Ballard (Seattle) Brewery Crawl - Advice

No real advice to share other than go to Reuben's (others will have better info), but I did just see a guy the other day wearing a T-shirt that read something like "Ballard: Seattle's Brewery District"

Oh, and I just found this pretty recent article that might help.

 

Reuben's brews for sure and Stoup to me offer the best tasting brews. I like being surrounded by active tanks at Reubens while I sit and drink their amazing beers.

Edit: @draheim beat me

 

To answer your 2nd question, Holy Mountain. Cheap UBER from ballard, or a very easy and direct ride on the D Line

 

Holy Mountain isn't too far from Ballard, right?

 

Just a little ways south of the Ballard Bridge. Technically Interbay/Magnolia (actually, maybe lower Queen Anne) but yes, relatively close.

 

And if you got to Holy Mountain (I agree it isn't too far away) and it is still on tap, try their limited Celestial Lineage (an Imperial Rye Milk Stout)

 

OK, I see now far south HM is. I associate Interbay with the area further north by Dravus. Probably still qualifies for OP's 2nd question, though.

 

Make sure to get a taste of Fremont Summer Ale while in town too. If you like that sort of thing (I do).

 

I'd start at the excellent Holy Mountain, then head to Reuben's (probably too far to walk but Holy Mountain is a must visit). Both of those breweries brew so many great beers you could easily make a night of just those two. But if you want more ... maybe walk over to Stoup. For some food you could finish the night over at The Jolly Roger, which has some of my all time favorite pub grub (and usually something tasty on cask). Their sliders are drool inducing and onion rings are maybe my favorite onion rings of all time.

Shit, now I'm really hungry.

 

I wouldn't have recommended nw peaks six months ago, but ever since they took over the two bit saloon they have really stepped up their game

 

Reuben's ---> Stoup ---> Populuxe ---> Jolly Roger/Maritime Pacific.

And although you've probably been to Brouwer's, their 10th Anniversary Celebration is on Saturday night, 3/28.

 

Nobody talks about Hilliards anymore. I feel kind of bad for the 200+ Washington breweries that didn't make it into the cool club.

 

Nobody really talks about anyone other than Fremont, Holy Mountain, Reubens, Black Raven and Bale Breaker.

 

Somebody's talking about Georgetown and Mac and Jack's, obviously...just not us nerds.

 

I personally think Hilliard's still has the best atmosphere/space. And if they canned their ESB (extra special belgian), I would buy it all the time.

 

I know. That is a hell of a lot of beer to not be talking about.

 

Well yeah, but I was talking about us weirdos.

 

I agree that Reuben's is a must visit. I'd say Reuben's & Stoup for sure, grab some food at the Jolly Roger (Maritime's Tap Room... their Islander Pale Ale Dry-Hopped is still one of my favorites!). From their you could go into Fremont and check out the SixGill (great beer bar from the same people that own/operate Noble Fir in Ballard). And if you did that then you could check out the recently renovated Fremont Urban Beer Garden at their brewery (not sure how long ago you were in Seattle) they have a nice new Hopply Pilsner and a new Imperial IPA called Spring Elixir among other brewery only releases.

I'd make sure you hit Reuben's, Fremont again (as they always have unique stuff in their taproom) and Holy Mountain as well... then sprinkle in a few of the other spots.

 

It's been a while since I've looked at Hilliards cans, but I thought that the ESB was in cans? I seem to remember buying cans of it, but I drink, so.....