Propolis Beer: Where To Buy This Unique Brew

Propolis Brewing in Port Townsend, Washington, is a small, independent brewery that creates handcrafted, mixed-culture, botanical ales. Co-founders Piper Corbett and Robert Horner are the only permanent employees, and they make their beers using ingredients they forage, grow, and source locally. Their taproom is located in a sun-dappled garden where Puget Sound meets the shore, and they distribute their beers to various locations across the country. While Propolis Brewing doesn't have its own online store, their beers can be found at select retailers and beer specialty stores, as well as through beer delivery services like BeerMenus.

Propolis Brewing location and contact

Propolis Brewing is located in Port Townsend, Washington, United States. The specific address of the brewery is 2457 Jefferson St, Port Townsend, Washington, 98368. The phone number for the brewery is (360) 344-2129.

The brewery is located in a tiny taproom and production facility on a sun-dappled garden where Puget Sound meets the shore. The taproom has a Victorian garden vibe, with jazz wafting from a record player and vintage furniture. It is a space for people to slow down and appreciate the smells and tastes of the beer.

Propolis Brewing is about a two-hour car and ferry trip from Seattle. The city of Port Townsend is surrounded by water and has a rich history, dating back to when it was named Puget Sound's Customs Port of Entry in 1851. The city has a unique and eclectic character, with a mix of creative types, boat builders and repairers, painters, ceramicists, farmers, and gardeners calling it home.

The co-founders of Propolis Brewing, Piper Corbett and Robert Horner, are proud ambassadors of Port Townsend and its quirky charm. They create handcrafted, mixed-culture, botanical ales using ingredients they forage, grow, and source locally. Their beers reflect the strange and wonderful character of the city and its people.

Propolis Brewing history

Propolis Brewing was established in June 2012 by co-owners and partners Piper Corbett and Robert Horner in Port Townsend, Washington. The brewery was set up with the sole intention of producing high-quality handcrafted herbal ales inspired by Old World tradition, local resources, and the rhythms of nature. Their ales are brewed with various wild-crafted herbs and are seasonally based. Many of their ales blend several styles and are hard to classify by traditional beer guidelines.

Propolis Brewing began brewing on a 1bbl (31 gallons) Brewhouse in a small book bindery studio on Hastings Avenue in Port Townsend, WA. For the first 3.5 years, Corbett and Horner ventured to over 7 farmers' markets in the region to sell their unique capped and corked 750ml Champagne bottles of handcrafted ale. In 2016, they opened their first taproom in an old metal lumber building and historical brick-making building in the Port District of Port Townsend. The new location provided space for their 15bbl Brewhouse, as well as retail space and outdoor seating. Since opening their taproom, Propolis has expanded their format options to allow for 375 ml bottles in addition to their well-known 750 ml bottle format. In 2020, they began canning a variety of unique beers, which can be found in 16 oz 4-packs.

The name 'Propolis' comes from two Greek words: 'pro', which means 'before', and 'polis', which means 'city'. This ancient term was first used when early Greek students of Nature discovered that honeybees use propolis, a sticky resin that seeps from the buds of some trees, to narrow the openings into their hives to keep out intruders.

The ales brewed by Propolis are inspired by the farmhouse tradition of France and Belgium, as well as Old World ales that no longer exist. They are brewed using 100% Certified Organic Pacific Northwest Malted Barley and Wheat, as well as organically sourced unmalted wheat, spelt, oats, and rye. Propolis also utilizes locally grown organic herbs, wild-crafted herbs, fruits, and flowers from the forests and fields surrounding Port Townsend. Many of their ales are brewed in small batches, with each vintage being unique to the flavours of the season.

Propolis beer types and ingredients

Propolis Brewing, a company based in Port Townsend, Washington, creates handcrafted, mixed-culture, botanical ales. The company was founded in 2012 by co-owners Piper Corbett and Robert Horner, who are also partners in life and work. The name "Propolis" comes from the Greek words "pro", meaning "before", and "polis", meaning "city", reflecting the fact that bees use propolis to narrow the opening of their hives to keep out intruders.

Propolis Brewing's ales are inspired by Old World tradition, local resources, and the rhythms of nature. The company uses various wild-crafted herbs and ingredients that are seasonally based, often blending several styles that are hard to classify by traditional beer guidelines. Their beers are primarily inspired by the farmhouse tradition of France and Belgium, as well as Old World Ales that no longer exist.

Propolis Brewing's ales are brewed using 100% Certified Organic Pacific Northwest Malted Barley and Wheat, as well as Organically sourced unmalted wheat, spelt, oats, and rye. They also utilize locally grown organic herbs, wild-crafted herbs, fruits, and flowers from the forests and fields surrounding Port Townsend. Many of their ales are also rooted in the traditions and techniques of the farmhouse ales of France and Belgium, which were historically crisp, light, and refreshing.

Propolis Brewing's beers have a strong focus on local ingredients and terroir. They use blends of French and Belgian yeast cultures, as well as local indigenous yeast and microbe cultures, including wild Brettanomyces strains native to the nearby Olympic Peninsula. The water used in their beers is sourced from the Olympic Mountains, and is mineral-rich and clean.

Some of the unique ingredients featured in Propolis Brewing's beers include nettles, Saskatoon berries, red huckleberries, thimbleberries, Oregon grapes, lemon balm, spruce tips, chicory, and dandelion. These ingredients are carefully selected to create beers with complex flavours and aromas that reflect the local landscape and the stories of the people who live there.

In addition to their standard offerings, Propolis Brewing also creates special releases such as their Flora Phonic, a hibiscus, chamomile, and rose petal Saison, and Banana Boat, a Belgian-style Quad with banana, cardamom, and vanilla bean. Their beers have received numerous awards and recognitions, including medals at the Great American Beer Festival, Washington Beer Awards, and Best of the Northwest SIP magazine.

Propolis beer reviews

Propolis Brewing in Port Townsend, Washington, is a craft brewery with a unique offering. Inspired by old-world tradition, local resources, and the rhythms of nature, their beers are brewed with wild-crafted herbs and are seasonally based. The result is a range of complex and nuanced beers that challenge the norm.

Reviews for Propolis Brewing are overwhelmingly positive, with many customers praising the exceptional quality and unique flavours of the beers. One reviewer described the experience as "sitting back with eyes closed", tasting "new combinations of flavours". Another reviewer, who is not typically a beer drinker, enjoyed the "fun" tasting experience and the "lovely" staff.

However, some reviews highlight the sour taste of the beers, which may not be to everyone's liking. One reviewer, who does not enjoy sour beers, described the taste as "like toilet cleaner". Another reviewer, who prefers more traditional styles, found the beers to be too sour and wine-like, and felt that the bartender did not provide enough information about the beers before they made their selection.

Overall, Propolis Brewing seems to be a great choice for those who enjoy complex, nuanced, and tart beers with Belgian influences. The brewery has a warm and inviting atmosphere, and the owners are friendly and passionate about their craft. For those looking for more traditional styles, such as lagers or IPAs, this may not be the brewery for you.

Propolis Brewing founders

Propolis Brewing is a craft brewery in Port Townsend, Washington, founded by partners in work and life, Piper Corbett and Robert Horner. The brewery is named after the resinous substance that honeybees produce to build hives. The duo intended to make both beer and mead, but as a winery license is required for the latter in Washington state, Horner took on the role of brewing beer, while Corbett focused on gathering and growing ingredients.

Corbett, who grew up in Port Townsend, and Horner, who was born in England and raised in the Midwest, met in 2012 at the opening of a taproom called The Pour House. They bonded over their shared love of Belgian beers and photography, and six months later, they opened Propolis Brewing. The brewery is located in a tiny taproom and production facility in a sun-dappled garden where Puget Sound meets the shore.

Propolis Brewing specialises in handcrafted, mixed-culture, botanical ales, including saisons, sours, and Flemish Browns. They use local ingredients, such as nettles, berries, and herbs, and age their beers in barrels from local wine producers. Their beers are known for their unique flavours and have won awards at the Great American Beer Festival.

In addition to their taproom, Propolis Brewing also sells their beers at farmers' markets and has canned some of their most popular brews. However, they have faced some criticism from local brewers who believe they are overly protective of their recipes and preparations. Despite this, Corbett and Horner remain committed to their unique, intentional approach to brewing, creating beers that reflect their love for Port Townsend and its eccentric community.

Frequently asked questions