Brian Strumke heard the first rumblings of craft brewing in the basement of his Baltimore rental in 2010 and it would take a few years before the sound and taste of that name was known beyond one man. Originally invented to be a roaming craft idea that relied on the help of contract brewers and good friends, Strumke made beer around the world for close to a decade. After 10 years of roaming and brewing, Stillwater Artisanal has taken up a permanent address in the South West of Washington, where beers can be thrown at Seattle and Portland with equal ease. But despite finally settling down, Strumke is determined to maintain the diversity that Stillwater produces, as a reflection of the journeys he’s taken and still plans to take with our taste buds. Shoegaze has been called “distorted” because it fits the bill of heavy prog-rock piped through a broken tube amp. It’s funky and weird, taking turns you aren’t expecting. Wild fermented and dry-hopped to move and shake. Serves well at 8°C and you should try it soon.