Fair Isle Brewing

 

 

 

I stopped in at Fair Isle for the first time while in Ballard this weekend (they are located in Populuxe's old space) and it was excellent. They had 15 of their beers on tap, and all of their beers are farmhouse and/or wild fermentations. They also have a guest beer and cider for the non-farmhouse-inclined. Though the selection is limited to farmhouse and sour, I'm still calling it excellent because of the sheer "interesting" factor of the beers they are making. I had the cherry sour, cherry dark mild farmhouse ale, and saison with Egyptian purple barley; all were very interesting and the sour was outstanding. I am very much looking forward to having more from this brewery.

Taproom isn't huge but there's a ton of outdoor seating. There are plenty of puncheons out on the floor and even a big foeder - a lovely bit of atmosphere. I assume they are all "working" puncheons, as it were. They've also got a fridge case with bottles to take home, and you can bet I did. Staff are very friendly. Maybe not the most efficient in the world but that's a function of the friendliness. I will absolutely be returning to Fair Isle in the probably not-too-distant future!

 

This space is such an interesting mash-up of styles. For one, the beer styles itself would evoke the thought this place would be rustic, but instead, it's a clean, modern space. Between the dark walls, and floors, it feels quite moody. The rear wall is covered in barrels aging some future nectar. A large 'U' bar offers up multiple locations for patrons to get tap or bottle pours, and a small cooler opposite allows to-go beer. Interior has some seating, with the front opening up to the street via a large garage door. Side patio seating allows more seating with a little more air flow, and less moody, intimate lighting. Service is pretty darn quick, and helpful on selecting beers. As far as selection, this place leans into saisons and farmhouse styles in a big way, with these styles making up the bulk of their offerings, either for on-site or to-go. Should these styles not be what you're after, then the selection will feel poor. Fortunately, there is a good mix of clean saisons, along with flavor added saisons. A few other styles adorn the tap list for those seeking something outside of the saison family. Only knocking the selection for the focal point on one style; however, should this be the style you're after, this place will treat you well.

 

somehow this place sprung up without my noticing. i guess so much beer happening in the neighborhood, less travel to seattle with the virus, and whatever else, but i stumbled on one of their bottles and just had to know more. i am thankful to have been able to get in here for a couple of beers while i was in town, they are doing incredible stuff and i immediately rank them among my favorites in the city. i expect big things from them before long, they may well become a household name in the saison category soon enough! the space is really modest, i didnt even see a sign out front, tucked into an industrial area, this would be an easy place to miss. its bigger inside than it looks from the street. they have a small front patio area with just a handful of seats, inside the bar is right in the middle, just a couple of tables around too, a few back along a row of barrels and oak tanks, likely reduced to socially distance. they have another patio area that is larger, a little room where some popup food is happening, separate business though from what i reckon, possibly rotating, but looked awesome when i was in, and then their production behind that, which i caught just a glimpse of and was impressed with the scale, they certainly have plenty of capacity. the place has artsy and modern minimalist decor, the presence of the wood vessels gives it a rustic old worldy feel, but the place is decidedly hip even with this tip of the cap to rural belgium. they had a handful of beers on tap, all really interesting and delicious in the farmhouse range, i was floored by the cascara one, but also was stoked on the spelt based one, each i tasted was superb in quality and highly authentic, yeast driven without being sours, i think their brewer has some connection to belgian saison in past experience, but i did not get the whole story. they had fairly priced bottles to go, some really heady guest selections too, and the service was excellent, chatty, and willing to talk shop and share samples. this is my kind of brewery, ambitious saison types with keen attention to detail, i cant imagine they will fly under the radar for long. seattle is lucky to have these guys. i will be back here as often as i am in the city, incredible first impression!

 

2020-03-13
My wife and I visited near their closing time and closed them out. Staff was somewhat stuffy, beer was good, selection was fairly good as long as you like their style. It's pretentious for sure, but not debilitatingly so. Wasn't in love with them or with their beer, but I'd go back.
Original scores: 3 | 3.75 | 3.5 | 3.5
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2024-06-19
I've been back a few times since that review, but not too many. They continue to have unique beers, they have expanded to offer their own take on some more traditional styles, like the kellerbier I had.

Bumping up the scores I gave them previously slightly. I think they've improved in all areas over the years. The pretentiousness is still absolutely there, but maybe a little less self-serious about it.