Mashing-In News: Gordon Bowker Dies, Alchemy Cider Opens
GOOD MORNING, SOUTH PUGET SOUND!
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 — Melissa McCarthy turns 55 today!
From Seattle icons and crypto distilling firsts to gothic-metal cideries, heritage beers, and one writer’s epic 24-beer State Fair quest, today’s craft beverage news spans legacy, innovation, and plenty of bold new flavors
Seattle Icon Gordon Bowker, Co-Founder of Starbucks and Redhook, Dies at 82
Gordon Bowker, co-founder of both Starbucks and Redhook Brewery, has died at 82; the legendary Seattle entrepreneur leaves behind a legacy as a visionary who helped shape modern coffee culture, craft beer, and advertising while being celebrated for his storytelling and passion for community. (Washington Beer Blog)
Heritage Distilling becomes the first Washington craft distillery to accept Bitcoin as payment and hold it as an asset.
Heritage Distilling Company in Gig Harbor is pioneering digital adoption in Washington’s craft beverage scene, announcing it will both accept Bitcoin as payment and hold it as a company asset—leveraging product margins to buffer crypto’s volatility while attracting new customers and positioning itself as a model for how local breweries and distilleries can embrace digital finance. (Washington Beer Blog)
Gothic-Metal Alchemy Cider Brings Dark Magic to Portland
Alchemy Cider has officially opened in southeast Portland, bringing a gothic-metal–inspired aesthetic and a lineup of balanced, semi-dry ciders—including Eternal Apple, Forbidden Fields, Blackberry Magic, and Leviathan Bite—alongside 30 guest taps and a moody taproom experience, marking a bold new addition to Oregon’s acclaimed cider scene. (The New School)
Brewers’ Spent Grain Project Aims to Cut Waste, Create Value
Western Australia is funding a $1.24 million project to turn brewers’ spent grain—300,000 tonnes of waste annually—into food, fibre, and sustainable products, cutting landfill while creating new value for growers and brewers. (Aumanufacturing)
Ballygally Castle Marks 400 Years With Limited-Edition Craft Beer
Ballygally Castle in Co Antrim is celebrating its 400th anniversary with the launch of a limited-edition craft beer brewed in partnership with Whitewater Brewery, honoring the castle’s heritage while delighting guests with a unique local brew that has already proven a hit during a year of record celebrations and growth. (Northern Ireland World)
One Writer, 24 Beers, and 3 Hours: The Great Minnesota State Fair Beer Quest
A writer set out solo on opening day of the 2025 Minnesota State Fair to sample and rank all 24 (or possibly 25) new beers using a Skip, Shrug, Slurp! system—ranging from Pryes’ playful Soft Serve Royal Raspberry Beer to Lift Bridge’s Huckleberry Haze—before returning later with the family for the fair’s other delights. (Racket)
LINK: Peaks & Pints beer and cider cooler inventory
