RedHook RedHook beer is now a very large member of the beer brewing world, but that wasn’t always the case. Back in 1981, a couple of guys named Paul Shipman and Gordon Bowker decided that they were going to start their own little local brewery in Seattle, Washington. This was the agreed upon destination, because people in the Pacific Northwest consume more draft beer than anywhere else in the country. The original RedHook ale was modeled after spicy Belgian ales and became known to the locals as “banana beer,” because of its banana tasting finish. In the first year, less than 1,000 barrels were sold, quite a difference from the many thousands they sell a year now. In 1983 and 1984 they stepped it up a little bit by putting out the BlackHook porter and the now IPA respectively. The new beers helped gain a loyal but still small following. Once this occurred, they realized that their cramped 5,000 foot little brewery was being pushed beyond capacity, and they decided that a new facility was going to be necessary. What they did was exactly that. They purchased the former Seattle Electric Railway building which was a whopping 26,000 square feet, and began the new chapter in their brewing vocation. In 1987 they began producing the beer that would become the flagship for everything RedHook. It was the introduction of the ESB. Styled after the “Extra Special Bitters” served in pubs throughout the UK, ESB became an instant favorite for RedHook followers, and a benchmark brew in the amber ale category. As time went on, demand for new unique import and craft brews grew steadily. With this incline in demand, the boys of RedHook decided to build 2 more breweries to keep pace. One of them was built in Woodinville, WA, and another in Portsmith, New Hampshire. With the bi-coastal brewery standing, RedHook drinkers were guaranteed fresh beer every time, no matter where they were in the US. RedHook continues to this day to produce mass amounts of unbelievably delightful ales. They have come along way from those early days back in 1981, but one thing has always stayed the same, and that is the superb quality and care put into every batch of beer they concoct. The RedHook varieties that we offer here at Westside Liquor are: ESB: As mentioned afore, this has been their flagship beer since 1987, and is created from the “Extra Special Bitters” that were found in pubs across the UK. Its rich, unique balance of flavors and unforgettable copper color make for a truly rich and distinctive experience. (5.77% alcohol/volume) CopperHook: This is a beer that is used to bring in the new season of spring. With its brilliant copper color, light maltiness, pleasant hop aroma, and distinctive citrus flavor, Copperhook is the perfect companion for warmer temps and longer nights. (5.7% alcohol/volume. BlackHook: Smooth, roasty, and inviting, their traditional London-style porter is a favorite among dark beer fans. It is pronounced by its coffee and chocolate notes, and its uncommonly smooth finish. (5.23% alcohol/volume) IPA: This beer embraces the IPA tradition of a strong hop profile while remaining approachable and easy to drink with its smooth flavor and clean finish. They take the IPA brewing one step further however, by dry-hopping (adding hops at the very end of the process). They exclusively use Cascade hops, because they impart the lovely hop aroma without an overpowering hop taste. (6.51% alcohol/volume) Blonde: A touch of wheat combined with lightly roasted barley and subtle hops is what makes this such a mellow and refreshing beer. Drink one and discover the best traits of an ale mixed with the smooth delicacy of a lager. (5.41% alcohol/volume) | 
