Ballard’s tight-knit brewery scene is about to lose one of its motorsport-loving members. Wheelie Pop Brewing says it will shut down its Ballard taproom and production facility at 1110 NW 50th Street, with Sunday, June 14 set as the final day of service. The closure will carve out a noticeable gap in the neighborhood’s brewery cluster, although the company’s Mill Creek/North Bothell outpost will stay open. Regulars and Pit Crew Mug Club members are being pointed to Wheelie Pop’s own channels for details on last-call events and how memberships will be handled.
Owners announced the closure on social media
The brewery broke the news in an Instagram post that read, “After much consideration, we’re sad to announce that Sunday, June 14th will be the last day of operations for our Ballard brewery and taproom,” according to My Ballard. The Puget Sound Business Journal also ran a local write-up on the planned June shutdown, underscoring that the Ballard location is on its way out while the suburban taproom keeps pouring.
Built a motorsport-themed home in Ballard
Co-owners Jeremy Johnson and Mark Silverstein started brewing together in 2017 and eventually landed in Ballard, opening their taproom in late 2021. They leaned hard into motorsport culture, hosting Formula 1 and MotoGP watch parties, pinball nights and other themed gatherings, according to the brewery’s site. That niche helped Wheelie Pop stand apart from some of the bigger taprooms nearby and turned the space into a go-to spot for race nights and community meetups.
Another shift for Ballard’s brewery district
Wheelie Pop’s exit is the latest shuffle in Ballard’s Brewery District, a walkable cluster of craft breweries that has become one of the neighborhood’s calling cards, per Visit Ballard. The area has seen new openings and the occasional closure in recent years as owners respond to changes in foot traffic and the costs of keeping doors open.
Mill Creek stays open and owners thank supporters
While Ballard winds down, Wheelie Pop says its Mill Creek/North Bothell taproom will remain in business, with hours and event listings posted on its website. In their announcement, the owners also offered a public thank-you to Pit Crew Mug Club members and loyal customers for roughly 4½ years of support, according to My Ballard.
Local reaction and next steps
News of the closure sparked a wave of comments on neighborhood forums, including a Reddit thread where neighbors and patrons shared everything from frustration to armchair analysis of staffing and financial pressures. For now, Wheelie Pop’s official website and social media pages remain the main source for updates on farewell events, mug-club logistics and any word on what might be next for the space at 1110 NW 50th Street.
