In 2016, Ron Extract and Amber Watts moved to the Skagit Valley from Jester King Brewery in Austin, Texas. With Ron having over 20 years in the industry as an importer, retailer, distributor, and brewer, and with Amber as a media studies professor, the #MagicSkagit was a great fit. In 2018, it all came to ‘fruition’ when Garden Path Fermentation was born. As a GSV Founding Member, Garden Path was instrumental in helping to start the Genuine Skagit Valley program and we’re very grateful.

With the original Taproom and Bottle Shop in Burlington and Garden Path Fermentation: The Great Northern Bottle Shop & Lounge. coming to Bellingham in 2023, Garden Path features hyperlocal beer, mead, cider, and wine using only ingredients sourced from Skagit-grown grain, fruit and honey, and Pacific Northwest hops. All products are fermented in oak with 100% native Skagit yeast. Their process draws on old-world brewing and winemaking techniques from a variety of traditions, which they reinterpret and adapt to take maximum advantage of the Skagit Valley’s abundant resources and temperate climate.

When we asked Amber what her favorite #SkagitValley grown fruit or vegetable was, here’s what she said:

“I’d have to say that my favorite local fruit to work with is tayberries. I’d never seen or heard of a tayberry before coming to the Valley for the first time, but they are amazing–the best parts of raspberries and blackberries with a slightly savory note. We try to make a tayberry beer every year, and they’re always fun to pour at out of state or foreign events because they are so unique to this region. It’s such a great way to showcase the flavor of Skagit Valley!”

To learn more about Garden Path Fermentation, their upcoming events at the bottle shop, or find out what’s on tap see: https://bit.ly/3XBnVaK

Thanks for being our #GSVMemberMonday feature, Garden Path!