Hector’s Big Birthday Tour – Seattle WA, The First Four Nights

2024 photo

Thursday, May 7^th, 2026

It is two years to the day, allowing for time differences in the recording medium, since Marg and Hector visited Alcatraz, San Francisco CA, Hector has once again headed across to the West Coast of the USA. This time in the company of Dr. Stan, and having started from Glasgow, not Honolulu. In 2018, it was Dr. Stan’s Big Birthday Tour, this year similarly belongs to Hector. 2018 coincidentally began by flying to San Francisco, this time Seattle WA is the focal point: two sets of four nights split with four nights in Portland OR. We shall be joined in Portland OR by Prof. G who also flew west today, but only as far as New York NY. He too is on a mission to visit some of the finest breweries that Dr. Stan and Hector have already visited, plus some of his own choosing. Fidens Brewing Company (Albany NY) is very much an objective for him. Whilst Marg and Hector may squeeze in a further NY trip in a couple of years, we all know that, unexpected windfalls excepted, this is our swansong as far as visiting the finest breweries in Washington and Oregon is concerned. Too far, and Business Class makes the nine hour flight bearable.

With the BA Lounge out of action, a hearty breakfast was taken at Glasgow Airport’s Lomond Lounge. Been here before in a different guise before the northern extension added more options. Following Mr. O’Leary’s proposed strict guidelines, we did not have six pints before boarding the 11.25 to Heathrow.

On the rare occasions I fly with BA, I always decline their miserable pretzels. Today, meal options, and served with proper cutlery, none of this wooden nonsense. The Salad, accompanied by Champagne was food and drink I did not need.

More Champagne, sir?

What did she think I am, it had just gone noon.

No needless second security check at Heathrow, straight up to the BA Lounge, which prior experience has demonstrated it to be stowed, constantly. Soft Drinks only, and the cheapest of green olives. Could have had more Champagne, many did.

Boarding the 16.30 to Seattle WA was no different than the waiting around on a Ryan Air/ easyJet flight. What awaited aboard the ‘plane was something else.

Champagne, sir?

The power sockets took a while to engage, I brought my own entertainment, just in case. The movie selection was not inspiring. If I have seen Polanski’s Chinatown before, it was fifty years ago. Deja Vu with Denzel, I knew I had seen already.

Two movies on a nine hour flight, dinner took two hours. By the time I had eaten three courses, stuffed. Chicken Tikka Pie, this belongs in another Blog.

Dr. Stan, sitting in the adjacent aisle, was served way more red wine than Hector, but a rather insipid Bloody Mary had come my way.

The second meal was passed up. In 2018, I missed out on a meal because I hadn’t realised two were on offer, and so only arranged one.

Most of our flight was over land. Iceland loomed two hours after take-off, yes we flew over Glasgow. Greenland, featureless, then Canada, a straight line on the map, because, as we all know, the Earth is flat.

What about RTW-80, Hector?

Oops.

Thirty minutes at Sea Tac waiting for our luggage. At least ours arrived, Paddy Air left Prof. G’s in Dublin. Meanwhile, we watched the queue, to wait to join the passport control queue, not move. Once we were in it, twenty minutes to get into the main snake, a further thirty to present our finger prints.

Nice chap, welcoming, unlike Newark NJ. Actually Honolulu HI was fine as was San Francisco CA. And after the time spent in line at Poznan earlier this year, and Lisboa last, this is where we are at. Getting out of Sea Tac in ninety minutes, reasonable, but then there was the walk through the car park to Sea Tac / Airport Station.

Both Dr. Stan and Hector have Senior – Orca – Cards. A quick reload and Green – Line 1 took us north to Westlake. Having cleverly chosen the correct exit at Westlake, the Hector still led us in the opposite direction. Sorted, and up to 8^th Avenue and La Quinta.

The bags were dumped, straight back out, hopefully the last hour at Cloudburst. 21.00 closing, I was sure it was 22.00. The fallback came into play.

Seattle WA is not renowned for its night life. Taprooms are open from noon, some earlier.

In the shadow of the Space Needle, lies TeKu Tavern + Cafe. A Craft Beer Bar, it has everything except a late license on a Thursday Still, 23.00 should do us, or 07.00 as our body clocks would argue.From the outside, TeKu immediately impressed. The long, narrow room had more fridges than any Bier shop ever seen. Drei Fonteinen (België) but no Hanssens.

The bar, two screens, three quarters of them featuring Bier on tap. Three Hazy IPAs, all local, one featuring an interesting collaboration. We had time for three 14oz, US servings.

Having arrived too late for Cloudburst, fitting that we kick off this tour with our favourite Downtown Brewery.

Look How They Shine (Cloudburst Brewing, Seattle WA) at 7.0%, listed as a Hazy IPA, a NEIPA then. Suitably Hazy, but a bit thin for the abv.

The hop flavour was there, but they have brewed better. Hops: Amarillo, Citra, Chinook.

The Bale Breaker Hazy was at the foot of the – Hops – list on the board. Dr. Stan never got that far, he returned with an AIPA.

Retrograde (Bale Breaker, Seattle WA / Maui Brewing Company, Honolulu, HI) at 6.3%, a gold, chill haze possibly mostly clear AIPA. The fruitiness was to the fore. Markedly different from the NEIPA, this almost WCIPA went down very well. The hop list included one never seen before: Citra, Dulcita, and Krush. An honourable mistake.

I took particular delight in informing The Good Doctor that not only had I visited Bale Breaker in 2024, I had also been to Maui Brewing in Honolulu HI. It is directly opposite The Cheesecake Factory. Penny!

Finally and at last orders: Retrograde (Bale Breaker, Seattle WA) at 6.5%, a true NEIPA. With a good haze, better body, this was why we had come to Seattle WA.

Our host gave us a few minutes after 23.00 to enjoy our Bier. We promised to return, but on weekend nights, I know a place open even later.

A block away from TeKu is a 24 hour dive bar – The 5 Point Cafe, time will tell. This evening, Dr. Stan declared himself to be tired. It was 08.00 BST when we called it a day.

The bar visited today:

Teku Tavern + Cafe – 552 Denny Way, Seattle WA 98109

Friday, May 8^th, 2026

The Hector had no issues in getting to sleep. Having had an elegant sufficiency, the body agreed with the mind, better get up. A light breakfast was agreed with Dr. Stan, a big lunch was scheduled.

Breakfast included, else I wouldn’t have bothered. Waffles, syrup etc. are not for me. The coffee, orange juice and yoghurt were of a high quality. What about the Cider? Just add hot water. A sachet or two of this must be taken home.

Dr. Stan went back upstairs for further relaxation, the Hector got busy, these wonderful words do not write themselves.

Having missed the South Lake Union Streetcar at Westlake Hub last night, we found the stop around the corner at Westlake & 9^th – Denny to take us back Downtown. The C Line bus would have been a better option.

Although Chili’s South Indian open at 11.00, Dr. Stan decreed that we should wait a bit before our rendezvous with Anila, Mein Host. Hector had shopping to do, and today was the day with the only opperchancity. Shopping then became priority #1. There is only one Target store in Seattle WA, and none in Portland OR, so extending the collection of the wonderful t-shirts purchased last year in Miami FL was a mission for this trip.

Mission accomplished, we walked down to Pike Place Market. Updating the Seattle WA page prior to setting off, it was hard to believe that Pike Pub, the grandest setting for a microbrewery in this city, had gone.

This is where Dr. Stan and Hector met Scott back in 2018, it was he who took us through the Market and on to Cloudburst. Today is two years to the day since Hector took Marg firstly to Chili’s, then Cloudburst.

Zoltar – featured in the movie – Big. How approriate to have *** Stan pose here. With a Fish Curry very much in mind, the desire was amplified by a chap at the Fish Market handing out samples of smoked salmon.

Curry o’clock was agreed, the 1 Line would whisk us up to University District. Google Maps offered Symphony as a starting point. Why had I never noted its proximity to the heart of Downtown Seattle? Armed with our Senior Orca Cards, we were still valid from our earlier tap on, but did so again, just in case. Two hours for a Dollar or thereabouts, but only for – Honoured Citizens.As ever, the full account of our meal at Chili’s South Indian is posted – here. We promised to return on Sunday.

Back down the 1 Line, alighting at Capitol Hill, a cluster of three breweries never visited previously.

Stoup Brewing – Ballard was the first brewery we encountered on the last day of Dr. Stan’s Big Birthday Trip. Despite residing in Fremont, we left nearby Ballard too late. Hector did not make the same mistake when here with Marg two years ago in RTW-80.

We walked down Broadway from Capitol Hill, and why can I not use the term – Metro – station. Light Train, naw. Half way to Stoup Brewing Capitol Hill lies the Jimi Hendrix statue. Dr. Stan is a big fan, there was a momentary reluctance to have his photo taken. No photos, no concrete memories.

Stoup Brewing Capitol Hill proved to be up to expectations. Modern, bright, spacious, but only one – Hazy.

Sandals & Flannels a Hazy IPA / NEIPA at 7.0% followed the Curry, not Cider as the Hector is prone to do. Just a medium haze, we had to wait quite a time for the promised – tropical & peach – to reveal themselves. In time, the juicy-fruitiness was found, but the thin body did prevent this Bier from be scored too highly. The hops: Cry POP, El Dorado and Mosaic Cryo.

Marg phoned at 15.00. We have agreed that at this time each day, I should be seated. Still on my first Bier, all was well.

Two Biere is the tried and tested model for a tour of breweries. I surprised myself by going dark this early in the day.

Robust Porter at 6.2% was a marked difference. As Black as black can be, this Porter was rich in chocolate flavour, then coffee followed. Not coffee grains, but powdered coffee.

As is often the case in Seattle WA, the next brewery is never too far away.

Elysian Capitol Hill Brewery stands in an imposing building, how many floors are theirs?

On entering, something was not right. Too many people crushed into a small area. How can their Bier be so much better than nearby Stoup, that so many were crammed in here.

Was this in fact a brewery or just a pub? With no sign of brewing plant we marched back out.

This story of Elysian Capitol Hill Brewery does not end here. In my travels I have found Google Maps, particularly in Italia, listing bars as – microbrewery – or – brewpub – when they are just bars. I always put in a challenge and await a response. Kontynuacja – in Wroclaw which is just an outlet for Bier, is not a microbrewery, or even a brewery taproom, yet Google will not change it.

Later this very day, there was a response from Elysian Fields. The Hector stands corrected, a full explanation was given. On updating my comment there was appreciation from the brewery. If all other Bier outlets monitored their nomenclature this well on Google Maps the World wold be a happier place, well, Hector’s World at any rate.

Brewery #2, set in almost a leafy suburb, yet only two blocks back down to Capitol Hill metro. There was no denying that Outer Planet Brewing is a microbrewery. We were both immediately taken by this modest establishment.

There were only a handful of customers, the chap sitting opposite the bar on his laptop turned out to be the brewer. We would engage with him and the chap serving.

The next hour or so was a truly relaxed affair. Comfy seats, though Dr. Stan gave up the settee, it was that time of afternoon.

Just the one NEIPA, and listed as such – Original North Star at 7.6% had the full haze and more viscous body a Bier at this abv should have. A big fruity hit it took me a while to identify mango as the standout flavour. The hops featured: Simcoe, Mosaic and Elani.

The brewer informed us that Elani is the new name for YQH-1320. Elani comes from the nearby Yakima Valley. Washington, Oregon, the source of so many new hops, this is why we came back to Seattle, rater than visit New England once more.

For Bier #2, we went dark once more. 11^th Orbit Dry Irish Stout at 5.3% was a good break between NEIPAs. Neither coffee or chocolate were forthcoming, easy drinking. Why Irish?

It was the barman who was responsible for some quirky sounding music this afternoon. Music that was happily off key. I recommended that he try and find Quiet Sun’s album Mainstream featuring the track – Mummy was an asteroid, daddy was a small non-stick kitchen utensil. Also, I may have found Marg’s xamas present.

Being a brewery light in the schedule, the Hector had a fallback, somewhere at Pike Place Market. Back down on 1 Line a single stop to Westlake. The first time I exited this station with Marg two years ago, and again last night, I observed that all the routes away from this station involve a walk uphill. Westlake sits in a groben-like hollow. With Mt. Rainier meant to be on the horizon, it was too hazy today to see it, tectonic plate activity is therefore possible. Then it clicked, my home city, Glasgow, the landscape must be Drumlins. I did a quick check on ChatGPT, indeed, this is the case. ChatGPT is useful for establishing such things, my go-to in establishing the hops in a Bier when the brewer is not forthcoming, Then there is the occasional bit of fun.

At Pike Place Market, Google Maps once again revealed its major limitation, it cannot do 3D.

Down into the car park we went, out the other side, I had never been down this close to the water’s edge here before. Then the realisation, Old Stove Brewing must lie at the end of the ramp which we had failed to locate. Quite a climb.

Old Stove Brewing was pretty much stowed, lots of people sitting outside in the evening sunshine.

Blue sky, but still no Mt. Rainier. Plenty of space inside, but lots of reserved tables and tables needing cleared. Circuit Breaker, the only Hazy IPA. No abv posted.

As we wandered around the room, contemplating where we could sit, a succession of staff members assured us that if we stood at the dias, someone would attend to us.

We waited, a ridiculous amount of time, to be finally told that there was a thirty minute waiting list. No thank you.

It was only as we left that it became clear, and why were we not told, that the outside seating was not reserved. We could have found a shaded spot. Not impressed.

Getting out of Old Stove Brewing was a simpler affair. Walk along Western Avenue, parallel to Pike Place, behold, Cloudburst.

Cloudburst, because of how we were introduced to it, retains a soft spot, a fond memory. It was 20.00 already. Had we been served at Old Stove, we would have missed out for the second night running. What is this with 21.00 closing?

Having had Look How They Shine at TeKu last night, if there was only time for one, it had to be Beautiful Bouquet at 6.9%.

With the hops clearly listed, a Blogger’s delight: Simcoe, Strata and Cascade. Suitably hazy, this was a bit sharp on the palate. Thin for the abv, the flavours did come in time.

If you don’t ask…

Are you really throwing us all out at 21.00? – I asked the delightful Doris who had served us. For once the answer was favourable in such circumstances.

If half as many people stay, I can stay open another hour.

We were twenty, that should not be a problem. People were still arriving for Takeaway.

This is Boring – was outstaring us from the paper board. If this was not the time for a 9.7% American Imperial Porter, then what was? Dr.Stan made me order it.

This was everything Komes Baltic Porter was found to be not when I had it recently in Poznan. Thick, almost chewy, yet there was no apparent chocolate/coffee. This was simply just a pleasure to drink. No further analysis required.

In the zone us? Going home at 22.00, no way, Pedro!

Around the corner in Belltown lies – Just The Tap. Marg and Hector used this as a late night venue two years back. It is quirky.

Down the long corridor, up to the desk in this – pour your own – establishment. One deposits card details, then is let loose.

We were asked for ID !!!

This made our night and set the tone with Jon, Mein Host, who would spend as much time with us as possible, as did a local who happily engaged us. From my first visit here in 2024, strangers to meet at Just The Tap, meanwhile there was karaoke in the back room. I hope that was karaoke, not a person being paid to sing here this evening.

Dank Wizard (Matchless Brewing, Olympia WA) at 6.5% appeared to be the best starter. A Hazy IPA / NEIPA, this had a proper haze and the classic flavour, just a bit short of the magic blend one still hopes for in every new Bier sampled. The hops: Chinook, Idaho 7, Amarillo.

A second was being considered when Jon drew my attention to what would have to be a – goodnight Bier.

Slurricane (Great Notion, Seattle WA / Equilibrium Brewery, Middletown NY / Humble Sea Brewing, Santa Cruz CA) at a mere 10% was a party in a glass. A Hazy IPA, how modest a description is this, viscous, big body and an intense, sour, mango blast that evoked El Frutto (AleBrowar, Polska). The Hector was certainly happy to have this. The hops: Motueka, Sabro, Galaxy. I may have been keen to mention to anyone nearby that I had been to Motueka.

With Dr. Stan fading, plus the acceptance that it was already tomorrow, we called it a night. Buses still run into the small hours in Seattle WA, but as expected are less frequent. Given the walk was quicker, we did, the Monorail and the Space Needle keeping us on the direct route. Ah, the drumlins.

The breweries, bar and restaurants visited today:

Cloudburst Brewing – 2116 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

Stoup Brewing Capitol Hill – 1158 Broadway, Seattle WA 98122

Outer Planet Brewing – 1812 12th Ave. #100, Seattle WA 98122

Just The Tap Belltown – 90 Blanchard St, Seattle, WA 98121

Chili’s South Indian Cuisine – 4220 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105

Elysian Capitol Hill Brewery – 1221 E Pike Street, Seattle WA 98122

Old Stove Brewing Company – 1901 Western Ave, WA 98101

Saturday, May 9^th, 2026

No Curry-Heute, and so a full breakfast would be a consideration. Having awoken early with the body saying – get up it’s really mid afternoon – the Hector went downstairs to get some writing done. Time passes quickly when Blogging, and so it was quite a surprise when Dr. Stan emerged from the breakfast room just after 10.30 suitably replete. He had assumed that I had already gone down to our inclusive breakfast, the only reason it would ever be considered. Breakfast ended at 10.30, the Hector could not start Bier drinking on an empty stomach.

Today, SoDo, a cluster of three breweries to the south of Downtown Seattle. Normally, the furthest Brewery Taproom is first on the agenda, today, Ghostfish Brewing, because they serve food. Heading at noon, Bus 21 from Thomas Street just off Denny Way, took us Downtown and beyond, almost to the door of Ghostfish.

There were plenty of seats in the outside area, however indoors is always preferred, sun and Bier do not mix. Busy, but some tables were free. Mein Host at the dias advised a ten minute wait, outside please. He took my name then asked for a phone number. He was persuaded otherwise. A few minutes later we were called inside, a table mid room, from there all was visible.

Most bar stools were occupied, Brian, a citizen of this land and former CEO of Bräugier (Berlin) always remarked that he couldn’t get the Germans to sit at a bar at his premises. No problems here. Hopefully the couple sat at the adjacent table were not on a date. He talked audibly and endlessly, about nothing, it’s the American way.

Bir & Fud required.

On this trip, the Hector has abandoned the self-imposed ban on Burgers & Pizza, but why give in so soon? Wings, in the style of Buffalo NY, the acceptable alternative. Dr. Stan, Ghostfish & Chips. I was surprised when – pommes frites – came, not crisps.

The celery, carrot and blue cheese worked well with the chicken Wings. I am looking forward to meeting my friend of 2018, Mr. Jalapeno.

The Bier list had one Hazy only. Unless it was outstanding, this would become a one Bier stop. The Bier was not outstanding, but certainly worthy of being here.

It Came From The Hazy at 6.0% was pale yellow with a moderate haze. Does the title suggest it may have a hazier brother? Featuring El Dorado and Brew 1, the desired hop hit was there. This Bier was on the way to the – magic hop blend.

It was but 1.5 blocks west to the industrial area and Seapine Brewing Company.

A wooden construction, evoking Outlander, which became our local in Fremont back in 2018, there was way more people outside than in. People have habits which require them being outside.

Friendly, welcoming chaps behind the counter, can one decline to tip if they are not?

Rainbow Junior at 5.7% again begged the question, was there a Rainbow Senior? Definitely too early for Rainbow Suspenders, an 8.7% DIPA.

A Hazy Pale, why not just call it a NEIPA, this had more haze than at Ghostfish but lacked the body. In time, the Azacca and Mosaic hops made their presence known, not a disaster then, but not enough to keep us here.

No photos of Dr. Stan yet today. He’ll reach the point where he sees the need for him to be included. I did take the photo of Mt. Rainier, we will not get to see this imposing monster of a volcano until the cloud lifts. Two years ago at this time, the Hector was in shorts, today, the umbrella is at the ready.

A well timed Bus 21 took us to the venue for which the Hector had the highest hopes. On entering Fast Fashion Brewing, the people sitting in the various rooms off the long, featureless corridor gave the impression this could be a shooting den.

The bar area was more lively, I approached the serving Doris:

I believe you have some seriously Hazy Bier here?

She concurred, and expressed a wild enthusiasm about us being here.

Acid Raindrops at 6.3%, a fitting title reflecting the human debris were at the entrance, OK, hysterical females. An IPA / NEIPA this had the full milkshake haze. Smooth, seriously smooth, as Bier can be, the Cascade, Anchovy and Motueka hops were doing a great job. So good, another was decreed, no complaints here.

We had taken a quiet room off, a couple initially sat on the bus seats that were against the wall, Dr. Stan and Hector had a kitchen table. The table suited the rest of the room, a kitchen with a facility off which most visitors would not see.

The piece de resistance was the barber’s chair.

The day was certainly taking off, as ever, time to move on. At the southern end of Downtown, Lowlander Brewing had caught the eye. Could this be an offshoot of the defunct Outlander? Bus 21 took us north once again.

Dusk, a short walk and Lowlander was found, not far from Elysian Fields which we have not visited since 2018. However, with a 21.00 curfew looming, Lowlander would have to do. En route, we passed the transport office where our Senior Orca cards were secured on previous trips to Seattle WA.

Bright, modern, in effect a huge room with Bier storage in the centre of the horseshoe shaped bar. Bar stools appeared to be the best option.

Seven Biere on tap, two of which were from other breweries. Not a list that was going to win any awards in these pages.

We sat, no service, yet a 6.0% service charge. Three staff could be seen through the gaps on the far side, not doing very much. Ah, a QR code was pinned to the bar counter.

I’m not entering all this detail – I announced, I’ll be doing more work that the staff.

I took a walk around the bar and made myself known to a chap who was able to pour Bier for others. I made it clear I was not about to play silly buggers entering my life history and bank details for what would be a one Bier stop. He said he would come, he didn’t.

The Bier list did not excite. Maibock, not strictly why were on this trip, but who knows?
We were on the edge of walking when finally he appeared from another entrance to our side of the bar. The tip would be at the bare minimum, this was not service.

Maibock at 6.0%, low for a Bock. Gold, clear, chewy, the body impressed given the comparatively low abv. Thankfully not sweet as Mahrs and Keesmann (Bamberg, Bayern) became a decade or so back.

Here’s a quote lifted from Lowlander’s own web page:

A 6% service charge will be added to all orders in support of livable wages and benefits for our team. No portion of this service charge is distributed as a tip, gratuity or bonus to any team member. This service charge is 100% retained by Lowlander.

Drink up and leave felt approriate. Some venues should not last.

With King Street Station in darkness, time for more photos. Bus 24 would wheech us back up to Denny Way and a return to TeKu. We said we would be back.

Bunkers required, not even a proper toastie, how much?

The Bier fridges impressed, however, we didn’t come all this way to drink Kölsch.

A single nightcap, more Retrograde by Bale Breaker, who knows, tomorrow we might pay a visit to the brewery.

The breweries and bar visited today:

Fast Fashion Brewing – 1723 1st Ave S, Seattle WA 98134

Ghostfish Brewing Company Taproom – 2942 1st ave S, Seattle WA 98134

Seapine Brewing Company – 2959 Utah Ave S, Seattle WA 98134

Lowlander Brewing – 419 Occidental Ave S, Seattle WA 98104

Teku Tavern + Cafe – 552 Denny Way, Seattle WA 98109

Sunday, May 10^th, 2026

Day #4, the last of the first four in Seattle WA, tomorrow, Portland OR. Marg was convinced we were going back to Portland ME. By train?

Anyway, back east, Prof G. is in Albany NY today, celebrating his birthday at Fidens Brewing Company.

Tick.

For the record, Dr. Stan and Hector have now been to Albany NY and Albany OR, plus Portland ME and Portland OR. Let’s not mention Renton WA, oops.

On Friday, we promised Anila at Chili’s South Indian Cuisine that we would return today. This time the C Line took us swiftly Downtown to catch 1 Line up to University District. Another intense meal, and as always, reviewed – here. Let’s have a photo or two since it will be a while to the next.

Bus 44 to Ballard, we know it well having stayed in Fremont in 2018. Two years since RTW-80 and leading Marg around this partyland of Biere, twice.

I know my way.

The blue dot, so comforting, confirming that one is actually in Ballard, and the awareness of what lies around.

Having done Stoup – Capitol Hill on Friday, no need to visit their Ballard branch today. Instead, Urban Family Brewing first visited in 2024, served World Wide Wallabies, a noted Bier, and enough to have me start the day here. Urban Family lies directly across the street from Stoup.

With three Hazy options, and too early for the TIPA, we ordered the first two, the Hector clearly won that contest. Had there been Cider on the board, Hector would have missed out on Water Ski Turtle at 6.7%. The full milkshake haze, smooth, a body worthy of the abv, juicy too, this Hazy IPA – NEIPA was ticking many boxes. Featuring Citra and Krush hops, this was so good, the Hector was happy to have another whilst Dr. Stan had his turn.

Best Bier so far?

An old digi-camera has been brought on this trip along with a tripod. Hector hates – selfies – self-timers – are a different matter. The plan is to have some fun with people not here. Problem, I can only generate AI, or A-one as our Company calls it, on my phone, so there has to be a transference of files back at the hotel.

At the end of the block, westwards, lies Reuben’s Brews, a standout in 2018 and memorable for Dr. Stan’s water pouring demonstration. We took a right turn to investigate Obec Brewing whose CANs feature prominently at TeKu.

An interesting layout with private indoor seating areas, t-shirts worthy of investigation, alas the Bier was not up to it.

Good For Your Soul at 6.3%, possibly, for the palate, less so. An IPA with a slight haze and a surprisingly low IBU-29, this Dry tasting Bier was juicier and fruitier than an extreme West Coast IPA, but felt it had been conceived without any thought for New England.

Nothing in the rest of the range was in our interest to try. Anyway, why spend more time here when the party should surely begin at Reuben’s.

Across from Reuben’s lies Great Notion – Ballard, visited with Marg in 2024. Then I was not convinced this was an actual brewery, but a taproom. Great Notion – Georgetown is planned for next week, all should be revealed.

Dr. Stan was at the bar waiting, a matter of – I’m with him.

Look at this board!

Just the six Hazies to choose from, well four at this time of day.

The Phantasm Menace, at a safe 6.0%, felt like the optimum starting point. All being well, there shall be two more visits to Ballard, we should get through most of them.

A Hazy IPA – NEIPA this surprisingly only had a moderate haze, until flash photography proved otherwise, and was thin for its abv. Dry tasting, the powerful hop-fruitiness came across immediately. In addition to the hops, this Bier featured Phantasm – Sauvignon Blanc grape skins, a practice first encountered at the aforementioned Bräugier. An extensive hop list: Cascade, Comet, Galaxy, Mosaic. Maybe an issue of too many ingredients and not enough of one?

No fun with Dr. Stan pumping water any more, better plumbing has arrived at Reuben’s.

Knowing I had photos in a well known and reliable Bier website featuring Dr. Stan which I could access on my phone, time for some fun.

Behold, a typical day out with Dr. Stan.

Where did Dr. Stan get the dog? – was asked by someone back home when she woke up.

Time was against us already, we had to get to Bale Breaker, all of two whole blocks away. This meant passing on Wheelie Pop and Lucky Envelope Brewing. The food van declared itself closed as we arrived at Bale Breaker. The munchies are calling. The taproom was open for another hour.No Retrograde as had on day #1 at TeKu, instead Pillow Dreams at 6.1%. An IPA, with minimal haze, not what was hoped for. The Citra, Ekuanot Krush and Dolcita hops did pack a punch. A bit of fruitiness was also noted, so not a disaster, but not Retrograde.

Having bussed it back to Belltown with Marg in 2024, I was confident of getting us back to Denny Way with ease. And so it proved, the D Line dropped us close to tonight’s late night venue. The 5 Point Cafe, open all night, I had established doing my usual research. That I overheard a receptionist at the hotel this morning recommending it, well, who needed an invitation?

Busy, a dive bar reminiscent of The Clark Street Ale House in Chicago IL, we sat at the bar.

Mein Host duly engaged. Bier first, food to be sorted.

Zoigl-Kölsch (Zoiglhaus Brewing Company, Portland OR) at 4.9%, may have had a comparable abv to echtes Kölsch, There the similarity ended. Gold, with a chill haze, this Bier was fruity. And it was probably a Bier, not an Ale. Köln Kölsch does not have this viscosity, this was more comparable to a Bock, and that is praise. Magnum and Hallertauer hops were present, but one has to ask – has the brewer ever been to Köln?