Jake, who recently joined Steve and Andrea Hedrick in creating a collaboration beer for Spokane Craft Beer week, coming up May 16-22nd.
Community partnerships are an integral part of the vision for Quartzite Brewing as they expand the business to fulfill their mission of creating good beer and providing a unique place for community gatherings. The fledgling business hosted the Wild and Scenic Film Festival in March, put on by the Kettle Range Conservation Group, the first of many events at the location connecting people, the environment and the businesses of the area. Both hailing from backgrounds deeply rooted in a love for people and the outdoors, Patrick and Jake feel like the brewery is the perfect vehicle for combining the two. Patrick worked at the Learning Center in outdoor education before taking off after the Quartzite dream, and Jake moved from working in wildland fire and prescribed burning in Los Alamos, New Mexico, to managing youth programs for the City of Colville Parks and Recreation, where he is still employed. Quartzite is an outlet for the guys to bring the different aspects of life together and meet a lot of new people along the way.
The journey to open doors was a long one, as they completely renovated an auto mechanic’s shop that had been a tractor dealership before that. They poured new floors, installed new support beams for the sagging ceiling, and retrofitted the mechanic’s bay into an open air taproom with an industrial vibe and a friendly, laid back atmosphere. The guys look forward to expanding production eventually for first local distribution on taps in the area, and eventually beyond. There is no food served at the taproom, but guest can order in from many of the restaurants in town experience eclectic delivery, from the Terrace Grill to Westside Pizza, and more coming on board. “There is so much good food in Chewelah, and we didn’t want to compete.” Says Patrick. They’re also working on a brewing partnership, producing Tiki Juice for the local Terrace Grille down the road.
For it’s slow start, Quartzite brewing hit the ground running. While the guys figure out how to keep up with local demand, the good news of high quality, craft brewed beer close to home is getting out. Swing by The taproom for a taster tray or a pint, and find out what all the fuss is really about. Hours are Friday and Saturday from 4-8 (or until the beer runs out). Thursdays will be added to the lineup in the very near future. Check them out at 105 W. Main Avenue in Chewelah (just west of the stoplight), or find them on Facebook.
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