Top Down Brewing Company was born 21 years ago; beginning as a hobby in Chad’s garage serving family and friends, has grown to a 1,584 square foot space serving our community in the heart of Sumner, WA. In 2000, we started with a vertical, 3-tiered gravity-fed brewing system purchased from a local homebrew store in South Hill. In 2021, our dream has expanded into a one-of-a-kind, 7 bbl brewery where the beer still comes from the Top Down!
While our name was born from our first gravity-fed system, there’s more to our story…we also believe that everyone – from the owners, to our employees, and our patrons – should have a say in how the brewery can best represent us all. We aim to create a great brew and environment that will appeal to beer coinsurers and welcome those new to craft beer, by removing any barriers or intimidation.
MEET THE OWNERS
CHAD CRAY
Chad starting homebrewing 21 years ago while attending Western Washington University after watching a few friends take up the hobby. This hobby for him soon turned into one of his biggest passions. On his honeymoon, he shared with his wife Emily that he planned on not pursuing his Masters in Psychology, and instead planned to open a brewery.
Starting with extract brewing and then working up to a 15 gal all-grain system, Chad honed in his skills and began creating the recipes that you are drinking today! Knowing that brewing good beer was only half of the battle, Chad enrolled in the Craft Beer Program at the University of Washington; this program taught him the operational side of running a business and allowed him to taste and appreciate many types of beer.
Chad’s love for community came from working and running programs, including after-school programs for the Bonney Lake Sumner school district, for the last 20 years. His wife, Emily, teaches art at Sumner High School and his two kids (Ari and Easton) go to school in the district. You may even find him coaching his son’s basketball and baseball teams!
GREG BURD
In addition to Top Down, Greg is also the owner, viticulturist, and vinter at Shiloh Estate Cellars; Sumner’s premier winery. He has been teaching in public education for over 20 years.
Greg is best known for his devotion to God, family, community, and passion for growing things and bringing joy to the world through his love of flavor and the culinary arts.
With a background in chemistry, winemaking, and over 15 years of homebrewing, Greg is always excited to share his palate for fine beverages. Greg believes there is a true science and art to crafting the approachable, unique, and complex beers that are offered at Top Down Brewing and hopes you enjoy them as much as he does.
