The Bryant Family: Brewing Passion and Spokane Roots at No-Li

Choosing Spokane

In 2012, John and Cindy Bryant made the bold decision to start their own brewery. They chose Spokane over many other options around the Pacific Northwest, driven by a belief in the city’s potential and heart. Inspired by Gonzaga University’s success, they envisioned a brewery that could represent Spokane on an international stage.

“If Mark Few and the Gonzaga basketball program can be a top 10 team year after year, why couldn’t a brewery from Spokane be an international hub?” That question became a rallying cry for the family.

John’s brewing career began at Washington State University, where he worked at The Coug in Pullman. From there, he brewed his first batch at Rainier Brewery in Seattle in 1989 and pursued a beer brewing journey that would take him all over the Western United States. Each step deepened his expertise in innovation, recipe development, branding, and leadership.

Cindy, born and raised in Spokane, met John at WSU. She initially pursued teaching before dedicating herself to raising their three children and supporting the family business.

All in the Family

The brewery isn’t just a business—it’s a family. The Bryants strive to create an atmosphere that makes their team and guests feel like part of that family.

And in the case of John and Cindy’s sons, Jack and Cole, each followed a unique path that led them back to work for No-Li.

Cole's journey began at Gonzaga University, where he felt an immediate connection to Spokane. After a stint in Seattle, he returned to Spokane and the family business with his wife and two young sons. “Spokane’s a great place to raise a family,” he says. “The cost of living is reasonable, and there is so much to do outdoors—it just feels like home.”

Jack, who started building tap handles as a teenager, has worked in nearly every part of the operation. “I love Spokane. It's where my friends, my family, and the business are,” he says. “You want to be part of a growing city and see it develop.”

From Spokane to the World with Passion

From day one, No-Li set its sights beyond the Pacific Northwest. One of its first medals came from Japan, and with each international award, the brewery grew—adding equipment, training staff, and refining its craft. As of 2025, No-Li has accumulated over 200 awards from around the globe.

Even as the brand expanded globally, its heart remained in Spokane, where they’ve created a destination unlike anything else in North America: a sprawling beer campus with a German-inspired Bier Hall with seating for 200+, a family-friendly Brewhouse that opens to a patio along the Spokane River allowing customers to paddleboard up and enjoy a pint beside the river It has twice been voted in USA Today's Top 10 Beer Gardens in America.

Committment to Community

From the beginning, John and Cindy's dedication to giving back to the Spokane community was as paramount as brewing award-winning beer. In the early days, Cindy knocked on the doors of non-profits, offering them the opportunity to be benficiaries of No-Li fundraising activities.

As the business grew, so did their giving. No-Li now supports dozens of causes and community events each year in unique ways. They create custom brews and merchandise and throw amazing events with proceeds benefitting everything from non-profits to natural disaster response to veterans and first responders. When the first snow arrives, they hand out free shovels, encouraging people to Pay It Forward and clear sidewalks for their neighbors in need.

"We believe that what’s in the can should elevate our craft — but that’s just the beginning. We also want the way we do business to elevate our community. To inspire the doers and makers, the entrepreneurs and risk-takers. To lead with goodness. To be bold and thoughtful in the relationships we make and the causes we champion."

We’re Just Getting Started

Spokane is now home to more than 30 breweries, and the Bryants thrive on the spirit of competition and community that propels the thriving beer scene around the city. “You want to be in a league of great teams—it makes you better,” John says, and that spirit of collaboration has helped elevate Spokane’s reputation. “People start asking, ‘What the hell is going on in Spokane, Washington?’” John laughs.

“We’ve really just gotten started,” John says. “And I think some beautiful breweries in this town are doing amazing work. I love to think we’re helping that culture develop.”

Despite No-Li's accolades and growth, humility remains a cornerstone of its culture. “Neither Cindy nor I came from wealth,” John says. “And if I ever start feeling like we’re above something, I revisit that. It’s very humbling, and it drives you more.”

The Bryants believe their brewery is more than a business—it’s a mission to elevate Spokane’s profile, foster community pride, and create something unforgettable. Through international recognition and local engagement, they continue to advocate for Spokane with heart and hustle.

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