Maelstrom Brewing Company

Nestled on the perimeter of a little industrial business park, near interstate 405. Some blonde wood, picnic type tables with booth benches to match, out front. A small, sparsely decorated, smooth concrete floored tap room, awaits inside. Friendly, attentive beer service, and some big screen televisions to keep your eyes busy while solo beer sipping. Their beers are not bad but they had two guest taps, including one of Pfriem's beers, which helps. A good place for a quite and relaxed sipping experience.

I've been here twice, most recently to meet with a couple colleagues after work on a Wednesday.

They're a pretty typical small brewery. They have a few IPAs, they have a few lagers, they have a few fruited sours. They also have a couple guest taps, and if I remember correctly they'll sell you big pretzels. They'll give you little pretzels for free.

Beer quality is fine -- not exceptional, not bad. It's a nice place, but not a stand out.

I visited Maelstrom for the first time a couple of days ago. Not sure how I missed this place after all these years! They have a nice industrial, concrete and wood taproom with a reasonably big outdoor area. No bar seating, but the taproom opens straight onto the brewhouse, which I always like. One TV on the wall and a big garage door that feels like someone’s house.

There were 11 house beers plus guest taps including seltzer and cider. The Pilsner is quite good, a nice clean execution of the style. The Jetsam hazy IPA and the Dunkelweizen were good as well, the latter tasting rather a lot like banana bread. Excellent!

The service is good, though it’s just counter service. I definitely see myself returning to Maelstrom.