Mashing-In News: Ezra Meeker Hop Museum, Kings & Daughters & Taproom
GOOD MORNING, SOUTH PUGET SOUND!
Monday, Sept. 15, 2025 — Tommy Lee Jones turns 79 today!
Today’s craft beer news runs the gamut from history-rich to freshly poured: a new Grit & Grain podcast episode digs into Ezra Meeker’s hop legacy (and buried treasure) in Puyallup, while Hood River welcomes Kings & Daughters’ long-awaited Walled Garden taproom. In Portland, Threshold proves that Tuesday night run clubs can fuel both fitness and community, and Pelican invites drinkers to “gather the flock” with its new IPA. Across the map, Athletic Brewing teams with Oboz Footwear on an eco-minded giveaway, Stone Brewing celebrates 29 years with a double IPA and all-VIP bash, the UK’s oldest maltster French & Jupps keeps the roasted tradition alive, and Mexico’s beer giants continue to dominate U.S. imports despite shifting tides.
From Ezra Meeker to a New Museum: Episode 159 Goes Deep on Hops
Episode 159 of the Grit & Grain Podcast dives into the roots of America’s hop culture with Shelly Schlumpf of the Puyallup Historical Society, exploring Ezra Meeker’s legacy, plans for a new hop museum, and even a tale of buried treasure in the Valley. (Grit & Grain Podcast)
Kings & Daughters Open The Walled Garden in Hood River
Kings & Daughters Brewing, founded in 2021 by Kyle Larsen and Kacie McMackin, is opening its first taproom—The Walled Garden—in downtown Hood River on September 13, 2025, offering an elegant, boutique-style pub with beers under 6%, cocktails, wine, and a European-inspired food menu. (The New School)
Running Into Community: Threshold Brewing’s Run Club Thrives
By founding Threshold Run Club, co-owner Sara Szymanski has blended her lifelong passion for running with her Portland brewery, turning Tuesday nights into one of Threshold’s busiest days and proving how simple, community-driven programs can strengthen both neighborhoods and breweries. (Beervana)
A New IPA for Every Gathering: Meet Flock Party from Pelican
Pelican Brewing has released Flock Party IPA (6.8%), a bright, floral, and fruity India Pale Ale brewed to balance classic and modern hop character, crafted for gatherings and now available in 15-packs across the Pacific Northwest. (Brewpublic)
Athletic Brewing and Oboz Launch Ultimate Hiking Giveaway
Athletic Brewing and Oboz Footwear—both B Corps rooted in sustainability and outdoor culture—have teamed up for Untappd’s ultimate hiking giveaway, offering eco-friendly gear, non-alcoholic beer, and a shared mission to protect trails and expand outdoor access. (Hop Culture)
Stone Brewing Turns 29 With Double IPA and All-VIP Fest
Stone Brewing marks its 29th anniversary with a bold New Zealand–hopped Double IPA and an “all-VIP” invitational festival at its Escondido flagship, offering unlimited pours, culinary pairings, live music, and a full day of craft beer celebration. (The Brewer Magazine)
French & Jupps: The UK’s Oldest Maltster Still Roasting Strong
Founded in 1689, French & Jupps is the UK’s oldest maltster and a global specialist in roasted and crystal malts, supplying character and depth to beers from traditional English milds to modern imperial stouts while staying proudly niche, local, and quietly essential to brewers worldwide. (Pellicle)
Mexico’s Beer Empire: Tariffs, Trends, and the Rise of Modelo
Despite new U.S. tariffs and shifting consumer habits, Mexico remains the world’s top beer exporter and America’s favorite import source, with brands like Modelo, Corona, and Pacifico dominating sales—though the industry now faces headwinds from changing demographics, health trends, and economic pressures. (The Beer Professor)
LINK: Peaks & Pints beer and cider cooler inventory
