Churchkey Beer: Where To Buy And What To Know

ChurchKey beer is a defunct brewery founded in 2012 by actor Adrian Grenier and former Nike designer Justin Hawkins in Seattle, USA. The brewery's name refers to its flagship beer, which must be opened using a can piercer, or church key. The beer was initially sold in steel cans, but production was halted in 2013 due to quality issues caused by excessive pressure inside the cans. It resumed production in 2014 with aluminum cans, but the company ultimately shut down a few years later. While the beer is no longer in production, ChurchKey continues to operate as a craft beer bar in Washington, DC, offering a wide selection of craft beers, wines, and cocktails. Additionally, there is a separate entity called Church-Key Brewing Company founded in 2000 by John Graham in Northumberland County, Ontario, Canada.

Churchkey Can Company in Seattle, Washington

The Churchkey Can Company was a brewery in Seattle, Washington, founded in 2012 by actor Adrian Grenier and former Nike designer Justin Hawkins. Based in the SoDo neighbourhood, the company's name came from its flagship beer, which required a can piercer, or "church key", to open. The recipe for the beer was created by two local homebrewers and brewed at Cold Spring Brewery. It was a Pilsner-style lager with 29 IBUs and 4.9% ABV, packaged in recyclable 12-ounce steel cans. The cans were designed by the Ball Corporation and included a churchkey with the purchase of a six-pack.

Initially, the beer was only available in the Seattle and Portland metropolitan areas, but it later expanded to Los Angeles. The company faced production issues in 2013 due to excessive pressure inside the cans, but resumed operations in 2014 with traditional 12-ounce aluminium cans. Despite these challenges, the company's unique retro-style cans were not universally well-received, with some beer enthusiasts criticising them as being "hipster".

The Churchkey Can Company's address was 4700 Ohio Avenue South, Seattle, Washington, 98134, USA. It is now listed as closed, and as of June 2018, Pitchbook, a website that tracks start-up valuations, listed the company as "Out of Business".

It is worth noting that there is also a Church-Key Brewing Company, founded in 2000 by John Graham, located in an 1878 Methodist Church on the outskirts of Campbellford, Ontario. This company is unrelated to the Churchkey Can Company and is known for producing authentic ales while supporting local communities.

Church-Key Brewing Company in Ontario, Canada

Church-Key Brewing Company is a microbrewery located in a former Methodist church in Campbellford, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2000 by John Graham, it was the first microbrewery in Northumberland County. The company takes pride in producing authentic ales with local ingredients while supporting its community. Church-Key offers a range of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, and seasonal brews, and has both indoor and outdoor seating areas. Visitors can enjoy a pint, purchase beer to go, and even take a tour of the brewery. The company also hosts events, such as their Spring Revival Event, which features local musicians, craft beers, and fresh food.

Church-Key Brewing Company has received mostly positive reviews, with many praising the peaceful atmosphere, outdoor seating, and variety of beers on offer. Some reviewers mention the friendly and knowledgeable staff, while others appreciate the local ingredients and the unique setting in a former church. However, there have been some complaints about inconsistent staffing and a lack of personal tours.

In addition to its on-site offerings, Church-Key Brewing Company also offers online sales and home delivery within Canada. The company's website provides information on their currently available brews, as well as merchandise, such as fashion and glassware.

Overall, Church-Key Brewing Company is a well-regarded craft brewery that combines a respect for tradition with a spirit of innovation, contributing to the vibrant craft beer scene in Ontario, Canada.

Churchkey beers in retro-style cans

The Churchkey Can Company was a microbrewery founded in 2012 in Seattle, USA, by actor Adrian Grenier and former Nike designer Justin Hawkins. The brewery's name refers to its flagship beer, which must be opened using a can piercer, or a "church key". The recipe for the beer was created by two local homebrewers. The brewery's only beer was a Pilsner-style lager with 29 IBUs and 4.9% ABV. It was packaged in a 12-ounce steel can made by Ball Corporation, designed to be recyclable, and included a churchkey with the purchase of a six-pack.

The Churchkey Can Company's beer cans were a deliberate throwback to the pre-pull tab cans that were common in the 1930s up until the 1960s. These retro-style cans were flat-topped and required a can piercer, or "church key", to punch one or two holes in the can to open it. With the advent of the "pop-top" aluminum can, this type of beverage can disappeared almost entirely.

The Churchkey Can Company's decision to use steel flat-top cans was a unique choice among craft breweries, which typically use aluminum cans with a normal StaTab opening. The company's retro-style cans included an opening instruction panel on the side, showing users how to open this old-fashioned type of can.

While the Churchkey Can Company's beer was well-received as a good Pilsner, the reception for the retro-style cans was not entirely positive, with some beer enthusiasts dubbing it "the most hipster beer in the world". The company also faced challenges with the cans, as early batches experienced issues with bulging lids due to excessive pressure inside the cans. This issue led to a temporary halt in production in 2013, and the company resumed production in 2014 with a change to a more traditional 12-ounce aluminum can, although it still lacked a pop-top.

Despite these challenges, the Churchkey Can Company's unique packaging and attention to detail in recreating the retro-style beer cans earned them the BCCA's "US Can of the Year" award at the 2013 Canvention. However, as of June 2018, the company was listed as "Out of Business" by Pitchbook, a website that tracks start-up valuations.

ChurchKey craft beer bar in Washington, DC

ChurchKey is located above its sister restaurant, Birch & Barley, at 1337 14th St NW (at Rhode Island Ave NW). It is open Monday through Thursday from 4 pm until 1 am, Fridays from 4 pm until 2 am, Saturdays from 12 pm until 2 am, and Sundays from 12 pm until 1 am. The bar features a full selection of craft beers, wines, and curated cocktails, with a steady stream of appetizers and canapes throughout the evening.

ChurchKey's New Year's Eve celebration is a notable event, with an all-inclusive ticket that includes access to an open bar, fine food, a live DJ, and a complimentary sparkling wine toast at midnight. The bar also hosts other special events and promotions throughout the year.

ChurchKey is considered by many to be Washington, DC's best craft beer bar and is a cornerstone of the city's craft beer culture. The bar's passion for beer, combined with its extensive selection and knowledgeable staff, makes it a must-visit destination for craft beer enthusiasts in the nation's capital.

Churchkey can openers for sale

Churchkey can openers are available for sale on Amazon, eBay, and Sixpackrings. Amazon offers a variety of options, including a stainless steel classic Churchkey bottle and can opener that is compact, easy to store, and perfect for camping or travelling. It is also a great addition to your barware and can be used as a gift for cocktail, beer, and wine lovers.

EBay offers a range of collectible beer openers, including vintage and antique church keys, as well as those with unique designs or brand logos. These can openers are not just functional but also carry a piece of history and nostalgia.

Sixpackrings provides a more wholesale option, selling 4-inch church key can and bottle openers in bulk packs of 50. These openers are compact and perfect for easy storage, with two sides for opening small and medium-sized cans.

Frequently asked questions