Hey craft beer crew and Seattle-area sippers—listen up, because while everyone’s talking Dry January, Washington’s breweries are quietly battling Frigid February (and honestly, the whole chilly winter stretch) with sales taking a serious hit. According to the Brewers Association, nearly half of breweries see their slowest month smack in January or February, and if you toss in the holiday slowdowns of November and December, a whopping two-thirds are slogging through their toughest times before St. Patrick’s Day finally brings some green (and greenbacks) back. Daniel Olson, executive director of the Washington Brewers Guild, nails it: “January is Dry, February is Frigid”—taprooms and brewpubs are hurting big time, with customers not bouncing back like they used to pre-pandemic. Add inflation, supply chain headaches, staffing struggles, tariffs, and folks just drinking less overall, and Washington’s 400+ breweries are facing the roughest road in generations—record closures (nearly 30 taprooms, brewpubs, and breweries in recent years), national craft sales down 5% in 2025 (after 4% in 2024 and 1% in 2023), and WA beer faring even worse at -6.5% in 2024 and -3.7% in 2023.
But here’s the heart of it: these spots aren’t just businesses—they’re your local legends, the cozy corners where you toasted your 21st, had that epic first date that turned into forever, watched games with buddies, or just escaped the rain with a killer pint. Washington’s craft scene still pumps out massive good: supporting over 57,000 jobs, $3.7 billion in wages, $12.4 billion in economic activity, and more than $1.5 billion in taxes every year. The Washington Brewers Guild is all about keeping that thriving—advocating for smart policies, uniting brewers statewide, and reminding everyone that showing up this winter matters. Bundle up, rally your crew, hit your favorite taproom for trivia night, a flight of hazy IPAs, or a hearty stout by the fire—because if we don’t support these spots now, your go-to might not be pouring come summer. Let’s thaw this Frigid February together, one local pour at a time.
About Washington Brewers Guild
The Washington Brewers Guild was born in 1999 as a non-profit trade association dedicated to uniting, protecting, and championing Washington’s burgeoning craft beer scene during a time when the industry was still finding its footing post-Prohibition revival. As craft brewing exploded across the state—fueled by pioneers turning hops-rich Yakima Valley bounty into world-class IPAs and more—the Guild stepped up to give independent brewers a collective voice in Olympia and even Washington, D.C. From the start, it focused on legislative advocacy to shape smart beer laws, educate members on compliance and best practices, and foster community among brewers so no one had to navigate the regulatory maze alone. Over the years, the Guild has proudly built a track record of “getting things done,” helping grow the scene from a handful of trailblazers to over 400 breweries statewide while ensuring quality, choice, and fair play for beer lovers everywhere.
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