Can someone recommend me some great NW brews?

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by TEC, Mar 26, 2016.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 1 of 2
  1. TEC

    TEC Initiate (0) Mar 26, 2016 Washington

    I'm a noob to this, and I've only tried a handful (10 at the most) of NW craft brews. I've been really impressed with two so far Narrows Brewing (Tacoma WA) and American Brewing (Edmonds). Not so impressed with the rest (won't mention them, everyone has got their tastes).

    I'm also particularly interested in trying some good lagers, pilsners, and stouts.
     
    #1 TEC, Mar 26, 2016
  2. TreeBear

    TreeBear Initiate (0) May 29, 2014 Oregon

    My advice when you go to a bar order something local that you haven't tried. There are tons of very good breweries in the pnw. Figure out what you like and what you don't. Experience the beers for yourself. Go to the local breweries and order a flight. This is a great way to experience a variety of beers.
     
    #2 TreeBear, Mar 26, 2016
    Aestro, balto22, BBThunderbolt and 1 other person like this.
  3. mudbug

    mudbug Pooh-Bah (1,762) Mar 27, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    #3 mudbug, Mar 26, 2016
    BBThunderbolt and TEC like this.
  4. TEC

    TEC Initiate (0) Mar 26, 2016 Washington

    I am in Aberdeen (stop laughing, I know its the armpit of the PCNW) and we haven't got many local breweries around here - I think we have two in Westport, and I plan on checking them out soon. Bars - not much here. We have one that is craft beer oriented in Aberdeen that is populated by local politicians, business leaders, and other boneheads and I would rather be hate f8888'd by chainsaw than hang with them. There is another in Hoquiam, but I see too many lifted Ford and Dodge diesels in the parking lot for me to want to risk it.

    Any recommendations in the Oly area?
     
    #4 TEC, Mar 26, 2016
    woemad and BBThunderbolt like this.
  5. BuckeyeOne

    BuckeyeOne Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2008 Washington

    Wow, I have say, @TEC, you're coming off as a total douche. I don't have any recommendations for you since I'm not sure if you'd have a problem with the class of people who'd drink what I recommend.

    Good luck, dude.
     
    #5 BuckeyeOne, Mar 26, 2016
    BeersAndBears, chinochino, BBThunderbolt and 1 other person like this.
  6. TEC

    TEC Initiate (0) Mar 26, 2016 Washington

    Have you been to Aberdeen? Do you want to rub shoulders with the people that run this place? My guess is that you probably drive through it on your way to the beach. And the guys with the jacked up diesels spend quality time "rolling the coal" on old ladies when they are forced to stop at red lights for them. So forgive me for sounding like a douchebag if I don't care to spend quality time with people like this. I'm not an elitist, just saying that my pickings are a little slim as far as bars go in my neck of the woods.
     
    #6 TEC, Mar 26, 2016
    kemoarps likes this.
  7. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Since tastes are subjective, don't be afraid to tell us which beers you didn't like. It will help us make better recommendations, and as long as you avoid bashing the breweries there's no reason for hard feelings; they just didn't float your boat.

    I'm not the one to give recommendations on pilsners or other lagers, but hopefully there are some cans of Fremont Dark Star in your local supermarket cooler. Heck, if you're at 10 NW beers, Obsidian Stout is a great one that should be easy to find.
     
    #7 sharpski, Mar 27, 2016
    BBThunderbolt, TEC and kemoarps like this.
  8. TheBungyo

    TheBungyo Pooh-Bah (2,037) Dec 1, 2004 Washington
    Pooh-Bah

    Head to Olympia and check out the Eastside Tavern. I haven't been there myself (long haul from Seattle) but I've heard from many people I trust that it's legit. Also check out 3 Magnets, which is in Olympia as well.
     
    #8 TheBungyo, Mar 27, 2016
    BBThunderbolt and TEC like this.
  9. Erik-P

    Erik-P Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2013 Canada (BC)

    fish brewing in olympia had a few nice beers when i stopped in!
     
    #9 Erik-P, Mar 27, 2016
  10. kemoarps

    kemoarps Grand Pooh-Bah (3,256) Apr 30, 2008 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've not been to the brewery itself but the few bottles I've found up here of Three Magnets' stuff has been pretty damn tasty and they're Olympia based
     
    #10 kemoarps, Mar 27, 2016
    EdwardAbbey, woemad, BBThunderbolt and 2 others like this.
  11. TEC

    TEC Initiate (0) Mar 26, 2016 Washington


    I definitely will not bash a brewery, everyone has their own tastes for sure.
    As far as the stores go around here the pickings are pretty slim. Most are IPA's, and they are pretty repetitive from store to store. I did luck out and find a couple of beers made by Firestone, and a nice oatmeal stout made by American Brewing, but no lagers or pilsners at all.
     
    #11 TEC, Mar 27, 2016
    woemad and BBThunderbolt like this.
  12. SeaAle

    SeaAle Maven (1,381) Jun 24, 2012 Oregon

    Silver City make some pretty good seasonal lagers. Cold One Pilsner has been out and Ziggy Zoggy will be soon out for spring and summer. Both available in 12oz cans. I would think Silver City would distribute in Aberdeen, for sure in Olympia.
     
    #12 SeaAle, Mar 27, 2016
    Ninjakillzu, woemad and BBThunderbolt like this.
  13. grainbillxs

    grainbillxs Devotee (310) Dec 22, 2004 Washington

    Leavenworth premium lager is legit, brewed by Fish in Oly, and available in cans. Fish has good distribution throughout Grays Harbor county.
     
    #13 grainbillxs, Mar 28, 2016
    66jzmstr and woemad like this.
  14. woemad

    woemad Grand Pooh-Bah (5,601) Jun 8, 2003 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Second the Eastside. Fish is okay, though I wasn't a fan of their pils last time I was there. Also check out Gravity in Oly. Haven't managed to stop by when they're open, but I imagine you'll be able to find something to your liking. There's always Total Wine, too.
     
    #14 woemad, Mar 28, 2016
  15. maltmaster420

    maltmaster420 Initiate (0) Aug 17, 2005 Oregon

    If you're up for a little road trip, Astoria is only like 90 minutes away. Between Buoy, Fort George, and Astoria Brewing there's plenty of good stuff. There's also a Growler Guys location and a bottleshop/taproom called Hondo's that will both have a variety of beers not available in Washington.
     
    #15 maltmaster420, Mar 28, 2016
    woemad, BBThunderbolt, sharpski and 2 others like this.
  16. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Or, he could shoot over to Dick's Brewing and Smokehouse in Centralia. Then there's a brewery and a small bottle shop down in Kelso/Longview. With a bit of effort, OP has options.
     
    #16 BBThunderbolt, Mar 28, 2016
    ballardbeer and woemad like this.
  17. maltmaster420

    maltmaster420 Initiate (0) Aug 17, 2005 Oregon

    Definitely. Hell, Oly is only 45 minutes away right? I was just tossing out Astoria because I know there's a bunch of stuff available there that isn't readily available north of the river.
     
    #17 maltmaster420, Mar 28, 2016
    TheBungyo, woemad and BBThunderbolt like this.
  18. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    One of my best friends here in town is originally from The 'Deen, and he's so happy to be out. He gets sad when he has to had down to visit the folks. He's taken to catching a ferry across to the peninsula, and making stops at some of those breweries to stock up on his way down.
     
    #18 BBThunderbolt, Mar 28, 2016
    woemad likes this.
  19. TheBungyo

    TheBungyo Pooh-Bah (2,037) Dec 1, 2004 Washington
    Pooh-Bah

    Astoria is a great suggestion. Having just arrived home after three nights there, I can state with confidence that between Buoy and Fort George, I'd be very happy to live there. Guess that's why I make that trip every several months.
     
    #19 TheBungyo, Mar 29, 2016
    checktherhyme, woemad, vurt and 1 other person like this.
  20. woemad

    woemad Grand Pooh-Bah (5,601) Jun 8, 2003 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I almost got moved to Hoquideen while in middle school. Really glad that didn't happen.
     
    #20 woemad, Mar 29, 2016
    BBThunderbolt likes this.
Page 1 of 2
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.