SJI Brewing Company

The future home of San Juan Island Brewing Company. This photo shows the east side of the building; that’s SJI Fitness and Cecil’s Electronics in the background – SJ Update photo

Jesse Visciglia, Sean Aylward and Tim Aylward – SJ Update photo

What’s all the commotion going on there at the end of the field in town behind the Backdoor Kitchen? It’s the future home of San Juan Island Brewing Company, a new brew pub and restaurant, a collaboration by partners Verne Howard, Sean Aylward-General Manager, Tim Aylward-Brewery Assistant & Distribution, and Jesse Visciglia-Head Brewer.

Site prep and construction was begun in August of 2016 – You may remember seeing truckloads of dirt being delivered to the empty field next door to Marketplace grocery store. That dirt was removed to level the site for construction – and as you can see, construction is well under way. The plan is to be open for business in early summer if all goes well.

The site as viewed from Argyle Avenue – SJ Update photo

The brewery is being built by Jim Moe Construction with other local contractors pitching in, including N.W. Plumbing & Waterworks and Friday Harbor Electric. Here’s a CAD rendering of the building that Sean produced. He says “Just keep in mind it’s a mock up and we seem to make some changes every now and then.” 

The brewing equipment will be located in the back and a restaurant dining room and outdoor patio in the front. Lots of windows and roll-up “garage door” walls will allow light and fresh air into the dining area on good weather days & evenings. The restaurant will serve traditional pub food and about 7 regular ales & lagers and 1 to 2 seasonal rotating taps, all brewed right there on the site.

To keep up with their progress, you can find them on Facebook here.

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