Fremont Brewing stands among Seattle’s most beloved craft breweries, a family-owned enterprise launched in 2009 by environmental advocate-turned-lawyer Matt Lincecum and cultural anthropologist Sara Nelson, who swapped academic and policy careers to pursue their passion for beer and community.

Born in the heart of Fremont, an eclectic neighborhood of artists, technologists, and free thinkers, the brewery, boasting the Great Blue Heron as its emblem, celebrates resourcefulness, intention, and Seattle’s spirit. It began humbly with a 15-barrel brewhouse and modest fermenters handling just 1,000 barrels per year. Growth quickly followed, and in 2016, Fremont West opened, a sprawling 80,000-square-foot production facility featuring an 80-barrel steam-powered GEA Huppmann brewhouse. Today, Fremont Brewing is one of Washington State’s largest craft producers, especially renowned for its barrel-aged beers such as the acclaimed Rusty Nail Imperial Stout and B-Bomb Imperial Winter Ale.

But Fremont Brewing is about more than capacity; it’s about community, craftsmanship, and conscience. Matt and Sara infused every aspect of their operations with deep sustainability. With LED lighting, hybrid delivery vehicles, water conservation systems, and innovative waste-to-energy projects like the HORSE anaerobic digester, they have earned recognition for their leadership in sustainable brewing.

Fremont’s ethos extends to inclusive community impact and social equity. Their annual Pride Kölsch raises funds for LGBTQ+ organizations, embodying the sentiment, “Love Wins.” In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Fremont adapted swiftly, keeping all staff employed, delivering beer curbside, and launching the Heron Rising initiative to support local restaurant workers. Their Homefront IPA has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for veteran families nationwide.

Fremont’s tie to place is no accident; Washington is the world’s second-largest hop producer, and the brewery sources directly from the Yakima Valley, pairing these hops with pure Cascade Mountain water. Specialty programs like the Black Heron Project spotlight farmhouse and barrel-aged beers, while their sensory lab ensures consistent quality across every style.

Their Urban Beer Gardens, in Fremont and Columbia City, are beloved gathering spaces that embody inclusivity and conviviality. With vibrant atmospheres, rotating food trucks, and a welcoming policy for families and dogs alike, they exemplify Fremont’s belief that beer is better when shared.

Fremont Brewing matters because it demonstrates how beer can be a force for good. From pioneering barrel-aged beers to championing sustainability and building community through philanthropy, every pint reflects their guiding principle: Because Beer Matters, not just as a drink, but as a vehicle for connection, progress, and joy.