Anybody going previous Rooftop Brew Co. in Interbay the primary weekend of September would have seen nothing out of the abnormal — a busy entrance patio, the Smash That burger meals truck, and automobiles lined up across the block. However a better look would reveal that the microbrewery was boarded up. Company weren’t right here to socialize and sip, however to purchase beer and merchandise salvaged from a latest fireplace that broken the constructing so badly the enterprise’s future is up within the air.
“We have been hoping that the constructing would have a faster decision and perhaps we’d be again in there earlier than too lengthy, however at this level it doesn’t appear like that’s going to occur,” says proprietor Craig Christian. “There’s simply a variety of unknowns nonetheless.”
The fireplace began in Caffe Ladro’s roasting facility (behind the constructing) early within the morning of August 13. The fireplace has since been deemed unintended, with no accidents reported.
“It unfold fairly shortly as a result of it’s an previous picket constructing and there have been a variety of espresso beans and different issues that have been capable of mild on fireplace,” Christian says. “The fireplace division put it out comparatively shortly, however not earlier than it did fairly in depth injury.”
That injury included the lack of Rooftop’s brewing grains, and Christian says there could also be further structural injury the “insurance coverage firms must kind out.” Rooftop additionally suffered appreciable looting within the days that adopted.
On high of all of it, Christian says he’s needed to lay off most of his employees within the interim. He’s arrange a GoFundMe marketing campaign, the proceeds of which can go to them along with serving to the enterprise get again on its ft. A few of the former employees members nonetheless confirmed up over the weekend to assist with the fundraiser and mingle with their former coworkers and bar patrons.
“The help from the neighborhood has been superior. Simply superb,” says Christian. “We’re grateful to all people who’s donated to our GoFundMe or has simply despatched phrases of encouragement.”
Extra assist has come from Outdated Range Brewing, whose Ship Canal taproom sits simply down the road from Rooftop. Together with offering chilly cupboard space for Rooftop’s salvaged beer, Outdated Range is throwing a fundraiser on September 14. That occasion will characteristic a live performance from College of Rock, in keeping with Christian.
And whereas their brick and mortar future stays unsure, the Rooftop workforce hopes to do some contract brewing at Outdated Range and different Seattle breweries.
“If we may return in tomorrow, we’d brew a recent hop [beer]. I imply, we’re lacking the entire recent hop season, and that’s actually unhappy. We had 4 recent hops deliberate,” Christian says. “However then we’ve got three staple beers, our Azotea Mexi Lager, Stargazer [IPA], and Tropical Staycation IPA. I believe if we contract brew, that’s what we’re gonna attempt to do.”
Within the meantime, Rooftop’s longtime followers are rooting for a full restoration.
“It’s such a bummer. I believe I communicate for lots of parents once I say I really like this place,” says Kristin Bauer, who stopped by on Friday to seize beer and a Rooftop hat. “I believe they’ve bought what it takes to drag by. It’s simply when and the way.”
