The South Downtown (this actually means South of the Dome) Seattle neighborhood (or SODO) isn’t known for its architecture or landscaping, as it is filled with warehouses, factories, and other industrial locations. But just like any industrialized neighborhood in any city in any country, SODO has hidden gems popping up everywhere, giving thirsty hop heads hope as they search for something to wet their bitter needs.

In 2009, one of Seattle’s most friendly, sincere, and hard-working brewers moved his nano-brewery into one of SODO’s 2400 square foot warehouse spaces.

And ever since that day, Joel has been asked by potential brewers: “How?”

“Surround yourself with good people.”

In 2007 Joel VandenBrink was spending his time in his 170 square foot brewery, making the beer that he loved. As the second nano-brewery in Washington (and possibly the country), Joel dealt with only two burners and two fermenters to conceive and perfect the beer that fans have come to love. That tiny space was the beginning of Two Beers Brewing Company.

Joel (the Founder and Head Brewer) as well as Caitlin Braam (PR & Marketing Manager) were kind enough to meet up with a couple of us last week at “The Woods”, Two Beers’ tasting room – an open room with a bar and tables made from large slabs of shellacked wood. From the bar, you are allowed a first-person view of the brewing that is happening in the back room. Holding down the fort is 9-year-old Willis, the corgi lab mix that can sneeze on command and shells peanuts. It is the perfect place to talk about beer, how it’s made, and what it’s really like to open your own brewery.

“Just the jump from home brew to a single barrel is huge.”

Easy going, approachable, and laid back, Joel is the antithesis of the stereotypical executive, and yet he has grown a brewery with distribution in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Singapore and Japan. And they are killing it. Their projections at the beginning of the year were for approximately 4,000 barrels, but now they are on track to make over 7,000.

He’s doing something right, and that has caused a lot of homebrewers to take notice and reach out to him. But upgrading from homebrew is a big change, and he is always quick to remind them how difficult it can really get. “If you want to start a business and make beer, then open a brewery. If you just want to make beer, don’t.” He doesn’t try to scare them off, though, just give them direction. When someone approaches Joel, the first question is always “Why?” They will invariably respond with “because I want to make beer that people want to drink.” His response? “And…”

“Making beer is one of the easiest things I do,” Joel said. On any given day, he markets, brews, does payroll, and runs deliveries in “Brutus”, the Astro passenger van that they have had since the beginning.

“Make steps sustainable.”

Since their inception, Two Beers Brewing Company has consistently grown, added distribution, expanded their space, upped their output, tried out new brews, and served thousands of beers to thirsty fans. His hard work has really paid off, and in November, Joel will be hosting a fifth anniversary party in “The Woods”.

I recommend dropping by and saying hi. You may get some good advice.