There has never been a better time to be a craft beer lover in Seattle. The scene is really booming, with dozens of breweries around the city constantly introducing new flavors to the already extensive list of tasting options. Those very same breweries have also transformed our community, becoming a sort of gathering place for fellowship among friends and neighbors. There’s no question that craft beer has become an integral part of our city’s anatomy.
So, as you roam Seattle on a craft beer tasting spree, you’ll undoubtedly want to stop by every one of our local breweries, and you won’t hear any argument from us. They are all exceptional, but we recommend that you start with these three:
Populuxe Brewing
826B NW 49th Street, Seattle, WA 98107
Populuxe has something to suit any taste. Their lineup includes nine unique flavors at any given time, which are rotated regularly. On tap, visitors will find a nice variety, always consisting of something malty, something hoppy, something light, and something dark. Seattle Eater suggests trying the Cinderblock CDA, which took home the gold medal in the “American Ales and Black Ales” competition at the 2014 Washington Beer Awards.
The heated outdoor courtyard at Populuxe is decked out with two fire pits and a designated cornhole court, and every Friday and Saturday night, you’ll find some of Seattle’s best local food trucks.
Maritime Pacific Brewing
1111 NW Ballard Way, Seattle, WA 98107
In a city where new craft brewing companies seem to be popping up almost weekly, some of the oldest and most seasoned brewers have become something of a treasured secret among the locals. Maritime Pacific Brewing is a small, family-owned operation that has been at it for over 25 years, and they are still producing some of the best craft beers in Seattle. In fact, one of the city’s most popular winter seasonals, Jolly Roger Christmas Ale, will be released again soon for the 2015 holiday season.
The winter ale’s namesake, Jolly Roger Taproom, at Maritime Pacific Brewing is the epitome of a classic pub atmosphere. When you visit, you’ll find a selection of 14 beers on tap, including cask-conditioned ales drawn on 3 genuine English beer engines. They also offer a full lunch and dinner menu, which incorporates many of the flavors of their best-selling beers.
Ghostfish Brewing Company
2942 1st Avenue, Seattle, WA 98134
Ghostfish Brewing Company is an easy favorite for craft beer in Seattle. Their selection of gluten-free beers and the pet-friendly atmosphere of their taproom are just the beginning of why they are such a special part of the craft beer scene in Seattle.
Ghostfish left quite the impression on the 2015 Great American Beer Festival, taking home two of the top three awards in the gluten-free beer category. To get a taste of that award-winning flavor, stop by and order their Grapefruit IPA (bronze medal winner) or their Watchstander Stout (gold medal winner). To catch pub trivia, plan your visit for a Tuesday, and for live music, swing by on a Thursday.
Regardless of your tastes, though, any night of the week is a good night for craft beer in Seattle. Our beer culture is vibrant and robust, and our breweries are a welcoming home-away-from-home. Make a point to experience all of it for yourself.
