(Image: Stoup Brewing)

(Image: Stoup Brewing)

Stoup Brewing Capitol Hill is now open and pouring its beers in the former Optimism beer hall and brewery at the corner of Broadway and Union.

The Ballard-born brewery completed its move-in last week and has been getting comfortable in its new location. It isn’t yet putting the 20-barrel brewing facility to work pending license updates but Stoup beers created on NW 52nd St are on tap, the food truck schedule is back in motion, and the 16,000-square-foot has new signage and a few Stoup touches in place.

“We are proud to also note that Optimism’s taproom crew is moving forward with us so familiar faces will be pouring our pints,” Stoup’s Lara Zahaba tells CHS.

The brewery also remains a cashless venue.

CHS reported in June on the plan for Stoup to take over Optimism Brewing and create its third taproom along with adding the new production capacity to its science-based approach to beer brewing. Owners Troy Hakala and Gay Gilmore debuted Optimism in November 2015 as a one of a kind, full-powered beer brewery built on the bones of the neighborhood’s auto row history in the heart of Capitol Hill. Hakala and Gilmore have retained ownership of the building and now count Stoup as tenants — and shepherd’s of the urban brewery and its space in the community.

(Image: Stoup Brewing)

With the takeover, the biggest changes for now are what’s on tap where Stoup’s creations have replaced Optimism’s brews. The plan is for Stoup to also begin brewing its own beers at the brewery.

Meanwhile, there is a new, smaller space in Capitol Hill’s beer community. 12th Ave “nanobrewery” Outer Planet has added a new street patio that trades street parking for a new expanded outdoor space for patrons who want to stretch outside of the tiny brewery snuggled into a mixed-use microshousing development. Outer Planet turns eight this winter at 1812 12th Ave.

Stoup Capitol Hill is located at 1158 Broadway. Learn more at stoupbrewing.com/capitol-hill.

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