When Mike Hale, founder and
president of Hale’s Ales, made the statement “The main thing is to keep
the main thing the main thing,” he meant it. Hale has remained true to
this philosophy since the beginning of Hale’s Ales almost 25 years ago, and has committed to brewing nothing but the best
quality, hand-crafted ales in the Northwest.
The vision of Hale’s Ales began in 1982 while Mike Hale spent a year bicycling among the small villages of southern England. In the course of his travels he developed a great appreciation for the traditionally brewed ales of England’s small breweries. It was then that he conceived the idea of opening a brewery in his home state of Washington to produce the kinds of ales he had come to love in England. Determined to learn the classical methods of English brewers, Hale sought out the very same small village breweries that had inspired him, in particular GALE’S BREWERY in Horndean England, and spent several months learning their trade and techniques.
After returning to the states, Hale established his first brewery in Colville, Washington. On Independence Day, 1983 Hale’s Ales released its flagship beer, Hale’s Pale American Ale, the first microbrewed pale ale in the Northwest and a top selling ale in this region ever since.
Soon
after opening and due to local demand, Hale’s expanded its line-up to
include Hale’s Special Bitter (HSB) & Hale’s Celebration Porter - both
excellent examples of the original English styles. In 1986, Hale’s opened
a second brewery in Kirkland, Washington, on the shores of Moss Bay, and
with the extra production abilities, introduced the three new ales: Moss
Bay Amber, Extra, and Stout.
As demand continued to grow, Hale’s found itself having to move a couple times to accommodate the requests for Hale’s Ales. In 1991 Mike discovered a vacant but charming old brick schoolhouse (circa 1916) on the east side of Spokane, and moved the original Colville brewing operation to this location. The new 20 barrel brew line enabled Hale’s to double its brewing capacity.
Hale’s tripled its production capacity in September of 1995, when Hale’s moved it’s Kirkland location to the Fremont/Ballard district of Seattle. The move increased Hale’s production capacity from 6,000 barrels a year to 20,000. All brewing is now done at the Fremont Brewery.
The new brewery was conceived and designed by Mike Hale with the assistance of head Brewmaster J. Kipling. The remodeled 17,000 square foot building, formerly an industrial hose manufacturing plant, is located on Leary Way in-between the Fremont & Ballard districts of Seattle, and includes a pub with seating for 125 customers. The 30 barrel, stainless steel, gravity fed, all steam-heated brewing system is in full view. The fermenting room sits behind 15' tall panes of glass, allowing brewery visitors to fully watch the ales in process (there are even mirrors on the ceiling!), yet maintain the sterile environment necessary for Hale's yeast to thrive. Hale’s employs an age old English brewing method that features an ale yeast that for centuries has been specially adapted for the open-topped fermenters of the traditional English brewery. One of the more pleasant and fascinating sights for a brewer, or any interested viewer, is the bubbly, creamy “head” that develops through the various stages of fermentation. Only these fermenters can accommodate this wonderfully aromatic and vigorous yeast.
The new brewery not only dramatically increased Hale’s production capabilities, it also added a neighborhood gathering place with the addition of Hale’s Brew Pub. The design of the new brew pub and restaurant was inspired by English pubs Hale visited during his travels. Hale insured that the pub offered its customers options in comfort; the conversation room adorned with lush leather couches, a classic style bar constructed of Honduran mahogany, cozy booths for those who enjoy a little privacy, a comfortable family dining area, a private banquet facility, plus a 750 square foot deck to enjoy on those precious sunny Seattle days. Hale’s Ales menu was designed to use only premium ingredients - a menu that mirrors the quality of the brewery and complements the beers served.
Hale’s Ales is currently distributed throughout the Northwest including Washington, Idaho, Alaska, Oregon, and Montana. Hale’s can be found on draft at neighborhood pubs throughout these regions. Four of Hale's most popular beers, Pale Ale, Red Menace Big Amber Ale, Moss Bay Extra, and Mongoose I.P.A. are now available in bottles year-round throughout the Northwest. Hale's Seasonal ales, including Wee Heavy Winter Ale, Nut Brown Irish Ale, Drawbridge Blonde and O'Brien's Harvest Ale are also available (for limited periods) in bottles!
1965 - Mike Hale
tries American "industrial" beers in college - not too impressed
1967 - Mike tries local beers in Germany & England - Fresh, local,
traditional beers - he's very impressed!
1980 - Mike is inspired by new Albion Microbrewery in Sonoma, California
1982 - Mike spends year living and bicycling through England, rekindles
his love for traditionally brewed ales of England, and commits to the
idea of opening a brewery in Washington State, his home since 1976.
1983,
March - Mike breaks ground for first brewery in Colville, Washington.
1983, July 4 - Hale's Ales releases flagship beer - Hale's Pale American
Ale.
1985 - Hale's Ales introduces the concept of seasonal ales with the release
of its Irish Ale & Wee Heavy.
1987, February - Hale's Ales opens second brewery in Kirkland, Washington,
on the shores of Moss Bay, to better present fresh local beer.
1989 - Hale's Ales introduces Dublin Style ("Nitro") Ales to the Northwest
1992 - Colville brewery moves to Spokane, increasing from a 10 barrel
brew length to a new 20 barrel brew length.
1995 - September - Kirkland brewery moves to the Fremont/Ballard district
of Seattle, increasing from 10 barrel brew length to an impressive 30
barrel brew length.
1995 - December - Hale's Ales Brew Pub and Restaurant serves its first
customers.
1998 - March - Hale's releases its Pale Ale, Amber Ale, and Moss Bay Extra
in the bottle.
1998 - October - Hale's begins bottling Seasonal Ales