More Than 50 Washington State Breweries Oppose Initiative 2117

October 22, 2024 – No on 2117 today announced that more than 50 breweries across Washington state officially oppose I-2117.

Beer is 95 percent water and access to clean water is essential to brewing and the state’s beer industry as a whole. Washington state is one of the most robust, diverse, and high-quality beer-making regions in the world. If passed, I-2117 would end protections for the state’s waterways, and threaten the drinking water sources that the state’s breweries rely on for production.

The full list of breweries opposed to Initiative 2117 is available in this letter led by the WA Wild Brewshed® Alliance.

No on 2117, WA Wild, fellow brewers, and volunteers will celebrate the brewery coalition at Stoup Brewing’s “Time to Vote” IPA release party Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 4 – 8 p.m.

“Initiative 2117 is a bad deal for Washington breweries,” said Chris Chappell, Brewshed® Alliance Director, WA Wild. “The Brewshed® Alliance represents a coalition of craft breweries, pubs, hop growers, maltsters, and distributors from across the state, and we all understand that without clean water you don’t have great beer. That’s why we’re working with craft breweries from across Washington to defeat the harmful Initiative 2117 on the ballot this November.”

“At Stoup Brewing, we believe in voting so much that we made a beer about it,” said Brad Benson, Lara Zahaba, and Robyn Schumacher, Owners, Stoup Brewing. “Clean, abundant water is fundamental to the production of craft beer. We are not interested in Initiative 2117, which is designed to roll back protections for clean air, clean water, our forests, and would end broader efforts to advance clean energy solutions. That’s why we encourage Washingtonians to vote ‘no’ on Initiative 2117.”

Stoup Brewing Co-Owners Brad Benson, Lara Zahaba, and Robyn Schumacher speak out against Initiative 2117

“At Aslan Brewing Co., we pride ourselves on being a community-focused small business that values sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the wellbeing of our neighbors,” said Layne Carter, Operations Manager, Aslan Brewing Co. “We are proud to stand alongside our fellow craft brewers to encourage our neighbors and patrons to vote ‘no’ on I-2117. Initiative 2117 is bad for beer, bad for brewers, and bad for Washington.”

“As a small business and brewery, we rely on world-class Yakima hops, Washington grain, and clean Washington water so we can serve our community, create jobs, and grow,” said Matt Hanson, Co-Owner, Whistle Punk Brewing. “Initiative 2117 is a threat to all of that, which is why Whistle Punk Brewing is proud to join more than 500 organizations working to defeat the initiative this November.”

“Here Today believes that caring for Washington lands and waters is fundamental to our operations and our growth,” said Dave Riddile, Co-Owner, Here Today Brewery & Kitchen. “We are committed to keeping our state the beautiful place it is, and right now, that means we all have to vote ‘no’ on Initiative 2117 to prevent further destruction to our environment and harm to our small breweries.”

The brewers join more than 500 organizations and Tribal Nations that oppose I-2117, including firefighters, small businesses, Tribal Nations, doctors and public health leaders, labor unions, and environmental groups. You can view the full list of organizations opposing I-2117 here.

No on 2117 continues to advance its unprecedented effort to defeat I-2117 across fundraising, field organizing, paid media, and coalition-building. A new poll from the Seattle Times, KING 5, and the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public found the “no” vote leading by 18 percentage points among likely voters.

I-2117 threatens water quality and drinking water sources by cutting funding for critical programs that protect and restore lakes, rivers, and streams, including for:

• The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, which compensates farmers to plant native vegetation along salmon bearing streams. This protects the environmentally sensitive land promoting biodiversity and ecosystem health.
• The State to acquire and protect ecologically sensitive lands that play a critical role in preserving natural habitats, supporting wildlife, and maintaining ecosystem health. These cuts will hurt biodiversity, water quality, and recreational opportunities.
• Projects that restore wetlands along rivers and streams, many of which are required under a federal Consent Decree.
• Wildfire resiliency and prevention programs across the state that make forests healthier and help local governments, private landowners, and communities prevent and prepare for fires in high-risk areas. Wildfires lead to more pollutants entering drinking water sources like lakes, rivers, and streams.

More information on the No on 2117 campaign is available at on our website.