Visiting Seattle (Fall 2015 Update)

Lines for Holy Mountain sours (and maybe BA stouts) will probably continue to be a thing unless they can up production. As long you show up before the brewery opens, you're fine.

Releases for their farmhouse stuff has been super chill, though.

 

No plans to up production. We have a lot of barrels filled. Things will be ready when they are ready. Stouts coming soon. Same goes for those.

 

This was covered in the Reality Check thread. Change isn't always for the worse. Trust me, we're not trying to screw with any "scene". People have different takes of what their scene is.

 

I hope my comments about the lines at Holy Mountain aren't viewed as being negative or complaining. It's just an interesting oddity in the PNW (and based on the pictures I saw of the Darkness release this year, nothing to be bothered by). Honestly, it means they're making good beer if that many people are showing up for bottle releases.

 

Not at all! Seriously, we appreciate constructive feedback. As someone who has waited in some terrible lines for beer in the past, trust me when I say we're working on it.

 

The Kane thread was pretty entertaining! To purchase three CC BBombs after work today I endured a half dozen people chatting quietly over beers after work, a couple of kids playing, and one person in line ahead of me.

 

1) Chuck's CD is almost as much a bar as a bottleshop. Lots of seating, tons of stuff on tap, and lots of people who go there to drink, not just to get bottles. I realize that there are quite a few bottleshops that also serve, but it's not nearly as congenial to drink at say Bottleworks or Beer Junction, which are both pretty cramped, as it is at Chuck's CD. Out of towners might see Chuck's as just a place to buy bottles, and miss the distinction. Maybe you need a category of "bottleshops that are fun to drink at" or "bars that you can buy a lot of bottles at", or an asterisk, or something.

2) Super Deli Mart in West Seattle should make the bottleshop list. Yes, they are quirky, but they have an excellent selection of bottles, and often have the scarce stuff longer than other places in town.

3) Red Papaya near the Center seems to get no attention. Only @cherche and myself have reviewed it, and he didn't like the service. (I've been there maybe eight times and always had good service.) It's got a beer menu that's first rate, and decent Vietnamese food. It would certainly be a restaurant that I would recommend to someone looking for good food and exceptional beer. I'd go there ahead of Mammoth, and it's a close call with The Masonry. Maybe you don't want to put it on the list until it gets more reviews, but I'll put in a plug for others to go there, check it out, and weigh in with your own opinions by reviewing it.

 

If Naked City is "other highly recommended", then it seems a case could be made for basically every other brewery in town. I entertain a lot of out-of-towners, and that would never make the list.

Quinn's for beer-centric restaurants? Certainly Bramling Cross should replace, or at least supplement Chippy's at this point

 

I continue to like the high-quality beers at Hale's Brewery on Leary Way, between Ballard and Fremont. Hale's usually has a few cask conditioned taps, and their regular stuff is well made, well balanced, and tasty. The food is good, too.

The ever-increasing # of Ballard Beer Grotto small breweries have some good stuff, too. Lucky Envelope works for me right now. I wish more of them would get a restaurant license and make visits nicer. Yes, food trucks are cool, but sometimes they are hit or miss.

 

Urban Family should be at least highly recommended.

 

So no Stogies n Hops being added then?

 

Hey, laugh as you may, but Seattle has quite a few grocery stores that continue to get good selections on occasion. I.E., Whole Foods, PCC, Central Market (Shoreline), Thriftway, Metro Market, QFC (couple locations), Fred Meyer (sp), etc.

Also, love me some Chucks on 85th. BUT, the children /stroller takeovers get quite interesting sometimes (screaming, crying, running, jumping, dog barking, etc) Ha.

 

Has anyone been to Hops & Props at the Museum of Flight in past years? I received tickets as a Christmas present, but can't find too much info about the event online. Can anyone comment on the breweries that have been there previously? Or in general comments about the event?

 

Here's a local beer blogger's recap from a few years ago: http://www.washingtonbeerblog.com/hops-props-beer-festival-roundup-pictures/. As he states, this festival isn't about rarities or super geeky beers, but if you're coming from Minnesota I'm sure there will be more new-to-you good beer than you can drink.

 

Only the most awesome beerfest ever. Catered, generous pours, lots of cool airplanes to look at. Lucky bastard. Those tix are near impossible to get.

 

Awesome! Thank you @beertunes & @sharpski

Yes, I am coming from Minnesota and very excited to try out some new breweries. Rarities or flagship brews, I haven't had a whole lot of beer from the PNW. Really looking forward to this trip!