Getting to Know Seattle

Hey all,

Just starting to settle in here and had a few questions for the locals.

1. So, I have hit up half the breweries in Ballard. The concentration of breweries is amazing, I did not realize that before I moved here. Any RBians interested in doing the Full Monty and brewery crawling across all 10 spots?

2. I have visited 7 different brewpubs/breweries so far in town and my favorite are Hale’s and Pike at the moment (the others: Spinnaker Bay, Bad Jimmy’s, Stoup, Populux, Maritime). Am I an out of touch? The new hip places are fun but the beer is either singularly minded (hops) or sometimes boring and bad. I know Hale’s or Pike don’t blow anyone out of the water but they seem to make very solid beers.

3. Seafood! Where do I go for good (and affordable) Seattle seafood, especially oysters.

4. What else should I do in Seattle that isn’t beer or nature related?

5. Beer festivals. Any must-do fests here in town? I would love to do Oregon Brewers fest next summer and have wanted to do it for a while now. Anything nearly similar or worthwhile in Seattle?

6. Anyone want to do a mid week meet up at a bar or tasting at my place next week?

crickets?

1. I’m game.

2. Fremont and Reuben’s are two of my favorites.

3. I’ll defer to others, because I usually just end up at Ray’s when I’m feeling seafood.

4. What kind of stuff do you like to do?

5. Great Pumpkin beer fest is pretty great. seattle international beerfest is also nice (beer list is online; the VIP option or whatever they call it is worth it). Fresh hop festival in Yakima is fun. You’ve already missed the washington brewers fest, but I hear that one is great.

6. Yes and/or yes!

I liked the underground tour when I was visiting. Elysian and Diamond Knot were my favourite brewpubs but it’s changed quite a bit since I was last there. What are you doing out there?

If I remember correctly, you ended up finding a place on the south side of the city, right? I’m in Beacon Hill. We should meet up at Tippe & Drague for beers sometime soon and I’d be happy to chat about the city & beer scene.
Geoff

Come visit Portland!

If you’re an oyster lover then you need to go to The Walrus and the Carpentar. Absolutely phenomenal and make sure to go to their progressive happpy hour for the best prices.

For best breweries in and around Seattle I’d recommend Fremont, Black Raven, Reuben’s, and Elysian has killer beers in their Tangletown location.

For festivals we have a killer lineup during Seattle Beer Week (middle of May) and Brouwer’s Cafe has phenomenal festivals throughout the year. Hopfesy is in September, December has Bigwoog (BA and sour beers), and during SBW they do the best Sourfest ever, Barleywine fest called Hard Liver, and Back in Black Stout fest with a bunch of other fun ones as well. Also in a few weeks is SIB (seattle international beerfest) which is fun as well.

Definitely could meet up for a drink sometime.

Cheers
Ryan

1. I could hit up the Ballard spots. Georgetown and South Park/Industrial District are lousy with breweries as well.

2. Hale’s and Pike are legit for sure, good QA and good ingredients. They both make some nice specials when the spirit moves. Agree with Chris--Fremont and Reuben’s are the champs in Fremont/Ballard. Big Time is showing well lately, and Holy Mountain will be very good when they’re up and running.

3. For affordable oysters and other seafood, you gotta check out Taylor Shellfish Market. They provide oysters to most of the better seafood restaurants in town. You get the same oysters, maybe a day fresher, probably half the price. Lots of cool specialty food shops share space with TSM. Calf and Kid in there has amazing cheese--only place in town with Stichelton.

4. Make sure to hit Seattle Art Museum, Frye Gallery, comb the Pike Place Market, survey some good coffee places (Vivace, Stumptown, Fonte, Lighthouse, et al), rent kayaks at Agua Verde, ride bikes on the Burke Gilman out to Redhook Woodinville (other breweries on the way), take a ferry over the water (check out Poulsbo and/or Port Townsend), drive up Chuckanut Drive to Bellingham.

5. +1 Seattle Beer Week
+1 Brouwer’s Festivals
Washington Cask Beer Fest
Washington Winter Beer Fest
Seattle International Beer Fest

6. Mid week can be tough for me depending on work but I do need to get out more

Originally posted by JoeMcPhee
I liked the underground tour when I was visiting. Elysian and Diamond Knot were my favourite brewpubs but it’s changed quite a bit since I was last there. What are you doing out there?

Originally posted by glkaiser
If I remember correctly, you ended up finding a place on the south side of the city, right? I’m in Beacon Hill. We should meet up at Tippe & Drague for beers sometime soon and I’d be happy to chat about the city & beer scene.
Geoff

Originally posted by douglas88
Come visit Portland!