In 1984, chemical engineer and homebrewer Will Kemper and his culinary crackerjack wife Mari left Boulder, Colorado, and opened Thomas Kemper brewery on Bainbridge Island, Washington, then quickly moved it to Poulsbo. In 1992, Thomas Kemper merged with Hart Brewing, which went on to be Pyramid Breweries. The Kempers signed a non-compete and left to become consultants with East Coast and international breweries. After a bunch of traveling, they moved to Bellingham where they opened Chuckanut Brewery in 2008 — a convergence of technical and engineering concepts developed from more than two decades of professional involvement with craft brewing both home and abroad. They hired Josh Pfriem as their head brewer, and later Kevin Davey grabbed the head brewer paddle. In late 2016, Chuckanut transferred most of their production from their Bellingham brewery to a new 40-barrel production facility, Chuckanut South Nut, in Burlington, and closed their Bellingham location in October 2021. Tonight, from 5-8 p.m., Peaks & Pints will tap award-winning Chuckanut beers for a break from the malty richness, fuller bodies, and flavors of roasty goodness that’s dominating the draft lists this November. Chuckanut co-owner Mari Kemper will be in the house with lagers, giveaways, and her trademark charm. We’re also including an all-day, Chucknut beer flight that we’re calling Peaks and Pints Beer Flight: Chuckanut Brewery.

Peaks and Pints Beer Flight: Chuckanut Brewery

Chuckanut Kölsch German Ale

4.5% ABV,

Chuckanut Kölsch German Ale maintains a bitterness that is quite restrained, although the palate is light-bodied and bone-dry, with a soft malt flavor in the center giving way to a drying, slightly acidic finish. The flavor is big and full, bready, crisp, with a nice bite at the finish.

Chuckanut Pilsner

5% ABV

Following their passion for German pilsners, the Kempers brewed their own golden, vivid, crisp version with Pilsner malt and secret noble hops. The multiple award-winning pilsner pours a light gold color with good head retention and lacing. Expect a pilsner-like nose with honey, biscuit dough and light pepper notes. The flavor profile replicates the nose with an excellent crisp, bitter finish. The beer is quite light, crisp and refreshing, and the drinkability is superb.

Chuckanut Helles

5% ABV

Chuckanut Helles has won gold medals from the NABA 2013, Washington Beer Awards 2013 and GABF 2011 with a silver from the NABA 2011. It has less hop flavor and bitterness than their Pilsner; the main highlight of the Helles is its bready, malty character. It’s malty, balanced, easy-drinking character has earned it the sobriquet “liquid bread.”

Chuckanut West Coast Pils

5.9% ABV

A collaboration between Chuckanut, the Seattle area Chuck’s Hop Shops and Bellingham’s Elizabeth Station, this West Coast Pils is big and NW hoppy, but snappy and crushable like a lager. Dry hopped with Strata, Comet and Mosaic cryo hops gives the West Coast Pils vibrant notes of grapefruit and lychee. It also has resinous undertones that swarm the palate with hops filling the mouth with fruity aromas.

LINK: Peaks & Pints beer and cider cooler inventory