What’s with the name, Flying Bike?
The name Flying Bike is a reference to a conceptually impossible idea. Our founder came up with the name while trying to find something that described the frustrations of starting a brewery.

What is a cooperative?
A cooperative is a business owned and operated by the people it serves. Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery is owned by you, our members.

Why should I become a member? What are member benefits?
Become a member and be a brewery owner! How cool is that? Member benefits include:
• A vote in beer and key business decisions
• Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery Membership Card
• Annual patronage refunds
• Invitations to member-only events at the brewery, like tastings and homebrew education classes
• Member SWAG: shirt, mug, some cool something TBD
• Discounts on brewery merchandise
• Being part of a community of like-minded beer lovers

As the co-op develops, the Board of Directors may add new benefits as discretion warrants.

How much is membership?
Membership is $150 which includes a non-refundable initiation fee.

Is the membership fee annual?
No, membership is for life. There’s lots of great beer to try.

How do I become a member?
New members must complete and sign the Membership Agreement, and accompany the Agreement with the Membership Fee.

Are there any restrictions to membership?
Membership is open to anyone 21 years of age or older.

Besides my member vote, are there other ways for me to participate in operating the brewery?
Yes. Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery is only going to be as successful as the membership is active. Members can run for open seats on the Board of Directors. Members can serve on Cooperative Committees and there is no shortage of things to do before the brewery opens and once we are pulling pints. We’re likely to have committees in the following disciplines: membership, marketing, systems, finance, legal and more. And, as a member, you can enter our brewing contests to have your recipe on tap!

How can I stay informed and spread the word?
• Sign up for our mailing list.
• Follow us on Twitter.
• Become our friend on Facebook.
• Tell your friends!

When are you opening?
Our target is to be pulling our first pint by the end of 2012.

2012? That seems like a long time from now. Why so long?
Mostly two reasons: legal and financial. The Washington State Liquor Control Board stipulates some waiting time for licensing. And opening a new brewery from scratch can be an expensive proposition. We estimate we will need $750,000 – $1 million in seed capital.

I’m independently wealthy. Can I invest more than the membership level and earn a bigger dividend?
The short answer is, yes.

We are looking for a small number of investors who are able to contribute more to help get the brewery off the ground. Specific lot size, cost, and dividend schedule are still being finalized.

Where is the brewery?
We’re not sure yet. We are looking at several possible locations, most likely a neighborhood in Seattle.

What beers will be on tap?
We hope you become a member and help us decide this! Our current thought is to have a selection of house beers as well as rotating taps of beers sourced from Cooperative brewing contests.

Brewing contests? What are those?
Flying Bike was founded by a bunch of homebrewers who dreamed the dream of “going pro.” We want to offer that same thrill of having your beer on tap at the Brewery. We foresee holding regular member tasting events that will double as brewing competitions with winners’ recipes being brewed and served at the tap room.

Will there be food?
We’re not sure. If the brewery doesn’t have a kitchen itself, we’ll be sure to be located in a neighborhood with restaurant options and/or allow take-out to be brought into the tap room.