Mashing-In News: 23rd Ave Brewery Closure, Tonya Cornett Interview
GOOD MORNING, SOUTH PUGET SOUND!
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 — Sharon Osbourne turns 73 today!
Today’s craft beer headlines pour a mix of farewells, reinventions, and reminders of what still makes the industry hum. Seattle’s beloved 23rd Ave Brewery calls last call after three years of community and connection, while in Bend, decorated brewer Tonya Cornett rises from Tilray’s layoffs to launch her next act with Upp Liquids. Down south, Ballast Point prepares to close its storied Miramar restaurant to refocus on smaller San Diego taprooms, even as BeerAdvocate’s new rankings prove America’s obsession with high-ABV IPAs and stouts hasn’t waned. Meanwhile, Firestone Walker and Josh Weikert keep the flame of craftsmanship burning—from California’s hop temples to Düsseldorf’s perfect hybrid ales.
Seattle’s 23rd Ave Brewery Announces Closure After Three Years of Community and Craft
After three years of serving Seattle’s Central District, Black-owned 23rd Ave Brewery—founded by childhood friends David and James Dixon and Mario Savage—has announced its closure, inviting the community for one final pint as it bids farewell to the neighborhood it helped unite through craft beer and connection. (Washington Beer Blog)
Washington Winter Beer Fest Returns Bigger, Bolder, and Merrier This December
The Washington Brewers Guild’s 2025 Winter Beer Fest returns to Seattle’s Victory Hall at The Boxyard on December 19–20, expanding its footprint to showcase 40+ Washington breweries and cideries, seasonal brews, barrel-aged specialties, DJ sets from KEXP’s Kevin Sur, and plenty of holiday cheer—with early bird ticket info coming soon. (Washington Beer Blog)
Tonya Cornett Rebuilds After Tilray Layoffs, Launches Upp Liquids in Bend
After more than a decade and 28 major medals at 10 Barrel Brewing, award-winning brewmaster Tonya Cornett—recently laid off following Tilray’s acquisition—opens up on the Brewbound Podcast about her unexpected departure, her years under A-B InBev and Tilray, and her new chapter launching Upp Liquids in Bend’s former Immersion Brewing space. (Brewbound)
End of an Era: Ballast Point Bids Farewell to Miramar as Brand Refocuses on Taproom Expansion
Ballast Point Brewing will close its long-running 600-seat Miramar restaurant and vacate the space on December 14, ending an era at its former headquarters now owned by Athletic Brewing, as CEO Brendan Watters shifts focus toward smaller San Diego taprooms under a refreshed business model backed by new investors. (San Diego Beer News)
America Still Loves Its Heavy Hitters: IPAs and Stouts Dominate Every State’s Top-Rated Beers
Despite a 3.9% dip in U.S. craft beer production and more brewery closures than openings in 2024, BeerAdvocate’s new state-by-state rankings reveal America’s love for big, bold brews remains strong—IPAs and imperial stouts dominate the list of each state’s highest-rated beers, proving high-ABV craftsmanship still reigns coast to coast. (Vinepair)
Mastering the Perfect Beer: Josh Weikert on Altbier and the Art of Sticke
Josh Weikert calls altbier the “perfect beer”—a balanced German hybrid that harmonizes malt and hops—and reveals how its stronger cousin, sticke alt, amplifies the style’s malt depth and hop presence while maintaining a crisp, dry finish through careful mash, fermentation, and lagering technique. (Craft Beer & Brewing)
Firestone Walker’s Mixed Pack Proves the Brewery Still Reigns Over West Coast Hops
Firestone Walker’s Mixed Pack spotlights four expressions of West Coast hop mastery—Union Jack’s classic pine-and-grapefruit punch, California IPA’s sleek tropical-dank modernity, XPA’s Southern Hemisphere sparkle, and Luponic Distortion’s smooth, fruit-forward subtlety—showcasing the brewery’s evolving yet consistent command of hop-driven balance. (The Brew Site)
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