Recommended Breweries to Visit in Seattle

Well I've consistently had some incredibly bad experiences at the downtown Rock Bottom. My advice would be to avoid the hell out of the place. Plus, every beer you drink there you're missing out on the best stuff here that travels almost nowhere else.

I'd second Fremont. Since they don't serve food my suggestion would be to stop at Paseo (fantastic sandwiches, google them), grab some grub, then head to Fremont. You'd have to do this on a Saturday since the Fremont Paseo is closed on Sunday.

On Sunday head to Reuben's. Have a few beers then head over to The Jolly Roger Taproom for food. It's only about 4 blocks away and they make delicious pub grub and my favorite onion rings ever.

Edit to add: Paseo is small, so grab your sandwiches to go and eat them at Fremont. Definitely say yes when they ask if you want napkins.

 

If you decide on Paseo, do yourself a favor and call your order in advance. You'll thank me, as there's almost always a long line, and you'll be able to bypass that and pick up your order at the counter.

 

Head over to paseo in Fremont and grab a prawn sandwich, spicy, then drop down the hill to Fremont brewing for a couple of pints with lunch on the outdoor patio. Next walk across the street for a pint at Odin and finish off Fremont with a walk over to uplander brewing. Next, shoot over to Ballard for the trifecta of, Reuben's, Stoups and Populuxe. Once this is complete it will time for more food so walk over to Ballard ave and hit la carte de oaxaca for killer mex. Cap the night off, across with a nightcap at the noble fir.

 

You guys left out Pyramid?

 

I'm headed to Diamond Knot in Mukliteo and NW Peaks in Ballard! Maybe else where... just some ideas I had this weekend. Maybe I'll see ya out! Good luck brother!

 

PS if you see me out I'll buy you a beer, you just have figure out which person I am!

**hint, Yell, Donk and I might respond!**

 

When was the last time you've been there? It's probably changed since you've last been there. The menu has been reduced significantly and, if you eliminate the obviously vegetarian/vegan items, the food is only slightly better than pub grub. Also, I do have a different opinion of their beer. It's only slightly better than meh and now their beer menu is completely dominated by their own brews, which is fine for them. Unfortunately IMHO, their beers just aren't that great.

If you want suggestions on par with Naked City, I would send someone to one of the Elliott Bay locations. The beer is about the same quality as Naked City and they have about the same number of guest beers, but the food is significantly better.

 

Agree w/ @BuckeyeOne, in case OP is still in town and looking for places to go. We go to Lake City Elliott Bay fairly regularly (my wife doesn't like it so much because it's usually pretty loud in there, as she's kind of sensitive to noise). Food is good and prices are reasonable, always a few guest taps and something on cask. Service is good, space is comfortable. If Fremont found a similar space and put together a similar menu (not that I get any sense that they're interested in doing this)... well, one can dream...

 

I forgot to mention the differences in service. Our service experiences as a family at Naked City has been just OK to really poor. We have had service staff forget about our table, we've been served the wrong food and beers, and it's just slow. I know I've been hatin' on Naked City but I really wanted them to be so much better. Our family won't return.

With that said, I've had really good service when I've gone in alone and sat at the bar. It's at the tables that we've had such really poor service.

 

@ahking, please post here to let us know how your visit went. It's always interesting to hear an outsider's perspective.

 

I hope Fremont never does this. I love the open communal vibe in there as it is. Food would just change it too much.

Also, if you have time, go to Reubens. They've still got Crikey, Blimey and Full Mont on tap right now.

 

Comment was made in a "perfect world, unlimited space, unlimited resources" frame of mind. Keep the UBG, keep the interior table space, just add some booths and a food menu. I know all of this isn't possible at their present location, even if they wanted to do it, which they probably don't. I'd just rather have the option to order something to eat right there, rather than go foraging for food elsewhere nearby after having a couple beers, especially since when we do go to Fremont it's usually a weekend afternoon and we're there with friends, who also bring their kids along, etc. Which means there's usually an hour wait (or more) anywhere you want to eat once you get there, given that we're a party of six or eight. Would just be convenient to stay put and order some food right there, but again I understand that's probably not something Fremont has any interest in getting involved in.

 

I always bring food with me before the drinking of beers commences.

 

I'm not much of a planner and, being almost 45 now, I don't see that changing. I'd much rather that the brewery completely renovate its entire space, hire cooks and wait staff, and develop a tasty menu for my personal convenience.