A look into the Maelstrom of local craft brewing
Jul 19, 2021
Dr. Scott Vanderheiden of Maelstrom Brewing
A look into the Maelstrom of local craft brewing
Dr. Scott Vanderheiden will treat Rotarians to a tale of personal experiences developing, opening, and operating a local, craft brewery, Maelstrom Brewing Company, that currently offers 10 varieties of beer.
Dr. Vanderheiden developed an appreciation for craft beer and shiny metal objects while studying mechanical engineering at the University of Washington. At some point in time, he inherited a starter homebrew kit. Over the next nineteen years, simple extract brewing gradually evolved batch by batch into an all-grain nano brewery. To help the transition into commercial brewing, Scott graduated from the American Brewers Guild, and started down the road of opening a craft brewery in Kirkland. Scott’s spouse and partner, Katherine, did not always enjoy craft beer, instead preferring fine tequila. After discovering the amazing variety of flavors which can be created using only four ingredients, she was hooked. She went on to become a Certified Cicerone and learn about all beer styles. Katherine is instrumental in recipe development, beer quality assurance, and manages the tasting room.
When Scott and Katherine aren't brewing, cellering beer, cleaning kegs, or fixing broken things, or managing the retail operations of the brewery, he continues to work at full-time jobs, he as a radiologist and she as an author of educational apps. They are also bringing up twin daughters.