Employee Feature: Jeremy

Meet our rockstar Prep Lead Jeremy!

Jeremy was born in Georgia but lived most of his life in Washington State. For higher education, he ventured down south to Portland to attend Western Culinary Institute where he studied culinary. After graduating, Jeremy came back to Whatcom County initially for a job offer as a sous chef and eventually came to work in the kitchen here at Aslan Brewing!

Jeremy started at Aslan just over six years ago. He was hired as a kitchen prep and within six months he was promoted to Prep Lead. His favorite things to prepare are the big batch jobs like the poutine gravy. But his absolute favorite part of working here is the crew.

“The people are great here. It’s just always fun, even if it’s a stressful day, all the environments here just feel like you’re hanging out with friends!” said Jeremy.

Jeremy says that he has collaborated on a lot of the recipes at Aslan with other employees, but the Bread Pudding that rotates on and off of our menu is a recipe that he and his wife use often. Also, the pepper jam that is used on the pork belly appetizer comes from Jeremy’s creations.

Outside of his life as Aslan, Jeremy loves hanging out with his family and outdoors. He and his wife Mariah have been married for 10 years after meeting in middle school and started to date in high school. They live just north of Bellingham with their son Jasper who’s seven. Most of his extended family and his wife’s family also live up in Ferndale.

Jeremy and his family enjoy spending time at the beach, camping in the mountains, and mushroom picking in the late summer. He has pictured and identified over 70 different species of mushrooms here in Whatcom County! His son plays football and Jeremy often practices with him. Since he’s in the kitchen 40 hours a week at Aslan, Jeremy does a lot of his home cooking on his backyard patio at the barbecue. His personal favorites to make are ribs and pulled pork.

Everyone at Aslan has something great to say about Jeremy. Our Kitchen Manager Adam especially appreciates having him on our team.

“Jeremy knows what to do and how to do it, and then he does it with the skill and attention to detail of a true professional. He is one of my favorite people to work with because the work is already getting done quickly and accurately so we can spend all of our time just joking around and making it an uplifting work environment. If he weren't married, I would call dibs.” said adam.

What would we do without you, Jeremy?! We appreciate you!

Meet the Label Artists

If you’ve ever been to one of the Aslan Brewing Co locations you know we have deep admiration for art, design, and aesthetics. At the Brewpub we have a monthly featured artist in which we display their art for sale. The interior design of the Depot is influenced by the history of Bellingham and the 1920s era in which the bar was once a train depot and hub for the community. And the taproom in Seattle is adorned with mural work that gives brightness even in the darkest days of winter. We have an amazing in-house team of artists that have helped establish our brand including our graphic designer, Austin Martin, muralist and illustrator (turned tattoo artist), Connor McPherson, and our merchandising manager and designer, Bobby Bruce. 

But we’ve recently decided to expand the network of artists we bring into our company, specifically for label artwork. This has allowed us to not only make greater connections in our community, but give more exposure to artists who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, women and non-binary folks. While consistency in branding is important, we very much value artists we respect and want them to also represent Aslan with their great work. Here are some of our featured label artists that we’ve worked with so far:

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Ciara Sana (she/her)

Ciara is a Chamoru artist who currently lives here in Bellingham but hails from Guam. Her art style is rooted in her culture in which she grew up with her family and those of the Pacific Islands, Asia, and the US. The natural beauty of the Oceanic island is very present in her art, with themes of tropical plants, pops of color, and strong femme subjects. Her art stretches across mediums including prints, clothing, pins, and jewelry. “The goal of my work is to empower and uplift others, celebrate differences, and encourage love”. Ciara created the label for one of our Fresh Hop IPAs in 2021, Cascade Bloom.“I wanted to do something that felt fresh and hip when you looked at it. Something that made you visually feel the crispness and the joy of summer so that when you tasted it, you had a joyful experience of both senses.”

Follow her: @artbyciara, artbyciara.com

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Kelsea Hill (she/her)

Kelsea is a PNW artist through and through, bouncing from Gig Harbor to Bellingham and now Seattle. Her first love is dance but her artistic talent goes beyond the stage. Her endeavors include but are not limited to: painting, photography, and graphic design. “I've always loved the look of floral linework, and when I found out I was getting to design a beer with rosehip and hibiscus, I was so excited to begin drawing out my ideas. At the time a name hadn't been nailed down for this beer so I put together several rough sketches of ideas I had and when the name was decided on, I instantly knew which design would best embody this style and name. The name of the beer, ‘Floraison’ is French for bloom which led me to one of my early designs of the evolution of the rose blooming.” You can catch Kelsea bartending at our Seattle taproom, dancing at local productions, and selling her art at farmers markets.

Follow her: @studio__sundaze

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Maddi Studer (she/they)

A graduate of Western University, Maddi jumped straight into the media world working with Aslan while still a student. While we loved having her on our team, her dreams and aspirations expanded beyond the brewery. She grew up in Montana and that wild, open sky spirit is very much alive within her. Amidst the pandemic she quit her marketing job and began tattooing and metal working. She just recently opened up her very own studio in Bellingham where she privately tattoos delicate black and gray subjects and designs stone jewelry that lies somewhere between wild west and bohemian. Maddi designed the label for our German Black Lager, Frauenbier (German for women’s beer). “The Frauenbier label is inspired by all the women in my life and our shared experiences. Being a woman in a male-dominated industry, in particular, can be quite an exhausting thing– but I was (and still am) continuously in awe of the sheer strength and resiliency of the women around me. In working closely with these women during my time at Aslan, I learned a lifetime of valuable lessons: How to heal my femininity, how to grow beyond what I ever thought imaginable, how to advocate for myself, and perhaps most importantly– how to unapologetically take up space.”

Follow her: @dadditatts @daddibling, daddibling.com

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Kaisa Lemley (she/her)

Kaisa is an illustrator who grew up in Skagit Valley and now resides in Bellingham, WA. Her work pops with bright color blocking in landscape scenes. “The landscape is often a main character in this dialogue as I spend a great deal of time in the outdoors. I almost exclusively draw scenes from memory, to give nod to that which has stuck with me from an experience , resulting in over emphasis on the qualities of a place that gave me pause”. The mountains are calling and she illustrates them. Perhaps her most relatable work is her Mt. Baker comic series inspired by her ample time snowboarding there.

Follow her: @kaisa_jane, kaisalemley.com

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Employee Feature: Erin

Meet Erin: our plant-loving, pow-chasing, all-around badass bartender of six years!

Erin started at Aslan’s Brewpub as a server in 2016 and quickly moved into being able to cover any position (i.e., bartender, server, food runner, hostess). Now you’ll primarily find her working at Aslan Depot as a bartender, cleaning tap lines, tending to Aslan’s vast array of plants, or helping out with events–while still picking up shifts at the Brewpub when needed.

Snowboarding and splitboarding (and the dream of one day getting a snowmobile!) brought Erin to Bellingham from Spokane about 12 years ago. Her plan was to move around the U.S. and work at different ski areas, but she quickly fell in love with Mt. Baker.  She started out as a lifty there but now runs the volunteer program and helps with coordinating events. 

When not working at Aslan or Mt. Baker, Erin dreams of one day owning a farm and event space that focuses on farm-to-table gatherings.  Her dream location would ideally be near to Bellingham and be open to all people from all walks of life.

“I love hospitality. I also would like it to have some sort of ambiance with good food, community, and conversation on a farm. I would love to share that with people,” Erin says.

After working on farms in New Zealand and Orcas Island, she’s gained some valuable experience that will help her take steps towards her farming dreams! 

On Orcas, Erin worked at a restaurant and event venue where she farmed by day and served by night. In the off-season, she was able to stay on and learned everything she now knows about preserving and canning produce. It was there, on Orcas, that Erin realized what she wanted to do with her life. 

In New Zealand, Erin worked on a cherry orchard where she learned about pruning and grafting rootstock. She also spent some time harvesting kiwis–which, despite being one of the hardest jobs she’s ever done, was really fun and profitable.

By working consistently at the Aslan Depot with its ever-changing tap list, Erin has gained much more knowledge of wine, cider, and beer. “When I started working down here, I was really excited to kind of have this endless amount of learning with wine, cider, and beer. Getting to talk about beer more was really intriguing to me!” she said. Not only is this a fun challenge for her, but she’s also gaining skills to use in her future.

Erin’s pup Timber helping her care for Aslan’s Brew Pub plants!

With events slowly trickling back into our world, Erin has also started helping plan, decorate, and coordinate details with Aslan events. From plant care, to event logistics, to just being the ray of sunshine that you need on a cloudy day, Erin’s versatility has helped Aslan grow in so many different ways!

“I really like variety and I feel like I get to do that at Aslan. There’s always been this feeling that I can grow and that I've been respected for the work that I've done. They recognize it and I think that goes a long way with any workplace.”

Thank you Erin, we appreciate you!

Crafted For All

Aslan Brewing Co has taken the commitment to Crafted for All.

Aslan Brewing Company is proud to say that we are now a part of the Crafted for All community. Crafted for All is an organization that prioritizes inclusive environments within the craft beverage industry, striving for equal opportunities for all humans. Their mission statement reads “We empower craft beverage organizations to develop inclusive, equitable, and just practices that drive success, build communities, and inspire individuals.

There are more than 8,000 breweries in the U.S. and it should be no shock to anyone that there is a stereotype of it being a white male-dominated industry. Our goal is to break this stereotype and make every effort to create equal opportunities for all minority groups to allow the industry to thrive for years to come. 

By making this commitment, we will strive to provide an accepting atmosphere for all within our community. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and we will continue to review ourselves as a company to ensure that we are taking actionable steps to create equality in the workplace and outside of it. 

As an organic brewery and Certified B Corp, Aslan has always had a focus on sustainability and taking care of our environment and community. But it’s time we look deeper inwards structurally and individually to address implicit bias in our learned behaviors and hiring practices. We are aiming to be more transparent about our actions and are dedicated to involving our community in this process. We know that without radical transparency and accountability, companies like ours risk being performative.

This work includes the following action items outlined by Dr. J. This means developing and improving:

• Development and Recruitment 

• Organizational Culture 

• Equitable Pay and Advancement Opportunities

• Training and Employee Development

• Discrimination and Harassment Policy

• Community Relations and Social Responsibility 

• Communicating our Commitment 

This is just a start and we will continue to challenge ourselves to improve. Thanks, as always, for your support and encouragement of our ongoing effort to be a better brewery, employer, and members of our community. We also want to extend a big thank-you to Dr. J’s leadership in this industry and providing us guidelines to improve our inclusivity and equity and allowing for more voices to be heard in beer.

Sauvage

Sauvage

BIERE BRUT

5.0% ABV // 11.0 P // 15 IBU

light body + citrus + effervescent

Sauvage is an act of creation inspired by an idea, or a feeling, rather than a beer style. The strong burst of citrus in Sauvage is powerfully anchored by the malty strength of Skagit Valley Malting Pilsner. The effervescence and acidity bring it all together. Instantly recognizable, this beer is meant for celebration. Sauvage is a delicate combination of art and science.

HOPS:
Hallertau Blanc, Nelson Sauvin
MALT:
Pilsner, Wheat

NOW IN CANS: Simcoe Slice

Simcoe Slice

SINGLE HOP IPA

6.8% ABV // 14.6 P // 70 IBU

white grapefruit + medium body + drying

Simcoe Slice is back! This single hop IPA is brewed exclusively with Simcoe hops. This beer is bursting with flavors of grapefruit, passionfruit, apricot, and a hint of pine. The oats make this beer soft and smooth on the palate. All combined with a drying, prickly carbonation to make this beer extremely enjoyable to drink.

HOPS:
Simcoe
MALT:
2-Row Pale Malt, Wheat, Oats, Caramunich

NOW IN CANS: FRAUENBIER

FRAUENBIER

SCHWARZBIER

4.6% ABV// 12 P // 30 IBU

roasty + light body + approachable

Crafted by and in celebration of the women of Aslan, Frauenbier is the perfect dark lager for a December afternoon. From marketing and administration, to pouring organic beer and crafting delicious food at the brewpub, Aslan is driven by a female force.

We created this beer to celebrate and acknowledge the women that make Aslan, Aslan! While many of us love to enjoy whatever seasonal lager is available, we also can't help but indulge in dark beer season, leading us to the perfect happy medium, a perfectly roasty schwarzbier with a light body and extreme depth of flavor. Frauenbier will take your palette from your morning coffee all the way through to a chocolate dessert, all while staying under 5%. In other words, it packs a punch while making sure you're taken care of. What a dream!

Cheers to beers and the ladies who make them possible!

HOPS:
Perle
MALT:
Pilsner, Munich, Black Malt, Caramunich, Chocolate

NOW IN CANS: Subalpine

Subalpine

WEST COAST IPA WITH DOUGLAS FIR BRANCHES

7.4% ABV // 15.7 P // 55 IBU

pine + bitter + medium body

With December approaching and imagery of pine trees bombarding us daily, we decided to flip the script and use pine to entice your tongue rather than your eyes. This West Coast IPA was brewed exclusively with Centennial in the boil to help accentuate flavors of pine and sweet citrus. To really amplify those flavors the wort was rested on over 100 lbs of Douglas Fir from our friends at @forestfarmstead.Flavors and aromas of sweet orange, strawberry candy, and toasted biscuits mingle pleasantly with the assertive pine, lingering bitterness, and an almost minty aftertaste. This beer is an intense ride through the forests of the Cascades and we can't wait to have you along for it!

HOPS:
Amarillo, Centennial, Chinook
MALT:
Pale, Vienna

NOW IN CANS: Dunkel

Dunkel

DUNKEL

5.2% ABV // 13 P // 25 IBU

medium body + malt forward + rich

Available for the first time in cans! Our Dunkel is making its seasonal return. This German-style brown lager has beautiful aromas of brown bread, cherry cola, and toffee. The richness from the Munich malt brings with it a rich medium body that carries flavors of macadamia nuts fresh espresso, and molasses. While boasting bold flavors and aromas, this beer is exceptionally drinkable and pleasantly smooth.

HOPS:
Perle
MALT:
Munich, Vienna, Pilsner, Caramunich, Carafa

NOW IN CANS: Cranberry Gose

Cranberry Gose

Fruited Gose

4.2% // 9.5 P // 10 IBU

tart + light body + refreshing

With the holidays right around the corner, we thought this was a good time to release a beer that wasn't so dark or rich. Cranberry Gose is the perfect beer to cut through all the decadence of the holidays. Aromas of fresh lemon, and sourdough bread entice you in. While flavors of cranberry, pear, and biscuit dough are finished with a drying salinity.

HOPS:
Perle
MALT:
Pilsner, Wheat

NOW IN CANS: American Stout

American Stout

AMERICAN STOUT

We're officially in the dark beer season. We've set our clocks back, the sun goes down before 5, and our American Stout is back on tap. This beer is a classic and is one of the first beers ever on tap at Aslan. An aroma of rich dark chocolate, dates, and candied lemon beckons you to take your first sip. There you are greeted with flavors of black coffee, cocoa, and just a hint of sage. This beer leaves you with a pleasant, medium body and a mild, lingering bitterness.

6.9 % ABV // 17.6 P // 65 IBU

roasty + medium body + cocoa

HOPS:
Cascade & Chinook
MALT:
2-Row Pale, Munich, Roasted Barley, Carafa, Chocolate, Flaked Rye, Black Malt

NOW IN CANS: Hook's Stash

Hook's Stash

PALE ALE

In collaboration with Mt. Baker Ski Area, we are excited to share our most recent edition of Hook's Stash, brewed to celebrate the life of former Pro Patrol and Mt. Baker Legend, Randy Hook. This beer is as beautiful as the label on its can. Flavors of fresh pineapple, mango, and apricot mingle with the softness and body provided by the wheat malt for a feeling of tropical relaxation. Finishing with a crisp, faint bitterness this beer is wildly drinkable and ready for to brighten even the gloomiest of winter days.In collaboration with Mt. Baker Ski Area, we are excited to share our most recent edition of Hook's Stash, brewed to celebrate the life of former Pro Patrol and Mt. Baker Legend, Randy Hook. This beer is as beautiful as the label on its can. Flavors of fresh pineapple, mango, and apricot mingle with the softness and body provided by the wheat malt for a feeling of tropical relaxation. Finishing with a crisp, faint bitterness this beer is wildly drinkable and ready for to brighten even the gloomiest of winter days.

5.0% // 11.0 P // 45 IBU

light body + tropical + crisp

HOPS:
Rakau, Wai-iti, Nelson Sauvin
MALT:
2-Row Base Malt, Wheat, Crystal 40

NOW IN CANS: Satan's Airport

Satan's Airport

Imperial Milk Stout With Coffee

Satan's Airport is a rich and intense Imperial Milk Stout brewed with 50 lbs of coffee from our friends Bellingham Coffee Roasters. Pouring jet black, this beer looks and smells like a rich, roasty americano with hints of cocoa. Smooth and bold coffee flavors are balanced by a subtle bitterness and a lingering milk chocolate sweetness.

9.5% ABV // 75 IBU // 26 P

big body + coffee + milk chocolate

HOPS:
Cascade, Chinook
MALT:
2-Row Pale, Vienna, Caramunich, Chocolate, Carafa, Roast, Black

NOW IN CANS: Fresh Hop Kolsch

Fresh Hop Kolsch

FRESH HOP KOLSCH

Fresh hop season gives us an opportunity to brew beer in a way that we can't any other time of year. Fresh Hop Kolsch was brewed with ingredients that traveled no more than 30 miles to reach our brewery. We sourced the grain from Hedlin Farms in Skagit and the hops from Growing Veterans in Lynden. The fresh hops present a subtle pine characteristic that leads into flavors of cola, mandarin orange, and thyme all balanced with a soft body and crisp finish. This beer is the most sustainable and local beer we make all year. We're very proud to be able to share this with you all. Cheers!

4.7% ABV // 11 P // 20 IBU

cherry cola + light body + crisp

HOPS:
Columbus
MALT:
Pilsner, Wheat

NOW IN CANS: Charlie Foxtrot

CHARLIE FOXTROT

FRESH HOP IPA

Fresh hop season at Aslan has arrived! For the fourth year in a row, we're honored to work with Growing Veterans to create this year's Charlie Foxtrot IPA. This beer was hopped with a mixture of Chinook, Centennial, Crystal, and Columbus fresh hops. It has a balanced bready, malt backbone that helps carry the hop flavors of citrus, pineapple, pepper, and pine. Charlie Foxtrot tends to flies off the shelves and we are okay with that because fresh hops are best consumed, well... fresh. Get it while it's here!

6.9% // 14.6 // 75 IBU

citrus + peppery + bitter

HOPS:
Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Columbus, Crystal, Sabro
MALT:
Pale, Vienna, Wheat, Oats

Employee Feature: Chris and Christian

From friends to coworkers to DJ partners to coworkers again, these two have been through it all together: meet Chris and Christian, two members of Aslan’s world-class brewing team. 

Christian is originally from Hawaii and relocated to Bellevue, WA at the age of 12. He came up to Bellingham for college and has been here ever since. Chris is originally from Snohomish and moved to Bellingham after graduating college to be closer to his girlfriend, Connie. Christian and Chris met in 2014 at a house party through mutual friends and they hit it off immediately. They bonded over their love for DJ-ing and cats and eventually started working together in landscaping. Chris started at Aslan first (about four years ago) as a packaging assistant and after a quick eight months, was promoted to Brewing Lead. 

When Chris was promoted, he was asked if he knew of anyone to take his spot as a packing assistant; he knew just the person. Christian started on the packaging line at Aslan in August of 2018. He was promoted to Brewer/Cellarperson in 2020. “We just hermit crabbed ourselves up the chain, basically!” said Chris.

Before working at Aslan, neither Chris nor Christian ever thought about becoming a brewer. It can be a hard industry to move up in and it’s difficult to figure out where to start. Chris described it as serendipitous that they both started here during a time when people were shifting around positions or moving away so there were spots higher up for them to fill. Both brewers say they learned all they know about brewing from working at Aslan and being surrounded by educated beer folks.

Both Chris and Christian earned degrees in chemistry in college, with Christian opening his books and studying while simultaneously packing up beer at work. “It led me to be doing something that I really enjoy but it was brutal,” Chris said. Christian agreed, having a science background definitely helps them on a daily basis when working with beer. 

Besides the beers that they inspired and brewed themselves at Aslan (i.e., Color of Sleep, a Czech Dark Lager and Lupulin Saloon, a California Common) Chris and Christian have some favorite beers that might shock some: Christian’s being Coors Light and Chris’ being Rainer. As they say: “It's one thing to brew a really good beer but it's another thing to brew a technically sound beer that's also shelf-stable and able to go out to all these people and taste the exact same!”

Christian has loved working as a brewer at Aslan.

“It’s a combination of hard mental work and hard physical work. With this job, it just keeps me active, keeps me going. And everyone here is just freaking top notch and that’s a huge bonus.” Chris agrees: “It's a good mix of technical components but also there’s an art to it. It’s fun and it’s challenging.”

Chris’s dream beer to brew is pastry stout with La Feen’s donuts. Chris explains that he “wouldn’t want to brew those normally, but if you do something dumb enough it can be cool!” Christian adds laughing, “You can’t always take yourself too seriously, and it’s a great photo opp!” While Christian fully supports the pastry beer, he personally is interested in brewing a funky Saison or mixed-fermentation beer to switch things up a bit since he hasn’t brewed anything like that before. 

We wouldn’t be producing the awesome beers we do if it weren't for these two. Here’s to hoping we can get their dream beers made!

NOW IN CANS: Das Boot

Das Boot

FESTBIER

Das Boot is back! This year we brewed our seasonal Festbier with Smaragd, a descendant of Hallertau Mittelfrüh (a hop steeped in German brewing tradition). This hop provides a delicate floral and peppery note that balances the malt profile. The combination of Pilsner and Munich malt contributes flavors of toast with honey and fresh dough. This beer celebrates the coming of fall and is perfect for the upcoming cooler nights!

5.6% ABV // 12.2 P // 22 IBU

bready + medium body + crisp

HOPS:
Perle, Smaragd
MALT:
Pilsner, Munich

NOW IN CANS: Guiding Star

Guiding Star

BELGIAN-STYLE LAGER

5.0% ABV // 11.3 P // 20 IBU

herbal + light body + smooth

While Belgian brewers are typically known for their expressive ester profile and mixed fermentation, there's one Belgian brewery in particular that makes a beautiful Belgian-style lager that we used as inspiration for this very special beer. Guiding Star is an easy lager with aromas of lemon zest and fresh croissants. The smooth, crispy mouthfeel accentuates flavors of baking spices and cake breads with an herbal, spiced hop character that helps this beer finish with a clean, full bitterness.
A portion of the proceeds of this beer are going towards the Washington Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

HOPS:
Strisselspalt
MALT:
Pilsner, Oats

NOW IN CANS: Neon Theater

NEON THEATER

HAZY PALE ALE

5.0% ABV // 11.3 P // 4.0 IBU

Apricot + Medium Body + Soft Melon

Neon Theater is a beer brewed to celebrate summer in all its wonder. Even on a gloomy August day, we still want to raise a glass to all the beauty that summer provides. Brewed with buckwheat and Munich to provide a balanced and smooth, bready characteristic. The malt supports hop flavors of apricot, cedar, and orange peel that leaves us feeling like we're drinking at a river in the woods. Grab a six-pack or a pint and enjoy the sun on the final weekend of August!

HOPS:
Azacca, Callista
MALT:
Pale Malt, Buckwheat, Munich

NOW IN CANS: Helles Vollbier

HELLES VOLLBIER

GERMAN-STYLE LAGER

4.7% ABV // 11.2 P // 20 IBU

Medium body + Malt forward + crisp

Helles is a beer of tradition but it's also a beer for the people. It is the everyday beer over in Germany and we can see why. This beer is easy drinking with a malt-forward presentation that is balanced with a restrained hop bitterness. Cracker, white bread malt characters give way to a soft, floral, and peppery hop profile. The beer is incredibly drinkable and designed to be consumed in a German beer hall (or if you can't find one your local socially distanced outdoor patio will do)!

HOPS:
Spalt Select, Hersbrucker
MALT:
Pilsner