For my next brewer to ask the big questions – Tony Powell of the newly opened Bellevue Brewing Company. I welcome Tony and after tasting the very first IPA, Scotch and Stout I am ready to say Bellevue Brewing is in good hands with Tony.
Before we get started – Big Hoppy Birthday to Tony as today is his big day.
Now lets see what Tony has to say.
71. What was your first beer you ever drank?
The folks (parents) had a kegerator with macro swill on when I was growing up; (I was born in 1980) I am guessing the first beer to ever pass my lips was either Rainier or Budweiser. As a child I did not like beer, it was bitter….. I think the first full bottle of beer I ever drank was Budweiser when I was 18…
82. What was your first Craft Beer you ever had and what did you think?
I think it was Widmer Hefe, I thought it was very flavorful. I think I drank it because I liked saying Hefe wiezen more than anything. Growing up the only beer I ever had that I liked was one of my parent’s friend’s home brew. He made a “light” and a “dark”. I liked the “dark”.
3. How did you get start in brewing? Homebrewer? Etc??? What was the first batch you ever made?
I started as a home brewer. My first ever batch was a brown ale recipe extract kit, with a mini mash. I was not really into beer. I was into food and cooking. The brewing was an extension of that. I was 20 and just drinking what I brewed. By the time I turned 21 I tried drinking a Budweiser in a restaurant and remember thinking, “where is the flavor”. My pallet was just starting to develop. Once I was 21 I soon found myself a couple of drinking buddies, Scotty, Benny, and Pat. They were folks I worked with at the bakery. We would go to Dick’s Brewing down in Centralia and Fish Brewing in Oly. I met Ole Ezra Cox at Dick’s and Phil Roche and Jen Gridley at Fish. I remember thinking they were the coolest people in the world. Talking with them I learned that they got into brewing by being all-grain home brewers. I knew what I wanted to do! I spent a day at Rocky Top home brew in Oly all grain brewing with Dave Pendleton. Soon, I was brewing often and being OCD about it. Really trying to dial things in.
4-1. What is your favorite beer you have ever made? And why?
That is a real hard question to answer. I will pick 2 favorites. StarFish Imp. Red at Fish. A favorite because It was the second professional brew I designed from the ground up. It was a home brew recipe modified for the system at Fish. Our Marketing guy at the time, Scott let me name it after my very special lady. Her name is Star Schein. Back in the day this was a great beer and really well received.
My other Favorite is the IPA I am brewing in Bellevue Brewing. This is my favorite because the only goal I had set for me by management was to make the best IPA I could. The only thing holding me back was a lack of availability of hops. I did not have a bean counter telling me, “No you can’t make that, we need more profit.” I knew being up here in King Co. a lot more industry folks would be taking a hard look at my beer. I knew I had the bar set very high for me. We have Black Raven just down the street making one of the best IPAs in the state. There is so much good beer up here and folks are used to drinking it. I could not come out with a half assed IPA… It has been very well received.
5c. If you had to live for the rest of your life with only drinking one beer and not one of your own. Who and what beer/brewery?
That sounds like pure hell! It would be Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. The good ole mean green.
6d-1. What is your favorite beer style?
I love German and Czech lagers. Then American IPA and Pale ale, though I am getting bored with IPA.
67. If you could create a whole new style of beer what would it be?
Something really flavorful and low ABV so I could drink a ton of it. It would have negative calories. Drinking it would make you muscular and fit….
998. Favorite sport and team?
I don’t watch team sports much. I used to really be into MMA.
9. What is your ultimate session beer?
Czech Pilsner, but I have to be drinking it fresh from the brewery in the Czech Republic.
A) What music do love to listen to while brewing?
All kinds: I am a big fan of The Poxy Boggards, The Pilbilly Knights, The Reverend Horton Heat. Bob Log III. Oh, can’t forget Licensed to Ill by the Beastie Boys… I like fun music
420. What is the craziest ingredient you have added while brewing?
Japanese Bonito Flakes. It is dried, smoked fish used for making soup stock…
24. Favorite hop(s) depends on what I am brewing.
I like Palisade, German Hallertau Tradition, Amarillo, Cascade, Citra, Centennial, and Chinook. I am in love with Amarillo. Maybe by the time I am 40 I will be able to get my hands on enough to brew a professional sized batch….
13 What is your go to liquor?
Fighting Cock Whiskey.
77. Favorite Movie(s)
Snatch, The Big Labowski, Full Metal Jacket.
15. What is your favorite movie Quote?
You like dags? (dogs) from Snatch…
0. Are you on twitter (@Twitter name) what is your favorite twitter #hashtag?
I don’t do anything exciting enough to twitter.
17. Morning person or Night person?
Morning. I like the quiet.
44. What is your favorite Hot sauce?
Tapatio or the Chipotle Tabasco
17. If you could ask me BrewDad one question what would it be?
What is the meaning of life?
Thanks Tony we wish you all the best with your new brewery and can’t wait to have a few more pints with you my brother.
If you know of a brewer I need to feature let me know Mike@brewdad.com
