OUR STORY
San Juan Island Brewing Company was created when a few driven individuals saw a need in their community and serendipitously came together to create something the whole Island could be proud of.
Sean and Tim Aylward, two brothers who grew up on San Juan Island and later moved away, started visiting craft breweries on the mainland over a decade ago. These experiences led both brothers to begin entertaining the idea of moving back to Friday Harbor and starting a brewery on the Island.
Nick Gislason, another San Juan Island native and a schoolmate of the Aylward boys, was working as a Brewery Consultant. Unsolicited, Nick wrote a business plan for a San Juan Island Brewery and delivered it to a promising candidate, the owner of the local grocery, Verne Howard. Jesse Visciglia, a long time science teacher at the high school, aspired to put his home brewing talents toward establishing a brewery in the community.
A little over 3 years later, on July 27, 2017, San Juan Island Brewing Company opened its doors to an anxious crowd and sold its first pint.
Throughout the building of the brewery, the team used local contractors and relied mostly on supplies and labor from the Island. Many who were involved with the construction of the brewery are now regulars, proud to drink a fresh beer in the place they helped build with their own hands. The space they created provides a relaxed atmosphere; complete with a green space for children to play and a patio with communal tables to bring people together. The open layout of the building allows visitors to feel like they are a part of the brewery.
Jesse’s brewing style matched perfectly with what Sean and Tim appreciated about great beer; balance, sessionability, and pairing well with food. The head chef, Sean Anderson, yet another island local, had been working at his family’s fine dining restaurant prior to joining the brewery crew. He was able to translate his fine dining experience into an elevated pub food menu that mirrors the beer in quality, creativity, and consistency.
The owners set out to establish a place for islanders to enjoy family dinners, meet up with loved ones, gather the team after practice, and connect with the community, all while enjoying Island brewed beer.
The brewery was dreamt up by a few dedicated people, who brought their passion, ideas, and expertise together to create something that the whole community could be proud of. The owners set out to establish a place for islanders to enjoy family dinners, meet up with loved ones, gather the team after practice, and connect with the community, all while enjoying Island brewed beer. San Juan Island Brewery is that place.
JESSE VISCIGLIA
Head Brewer, Owner
Hailing from back East, Jesse spent his formative years in Connecticut. With both a father and step-father passionate about brewing and drinking beer, Jesse benefitted from early exposure to a variety of beer styles and brewing ingredients. It's no surprise that he would eventually fall victim to the same home brewing obsession. After experiences at Kulshan Brewing and Aslan Brewing, Jesse would step into the position as Head Brewer of the freshly founded San Juan Island Brewing company. He lives on San Juan Island and, when not obsessing about beer, Jesse spends his time with his partner and two boys, skiing, camping, and playing music.
SEAN AYLWARD
General Manager, Owner
Sean’s story is real and one that is true to the heart. Born in Seattle, he was raised on San Juan Island starting at just three days old. Growing up he was surrounded by his extended family and long time island heritage, where he found many opportunities to be involved and get to know his community—including volunteering for local nonprofits, playing sports, working the docks of Roche Harbor and immersing himself in the high school STEM program in its earliest years. He attended and graduated WWU with an engineering degree—where his love and passion for craft beer evolved in the city of Bellingham. After graduating college he moved south toward Seattle and found himself working in a fast paced business environment. The craft beer scene was growing quickly and he was able to visit, taste, and grow his knowledge about beer.
Although he lived away from the island for many years to build his professional career, the island has always remained close to his heart. When the opportunity arose to move home to build and create what is now SJIBC he and his his wife Melissa (also island raised and high school sweetheart) and their two children quickly made the move. During his time away from the brewery—Sean enjoys backpacking, skiing, and spending time with his family. If you stopped by his house unexpectedly, you would no doubt find him busy working on a project outside with a cold beer waiting just for you.
TIM AYLWARD
Sales & Distribution, Owner
Tim was born and raised on San Juan Island. He entered the hospitality business at age thirteen, and upon graduating high school traveled to Hawaii and Colorado, furthering his work in the hospitality industry. After turning 21 while living in Colorado, Tim began to explore the developing craft brewery scene in Summit County and quickly developed an interest and appreciation for craft beer. Tim decided to move back to the island as he began to expand his family, and is now raising his two children here on the island.
VERNE HOWARD
Investor
Verne Howard’s story on San Juan Island began with an opportunity he could not pass up to purchase one of the island’s oldest businesses: Kings Market. Before purchasing the family-owned grocery store at the age of 39, Verne had already been in the grocery business for 23 years, starting his career as a box boy while he attended college in Tacoma, Washington. He credits his business acumen to the six years spent with the Marine Reserve, where he garnered a high sense of focus that he still uses today.
When the King’s family was considering their grocery’s next owner, it was important to select a community-oriented person who could easily fit into the small town of Friday Harbor. Verne Howard was the perfect candidate and continues to be a huge contributor to this community. The Howard family is committed to being an active contributor to this community through events and organizations: The Friday Harbor schools, San Juan County Fair, the Fourth of July Fireworks.
When the idea of starting a brewery on the island was brought to him, he could not pass up the opportunity to build a business for this community. Although it was a new venture in every way, this brewery would not be here if it weren’t for his continued support and has since become an important gift to this community.