Kulshan Brewing Company
Kulshan Brewing Company is a family-owned independent craft brewery in Bellingham, Washington, operating three taprooms and producing year-round, German-style, seasonal, and limited-release beers for Pacific Northwest consumers and wholesale accounts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersBellingham, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Kulshan Brewing Company does
Kulshan Brewing Company is a family-owned, independent craft brewery headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, founded in April 2012 by Dave Vitt, who continues to serve as CEO. The company operates three owned-and-operated venues in Bellingham: Sunnyland Brewery at 2238 James St (the original R&D and small-batch brewery), Roosevelt (K2) at 1538 Kentucky St (the main production facility with 24 taps), and Trackside Beer Garden at 298 W Laurel St, a seasonal 25,000-square-foot outdoor venue on the Bellingham waterfront within The Portal container village. The brewing platform combines small-batch R&D at Sunnyland with larger-scale production at K2, with proximity to Yakima, the largest hop-producing region in the world, as a sourcing advantage.
The portfolio spans eight year-round beers (Bastard Kat IPA, Sunnyland IPA, Heliotrope IPA, Into The Haze hazy IPA, Red Cap Irish-style red ale, Premium Lager, Kulshan Especial Mexican-style pale lager, and the Zero to Hero non-alcoholic IPA), a German Series brewed with genuine German hops and malt (Pilsner, Helles, Kolsch, Hefeweizen, Oktoberfest, Doppelbock), seasonal releases, a rotating IPA Series, the Brewer's Select small-batch program, and a slate of collaboration beers. The product portfolio has accumulated extensive award recognition, including a Great American Beer Festival Gold for Cuppa Joe Coffee Brown Ale in 2023, Silver Hefeweizen in 2023, Bronze Gose in 2024, and dozens of Washington Beer Awards medals. The German Series and authentic ingredient sourcing represent the most differentiated technical/positioning pillars.
Revenue is generated primarily through direct-to-consumer beer sales across the three taprooms, supplemented by online ordering via Toasttab (packaged beer and merchandise for Roosevelt pickup), retail and wholesale keg sales in half/quarter/sixth barrels ($100 shell and $45 pump tap deposits, 2-week lead time), private event rentals at K2 ($500 fee plus $500 refundable damage deposit for a 4-hour event block), and paid table reservations at Trackside ($30 weekday / $50 weekend). Ancillary F&B revenue accrues to on-site food-truck partners (GreekTown, Outpost Eats, 1 D-NA, El Pollo Feo, Ralf's Pretzels, Dog Days) and Lost Giants Cider rotating on draft. The company maintains a dedicated wholesale sales team reachable via [email protected], with downloadable sell sheets across product lines. Community engagement is institutionalized via Pour it Forward, which donates 10% of Sunnyland daily sales monthly to local nonprofits, plus larger benefit events at K2 and Trackside. Kulshan is privately held and founder/family-owned with no disclosed institutional investors or external funding, and operates with no public API, mobile app, or AI capabilities.
Kulshan Brewing Company firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kulshan Brewing Company
- Legal name
- Kulshan Brewing Company
- Website
- https://kulshanbrewing.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Kulshan Brewing Company is a family-owned independent craft brewery in Bellingham, Washington, operating three taprooms and producing year-round, German-style, seasonal, and limited-release beers for Pacific Northwest consumers and wholesale accounts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kulshan Brewing Company industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Craft Beer / Brewery
- NAICS
- Breweries (312120)
- SIC
- Malt Beverages (2082)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Regional & National Breweries (THAFALAD)
Keywords
Where Kulshan Brewing Company is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bellingham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Kulshan Brewing Company business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- On-site Taproom Sales: Direct beer sales at three Bellingham taprooms (Sunnyland, Roosevelt/K2, Trackside). Each location pours a rotating selection of year-round, seasonal, and limited-release beers. Trackside features 20 taps plus wine, cider, and N/A beverages. Food truck partnerships provide additional F&B revenue.
- Online Beer Ordering: Packaged beer and keg sales ordered online via Toasttab platform for pickup at Roosevelt taproom.
- Keg Sales: Retail and wholesale keg reservations in half barrels, quarter barrels, and sixth barrels. $100 per keg shell deposit, $45 per pump tap deposit.
- Private Event Rentals: Roosevelt (K2) indoor brewery space rental for private events. $500 fee plus $500 refundable damage deposit. Includes up to 4-hour event with 1-hour setup and 1-hour teardown.
- Table Reservations: Table reservations at Trackside Beer Garden: $30/table Mon-Thu, $50/table Fri-Sun. Free reservations at Sunnyland and Roosevelt/K2 taprooms.
- Wholesale / Distribution: Wholesale beer distribution to retailers and on-premises accounts via their sales team ([email protected]). They maintain sell sheets for wholesale partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Trackside Beer Garden table reservation pricing varies by day of week |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Sunnyland and Roosevelt (K2) table reservations are free |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Roosevelt (K2) private event rental fee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Keg deposit fees |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Trackside on-tap beer pricing for pints, liters, and pitchers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Kulshan Brewing Company product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kulshan Brewing Company is an independently owned craft brewery that produces and sells a diverse lineup of ales and lagers (IPAs, lagers, sours, German-style beers, and non-alcoholic options) through three owned-and-operated Bellingham, WA taprooms, packaged-beer and keg sales, and wholesale distribution to Pacific Northwest bars, restaurants, and retailers. The company also operates a community giving program (Pour it Forward), hosts private events, and runs an onsite food truck program across its venues.
Product overview
Kulshan Brewing Company is a family-owned, independent brewery offering a diverse portfolio of craft beers. The product lineup consists of 8 year-round beers (including flagship IPAs like Bastard Kat and Sunnyland, the award-winning Red Cap red ale, and the non-alcoholic Zero to Hero IPA), a German Series of traditional styles (Pilsner, Helles, Kolsch, Hefeweizen, Oktoberfest, Doppelbock), seasonal releases (Greenwood pale ale, Kitten Mittens winter ale, Mossy Rock dry Irish stout, Raspberry Gose, Blood Orange Gose), a rotating IPA Series (Arctic Kat, Bruce Springskiing, Baby Yoda, Trackside Haze, Fresh Hop IPA, Heliotropical), and collaboration beers. The company operates three physical locations: the original Sunnyland Taproom (also home to small-batch R&D brewing), the Roosevelt K2 taproom/production facility, and the seasonal Trackside Beer Garden. Additional offerings include keg sales, table reservations, private event rentals, and the Pour It Forward community giving program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Brewer's Select Series: A rotating beer series featuring IPA and Lager varieties, allowing brewers to explore new techniques and flavors at the Sunnyland Brewery small-batch facility.
Products and services
- Yutori Japanese Rice Lager A seasonal/limited Japanese rice lager beer released by Kulshan Brewing in August 2024, available to consumers in Bellingham and to wholesale accounts.
- Embrace the Dad Bod A collaboration hazy pale ale released by Kulshan Brewing in June 2024.
- Even Keel Sets Sail A collaboration beer released by Kulshan Brewing in May 2024.
- Citra Fresh Hop A limited-time fresh hop IPA released by Kulshan Brewing in September 2023.
- Raspberry Gose A seasonal raspberry fruited sour ale (Gose style) released by Kulshan Brewing in July 2023.
- Hefeweizen A German-style wheat ale (Hefeweizen) released as part of Kulshan's German Series in June 2023.
- Goat Wall A cold India Pale Ale collaboration beer released by Kulshan Brewing in May 2023.
- Sunnyland Taproom The original Kulshan Brewing taproom and small-batch R&D brewery at 2238 James St, Bellingham, offering rotating tap beer, wine, cider, N/A beverages, outdoor beer garden, food trucks, and Sunday live music. Open Sun-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm.
- Roosevelt (K2) Taproom Main production facility and taproom at 1538 Kentucky St, Bellingham, featuring 24 taps, daily happy hour, weekly events, seasonal markets, beer release parties, and available for private event rentals and table reservations.
- Trackside Beer Garden Seasonal outdoor beer garden at 298 W Laurel St on the Bellingham waterfront within The Portal container village, featuring 20 taps plus wine, cider, and N/A beverages, 25,000 square feet of space, dog- and family-friendly, with live music and community events.
- Keg Sales Direct retail and wholesale keg reservations for pickup at the Roosevelt taproom. Core beers available in half barrels, quarter barrels, and sixth barrels using standard Sankey D couplers, with a 2-week lead time recommended and $100 per keg shell / $45 per pump tap deposits.
- Private Event Rentals Rental of the Roosevelt (K2) indoor brewery space for private events including birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, retirement celebrations, and corporate gatherings. Indoor capacity 30-75 people, indoor/outdoor 100+, with a $500 rental fee plus $500 refundable damage deposit and a standard 4-hour event window.
Companies that use Kulshan Brewing Company
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Kulshan Brewing Company technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature4 records
Kulshan Brewing Company partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- The Portal Waterfront Container VillageminorThe Portal is a waterfront container village adjacent to the pump track where Trackside Beer Garden is located. Trackside operates within The Portal, offering craft beer alongside other vendors in the container village. The relationship provides cross-traffic and a unique waterfront venue experience.
- Dog Days Food TruckminorDog Days food truck is conveniently parked inside the Trackside Beer Garden, serving classic brats, hot dogs, corndogs, and fresh bites designed to be eaten with one hand and a cold beer. Operating seasonally at Trackside.
- GreekTown Food Truck (Sunnyland)minorGreekTown gyros, Greek fries and more. Resident food truck at Sunnyland Taproom, open Thursday - Sunday 12PM - 8PM.
- Outpost Eats (Sunnyland)minorAsian-inspired bowls and sandwiches. Resident food truck at Sunnyland Taproom, open Monday - Wednesday.
- 1 D-NA (Sunnyland)minorThai street food. Resident food truck at Sunnyland Taproom, open Friday - Sunday.
- El Pollo Feo Food Truck (Roosevelt/K2)minorSmash burgers, chicken sandwiches, loaded fries and more. Resident food truck at Roosevelt (K2) Taproom, open daily Sunday-Tuesday 11AM-7PM and Wednesday-Saturday 11AM-8PM.
- Ralf's PretzelsminorBaked fresh every day and available at both taprooms (Sunnyland and Roosevelt/K2).
- Lost Giants CiderminorRotating Lost Giants Cider available on draft and cans at Kulshan taprooms, featured alongside Kulshan beers.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kulshan Brewing Company competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wander Brewing: Wander Brewing is a Bellingham-based craft brewery operating a taproom in the same local market as Kulshan. Both compete directly for the same Bellingham craft drinker, share similar Pacific Northwest sourcing advantages, and run comparable flagship-plus-experimental taproom models.
- Aslan Brewing Company: Aslan Brewing is an independent Bellingham craft brewery with a downtown taproom and broad year-round plus seasonal lineup. Like Kulshan, it competes head-to-head for Bellingham craft consumers, taps, and wholesale accounts, with a comparable owner-operator business model.
- Boundary Bay Brewery: Boundary Bay is a long-standing Bellingham brewpub and craft brewery serving the same Whatcom County market as Kulshan. It is a direct geographic competitor with a similar taproom-plus-wholesale model and a comparable true-to-style portfolio.
- Bale Breaker Brewing Company: Bale Breaker is a Yakima Valley craft brewery operating a taproom and broader Pacific Northwest distribution. It is a credible PNW craft peer for Kulshan given shared hop-region sourcing, an IPA-forward portfolio, and direct competition for PNW taproom and shelf placement.
- Fremont Brewing: Fremont Brewing is a Seattle-based craft brewery with multiple taproom locations and a Pacific Northwest wholesale footprint. It is a strong peer for Kulshan on a larger scale given the multi-taproom DTC model, focus on balanced lagers and IPAs, and similar commitment to community and sustainability.
- Stoup Brewing: Stoup Brewing is a Seattle craft brewery with a flagship taproom and PNW distribution, offering a comparable year-round plus experimental portfolio. It is a relevant PNW peer competing for similar on-premise accounts and consumer occasions.
- Reuben's Brews: Reuben's Brews is a Seattle craft brewery with a taproom and regional wholesale reach, recognized for award-winning IPAs and lagers. It is a strong comparable to Kulshan given the award-driven brand, family-ownership structure, and taproom-plus-distribution model.
- Georgetown Brewing Company: Georgetown Brewing is a Seattle-based craft brewery with a taproom and significant PNW distribution footprint. Like Kulshan, it operates as an independent, family-style craft brewery emphasizing flagship lagers and balanced ales, and competes for similar wholesale and taproom occasions.
- Pike Brewing Company: Pike Brewing is a historic Seattle craft brewery with a multi-level downtown brewpub, broad PNW distribution, and a deep year-round and seasonal portfolio. It is a relevant peer given its longer-tenured brand, taproom-plus-wholesale model, and portfolio breadth.
Broad incumbents
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Sierra Nevada is a national craft brewing incumbent with broad portfolio depth, multi-state taproom/brewpub operations, and award-winning flagship IPAs and lagers. It is included as a broad incumbent peer because Kulshan's German Series, IPA Series, and award-winning position place it in competitive context with Sierra Nevada at regional on-premise and retail accounts.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kulshan Brewing Company social profiles
Digital presenceKulshan Brewing Company financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kulshan Brewing Company leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Kulshan Brewing Company funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kulshan Brewing Company M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kulshan Brewing Company
What does Kulshan Brewing Company do?
Kulshan Brewing Company is an independently owned craft brewery that produces and sells a diverse lineup of ales and lagers (IPAs, lagers, sours, German-style beers, and non-alcoholic options) through three owned-and-operated Bellingham, WA taprooms, packaged-beer and keg sales, and wholesale distribution to Pacific Northwest bars, restaurants, and retailers. The company also operates a community giving program (Pour it Forward), hosts private events, and runs an onsite food truck program across its venues.
Is Kulshan Brewing Company a public or private company?
Kulshan Brewing Company is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Kulshan Brewing Company founded?
Kulshan Brewing Company was founded in 2012. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Kulshan Brewing Company based?
Kulshan Brewing Company is headquartered in Bellingham, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kulshan Brewing Company make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. On-site Taproom Sales are the primary driver. The others are online Beer Ordering, keg Sales, private Event Rentals, table Reservations and wholesale / Distribution.
Who are Kulshan Brewing Company's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wander Brewing, Aslan Brewing Company, Boundary Bay Brewery, Bale Breaker Brewing Company, Fremont Brewing, Stoup Brewing, Reuben's Brews, Georgetown Brewing Company and Pike Brewing Company. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Kulshan Brewing Company have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kulshan Brewing Company.
What industry is Kulshan Brewing Company in?
Kulshan Brewing Company's product category is Craft Beer / Brewery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFALAA, Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service), with a secondary code of THAFALAD, Regional & National Breweries. Its NAICS code is 312120 and its SIC code is 2082.