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White Center, Washington isn’t the place you would expect to find a craft brewer who is active in the homebrew community, has solar panels on the roof, and has a system dedicated to brewing sours. But that’s where you can find Alejandro Brown and Big Al Brewing.
A San Diego native, Alejandro began homebrewing more than a decade ago before opening up Big Al’s in 2008. We talked about Big Al previously in Craft Beer Buzz Words: Episode II – Sustainable, because they have installed solar panels in order to heat their brew kettles – a process that is not only environmentally sound but also saves a whole lot on energy bills. “We used to have to turn them on before we left at night to get them up to temp,” Alejandro explained, “but now we can turn it on when we get in and it’s ready in about 30 minutes.”
Big Al’s straddles that fine line of needing more space and needing more revenue: you can’t increase production without the money, and you can’t get the money without the production. But it’s more than just about logistics at his brewery. Alejandro’s team is made up of family and friends. The taproom is filled with his Sounders FC season ticket holder scarves. His original homebrew system is still in the brewery.
When he showed me around, he was sure to fill me in on his love of soccer (specifically the Sounders) and why the addition of Clint Dempsey is so good for the team – something that was way over this sports fan’s head. He loves the team, and the fans love him. In 2010, they were contracted by the Emerald City Supporters (the Sounders fans) to brew Big Al Brougham Bitter, an English-style session ale.
And he still loves homebrewing. Over the last five years, he may have spent most of his time brewing the beer that the brewery puts its label on, but he never forgets its roots. In the center of his current brew system sits his original homebrew setup, reminding everyone that works there where the brewery came from. And Alejandro is still very active in the local homebrew community. He offers help, advice, and even yeast. Their site even offers an entire section with tips for the novice brewer.
We have often written about how the craft industry is just a big community – and Big Al is right in the epicenter. If you haven’t heard of Big Al, you will soon, because when you build up a community around you, it will do the same in return.
