Seattle’s first gluten free craft brewery, Ghostfish Brewing, opens taproom

Celiac disease and typical craft beer don’t often mix well, so we’re happy to see innovators like Ghostfish Brewing Co. open up across the country, helping those in need of gluten-free products. On Feb. 5, Ghostfish Brewing Co. opened its taproom doors to the public. Located at 2942 1st Avenue South, just a few blocks south of Safeco and CenturyLink fields, the Ghostfish taproom offers Washington State’s widest variety of draft gluten-free beer, as well as an assortment of gluten-free pizzas.

The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse estimates that more than 2 million people in the United States, or 1 in 22 people, are affected with Celiac disease, an affliction in which a person cannot tolerate gluten — a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat and related grain sources, including, you guessed it, beer.

“We wanted to create a place where anybody could come and enjoy great craft beer, regardless of any gluten-related health issues they may have,” said co-founder Randy Schroeder. “Our beer is real beer, just made from different types of grain, so you don’t need to be celiac to enjoy it. We wanted our taproom to reflect that, and be a place that any craft beer lover would love to hang out.”

Get your click on: Learn the difference between gluten-free and gluten-reduced beer right here.

The initial draft lineup consists of the brewery’s three flagships — Watchstander Stout, Vanishing Point Pale Ale and Shrouded Summit Witbier — as well as a steadily-evolving lineup of unique experimental brews from the brewery’s Kickstarter-funded pilot system. The draft system also includes a nitro tap, and Ghostfish may be the first place in the entire world to offer a gluten-free stout served on nitro. Rounding out the draft offerings are two guest taps, one featuring local ciders and the other featuring non-gluten-free beers from select local craft brewers. Wine is also available.

Trimmed out in cedar, with a muted color palette and tasteful industrial accents, the taproom evokes the SoDo District’s industrial past. The brewhouse and fermentation tanks are on full display, and patrons are welcomed to observe the brewing process.