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Case Study: Seattle’s Machine House Leans Into Cask Ale

As a small brewery devoted to cask-conditioned ale, Seattle’s Machine House is a rare bird in the United States—and it’s one that recently marked a decade of brewing, guided by the pragmatism of founder Bill Arnott and his “simple, primitive” approach to making their distinctive yet highly accessible beers

Joe Stange Dec 21, 2023 - 22 min read

Case Study: Seattle’s Machine House Leans Into Cask Ale Primary Image

Brewer Justin Moran and Bill Arnott, founder and head brewer. Photos: Bettina Hansen/Machine House

At times, Bill Arnott has found himself soul-searching, trying to work out whether it’s worth continuing the unique business he started a decade ago in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood.

“Just in a logical way,” he says. “Does it make sense to keep this going?”

It’s a question he asked himself during a pandemic that was tough on draft beer but positively brutal on Machine House’s cask-conditioned niche. And it’s a question he recently had to ask again when their landlords announced a significant rent hike—compelling either the search for a new home or an end to the adventure.

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Joe Stange is Managing Editor of Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine® and the Brewing Industry Guide®. Have story tips or suggestions? Contact him at [email protected].

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