It was founded by Mike Hale in 1983. The first batch was brewed in a Colville, Washington apartment before the brewery opened in a local warehouse.[1] Its second brewery opened four years later in Kirkland, Washington. The Colville brewery moved to Spokane, Washington, in 1992, and the Kirkland brewery to Seattle's Ballard neighborhood in 1995. The Ballard location was a 30-barrel brewpub.[2]
The Hale's Ales brewing process followed a traditional English style, utilizing open fermentation tanks with top-fermenting ale yeast. Most recipes called for a proprietary English yeast strain, however Belgian strains have been used in some seasonal recipes. Hale's Ales had also begun experimenting with bourbon barrel-aging certain recipes including the Wee Heavy Winter Ale, Troll Porter, as well as Supergoose IPA.
What was once a brewery warehouse is now a versatile space which is home to the theatrical Moisture Festival production, weddings, company parties, dance, cabaret, and other events.
This large space is equipped with stage lighting, sound equipment, concession stand, a green room, and atmosphere galore. [3]
Denne, Lorianne (October 29, 1990), "Growth will bring new brewery for Hale's Ale", Puget Sound Business Journal – via General OneFile(subscription required), vol. 11, no. 24, p. 10
Dalbalcon, Brian (July 9, 1986), "Kirkland To Get Small Brewery With Big Ideas", The Seattle Times – via NewsBank(subscription required)
"The next beer war? The first shots have been fired, and the ammunition is a citrus-flavored RTD.- Part 3 of 5", Modern Brewery Age – via RDS Business Suite, Gale(subscription required), vol. 53, no. 12, p. 8, March 25, 2002, ISSN0026-7538, Sales rank, 31 gal barrels 56
"Updated Top 100 U.S. Brewers", Modern Brewery Age – via RDS Business Suite, Gale(subscription required), vol. 54, no. 18, p. 3, May 5, 2003, ISSN0026-7538, Sales rank, 31 gal barrels: 67
