Our Story
Washington Beer Blog - Article Link
By: Kendall Jones Published: July 28, 2025
A new brand for a familiar brewery: Crucible Brewing becomes U-Neek Brewing
Last November, we introduced you to Erik and Johanna, the couple that took over Crucible Brewing in Everett, Washington. They reopened in January and carried on the decade-long tradition built by the previous owners. Crucible Brewing’s brand lived on, but now it is time for the brewery to introduce a new brand: Crucible Brewing is becoming U-Neek Brewing Company.
“While we deeply respect the legacy of Crucible, it has always been Erik and Johanna’s dream to craft a brand of their own. And now, that dream is becoming reality,” said the announcement on social media. “Please do not worry, this is by no means the end of Crucible. We plan to continue brewing favorites like the Arc Furnace Pilsner, Kome As You Are Japanese Rice Lager, Smith and Weizen Blood Orange Hefeweizen, Putin Out Russian Imperial Stout, and Pink Drink Raspberry Sour, along with a rotating cast of IPAs will continue to pour.”
“You will start to see our new creations like the Cold Quench Kölsch, (Yet-To-Be-Named) Hazy Pale Ale, and Peach Tree Thiolized IPA transition over to the new brand. And, going forward, all of our new beers will be under the U-Neek brand name.”
“Looking ahead, we are also launching a new small batch program: The U-Neek Brewing Company’s Owner’s Series. Erik and Johanna will be brewing limited, 15-gallon, batches for taproom-only releases. If something is a hit, we will scale it up for production brew and release. Our awesome taproom staff will also have the opportunity to create and brew some of their favorite styles on our pilot system.”
“This new brand will celebrate the foundation built over the last 10 years and help carry us forward into the next 10 years! Come visit the taproom and watch the transformation unfold over the next couple of months. Big things are brewing for both the new U-Neek brand and continuing Crucible brand.”
U-Neek Brewing, the soon-to-be rebranded brewery and taproom, is located at 909 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett, WA 98208.
Crucible Brewing Grand Reopening in Everett this Weekend
Washington Beer Blog - Article Link
By: Kendall Jones Published: January 27, 2025
In August 2023, we shared the news that Crucible Brewing in Everett, Washington, was closing. Not closing so much as looking for new owners. In November, we reported that they’d found new owners, Erik Andresen and his wife Johanna Watson (above). The plan was to close the brewery for a “transition period.” Today, we are happy to announce the Grand Reopening of Crucible Brewing on the weekend of February 1st and 2nd.
Johanna and Erik, along with Spencer (Head Brewer), Carson (Sales Manager), Lance (Operation Manager), and the Crucible beertenders invite everyone to the Grand Reopening of Crucible Brewing Company the first weekend of February.
When and Where
February 1st from noon to 10:00pm
February 2nd from noon to 8:00pm
909 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett, WA 98208
Enjoy a selection of freshly brewed beers from Crucible Brewing, along with cans of several of the brewery’s aged and specialty favorites to enjoy in the taproom. Johanna is also proud of the tasty batch of the Hop Water she recently made. Of course, they’ll pour some Soundbite Cider. The brewery also needs help naming a new-ish Blonde Ale, so we offer up you suggestions throughout the weekend and they’ll pick their favorite one on Sunday afternoon.
The full list of available adult beverages is provided below; keep an eye on social media for additions to the list:
Crucible Brewing Draft Beers
Untapped v11 Hazy IPA
The Lodge American IPA
Wootz American IPA
Flintlock Hazy IPA
Blonde Ale
Bulat Brown
Blood Orange Smith and Weizen Wheat
Pink Drink Raspberry Sour
Clumsily Ass Up Belgian Tripel
Seltzer: Regular, Flavored, and Barrel Aged
Possibly more, check back!
Expected Additions
A gluten-free beer option from Ghostfish Brewing.
A draft wine option from a local winery.
South Everett brewery, set to close, finds lifeline in new owners
Herald Net = Article Link
By Will Geschke Published: November 29, 2024
The husband and wife who bought Crucible Brewing went on some of their first dates there.
Crucible Brewing, set to close at the end of the year, will be closing no more.
The south Everett craft brewery’s owners, Dick Mergens and Shawn Dowling, announced in August that unless new owners purchased the location, the brewery would close.
It was perfect timing for Erik Andresen and his wife, Johanna Watson-Andresen, to step up and take over.
“We’re honestly just very relieved,” Mergens said. “It wasn’t necessarily something Shawn and I wanted to do, as far as closing goes, but we’re very happy we’ve found someone passionate about the industry, business-minded, and intelligent. I feel like we’re leaving it in good hands.”
Andresen and Watson-Andresen were regulars at the brewery, having met across the street at a now-closed gym, North Corner Studios. Andresen had been a customer since Crucible opened in 2015, and the couple had some of their first dates there once COVID-19 restrictions loosened.
After the husband and wife duo signed an agreement in October, the purchase of Crucible, located at 909 SE Everett Mall Way, will become official Jan. 1. The two hope to start renovations that day — a process Andresen estimated will take a couple of weeks. The couple plans a grand opening in mid-January.
For Andresen, who has been brewing homemade beer for almost 15 years, it was the realization of a yearslong dream.
“I’ve known Dick and Shawn for about 10 years now, and we came to an agreement where we thought it would be a good opportunity for us to continue it as a brand and improve upon what they did,” Andresen said.
After more than a decade of consistent growth, craft beer sales nationwide have fallen over the past couple of years, according to statistics from the American Brewers Association, a brewery trade group. In that time, the number of breweries has continued to rise.
Andresen isn’t worried about the state of the industry, though.
“If you look at it, a lot of the breweries either have bad beer, bad experiences or are the big guys that can’t be ever-changing,” Andresen said. “It’s not the idea anymore to have flagship brands as the majority of the menu. People want to come in, have a beer they know will be there, and then try something else as a second beer. And the big guys, they’re not able to do it.”
The brewery’s low production volume, Andresen said, means new batches of beer are gone within two to three weeks. This allows brewers to experiment with new flavors, bringing enthusiasts back more often to try the new beers, he said.
Craft beer sales make up about 13% of the overall beer market, according to the brewers association.
The reality of the purchase “hasn’t sunk in yet,” Watson-Andresen said. Both she and Andresen will keep their full-time jobs on top of being new owners — she is a welder, he works in IT. But she feels the hard work will be worth it.
“You get the feeling of, this actually meant something to stay up late,” Watson-Andresen said. “Not just binge watching or going partying, it was different. It was a different feeling to help be a part of something that’s going to bring a community together.”
At the back of the brewery, a plaque with a photo of a dog reads, “Employee of the Month: Brewno T. Doggins,” in honor of Mergens’ pet. He made the award because the dog had “perfect attendance.” Yes, Brewno is the correct spelling, and he’s the only employee of the month honored in the brewery.
Andresen’s own dog, Monkey, practically grew up there, Mergens said. The dog was born just before the brewery opened and has been a regular since, tagging along with Andresen in the nine years he’s been coming in, as he started dating his wife, and as the two dreamt of running it themselves.
So, as new ownership comes in, Crucible may not just see a change in leadership — but a new mascot too.
Mergens said: “It’s entirely possible that Monkey will be the future employee of the month, over and over again.”
Crucible Brewing Finds New Owner
My Everett News - Article Link
Published: November 13, 2024
In early October, we wrote about Crucible Brewing’s announcement of their closure by the end of the year if they didn’t find a new owner.
Well, they found a new owner, and it comes with a romantic backstory.
Here’s what they shared:
"My name is Erik Andresen and my wife’s name is Johanna Watson. I have been a homebrewer for a decade now and an avid part of the home brewing community, including being in the board of the Greater Everett Brewers League for several years, along with having a business degree from UW."
"It has been a dream of mine to open up a brewery, along with a homebrew supplies store and brew on premises. When my wife and I meet in 2020 and we actually had our first “date” at Crucible when things started reopening for the first time and used to end our runs with a walk to Crucible for to-go beers to enjoy with our dinner."
"She quickly joined in my hopes of opening up a brewery and here we are taking over what Dick and Shawn have created over the past nine years."
The couple started dating at Crucible and will now spend a good part of their lives carrying on the brewery.
They plan to remodel the taproom and make upgrades to the production area. They are also open to sharing equity in the company. Erik also plans to eventually open “U-Neek Brewing Company” which we believe to be a homebrew supplies store.
The good news is that Crucible will remain open. The only question that remains, is will they ever serve food at the venue (outside of food trucks)?
Crucible Brewing Announces it is Closing at the End of The Year
Washington Beer Blog - Article Link
By: Kendall Jones Published: August 30, 2024
Everett-based Crucible Brewing recently announced it is ceasing operations at the end of this year. That is, unless a new owner is found. They are actively looking for someone to carry the brewery’s legacy into the future. Tomorrow night, Crucible Brewing is hosting a fireside chat on Facebook to discuss this situation with the beer-loving public. Join them at 9:00, share a beer, and learn more about the situation.Crucible Brewing opened its flagship location in 2015. A couple years later, it opened a second location in Woodinville, but it closed in early 2023. In 2021 it opened a taproom in North Seattle called Pour Decisions, an operation shared with Soundbite Cider Company.Here is the announcement Crucible Brewing posted on social media.“After much thought and reflection, we’ve made the difficult decision to close the doors of Crucible Brewing at the end of the year. This journey has been one of the most incredible experiences of our lives, and we are deeply grateful for the support, laughter, and memories we’ve shared with all of you.”“When we started this adventure, the beer industry was a different place, full of opportunities and challenges that we embraced with enthusiasm. Over time, the landscape has shifted, and so have we. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, but we’ve reached a point where we feel it’s time to pass the torch and move on to new chapters in our lives.”“We are tired, but our spirits are high as we look back on all the good times we’ve had here. Our community has been the heartbeat of this brewery, and the friendships we’ve made will last a lifetime. It’s been an honor to serve you, share stories over a pint, and be a part of this vibrant community.”“That said, we believe the story of Crucible may not be over yet. We’re actively looking for someone who shares our passion for craft beer and community to carry the torch and continue the good work we’ve started here. If you or someone you know is interested in taking over the reins, please reach out to us at info@cruciblebrewing.com. We’d love to discuss how you can be a part of the next chapter of this brewery.”“Unless we find a new Owner in the coming months, we plan to be open until the end of the year. So there’s still time to come by, share a drink, and make a few more memories with us. We’ll also be hosting a final event to celebrate the good times, and we hope you’ll join us to raise one last glass together. Stay tuned for more details on our closing event.”“Also, we’re hosting a fireside chat over Facebook Live this Saturday at 9pm, where we’ll drink a few beers by the fire and answer any questions from the community. We’d love for you to join us and share in this conversation.”“As we prepare to close our doors, we want to thank each and every one of you for your unwavering support. Whether you were here from the beginning or just discovered us recently, you’ve made this journey worthwhile.”