Chuck Everett, a longtime Bainbridge Island resident, Rotarian leader, and co-owner of Bainbridge Brewing, is known in many circles for his steady presence and deep ties to the community. He has now added an unexpected distinction: winner of the national 2026 Beardbrand Beard & Mustache Tournament.
Modeled after the recently completed NCAA March Madness competition, the tournament featured a 64-person bracket. Beardbrand placed Everett as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region, a strong start, though not something he took too seriously at the outset. (See bracket attached).
“My goal was just to make the Sweet 16, so once I got past that, everything else felt like bonus rounds,” said Everett, sounding a bit like a star college basketball player who just sank his team’s winning basket. “Next thing I knew, friends from the brewery, the bank, the gym, Rotary, even my daughter and her friends in Canada, were all voting. It kind of took on a life of its own.”
At Bainbridge Brewing, Everett is part of a business entity built around more than just craft beer. With the Taproom at Coppertop Park and the Alehouse in Downtown Winslow, the brewery has become a social hub and a point of local pride, reflecting the character of the community it serves.
That same spirit carries through his leadership with the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island. Everett has played an active role in the club since 2014 and has co-chaired the Community Grants Committee for several years, helping direct grants ranging from $500 to $15,000 to local nonprofits. He is also a familiar figure at the annual Rotary Auction, where he helps manage donations and traffic with the kind of calm efficiency that keeps everything running smoothly.
“Chuck is a leader you can always count on. He shows up, does the work, and makes everything run better,” said Sal Celis, President Nominee of the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island. “He’s respected by everyone, and he brings a sense of fun to everything he does. The beard just gave the rest of the country a way to notice.”
The Beardbrand title may be new, but on Bainbridge Island, Everett has long been recognized for something less visible and more meaningful: steady leadership, pitching in, and helping strengthen the community.
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This article was written by Sheri Renner and was originally published in the Island Wanderer.