Visiting Seattle (Winter 2017 Update)

I've been in Lacey for a little over a year and I still use this thread (and the Portland version) every time I'm in those cities. Thank you to those who keep these threads updated.

 

FWIW, Beveridge Place Pub had an awesome Barrel list yesterday, I suspect stuff would still be on. Beers from Aslan, Boulevard, Breakside, Deschutes, Holy Mountain, Joseph James, Pfriem, Prearis, Selkirk, Skookum, Two Beers, and Wander.

 

Stopped in at Growler Guys after (yes. wait for it) a run today. Their bottle selection is small and not impressive, and the draft selection doesn't stand up to a lot of our other places around town in terms of hyped beers, but I still like it. Friendly staff, great pricing and a cool space. That Positron sure hit the spot.

I also ran by where The Shambles is gonna be in Maple Leaf. Windows still papered over but there's a notice on the door. Hopefully they open up soon.

 

Could be that Seattle represents a new list of local distributors for GG, and they're toward the back of a long line of venues looking for special beers. Dunno if the buyer for that location is in Seattle or Bend.

 

Yeah, plus being a new open, they're not gonna get the cetaceans right of the bat. BTW, do the GGs in OR order from a central location, does each store do their own ordering, or kind of an "area" set-up?

 

I scanned the article on this website about the best new breweries of 2016 and saw Perihelion. I hadn't heard of them, nor do I think I've ever seen a reference to them in this forum. Anybody been? Thoughts?

 

My understanding is that Dolly at HQ orders for most locations if not all but one. The manager of the Bend Westside location does her own ordering; I thought she was the only exception but there may be others, or it may have changed since I heard that. Basically, I know very little and have nothing specific to contribute.

 

I read that article. My response was "WHAT? WHY?"

The food there is good. The beer is not.

That could explain why there's a bunch of Bend breweries always represented at the Seattle store.

 

Big Al's is closing up shop this Saturday. I used to spend a lot of time with some friends who used to live down on Delridge.

 

Big Al Brewing?

EDIT: Yup, just checked FB. Saturday will be their last day. It's a shame. I like Al, and I liked his beers. His Time Capsule series were some of the most interesting beers I had last year. This sucks.

 

Lagunitas is open to the public starting today. Wed-Sun 2-9pm. No beer brewed on site yet, and 21+ until they get their kitchen open later this year.

 

Long time lurker in the NW forum, first time poster. I now get to travel from Chicago to Seattle for work a few times a year & love how you have this thread & info that you keep current.

Background: I'm coming to town next week for a few days on a work trip, staying in SODO, have a car, but am not looking to drive more than ~30 minutes each way. In prior trips I've been to Fremont, Holy Mountain, Cloudburst & Schooner Exact as well as The Pine Box & Collins Pub. I usually bring a few bombers back to Chicago with me, either from Fremont or HM. I'm definitely hitting Seapine this trip & Fremont for some Phantom Chair cans/crowler (and BBOMB bottles if any are left at the UBG).

Questions: I haven't been to a bottle shop yet & would like to this trip. Between Chuck's CD, Beer Junction & Bottleworks which would be your recommendation if I only go to one? I'm open on style, looking for fresh PacNW offerings either in bomber or crowler I can fly back with. If any of the bottle shops carry Belgian beers & would have Tilquin or 3F geuze that would be a bonus.

Other question - if there are two or three "can't miss/must try" beer-centric restaurants or bars from the list in this thread that you would recommend for a dinner one of the nights what would those be?

thanks!

 

For bottle shops I'd do Chucks or Beer Junction and skip Bottleworks. BW has a great selection of bottles, but they don't do crowlers like Chucks and BJ. I'd look at the taplists for the two Chucks locations and go to the one you like more. I'd also recommend getting some Intergalactic Hop Shop cans if Chucks still has them.

 

Which seems odd. IIRC, the requirement to sell food has been modified, and even then, only applied to places that served spirits. Do they have a full bar there? FWIW, you can get around the food requirement merely by carrying frozen dinners.

 

thanks!

 

You should also download the Brew Notice app. It covers a great deal of the bars/taprooms around Seattle and is constantly being updated.

 

I think it depends on whether your priority is the beer or the food.

I'd highly recommend The Masonry, near Seattle Center. They've got a limited menu of quite good food, but they're not the spot for a multicourse gourmet dinner. They've got creative wood fired pizzas, some good salads, and a few other dishes (clams in beer, e.g.).

The beer list is focused, but excellent. 14 taps for beer, and a couple of ciders. Last night when we were there, it was heavily focused on saisons, sours, and the like. One DeGarde, about five from Holy Mountain, a terrific Rodenbach Vintage, some other Belgians. They change up their list quite a bit, so you might want to check their website ahead of time and review the menu there. Last night, it wouldn't have been the spot if you were in the mood for choosing among a bunch of stouts or other dark beers (although they did have Abyss), nor were there many IPAs to choose from. On another visit, it could be quite different. Regardless of the emphasis, it will be an interesting list.

If you want a fancier meal, look elsewhere.

 

Thanks, I appreciate the recommendation. Looks like The Masonry isn't too far from Fremont or HM. Definitely not looking for any place fancy, so this should work well.