about

Sip Magazine.

Seattle-based Sip Magazine has been a Northwest resource for all things craft beverage since 2009. Family-owned and female-run, Sip shares stories and news through its print magazine and website, along with new releases, events and industry insights through its social channels.

Formerly Sip Northwest, the publication evolved into Sip Magazine in 2020. Through its group of thirsty contributors, we’re dedicated to celebrating craft culture with a focus on wine, beer, spirits and cider, along with zero-proof options. Discover profiles on producers to learn their history and goals in the industry, beverage reviews to find your next favorite sip, boozy recipes from cocktails to desserts, travel-focused stories highlighting libation destinations and more. 

Locals themselves, Sip‘s publisher, editor and writers are engrained in the Northwest and passionate about sharing all that the Pacific Northwest — and beyond — has to offer.

Kristin Ackerman Bacon

Publisher, CEO

A Washington native whose family has long ties to the wine industry in Eastern Washington, Ackerman Bacon brings more than a decade of experience with luxury lifestyle magazines to Sip Northwest. Her extensive resume includes management positions at Robb Report Vacation Homes, Estates West Magazine and Luxuryrealestate.com and selling within titles such a Robb Report, The Robb Report Collection, Worth, Denver Life and Desert Living. Since launching Sip Publishing, she has also brought to life CIDERCRAFT magazine and Sip’s Wine Guide: British Columbia launched in Spring 2017.

EMAIL:  kristin@sipmagazine.com

Melissa Ackerman Miller

Chief Operating Officer

A native to Washington State, Miller brings over a decade of business development and operation experience to Sip Northwest magazine. Prior to her involvement with Sip Northwest, Miller spent over 12 years in the business operations of an Arizona Spring Training Facility and management of Recreation Department. Her diverse experience includes managing multi-million dollar operational and capital budgets, revenue/expense forecasting, project planning and implementation, marketing and advertising, sponsorship development and event development, along with marketing and implementation.

EMAIL:    melissa@sippublishing.com

Portland Cider Welcomes Back Concord Grape and Elevates Pear Lychee to Year-Round Status

CLACKAMAS, Ore. — January 5, 2026 — Portland Cider Company is ringing in the new year with the return of two fan-favorite flavors, as Concord Grape makes its comeback as their winter seasonal and Pear Lychee officially joins the cidery’s year-round core...

Tap Season Returns to the Tualatin Valley for Two Full Months of Beer-Filled Fun 

Ring in 2026 with a new collaborative IPA, beer-themed events, and celebrations at Tualatin Valley’s best breweries, cideries and taprooms BEAVERTON, Ore. (January 14, 2026) – Grab a pint; Tap Season is back in Tualatin Valley. From January 15 to March...

Winter Wine and Wellness Getaway in the Gorge

Pacific Northwesterners usually choose to hibernate in January, but wintering here can feel more fulfilling by seeking warmth and comfort as the light of longer days slowly returns. New Year’s resolutions made at the stroke of midnight typically involve things that...

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Announces Leadership Team Under New Local Ownership

Woodinville, WA -- Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, the Northwest’s leading wine company, today announced its executive leadership team following its recent acquisition by the Wyckoff family of Eastern Washington. David Bowman has been appointed Chief...

Brewing Into the Future: How pFriem Family Brewers Is Navigating Craft Beer’s Next Chapter

Hood River, OR - As the craft beer market continues to mature, pFriem Family Brewers is approaching 2026 with a clear-eyed focus on longevity, grounded in the belief that breweries built on quality, collaboration, and purpose will help shape what comes next. As...

2 Towns Ciderhouse Introduces NA Guava Get Down

Expanding Its Leadership in Adult Non-alcoholic Cider. Just in time for Dry January, the vibrant new release builds on the success of the nation’s top-selling dealcoholized cider line, including NA Cosmic Crisp® and NA Pacific Pineapple. Corvallis, Ore. – Jan. 8,...

Seattle Cider Brand Sale to 2 Towns Ciderhouse

Seattle, WA – January 8, 2026 – Seattle Cider Company today announced the sale of the Seattle Cider brand to 2 Towns Ciderhouse, a fellow Pacific Northwest craft cidery, as a strategic step to support the long-term growth and sustainability of the brand. Founded...

Elysian Brewing Launches Easy Dust IPA, Adding A Non-Alcohol Product to Its Space Dust Series

SEATTLE (January 5, 2026) – This month, Elysian Brewing is cracking open a new dimension of its iconic Space Dust universe to introduce Easy Dust IPA – a bold, non-alcohol addition to its flagship Space Dust Series that helped define...

West End Brewery District Launches Winter Ale Trail  

Spokane, WA — This holiday season, the West End Brewery District invites the community to take part in a festive Winter Ale Trail, rewarding guests for supporting local breweries throughout the holidays. The Winter Ale Trail runs from Dec 10th to Feb 28th To...

L’Ecole № 41 Forms National Partnership with Winebow

Iconic family-owned Washington winery aligns nationally with leading distributor of Pacific Northwest wines WALLA WALLA, Wash. (January 5, 2026) – L’Ecole № 41, one of the founding wineries of Washington’s Walla Walla Valley and among the region’s most...