White Center residents will soon have a unique addition to their local beverage scene. Brandon Eller, owner of Mr. B's Meadery in Fremont, has purchased the former Center Tool Rental building at 9444 Delridge Way SW with plans to open a second location of his successful meadery.
Eller, a White Center native, expressed excitement about bringing his business to his hometown. "I grew up in White Center, so this is my hometown," he said. The new location is expected to open its doors between November 2024 and January 2025, pending license transfers and renovations.
Mr. B's Meadery, which opened its first tasting room in Fremont in July 2021, has quickly become a popular destination for mead enthusiasts. Eller offers an impressive selection of over 18 rotating flavors, ranging from dry to sweet, and including fruit, spicy, and sparkling varieties.
The new White Center location will feature two distinct areas. The main space will be designed to resemble an enchanted forest, complete with plants and rustic, whimsical decor. A smaller area, dubbed "The Tool Crib" in homage to the building's history, will serve as additional tasting space and showcase old tools in a unique, post-apocalyptic style setting.
Visitors to the new meadery can expect to enjoy mead by the glass, in tasting flights, or to-go in bottles and growlers. The facility will be all-ages, setting it apart from many alcohol-serving establishments. While food options will initially be limited, Eller hinted at the possibility of expanding their offerings in the future.
For those unfamiliar with mead, Eller explained that it's actually the oldest known alcoholic beverage, predating both beer and wine. Made from fermented honey, mead can be crafted into a wide variety of styles and flavors. Popular offerings at Mr. B's include "Dragon's Breath," a full-strength mead featuring ginger, cardamom, lemon, lime, and ghost pepper, and "Queen's Diamond," a lower-alcohol sparkling mead with lavender, lemon, and lime.
As White Center continues to evolve, the addition of Mr. B's Meadery promises to bring a touch of ancient tradition mixed with modern craft beverage culture to the neighborhood.
