Made in the Northwest: Common Language Brewing
SPOKANE, Wash. – Common Language Brewing believes in the power of beer to create a sense of community.
“It’s something that just brings people together,” explained head brewer Charlie Thudium. “People sit around a fire, drinking a beer and telling stories. And, you know, it’s a way that people connect. It’s a common language.”
And in Thudium’s own words, Common Language is trying to become an agent of good in Spokane.
“We want to donate around like 20-25% of our profits to local charities and causes.”
The brewery is located in the old Spokane Chronicle building downtown, which was built in 1928.
“We’re always cautious about respecting the history of this place,” said Thudium.
The brewery actually sits above the old newspaper’s archive room.
“There’s stacks and stacks of old volumes of newspapers going back 200 years right underneath us,” said Thudium. “So it’s cool being sort of the newest chapter to this building’s history.”
This new chapter includes some pretty creative names for its beers.
“Some of the favorites are Shower Beer. It’s just like an American light lager. Perfect for drinking in the shower if that’s something you do.”
There’s also Paddy’O Furniture, its traditional dry Irish stout.
Common Language makes several styles of India Pale Ale, but Thudium also likes to dabble in experimental beers. His guava wheat beer is a perfect example.
“It’s got a really nice, tropical nose and it pairs super well with like a large amount of wheat malt in that grain bill,” said Thudium.
It uses locally sourced grain from Linc Malt and Thudium said its hops and fruits come from this area as well.
“We’ve got the Yakima Valley just a couple hours away. We’ve got the Palouse right around us. And so, all the ingredients you need for beer are right here.”
As a new brewery, Common Language is focused on growth. And it has the capacity to make three times the amount of beer it’s making right now.
“We’re starting to push distribution and get our cans out in various stores around you,” said Thudium. “We’re already in some restaurants and bottle shops in the area.”
It’s all part of the plan to create community with the common language of beer.
“We’re trying to become a go to for a lot of different people.”
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