To commemorate ten years, Reuben’s Brews is releasing a series of collaboration beers in the coming months. Series kicks off this Saturday.

It was opening day at the original Reuben’s Brews taproom. It was a sunny, August afternoon in 2012. Seafair weekend. We crowded into the tiny beer garden out front of the brewery in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. The Blue Angels teased us, screaming overhead ever so occasionally and unexpectedly, drawing our eyes skyward.

The beers surprised me and impressed me. It was an interesting array of styles for a hot summer day. The menu included a Robust Porter, an American Brown, an American Rye, a Dry Stout, and a Roggenbier. Seriously, who introduces their brewery to the world with a Roggenbier? Not a Pale Ale or an IPA, but a Roggenbier.

It was prophecy. Reuben’s Brews has always cut its own path. Smart people follow that path by daring to cut their own. Since arriving on the scene ten years ago, I don’t know of any brewery anywhere that has earned so many accolades and secured so many awards as Reuben’s Brews.

This Saturday, January 15th, Reuben’s Brews kicks off its 10th Anniversary Collab Series with a release party at the taproom in Ballard. The first beer in the series is Metamodern PNW Amber Ale, a beer brewed in collaboration with Georgetown Brewing. For February, they’ll release Triumvirate, a long-standing and award-winning supercharged IPA brewed in collaboration with Brouwer’s Cafe and Bottleworks. (Find more info about the entire series in the section below.)

“While we truly are just getting started and there is much more to come in the years ahead, we know that we could have never made it this far alone,” said Reuben’s Brews Co-Founder Adam Robbings. “The success of the past 10 years is a testament to the many different people and partners who have been along for the ride.”

“From brewers who inspired and/or encouraged us, to accounts that believed in us, to our most loyal supporters in our mug club, the Reuben’s Crew, we wouldn’t be who we are without these wonderful friends. We’re excited to tell the story of our past 10 years through 10 collaboration brews with the amazing community that helped us get here.”

Reuben’s Brews in the WA Beer Blog Time Machine

Here on the Washington Beer Blog, we’ve told the story of Reuben’s Brews as it unfolded, dating back to 2010 when the seeds were sown. Here are the first three stories we shared.

Homebrewer takes Phinney by storm (2010).

Reuben’s Brews going pro – Seattle homebrewer prepares for the big leagues (2011).

First visit to a new Seattle Brewery: Reuben’s Brews (2012).

About the Collab Series and the Beers

The year-long series will feature collaborations with partners from inside and outside of the brewing industry, all of which were part of the first ten chapters of the Reuben’s Brews story.

Here’s the schedule of collab partners:

  • Georgetown Brewing (January)
  • Brouwer’s Café & Bottleworks (February)
  • Fort George Brewery & Great Notion Brewing (March)
  • The Homebrewers Guild of Seattle Proper (April)
  • Ballard FC (May)
  • Hair of the Dog Brewing (June)
  • Chuckanut Brewery (July)
  • Phinney Neighborhood Association (July)
  • The Reuben’s mug club, The Reuben’s Crew (August)
  • The Team of Reuben’s Brews (September)

The first beer in the series, Metamodern PNW Amber Ale, clocks in 5.5 percent ABV and 35 IBU. It will see distribution in kegs and 4-packs of 16-ounce cans. You’ll find it at the Reuben’s Brews taproom and the Georgetown Brewing taproom. Also, at the Reuben’s taproom, expect some sort of special, barrel-aged version to make an appearance at some point.

Throughout the year, look for commemorative t-shirts, special glassware, and limited-edition merchandise surrounding the release of each beer. Also expect to see barrel-aged versions of some of the beers on tap at the Reuben’s taproom.