Ballard (Seattle) Brewery Crawl - Advice

The saison is canned, but I'm pretty sure ESB hasn't been canned. If it is, I've been living a lie...

 

Have fun - I know folks who have managed to visit all 10 (11?) in a single crawl.

 

There were 10, now 9 after Urban Family moved, will be 10 again when Lucky Envelope opens. If you feel up to it you could add Outlander to the list, but that is very much in Fremont.

 

I was lumping in Holy Mountain, but you cannot walk there. So, 9 it is then.

 

I have walked back from Holy Mountain fwiw.

 

I have a soft spot for that place - probably the alpine themes that permeate the space and beer names, but that barrel aged double red is pretty nice and so are some others.

I used to like Hilliards quite a bit more - their space is definitely great. The boombox ipa is awful. For years they swore they would never make an ipa - they sold out on that and did a pretty poor job. It's canned now too - the awesome graphic design is going to result in a lot of disappointed purchasers.

 

Cuz Hilliards kinda suuuuuucks. Like if they were a brewery in North Dakota, they'd be the best in the state. But in Seattle? Pretty weak stuff in general.

 

I also feel bad for the last kid to be picked for the kickball team. The kid might suck at kickball, but he still has feelings.

 

I wouldn't feel too sad for Hilliards as I'm sure they're still making plenty of profit, as are most other mediocre WA breweries. Recession proof!

 

I would do Stoup to Reubens, then Noble Fir (I know, beer bar not brewery but whatever) hop in an Uber to Fremont, swing by Brouwers (another beer bar), Uber to HM, Uber/walk to Masonry for dinner and a final beer.