Under the radar places to visit in Oregon and Washington

For Washington, there's an app for that:
http://www.washingtonbeer.com/introducing-the-washington-beer-app-for-android-and-apple-devices/
Some ideas:
Starting far North, hit up Bellingham. Terry will fill in details when he sees this. Then as you venture South stop in Mount Vernon at Skagit and North Sound. Then drift down Whidbey Island to Flyers, then take the ferry to Mukilteo for a mandatory stop at Diamond Knot and take in as many in the area you have time for - Scuttlebutt, American, Big E.
Now you have a choice. Go to Seattle or swing by the East Side & hit up Woodinville & Redmond. In Woodinville stop at Triplehorn, Dirty Bucket, Twelve Bar & even Redhook. Black Raven in Redmond is an absolute must.
Seattle? Someone else can take over. I can't handle all this thinking about beer so early.
Cheers and enjoy your visit.

 

December? You must love rain and darkness. I'll follow NWer's lead. Fly into Vancouver BC, shoot DaftCaskBC a message, he'll clue you in on that scene, and when you come across the border stop at Maggies Pub in Ferndale, it's the only place to Menace beers on a regular basis. Then into my town of Bellingham. We've got 3 must visit breweries, Boundary Bay, Chuckanut, and Kulshan. We've also got several beer bars that get a wide variety of stuff. Also, a few miles outside of town is North Fork Brewery, Pizzeria, Beer Shrine and Wedding Chapel. It's a must visit.

When you head South to Mt. Vernon, after you leave North Sound, keep heading West and visit Anacortes Brewing in Anacortes. A very underlooked brewery, even around here. There's other stuff too, we'll get into that when the time is closer. Look forward to having a pint, or 8, with you!

 

Of course. How could I overlook Anacortes? Actually, the brewery is hidden in a place called the Rockfish Grill.

 

Some of the more under the radar places in WA include:
Kulshan brewing in Bellingham: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28281
Norms market in Lake Stevens: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28595
Elliot bay pizza in mill creek: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/25846
The Collective on Tap in woodinville: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30576
418 public house in Seattle: http://www.418publichouse.com/
Pub at Pipers Creek in Seattle: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/13060
Kiss cafe in Seattle: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16973
Gastropod in Seattle: http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/1739454/restaurant/Sodo/Gastropod-Seattle
Schooner exact in Seattle: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/19764
E9 in Tacoma: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/4980
Parkway tavern in Tacoma: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/5674
Hop n Grape in Longview: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/25654

These are all not as well known little gems each with their own charm be it growlers, rare beer, local focused, or huge amount of options I'd try them all if you are new to Seattle or have been here for years!

 

Ft. George is definitely worth a trip. Astoria Brewing is worth a visit as well. If your doing a coast trip, Pelican should be on the radar.

I can understand a December PNW trip if coming from the Kimberley (I'm an Australian forum lurker, and 10 year Kimberley veteran). May have even met you at Mr Kennedy's last year.

Give me a yell if you make it as far as Vancouver B.C or Bellingham way. Beertune's suggestions are solid.

 

Under the radar in Seattle? Latona Pub and Cooper's Alehouse.

 

Seattle:
Fiddlers Inn
Duck Island

 

Not exactly under the radar, but Stumbling Monk in Seattle is a great beer bar, especially for Belgians. Their taps are generally split Belgian/PNW with one other (usually something international). Very reasonably priced, and a decent bottle selection.

 

I don't know how "under the radar" these places in OR are at this point, but: Solera in Parkdale, OR; Ale Apothecary in Bend, OR require an appointment, as does Logsdon in Hood River. Even if those two aren't under the radar, they will at least be quiet. I also like Silver Moon in Bend which doesn't get much attention.

Anyway, it sure looks like Washington wins with the "under the radar" places. Sounds like I need to be planning a few weeks of brewery visiting.

 

I wish their bathroom was less foul. :\

 

And, as long as you're in Anacortes, jump on the ferry out to Orcas Island and visit this really under the radar spot: http://www.islandhoppinbrewery.com/

Or, since December is Eagle season on the Skagit River, go the other way out Highway 20 and visit the Washington brewery I know of that's in a yurt: http://birdsviewbrewingcompany.com/

And, while all of these may not be under the radar, after hitting Anacortes/Flyers, take the ferry over to Port Townsend, hit Port Townsend Brewing's tasting room, then work your way down the peninsula. Hood Canal, Sound, Der Blokken, Valholl, Silver City, and probably a couple more I'm forgetting. You could also venture out to Port Angeles and hit up the couple of small brewpubs there, radar would never be able to find them!

 

Spokane

 

Mages mentioned it above but if you find yourself a little North of Seattle, Elliott Bay Pizza in Mill Creek is fantastic! Good food, awesome beers on tap, great staff, and a wonderful atmosphere! They have live music and host brewery nights from time to time that make it all that much more fun.

You will have a blast at any of the places you go to though, just pick one from all the ones listed and have fun!

Cheers!

 

Mages also mentioned this above, but if you are in between Portland and Seattle and need something to eat/drink around Longview, go to Hop-N-Grape. Usually has a pretty good taplist, plus they make some good BBQ. They smoke everything in house. The brisket is my favorite, with a side of their coleslaw and pepperjack mac & cheese. It also has a bottleshop attached, which you can usually find some great beers in there because well, it's Longview, and their stock sticks around a while.

 

How's this for under the radar? A brand new brewery just opened in Bellingham a few days ago. I saw a FB post and thought it was brewery in the planning/building stages. Nope, they're licensed, producing, and serving. I thought I knew what the hell was going on in my own damn town! Welcome to Bellingham, Aslan Brewing! https://www.facebook.com/AslanBrewingCompany?fref=ts

 

Jees Terry, If we can't depend on you to keep us informed on what's going on up there who can we depend on?
Get with the program!
Good news. Another roadtrip that direction is long overdue.