Exhibit 10.9
    

    
      EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


    

    
      This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is between Robert P. Widmer
      (“Widmer”) and Redhook Ale Brewery, Incorporated (“Company”)
      (referred to collectively as the “parties”).  Upon the completion of
      the merger described below, Company will be renamed Craft Brewers
      Alliance, Inc.
    

    
      Company and Widmer agree as follows, effective as of the closing date of
      the proposed merger between Company and Widmer Brothers Brewing Company
      (the “Effective Date”):
    

    
      1.  Purpose.  This Agreement sets forth the terms and
      conditions of Widmer’s employment with Company from and after the
      Effective Date.
    

    
      2.  Employment.  Company will employ Widmer as Vice
      President of Corporate Quality Assurance and Industry Relations.  His
      responsibilities are described in Exhibit A attached to this Agreement.
      In addition, Widmer shall comply with Company’s Code of Conduct and
      Ethics as in effect from time to time, and be subject to Company’s
      policies and procedures in effect from time to time for its senior
      executives.
    

    
      3.  Term of Employment.  The initial term of this
      Agreement starts on the Effective Date and, subject to the provisions of
      this Agreement, ends on the last day of the month in which the second
      anniversary of the Effective Date occurs. If Widmer remains in the
      employ of Company following the initial term, he shall be an at-will
      employee of Company.
    

    
      4.  Compensation.  As payment for services rendered to
      Company, Widmer shall be entitled to receive from Company a salary,
      benefits and bonus as follows:
    

    
      a.  Base Salary.  Company shall pay Widmer an annual
      base salary of $185,000 (before standard tax withholdings).  Company
      shall pay Widmer his base salary in accordance with Company’s normal
      payroll policies.  Widmer’s base salary will be reviewed annually by the
      Compensation Committee of Company’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”)
      and may be adjusted on an annual basis.  Widmer will not participate in
      decisions about his base salary, benefits and bonus.
    

    
      b.  Benefits.  Widmer will be entitled to participate
      in all of Company’s employee benefit programs for which he is eligible,
      including a long-term incentive plan for executive officers to be
      developed by the Committee.
    

    
      c.  Bonus.  At the end of each fiscal year during which
      Widmer renders services under this Agreement (regardless of whether such
      services were rendered for the entire year or for a portion of the
      year), Widmer shall be eligible to receive a bonus, the amount of which
      is based upon the financial performance of the Company during that
      fiscal year.  Company financial goals will be established by the
      Committee at the beginning of each fiscal year.  The amount of the
      bonus, if any, will be determined by the Committee.
    

    
      
        

        

      

      
        
          1
        

        
          


        

      

      
        

        

      

    

    
      d.  Expenses.  Widmer will be reimbursed for all
      business expenses related to travel on Company’s business, including
      lodging and a mileage allowance.
    

    
      5.  Payment of Severance and Compensation upon Termination
      or Resignation.
    

    
      a.  If, prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date, Widmer is
      terminated by Company other than for Cause, or if Widmer resigns for
      Good Reason, he shall be paid his base salary through the date of
      termination or resignation in accordance with the normal payroll
      practices of Company.  In addition, he shall be entitled to receive from
      Company severance pay equal to two (2) years’ base salary at his final
      rate of pay.  Subject to the provisions of Section 10, all compensation
      and severance pay shall be paid in a lump-sum single payment on or
      before the sixtieth (60th) day following Widmer’s termination or
      resignation date.  Widmer shall also be entitled to receive payment for
      100% of his unused Paid Time Off (“PTO”) hours accrued through the date
      of termination in accordance with the provisions of Company’s PTO plan
      then in effect.  In addition, Company shall pay the monthly premium for
      continuation of health coverage (COBRA) for eighteen (18) months
      following the termination or resignation date, except that such payments
      shall end earlier if Widmer accepts health insurance coverage at a
      subsequent employer.
    

    
      b.  If Widmer is terminated by Company for Cause or if Widmer resigns
      for other than Good Reason, he shall be paid his base salary through the
      date of termination or resignation in accordance with the normal payroll
      practices of Company.
    

    
      c.  “Cause” shall mean:
    

    
      i.  Widmer has engaged in conduct which has substantially and adversely
      impaired the interests of Company, or would be likely to do so if he
      were to remain employed by Company;
    

    
      ii.  Widmer has engaged in fraud, dishonesty or self-dealing relating to
      or arising out of his employment with Company;
    

    
      iii.  Widmer has violated any criminal law relating to his employment or
      to Company;
    

    
      iv.  Widmer has engaged in conduct which constitutes a material
      violation of a significant Company policy or the Company's Code of
      Ethics, including, without limitation, violation of policies relating to
      discrimination, harassment, use of drugs and alcohol and workplace
      violence; or
    

    
       v.  Widmer has repeatedly refused to obey lawful directions of
      Company's Board of Directors.
    

    
       d.   “Good Reason” shall mean:
    

    
      i.  a material change in Widmer’s duties, responsibilities, position or
      title;
    

    
      
        

        

      

      
        
          2
        

        
          


        

      

      
        

        

      

    

    
      ii.  Company is declared bankrupt; or a receiver is appointed if the
      Company ceases business operations; and
    

    
      iii.  Company’s material breach of any provision of this Agreement,
      which breach is not cured by Company within fifteen (15) days following
      its receipt of a notice from Widmer of such breach.
    

    
      6.  Change in Control.  In the event of any Change in
      Control of Company following the Effective Date, this Agreement shall
      continue in effect, except that Widmer shall have the option to resign
      his employment upon notice to Company of not less than thirty (30) days
      and he shall receive compensation and severance pay in accordance with
      paragraph 5.a.
    

    
      a.  A “Change in Control” shall mean:
    

    
      i.  the completion of any sale, transfer, merger or consolidation of
      Company with any other organization if the shareholders of Company
      before the transaction own less than fifty percent (50%) of the equity
      securities of the organization after the transaction; or
    

    
      ii.  the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
      assets of Company.
    

    
      7.  Notice.  Every notice required by the terms of this
      Agreement shall be in writing and sent to the following parties:
    

    
    	
           
        	
           
        	
          If to Widmer:
        	
          Mr. Robert P. Widmer
        
	

        	

        	

        	
          929 N. Russell Street
        
	

        	

        	

        	
          Portland, Oregon 97227
        
	

        	

        	

        	
           
        
	

        	

        	
          With a copy to:
        	
          
            Victor J. Kisch
          

        
	

        	

        	

        	
          900 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Suite 2600
        
	

        	

        	

        	
          Portland, Oregon 97204
        
	

        	

        	

        	
          Fax: (503) 220-2480
        
	

        	

        	

        	
          E-mail: vkisch@stoel.com
        
	

        	

        	

        	
           
        
	

        	

        	
          If to Company:
        	
          
            Craft Brewers Alliance, Inc.
          

        
	

        	

        	

        	
          929 N. Russell Street
        
	

        	

        	

        	
          Portland, Oregon 97227
        


    

    
      8.  Governing Law.  The validity, construction and
      performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state
      of Oregon.
    

    
      9.  Death or Disability.  Widmer’s employment shall
      terminate automatically on the date of Widmer’s death or disability.  In
      that event, Company shall pay to Widmer or his estate or legal guardian,
      as applicable, Widmer’s base salary as of the date of termination for a
      period of two (2) years following such termination plus accrued vacation
      pay, plus Widmer’s bonus pro-rated to the date of termination.  Subject
      to the provisions of Section 10, if Widmer's employment terminates by
      reason of his death or Widmer dies within two (2) years following his
      termination by reason of disability, the foregoing amount (to the extent
      not previously paid) will be paid in a lump sum within sixty (60) days
      of his death.  Widmer shall be disabled if, for a period of at least six
      (6) consecutive months, he is unable to perform the essential functions
      of his position with or without reasonable accommodation.  If Widmer’s
      employment terminates by reason of his disability, his employment
      termination date shall be deemed to be the last day of the six-month
      period described above.
    

    
      
        

        

      

      
        
          3
        

        
          


        

      

      
        

        

      

    

    
      10.   Deferred Severance.  The amounts required to be
      paid to Widmer under Sections 5(a), 6 and 9 shall be paid to Widmer as
      soon as practicable following the occurrence of the event that entitles
      Widmer to such payments, but in any event no later than sixty (60) days
      following such termination event; provided, however, that if Widmer at
      the time of his separation from service with Company is a "specified
      employee" within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Internal
      Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), such amounts shall
      instead be paid six months after his separation from service to the
      extent necessary so that none of such amounts will be subject to the
      additional income tax provided for in Section 409A(a)(1)(B)(i) of the
      Code (any amounts the payment of which is so deferred will be referred
      to as the "Deferred Severance").
    

    
      11.  Arbitration.  Any dispute concerning the
      interpretation, construction, breach or enforcement of this Agreement or
      arising in any way from Widmer’s employment with Company or the
      termination of Widmer’s employment shall be submitted to confidential
      final and binding arbitration.  Such arbitration is to be before a
      single arbitrator in Portland, Oregon.  Selection of an arbitrator and
      adjudication of the dispute shall be conducted under the then current
      rules of the Arbitration Service of Portland, Inc. applicable to
      employment disputes.  Each party shall bear one-half of the cost of such
      arbitration and shall bear its own attorneys’ fees.  Judgment on the
      award rendered may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
    

    
      12.  Construction.  Wherever possible, each provision
      of this Agreement, including without limitation the arbitration
      provision, shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and
      valid under applicable Oregon law, but if any provision of this
      Agreement shall be prohibited by Oregon law or be deemed invalid or
      unenforceable, such provision shall be modified or eliminated only to
      the extent of such prohibition, invalidity or unenforceability without
      invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions
      of this Agreement, which shall remain in effect according to their terms.
    

    
      13.  Waivers.  No failure or delay on the part of
      either party to exercise any right or remedy shall operate as a waiver.
    

    
      14.  Assignment.  This Agreement shall be binding upon
      and inure to the benefit of Company and its successors and assigns, and
      shall be binding upon Widmer and his administrators, executors, legatees
      and heirs.  This Agreement, which is a personal services contract, may
      not be assigned by Widmer.
    

    
      15.  Modification.  This Agreement shall not be
      modified or amended except by a written instrument signed by the parties
      hereto.
    

    
      16.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the
      entire agreement and understanding between the parties in reference to
      the matters addressed herein.  This Agreement replaces and supersedes
      all prior and contemporaneous employment agreements or understandings of
      the parties, including those between Widmer and Widmer Brothers Brewing
      Company.  It is expressly understood that the parties also have entered
      or will enter into a Non-Competition/Non-Solicitation Agreement as
      contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of November
      13, 2007, as it may be amended from time to time, between Redhook and
      Widmer Brothers Brewing Company.  The provisions of this Agreement shall
      not be construed for or against any party, as the parties are
      sophisticated and have had the opportunity to engage legal counsel.
    

    
      
        

        

      

      
        
          4
        

        
          


        

      

      
        

        

      

    

    
      17.   Good Faith and Fair Dealing.  The parties agree
      to act in good faith and to deal fairly with one another in the
      interpretation, execution, performance and implementation of the terms
      and provisions of this Agreement.
    

    
      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of
      the Effective Date.
    

    

    

    
    	
          
            /s/ Robert P. Widmer
          

        	
           
        	
          
            Date: June 24, 2008
          

        	

        
	
          Robert P. Widmer
        	

        	

        	

        
	

        	

        	

        	
           
        
	

        	

        	

        	
           
        
	
          REDHOOK ALE BREWERY, INCORPORATED
        	

        	

        	

        
	

        	

        	

        	
           
        
	

        	

        	

        	
           
        
	
          
            /s/ Paul S. Shipman
          

        	

        	
          
            Date: June 30, 2008
          

        	

        
	
          Paul S. Shipman, Chief Executive Officer
        	

        	

        	

        


    

    
      
        

        

      

      
        
          5
        

        
          


        

      

      
        

        

      

    

    
      EXHIBIT A
    

    
      CRAFT BREWERS ALLIANCE, INC.

Responsibilities
of
      the
Vice President of
      Corporate Quality Assurance and Industry Relations


    

    
      POSITION SUMMARY:
    

    
      As co-founder of Widmer assumes the unique responsibility of maintaining
      relationships with all constituents in the craft beer market on behalf
      of Craft Brewers Alliance, Inc. ("CBAI"), and represents the Widmer
      brand as well as other brands in CBAI's growing portfolio of brands and
      styles. As such he leverages his standing and reputation as a pioneer in
      the craft beer industry.
    

    
      Monitors and focuses attention on quality assurance across CBAI as well
      as consumer appreciation and channel acceptance of CBAI's products.
      Provides focus on the philosophy that only excellence in beer quality is
      acceptable.
    

    
      POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
    

    
      Monitors product quality assurance, wholesaler satisfaction and consumer
      acceptance and response. Initiates remediation and improvement programs
      across all functional areas of the enterprise when and wherever needed.
    

    
      Represents public image as legitimate Craft Brewer.
    

    
      Develops and maintains close relationships with Anheuser-Busch
      wholesalers nation-wide.
    

    
      Travels for market visits, both on and off premises, to sell beer,
      promote the brands and maintain trade relationships.
    

    
      Appears in advertising, both image and voice.
    

    
      Develops and maintains relationships with print, TV and radio media.
    

    
      Performs duties as impartial judge at beer industry competitions and
      beer festivals.
    

    
      Directs the Collaborator Program – a unique project involving the home
      brewing community in creation of new and innovative beers.
    

    
      Participates in CBAI's craft beer taste panel to assure consistency and
      improvement in beer quality of existing portfolio products and
      anticipates potential consumer response to new, innovative beers.  
    

    
      Uses CBAI's restaurants for brand building and to gain customer feedback
      on new and existing beer styles.
    

    
      Champions performance and morale among all employees, with a primary
      focus on employees in brewing operations, sales and marketing.
    

    
      
        

        

      

      
        
          1
        

        
          


        

      

      
        

        

      

    

    
      Participates in maintaining CBAI's high quality hiring philosophy.
    

    
      Develops and maintains relationships with key politicians, lobbyists and
      entities at the Federal, State, County and City levels to represent CBAI
      and promote the interests of the craft beer industry.
    

    
      Initiates and maintains community relations with local neighborhoods,
      businesses, associations, and service organizations.
    

    
      Serves as Assistant Secretary of CBAI.
    

    

    

    
      2