Elysian Brewing Closes Brewery & Taproom Amid Teamsters Union Dispute
Elysian Brewing, Washington’s largest brewery, has permanently closed their Airport Way taproom and production brewery in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle after a strike was authorized by Teamsters Local 117 in October.
The nearly 30-year-old Seattle, Washington-based Elysian Brewing is owned by Anheuser-Busch aka A-B/InBev and was not one of the craft brands they recently off-loaded to Tilray.
A-B calls the move to shut down the production brewery a “right-sizing” for the company. Production will be moving to the much much smaller Elysian Capitol Hill brewpub and other A-B owned facilities. Part of the decision involves making a $1.7 million investment into the brewer’s original Capitol Hill Brewery & Pub with the aim to increase local innovation brewing capabilities and focus on brewing emerging styles that meet local consumer preferences. There is no mention of the closing in relation to a recently authorized strike by employees and Teamsters Union 117 members.
One year ago the 33 employees of Elysian’s Georgetown production facility that work in brewing, packaging, quality assurance, and warehouse departments, voted overwhelmingly to join the Teamsters Union in October of 2023.
Earlier this year on September 28th 2024, Elysian employees and Teamsters nationwide rallied for a fair contract outside the company's facility in Georgetown where the famed Great Pumpkin Beer Festival was due to celebrate its 20th anniversary the following weekend. The rally prompted Elysian to cancel their annual tradition of the "Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off" after employees showed up with signs and chants.
Following the rally, Elysian Brewing released the following statement: “We have met with the Teamsters 14 times over the past year, and they cancelled the most recently scheduled bargaining session on September 11, so we are awaiting their return to the bargaining table. We remain focused on recognizing and rewarding our local team’s dedication, talent, and hard work and brewing the best beer in the region."
Two weeks later on October 12th 2024, the Teamsters 117 gathered at their Union Hall in Tukwila, Washington and voted to authorize a strike.
"Our strike authorization sends a message that we're serious. We want to see a contract we feel good about, one that we can actually vote on and feel confident is going to take care of us," said Shannon Mullins, a quality assurance lead who has worked at Elysian for 6 years and is a member of the union negotiations committee.
Three year Elysian Brewing employee Kevin Lindsay added, "My doctor prescribed me medication that he said would improve my day-to-day immensely, and the insurance denied it. It would be nice to have a medical insurance that trusts in your doctor rather than a company that just trusts in who they give money to. If my doctor says I need something, then I need it."
Teamsters 117 began distributing leaflets, informing the public about Elysian parent company A-B’s allegedly anti-union tactics. The union then said they would give Elysian Brewing two full bargaining days on October 24 and 25 to come to a new deal for the workers, adding that if the company refuses further action was imminent.
Elysian Brewing’s Georgetown neighborhood taproom and brewery at 5410 Airport Way comprises over 60,000 square feet of production space, including a 60-Barrel Brewhouse. The taproom features views into the barrel room, with a large outdoor patio and 20 beers on tap inside.