Our next trip was down to Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood; an area rich with brewing history. Waiting for us in their new 35,000 square foot brewing facility warehouse was Matt Thompson, Director of Sales & Marketing and Dick Cantwell, President and Head Brewer of Elysian Brewing Company.

This space, opened in the fall of 2011, was amazing: a huge cavernous room filled with beautiful silver tanks. Dick and Matt were nice enough to do an interview with Tom on the brew deck above the four 60 barrel brew kettles. An awe inspiring area that looked like it was straight out of a science fiction film: polished steel, touch screen mechanics. It was a mind-blower.

Dick Cantwell is a name that everyone that is a fan of craft beer should know. With over 20 years of craft brewing in Seattle, he is one of the preeminent names in brewing. Dick co-founded Elysian in 1996, and they now have three brewpubs and the brewing facility that we were standing in.

We were shown around the facility, and let me tell you this: a fan of beer could die happy in a place like this. Behind the brew deck are eight 240 barrel fermenters, each standing about 3 stories high, and as Matt said: “all filled”. But the beer has to be put into something, right? Well, the back room is filled with keg cleaners, a bottle filler conveyor belt, and stacks of boxes for that beautiful beer to go in.

We had a great time with Dick and Matt, and we really appreciate them taking time, fighting the traffic, and showing us around. Now, let’s all get ready for the 2012 Great Pumpkin Beer Festival October 19 and 20!