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1710 West Marine View Drive, Everett, WA 98201, US

Reminiscing and looking forward - December 2022

Doug Milnor • December 26, 2022

2022 In Review And What's In Store For 2023

What we accomplished and what challenges are in front of us

As we look to close out 2022, there are a lot of mixed emotions. 2022 was definitely an exciting and challenging year. Looking back, here are a couple of the accomplishments…

Signed a lease with the Port of Everett for our second location – opening hopefully over Memorial Day weekend
Our beers received the following recognition (click to see all 2021 & 2022 beer awards)
Silver Medal – World Beer Cup, Pumpkin – Ryes of the Pumpkin King
Silver Medal – US Open Beer Championship, POG – Hawaiian POG Kolsch
Silver Medal – US Open Beer Championship, Amber Ale – Night Sky Red
Platinum Medal – SIP Magazine, Kolsch – Kiteboard Kolsch
Silver Medal – SIP Magazine, Fruited Beer – Hawaiian POG Kolsch
Judges Award – SIP Magazine, Stout – Shot in the Dark Milk Coffee Stout
Gold Medal – Washington Brewers, Hazy Fresh Hop – Bine to Haze Hazy IPA
Gold Medal – Washington Brewers, Amber Ale – Night Sky Red
Gold Medal – Washington Brewers, Collaboration – Bridging the Trestle
Silver Medal – Washington Brewers, Marzan – Snohtoberfest
We streamlined our process and hosted 92 groups in the banquet room, including 3 complete brewery buyouts
New music bands were brought in, some old friends and some new faces - plenty more to come in 2023
Our "7 Summits" and "Summer Celebration of Beer" events sold out quickly and we look forward to exposing you to new breweries in 2023.
We sold out our Mug Club in under 30 days, with 2023 looking to match that (if you haven’t signed up or re-signed, now is the time - 2023 Mug Club)

All in all, with all the support of our existing and new friends, 2022 was a very special year for us.

There were some challenges along the way as well.

The biggest impact was the increased cost of grain, which is used to make all our beer. The aftereffects of the pandemic combined with the turmoil in Ukraine forced our grain suppliers to notify us of 4X rate hikes and added surcharges in 2022 – making the average cost of our grain order 29% higher than 2021.

Although not as dramatic, we also saw increases in cost of yeast. We were fortunate enough to secure our hops prices when we contracted future purchases a few years back - so that cost is stabilized. Even our swag and glassware went up in 2022 with the cost of raw materials and delivery. Even as I write this, I just received notification that our chemical supplier is increasing rates 6% for 2023 – our 3rd notification this year. And I won’t even start to explain what our kitchen partner, Best of Both Worlds experienced on the food side.

What to expect in 2023…

We have already been apprised of some significant increases. For example, minimum wage is increasing from $14.49 to $15.75. There are some other increases that most individuals are not privy to that we must absorb as well, such as Employment Security Department and LNI rates increasing and so forth.

How are we combating these increases?

Well, that is always the tough part. Our goal is to NEVER jeopardize the quality of the beer, so other considerations will be incorporated. Here are some of the things we are doing…

As some of you have already experienced when you renewed your Mug Club for 2023, fee was increased by $25.
We will be raising the price per pint by $0.50.
Wholesale beer prices to our restaurant partners will increase slightly
We are always looking at ways to reduce unnecessary costs – we have identified some items that will be implemented in 2023 and others are in negotiations.

I write this letter with some pride and trepidation. Must of you know that if you ask a question I will be transparent and honest in my response.

From all of the owners of Sound2Summit Brewery, we say Thank you for your understanding, business and continued love of our beer as we work through this challenging environment. Looking forward to a very fun 2023.

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