Seattle’s Stoup Brewing is opening a new taproom in Kenmore, WA
Like many other breweries, Stoup Brewing has juked and shimmied its way through the pandemic like a fighter pilot avoiding enemy flak. As it safely maneuvered its way through the barrage of restrictions, regulations, closings, and reopenings, the brewery remained focused on the mission and continued to look forward.
Stoup Brewing is opening a location in Kenmore, Washington. They’re working hard, aiming for an opening date sometime in late March or early April (stay tuned). If you are familiar with Seaplane Kitchen and Bar, then you’re already familiar with Stoup Brewing Kenmore. Think of it as a fully “Stoupified” version of Seaplane.
The taproom represents a new partnership with a well-known and respected chef, Jason Stoneburner, as well as two successful Seattle-area restaurant impresario: James Weimann and Deming Maclise.
Seaplane Kitchen and Bar opened in Kenmore in November 2018, part of the Weimann Maclise squadron of restaurants that includes the likes of Rhein Haus, Beer Star, Poquitos, Macleod’s, and others. Jason Stoneburner is the chef at the eponymously named Stoneburner, which is also part of the Weimann Maclise family of restaurants.
The Weimann Maclise group made a tactical decision to shut down Seaplane entirely during the pandemic. Not closed permanently, but closed until they saw a light at the end of the tunnel. Now, it will reopen as Stoup Brewing Kenmore.
“It’s been invigorating!” says Robyn Schumacher, one of the co-owners at Stoup Brewing. “After a very difficult year of just trying to stay afloat as a business, collaborating on a creative project with talented and enthusiastic new partners is a huge breath of fresh air.”
Deming Maclise explains, “There have been so many changes and upheavals in the restaurant world over the last 12 months and we keep looking for ways to innovate within the Weimann Maclise group. Our restaurants have had Stoup on draft since they started brewing in 2013, so we are obviously big fans.”
James Weimann and Deming Maclise have opened a dozen restaurants with different partners. While each restaurant is independently owned and operated the philosophy is consistent across them all. The focus is always on quality ingredients prepared by talented chefs. Perhaps the partners’ most notable achievement is the atmosphere they create at each of the locations; they all have a unique, authentic, and warm vibe.
“When the idea to convert Seaplane into a more casual and taphouse-like atmosphere came up, Stoup was the first brewery that came to mind,” adds Maclise. “We were thrilled when they were game for a partnership that will bring their amazing beer to the Kenmore community and allows [Jason] Stoneburner to keep cooking his delicious food too.”
What to Expect at Stoup Brewing Kenmore
Think of it as a Stoup Brewing taproom with food. Really good food. Jason Stoneburner, who has always been the chef at Seaplane, created a menu that focused on pizza but purposefully avoided being strictly Italian. Beyond the inspired pizzas, the menu at Seaplane included burgers, seafood, roasted veggies, salads, and more.
For Stoup Brewing Kenmore, Stoneburner is developing a new food menu centered around stone hearth pizzas, salads, and beer-friendly big plates.
The bar menu at Seaplane always featured a lovely selection of craft beer, and it has always taken beer seriously. Now, it will focus on Stoup Brewing’s beers exclusively, bringing the esteemed brewery’s beers to a new audience.
“We’ve explored other opportunities to open a second taproom but hadn’t found the right fit,” says Brad Benson, co-owner and brewmaster at Stoup Brewing. “So if you had told me that this would be the year…mid pandemic…I would have thought you were crazy. That’s a testament to how excited we are to make this plan a reality .”
Stay tuned for more information about the opening date.
Stoup Brewing Kenmore
6704 NE 181st St
Kenmore, WA 98028
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