Say hello to Don Trosset– better known as “DT” by the Aslan family. DT is a rock in Aslan’s foundation. When we’re falling apart at the seams, he’s always there to put us back together
…Literally!
DT helped build Aslan and has been our primary head of construction since the early days– when we were brewing out of a garage. With over 43 years of experience doing construction, he led the remodel of the McBeath Building; turning it into what we now know as the Aslan Brewpub.
When asking Don’s cohorts how they would describe him, one of our staff members answered it best–
“The glue”
Don is the glue. And without him, things just don’t stick right.
Originally from the East Coast, DT moved out West back in the 70’s, after graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in business and finance.
Don measuring out a sheet of drywall for Aslan’s new conference room
“[During] my senior year of college, I took a ski vacation. I fixed up an old British racing car and sold it … I took the money and traveled to Colorado and Utah. I fell in love with the West. I thought [to myself] ‘This is what I’ve been looking for my whole life’”.
From then on, he was hooked. DT and his wife bought a plot of land out in Northern Idaho where they lived out of a tent and carefully began crafting their new home, piece by piece.
“We had a seven acre forest, so I went out into the woods and chose the trees I wanted to cut down to build our house. I’d fell them … and then used a draft horse to skid [the logs] into decks. We didn’t have any power,” recalled Don, “So I’d use a little generator to run my saw and drill … It was quite a process!”
It was there that they had their two kids, Boe and Frank Trosset – now co-owners of Aslan Brewing Co.
Don with his two sons, Boe and Frank–
Co-owners of Aslan Brewing Co.
The boys grew up in Northern Idaho while Don bounced back and forth between work in Eastern Washington and Idaho. “The boys would come to work with me,” stated Don, “and as they got a little bit older I’d put them to work.” As Boe and Frank got older, DT made a gradual relocation to Bellingham, WA.
Some years later, Don’s oldest son Frank took up an interest in brewing and after graduating from college in Florida, he made the decision to move back in with Don and began brewing beer in his garage.
It was in Bellingham that Frank met his business partners, Jack Lamb and Patrick Haynes. The three of them formulated a plan to open a craft-brewery and eventually were able to relocate Frank’s small brewing operation into the McBeath building, where Aslan currently resides. This move marked the beginning of Aslan Brewing Co.
Over the next nine months, with the aid of the three hopeful business owners and son Boe Trosset, Don tirelessly helped put Aslan together. Together they tore walls down, built them back up, drilled through six inches of concrete slab, and installed the original fifteen barrel brewing system.
Don with his two sons, Boe and Frank
DT was there for all of it, and still is.
And that’s precisely why he has been deemed as “the glue” of Aslan. DT wears a lot of hats around here, and when the going gets tough, he’s sure to be there– leading the way with an open heart and an abundance of positivity.
Don is nothing if not conversational and can chat with anyone about anything. He offers years of wisdom, advice, and assurance to everyone he crosses paths with and is a living embodiment of unconditional love.
While we could go on and on with our praises- we won’t. Instead, we’ve decided to let our friends take it from here:
“One of the best guys in the world …Deserves a standing ovation every time he enters a room”
-Nicole P.
“In house guru! Love this guy! So grateful for all the wisdom he has shared over the years!”
-Stephanie T.
“The man…the myth…the legend…the glue :-)”
-Cam C.
“DT is the heart of Aslan Brewing. He is a mentor, a father and friend to many of us … those of us who were there in the beginning have nothing but the utmost respect for his work ethic, heart and constant words of wisdom.”
-Pat H.
”DT is the absolute legend. He also biked with us up to Baker for one of our camp outs!”
-Tyler M.
“A master, legend and inspiration”
– Jordan B.
“Thank you DT for all that you do! Your wisdom and positivity makes this place run”
-Andy A.
“DTiest DT that’s ever DT’d”
-Timmy A.
The Trosset Family
Thank you DT, from the bottom of our heart and from everyone in the Aslan community. You are truly appreciated.
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