To mark the 75th anniversary of Washington State’s ferry system and ahead of World Cup matches in Seattle, local brewery Bale Breaker has released an exclusive beer. This special West Coast IPA-style ale will be sold only aboard ferries running across Puget Sound. The company chose this unusual route to celebrate two major events this summer and to pay tribute to an iconic transportation artery. Washington’s ferry system is the largest in the U.S. and operates as part of the state network, serving thousands of residents daily and standing as an important symbol of regional identity.
The new beer, at 6.8% ABV, is brewed using popular hop varieties Simcoe, Citra and Mosaic, grown in the famed Yakima hop-growing valley. This major agricultural region east of the Cascade Range is known for its ideal hop-growing climate and produces about 75% of all U.S. hops, making it one of the world’s leading centers for elite hop varieties. The can’s design directly references the reasons for celebration: it features a ferry, a soccer ball and Seattle’s symbol, the Space Needle. Due to alcohol laws, a purchased 16-ounce (about 470 ml) can must be consumed onboard, which suits the longer crossings perfectly. State-run ferries have historically been an exception and are classified as vessels with dining areas where alcohol sale and consumption are permitted, unlike other public transit.
The idea for the special drink came from Brian McDonagh, general manager of Sodexo Live!, which supplies food services to the ferries. He approached Bale Breaker brewers with a proposal to collaborate, wanting to create something truly unique and available only to passengers. Although the World Cup partially inspired the project, it has no official connection to the sporting event.
To launch sales, 3,600 cans of beer (150 cases) were shipped to all ferries. Organizers are confident it will sell well: last year passengers drank nearly 277,000 cans of beer in ferry concession areas. Despite the relatively high price of $8.75 per can, demand is expected to be strong. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will go to the state ferry system’s budget, which can be seen as a contribution to the public good.
Bale Breaker brewers are already working on a draught version of this ale, which will also be available only on ferries and should appear in about a month. At the same time, Sodexo is partnering with Winsome Ciderworks of Woodinville to create a special cider dedicated to the same events. That drink is expected to be released within a few weeks and will be priced at the same $8.75.
Thus, this new beer is more than just a beverage: it’s a special project created for Puget Sound ferry passengers. It lets people mark the anniversary of an important state transportation artery, feel the spirit of a major sporting celebration and simultaneously support ferry operations, with part of the sales revenue going toward their upkeep and development.
Based on: WA ferry system gets its own beer