By RICHARD D. OXLEY
Staff Writer
A little over a year after first getting the idea to open their own brewery, Kristen and Dan Williams began pouring pints in Kingston on Oct. 25.
“It was phenomenal. We were packed,” Kristen Williams said. “It was way bigger than expected. We anticipated it to be a small opening, but we were packed all afternoon and evening.”
Downpour Brewing’s doors are now open at 10991 NE State Highway 104 in Kingston. It’s the latest attraction brewing up business in Kitsap.
The brewery focuses on small, hand-crafted batches of beers that it serves in its taproom. There’s space for approximately 30 in the taproom, and 3 more in an outside patio where a game of cornhole awaits.
Williams said that they plan to continually change their lineup at the brewery, crafting new tastes as they see fit.
“Right now we have an IPA, a pale ale, a stout, a smash (single malt single hop),” she said. “We have a pumpkin brew in the works that will be released Nov. 1.”
Beer enthusiasts can also look forward to a winter ale and a double IPA to hit Downpour’s taps in the coming months.
Downpour Brewing began when Dan decided to turn a setback into an opportunity. He injured his shoulder over a year ago, something that prevented him from going to work in his career as an electrician.
“He was out of work for about a year,” Williams said.
With time on his hands, Dan decided to make it worth while; he made beer.
“He was brewing every day, all the time,” Williams said. “We thought it would be a great opportunity to brew for the community. It was a year ago in August when we decided that it would be great to start a brewery.”
The brewery the couple envisioned was a community hotspot for Kingston.
“A relaxed atmosphere where people of all ages can come, and it’s like your’e hanging out with friends. Old people, young people, families,” Williams said.
On opening day, it seems like their vision was becoming a reality.
“Someone walked in walked in and said, ‘It’s like Cheers,’” Williams said.
“People sitting at the bar were introducing themselves to each other and planning to meet up next weekend,” she said.
The couple, with three kids of their own, also want the establishment to be a place for families, too.
“We are family friendly. We also have root beer or cream sodas that we make here,” she said. “I really love hard ciders as well, so we will always have a hard cider on tap.”
Williams said that people are welcome to order food at neighboring businesses and bring it in to the tap room. In fact, people have already ordered pizza to be delivered to the tap room. Williams noted that the Grub Hut and the Cup and Muffin are nearby, too.
Downpour Brewing is closed on Tuesdays, and open from 4-8 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. It is open from 2-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and varying hours on Sundays. Hours at the brewery are open to alteration, Williams said, as they plan on being open for sports games which will be shown on their taproom TV.
