Copperworks Distilling

Forward Movement, part 2

Last month Copperworks co-founder and president Jason Parker shared the company's history and work on creating standards for American Single Malt Whiskey. This month we'll look at their expansion plans and Jason's background.

In November 2021, Copperworks announced expansion plans to include a new restaurant and cocktail bar along with a new brewing facility in Kenmore. In addition, they will create a new Seattle cocktail bar and event space.

Photo: Kenmore project upon completion

"Our expansion plans have been brought on by COVID and what's happening on Seattle's waterfront," says Jason. "The corner of the building we're in was a furniture store that didn't make it through the pandemic. In 2019, before the pandemic, the waterfront attracted seven million tourists. Once the changes are made to the area (a park stretching from Olympic Sculpture Park to Colman Dock, sidewalk added to the east side of the street, the aquarium's new shark tank across the street from its current location), it is estimated the number of tourists will increase to 21 million visitors per year. In addition to these changes, the Harbor Steps is leasing space primarily to restaurants, creating a food and beverage destination area. Both COVID and changes in this area have given us an opportunity."

The expansion in Seattle doubles their size, with another 7,000 square feet, and increases their daily visitor capacity from 150 to 575 guests. They want to capitalize on the increased tourist traffic and event space rental opportunities, offering a bigger brand experience.

The Kenmore space is also a product of COVID. It was the Burke-Gilman Trail location of Nine Yards Brewing which didn't make it through the pandemic. Once they left, Copperworks took over. "This will be more of a pub and tasting room than restaurant," says Jason. "We want to serve the Eastside and north end with both food and spirits."

Single Cask Washington Peated American single Malt Whiskey

They had planned to build a standalone brewery in Kenmore, but new construction takes a lot more time. By putting the brewery in the current building, along with the pub, their changes became 'tenant improvements' which saved them two years or more, including permitting. Once they discovered this, it became possible to complete both years earlier. "The consolidation will enable us to add brewing capacity and increase whiskey production much sooner than we originally planned. With the new equipment in place, we can increase our whiskey production tenfold. And we'll achieve significant cost savings by combining the construction of these two previously separate projects," says Jason. "Our capital campaign raised over $2 million in funds to build out our new space, which is sufficient to build out the brewery and pub. So we've signed the lease, hired a contractor, and are working hard to be open by this summer."

Copperworks attracted 30,000 people to the Seattle tasting room before the pandemic and, from the very beginning, with a backhoe in their front yard. "We've been in the midst of construction the whole time we've been here," says Jason. "We love picturing our front area with picnic tables and umbrellas."

While Jason always has plans, he has told his partner of 23 years he would never open a restaurant. "Now I'm telling her I'm opening two," he laughs. "Every brewery I worked at opened a pub. But I was never involved. I know enough to bring in people who know what they're doing."

The food menu for both restaurants is being developed by Nick Jarvis who has spent 20 years in the hospitality/restaurant industry, including seven years opening locations for Tom Douglas Restaurants (TanakaSan, The Carlile Room, Serious Pie). The plan is to source ingredients from local purveyors like Beecher's Cheese, Salt Blade Meats, Sea Wolf Bakery, Taylor Shellfish.

Chris Elford (photo) is developing the bar programs. He owns Tradewinds Tavern and Navy Strength in Seattle and opened two James Beard nominated cocktail bars in New York. His concept is seasonal cocktails focused on each of Copperworks' spirits (whiskeys, gins, vodkas), and will also serve cask-finished cocktails finished in the distillery's own casks. There will also be classic cocktails to enjoy. Jason and Micah, co-founders of Copperworks are brewers, so they will ensure there is a rotating tap list from friends in the beer industry, including beers brewed exclusively for Copperworks.

How has Copperworks positioned themselves so well? It goes back to the founders/leadership team's backgrounds. Co-founders/owners Jason Parker and Micah Nutt were both home brewers. Jason worked with Pike Brewing Company, Fish Brewing Company, Redhook, Pyramid. Both Jason and Micah got involved in IT, and Micah is a talented wood-worker who refinished the 110-year-old antique bar in Copperwork's Seattle tasting room. Co-owner and vice president Jeff Kanof was a lawyer who left the law to focus on fine spirits and who helped launch Letterpress Distilling. An avid beer fan, his appreciation for complex flavors led him to American whiskey.

With their sense of where things are going around them, where they want to be, and their focus on flavor vs. quantity, Copperworks will continue to move forward in amazing directions.

Connie Adams/February 2022

Click here to read about Jason's background.

Click here to read about Jeff's background

Click here to read Part 1.

Copperworks Distilling Co.
1250 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98101
206-504-7604

www.copperworksdistilling.com