Washington Beer Facts The first brewery in the Washington Territory was the Denlin Brewery. It was founded in 1854 by Nicholas Denlin in Steilacoom (now Tacoma), 35 years before Washington became a state. 82 breweries currently operate in Washington. Most of them are small, craft breweries producing less than 10,000 barrels per year. The beer industry in Washington accounts for over $25 million in wages and makes an overall economic contribution of more than $200 million. The beer industry, along with affiliated wholesale and retail businesses, generates over 18,000 jobs in Washington.

A combined $500 million in Business, Personal, and Consumption taxes are generated by the Washington beer industy. In 2003, hop growers in Washington produced 40,000 of the 54,000 pounds of hops grown in the entire US. The majority of hop farms in Washington are located in Yakima and Benton Counties. The American Hop Museum is located in Toppenish, WA. more facts