Bier-Traveller

Friday, May 15^th, 2026

Amtrak 502 – Fast – it says on the timetable. Due in Seattle WA at 11.55, aye right. The 08.30 from Portland OR to Seattle WA required an early rise, silly o’clock. The lunchtime train was double the price. It was agreed we would rendezvous at Portland Hbf before 08.00, just in case. Last time we had to check our bags in, today this was still an option, declined. I managed to secure a cold drink for the train at the single shop. The poor Doris having to make coffee, various, for idiots who could not remember what they had ordered, or even their name as it appeared at one point.

Once again we were marshalled on to the train. A long line had formed when I emerged from the shop to join Dr. Stan and Prof G. Someone did remark on me joining the line in the middle.

I’m on his ticket – shut them up. Why is boarding a train in the West Coast such a palaver?

Once aboard it was made clear that the train would be full, we should not block any seats, fair enough. There was a classic announcement:

The cafe is at the rear end of the train, that’s the opposite to the direction of travel.

For – Tourons.

A scheduled three and a half hours for the equivalent distance of Glasgow to Lancaster. We were almost an hour late arriving at King Street, delay repay? No way, Pedro.

Prof G, who had resisted going to the travel centre to get his Orca Card at the corporate office, Jackson Street, on Monday, was duly marched there. We made it just before the lunchtime closing. Thereafter, 1 Line up to University District.

With check-in at the Marco Polo Motel, yes Dr. Stan and Hector are back there, not until 15.00, the plan was to visit Chili’s South Indian Cuisine once more. So impressed was Prof G, it was declared we would return on Sunday.

Had the train been punctual, we would have had time for a swift half at Big Time Brewery & Alehouse, but having gone 14.00, it was felt that we could blag our way into Marco Polo. Bus 44 took us along the well trodden route towards State Route 99 and the thankfully downhill walk on Aurora Avenue to the Motel.

A more efficient check-in, this time we didn’t have to wait for The Archers to finish.

Prof G decided he wanted to be a tourist, he is not in this saga any more today, but who knows, he might make an appearance regardless, such is A-one.

If Dr. Stan has ever expressed any regrets about our 2018 visit to Seattle WA, it was that we did not get back to Fremont Brewing. A ten minute walk, downhill, we re-enacted our first day here eight years ago.

Two bars, only the main one was open, and the overflow duplicated what was on here anyway.

Last time, they had a different range on the second bar, seemingly no longer the case.

Lush IPA was had in 2018, first up today: Head Full of Dynamite. A 6.8% Hazy IPA – NEIPA with a decent haze. Dry, with a slight sharpness, a bit short of excellent, but hey-ho. The hops: Idaho 7, Idaho 7 Cryo, Cashmere Cryo / LupoMax, Chinook.

With nowhere to set up a tripod, the Hector hired a private paparazzo to secure the required memorial photo. But only after we had replenished our glasses.

Hazeltine, another 7.0% Hazy IPA – NEIPA, proved to be a tropical, juicy delight. The full milkshake haze, a rich body, smooth and an impressive hop balance. The hops: Amarillo, Dolcita, Nectaron, El Dorado Cryo, Krush. First brewery of the day, the temptation to simply put down roots here had to be overcome. Who knows what lies beyond? The brewery now closest to our accommodation, yet the likelihood of a return looks minimal, and the walk home would be uphill.

How better to show Prof G what he was missing than to include him in?

It looks like Prof G is still in this saga today.

Outlander Brewery, our local in 2018, has gone, yet still there was a walk to Fremont proper to pick up Bus 40 to Ballard.

The rush hour, traffic delays, but another opperchancity to take in the statue of Lenin, We stood on this very spot in 2018. The statue, privately owned, was rescued from a scrapyard in Slovakia in 1993.

On the southern extremity of Ballard lies a three venue conundrum. Potentially three breweries at one site. On arrival it started to become clear.

Rooftop Brewing and Maritime Pacific Brewing share different parts of the same building. Also, integral at this site is the Jolly Roger Taproom. A waiter explained that Jolly Roger was always the Taproom for Maritime whose owners wished to retire. A younger family member moved Rooftop in beside them, and so we have it.Another single Hazy option, with the Rooftop brand, Tropical Staycation at 6.9% A Hazy IPA – NEIPA, with the full milkshake haze, a body so thick, almost chewy. The hops need more oomph – Mosaic, Citra, El Dorado.

The flag was not a good omen for 04.00 on Sunday morning. It is all kicking off back home, reports of a penalty awarded to guess who, a blatant penalty denied elsewhere. Penalties used to be so much clearer: hand to ball v ball to hand.

The Famous are well out of it.

It was a whole five minutes walk to Lucky Envelope Brewing in the main Ballard brewery cluster. This was our last brewery port of call in 2018, though our final Bier was at Trailbend Taproom. Marg and I were also there in 2024, however, they no longer stay open as late as before, so Trailbend Taproom and the adjacent Wheelie Pop Brewing may well be give a miss on this trip.

A good chap behind the bar, but he did not recognise the young Doris who so ably served us back in 2018.

Again, a single Hazy option. 11^th Anniversary Ramosa at 6.9%, a DDH Hazy had the appropriate haze and body. An unusually fruity top flavour over a juicy lower one, complex. Ramosa hops, a first.

Seattle Beer Week? Nobody has mentioned this.

Badges, badges, you can keep your stinkin’ badges. (sic)

Four breweries in one day, the final stop had to be in Reuben’s Brews. With the best range of Hazies in the city, this has to be declared – our local. A 22.00 closing time, we were finally able to unwind, and even have more than one Bier.

Krush Krush at 7.0%, featuring Citra and Simcoe in addition to Krush hops, was smooth, comfort drinking. One sip fruity, the next tropical, an adventure in a glass.

For the final stretch, time for the Imperial Hazy IPA – Hazy² (squared), a party in a glass. Full of everything, the hops: Citra, Strata, Comet and Simcoe. One cannot start the day at 8.5%, somehow, it’s OK to finish on this, or even higher.

Straight up the road from Reuben’s, the stop for Bus 44, though Google correctly did show a pedestrian detour due to ongoing roadworks. How can they get this right?

Again, a downhill walk to Marco Polo, Dr. Stan was not tempted to stop off for a massage en route.

It has been a long day.

The breweries, taproom and restaurant visited today:

Fremont Brewing Company – 1050 N 34th St, Seattle, WA 98103

Rooftop Brewing Company / Maritime Pacific Brewing Company / Jolly Roger Taproom – 1111 NW Ballard Way, Seattle WA 98107

Reuben’s Brews – The Taproom – 5010 14th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

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

Saturday, May 16^th, 2026

Today, Georgetown. Two years ago, Marg and Hector passed through Georgetown en route to The Museum of Flight. The number of breweries spotted made me wonder what we had missed in 2018. There was no time in 2024 either to investigate. It is now established that some of these traditional breweries have been converted to other uses, there was still enough to justify a day in the southern extremity of Seattle WA.

First food, and ever since the day of Hector’s actual Big Birthday celebration, people, including Prog G, have asked – what were those burger-like things? And so today, we set off for a return to Capitol Hill and Cafe Ashiana.

The wonderful Bus 44 would have taken us, but that would have meant a tour of Seattle WA. The E Line to 3^rd & Pike then Bus 49 to E Pine St & Harvard Ave appeared to be the most efficient route. A pity today was the day when the E Line buses all bunched up. We were able to watch three of them form a group to the north of us. Our stop on Aurora Avenue was busy by the time one showed.

It was a couple of blocks downhill from the final eventual stop to Cafe Ashiana in search of Chapli Kebab.

It took a while for the solo chap to produce the goods. Small portions, food would be required later.

Around the corner, Bus 60 almost to the door of Great Notion – Georgetown. But first, it was the turn of Prof G to have his photo taken by the Jimi Hendrix statue. Bus 60 took an age to arrive, so much so, we wondered if it was actually going from our stop.

The route took us down to the east side of SoDo visited in The First Four Nights. As we passed Perihelion Brewery in Beacon Hill, I wondered if we should have taken 1 Line down to here then caught the bus. Hector’s choice was the one bus solution, always better than two plus the metro.

Georgetown Old City Hall sat overlooking Great Notion – Georgetown.

As we approached the taproom, I thought there had been a snafu, a bakery? That was in the adjacent unit as was established when I discovered shared facilities and lots of weans through there.

We could have stayed here all day. Welcoming staff, great Bier, a classic brewery taproom. But no sign of any brew-plant. As is the custom, a two Bier visit, especially when it is the first stop of the day.

Ripe or Over Ripe, both 7.0%.

The Hector started with Over Ripe. Yet another Hazy IPA – NEIPA with the full milkshake haze. This is why we were here. The body matched the abv, there was a big hop and mango hit. Citra, Motueka and Azacca hops featured.

As much as I was enjoying this, Dr. Stan had gone for the Ripe and after mutual tasting, it was agreed to be even better.

The same characteristics, smoother and no mango. A hoppy delight: Citra T-90, Citra Cryo, Citra Lupomax. So how is this a variation of the other, or vice versa?

I repeat, we could have stayed here all day, some would.

Metres to our north-west, a triangle of venues minutes apart: Jellyfish Brewing Company, 9lb Hammer, a bar, and the mysterious Mirage brewery, only open on a Friday and Saturday. As it happened we would only visit one of the three.

Jellyfish Brewing, in another industrial estate, had only the one Bier meeting our requirements. It also had weans who were screaming and banging at every opperchancity. I blame the parents. I also blame the staff for not dealing with this.

Sir Hugs-A-Lot at 7.3% and 38-IBU, had the haze but not the body for this abv. The Bier was fine, a big fruity blast followed by the hops kicking in. El Dorado, Cashmere and Ekuanot were featured.

Conversation can be Bier based, occasionally we hit an unexpected topic that proves to have a rich vein. Isaac Asimov, is famed for his science fiction writings, less so for his science essays, Astronomy in particular. Neither Dr. Stan or Prof G had read his books of bound essays. And they are the intellectuals. How these essays led me to Glasgow University to study Astronomy, and eventually Geography, was related. The MSc. came twenty years later. Master Hector has never caught on.

With time passing and neither Dr. Stan or I convinced that Mirage would have anything we wanted, it was decided to jump back north to Georgetown Brewing. A fifteen minute walk, and Google was showing no bus that would help. Uber!

As we approached the door at Jellyfish, so the brew-plant was spotted in an adjacent room. In went the Hector to record the moment…ah, a private party, a strange place to have a kiddie’s do? More Asians than I had ever seen congregated in a brewery, were having a party.

I asked permission to secure my photo and in doing so was invited to have a slice of pizza. Prof G, at my back, got in on the act. Back in the main room, Dr. Stan asked – where’s mine?

The Hector went back to fetch another slice. Taking liberties? They had so much left over, unlike Hector’s Big Birthday Bash.

Hawaiian: ham & pineapple, never before, don’t knock it. Pineapple on a pizza works!

We beamed a couple of well kent faces into Jellyfish.

Georgetown Brewing proved to be substantially larger than most places visited, yet the seating was somewhat restricted to high tables and window shelves. The atmosphere was quite different, a younger crowd.

The helpful young lady serving poured tasters of two IPAs, Bodhi at 6.9% and Lucille at 7.0%. If anything, these simply highlighted the quality of what we had left behind.

All three of us opted for Lisa’s Chocolate Stout at 7.3%. Sadly this did not deliver. Thin for the abv, but a sense of chocolate, this was well short of being a late night Baltic Porter.

All was not lost.

I had suggested to Dr. Stan last week that we had to take Prof G to Fast Fashion Brewing back up in SoDo. Too far to walk, and with Bus 124 also requiring twenty five minutes walking, Dr. Stan ordered an Uber for the first time in his life. We held his hand whilst he navigated the app.

Our excellent driver took us past the Elysian brewery, whose taproom has permanently closed. Sometime last year, so this may well have been spotted from our bus two years ago also. We must return to Capitol Hill and investigate further.

With Seattle Mariners playing today at the T-Mobile Stadium at the northern end of SoDo, our driver had to drop us off at the junction to the south of Fast Fashion.

The Cops had closed the street. See how the Hector is blending in already.

Baseball goes on forever, and so it was no surprise to find as many fans inside Fast Fashion as were at the stadium, one exaggerates.

The Hector grabbed the same table as last week, in the kitchen.

It was Prof G’s turn to be snapped in the barber’s chair, or was it a dentist’s?

A different Hazy tonight. Stoned And Starving at 6.5%, how apposite. Acid Raindrops last week was enough to make us want to return. Stoned and Starving would make us stay. Waimea, Motueka, and Anchovy, the latter hop puzzles. Still, we had the full milkshake haze, in a Bier as smooth as it could be, the hop blend was sound.

Dr. Stan stood us a pizza. More pizza? Blue cheese and a crispy base, different. The crispy base was not as bad as at Pizzeria Uno, the original Deep Pan House in Chicago IL.

More Bier for Dr. Stan and Hector. Prof G went off to get Bus 21 which miraculously would take us to within two blocks west of Marco Polo Motel. It’s as if I knew how to plan a trip.

Prof G was soon back, detour due to ongoing Sports, he could not find the bus. We considered 1 Line from Stadium, but why compete with the crowd leaving the baseball?

The 21.00 closing at Fast Fashion had come and gone. We were in a good place. Did we have more Bier, here records become as hazy as the Bier.

Eventually, and from the bus stop across the street, three of us boarded Bus 21 to N 43^rd & Fremont Ave N.

Dr. Stan and Prof G headed east, crossing State Route 99, Aurora Avenue, on the bridge adjacent to Marco Polo Motel, the Hector had another plan.

LZ’s Tavern is open from 09.00 until 02.00 on a Saturday. The deciding SPL match, in which The Famous are not involved, kicks off at 04.00 local time. I had sent Prof G there for breakfast, he found it to his liking. Bier was reported. Two blocks west, until tonight, I was not aware that there was, in effect, a village atmosphere on Fremont Ave N. The plan was to have enough anaesthetic to sleep through until morning.

LZ’s was stowed and loud. Too many screechy women, no way was the Hector crossing the threshold. Zebedee had decided it was time for bed.

The breweries, taprooms and cafe visited today:

Georgetown Brewing Co., 5200 Denver Ave S, Seattle WA 98108

Great Notion Brewing – Georgetown – 6235 Airport Way S, Suite 102, Seattle WA 98108

Jellyfish Brewing Company – 917 S Nebraska Street, Seattle WA 98108

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

Cafe Ashiana – 1601 Harvard Ave. Seattle WA 98112

Sunday, May 17^th, 2026

As promised, a return to Chili’s South Indian Cuisine and the realisation that this would be the last time. There was a noon rendezvous on the forecourt at Marco Polo Motel then the walk up Aurora Avenue to the bus stop, at a brisk pace. On arrival at the bus stop, the realisation, no phone, hence no Orca Card, no nothing.

The trusty Oppo had been left charging after hours studying the absurdity of the deciding match in the SPL.

There are people on the pitch, they think its all over... one of the most famous lines in football commentary. The game should have been stopped. Today it was, but unlike another case in Europe two weeks ago, the innocent were not awarded the tie. Scottish Football.

The walk down then back up Aurora Avenue, great for the step count, the heart. Somehow Dr. Stan and Prof G were still waiting on Bus 44 to arrive. A Sunday service?

The Hector learned something today about this most useful of buses, it’s a trolley bus. How have I not been unaware of this?

As warned by Anila, today, the U District Street Fair, the street in question being University Way on which Chili’s is sited. In other company, this arts and craft fair may have been further investigated, Hector’s focus was on Curry.

Another wonderful meal, and a fond farewell to Anila. Eight years since we first met, who knows the future?

The 1 Line took us down to Westlake and on to Pike Place Market, Cloudburst Brewing the objective.

A final view to the east, still no Mt. Rainier.

One surprise, the big liner docked right in front of us, Norwegian Encore, sister ship to Norwegian Gem, on which Marg and Hector enjoyed Cruise To The Edge – 2025.

Cloudburst, Prof G had heard so much about it. For Dr. Stan and Hector, two new NEIPAs to consider.

California Waiting at 6.5%, called an IPA, this was definitely a NEIPA. A decent haze, dry with a slight tang, juicy too. The hops: Citra, Mosaic, Waimea.

Mid-afternoon, no time pressure, no half hour bus rides. The Downtown location of Cloudburst is to be commended. I wonder How many people do not know of its proximity to Pike Place Market. Before Bier #2 and Prof G disappearing off to become a normal tourist, a photo of Dr. Stan and Hector to commemorate the eight years since we were first brought here by a Seattle WA local.

Look How They Shine, the 7.0% Hazy – NEIPA, and the first Bier had on this trip at TeKu, could now be enjoyed at source.

A good note on which to depart. Thank you to everyone we have met over the years at Cloudburst Brewing.

Next up, a ten minute walk south to a venue which we could not overlook.

*

As should be self-evident, Rueben’s Brews is our favourite brewery in Ballard, therefore we had to inspect Rueben’s Brews – Downtown Seattle Taproom.

A Sunday afternoon, the place was pretty quiet given how many people were in the Downtown area.

Just the three Hazy IPAs to choose from, two of them not seen before in Ballard. Dropping back to 6.0% for the Phantasm Menace didn’t feel right, and so it had to be Dream Team at 7.2%

Dream Team a collaboration with Great Notion (Portland OR) and Ft. George Brewery (Seattle WA) a Hazy IPA – NEIPA with a beautiful milkshake haze. Caught in the sunlight, magnificent. This was remarkably easy drinking at this abv. Zesty, fruity, tasty. With Kiwi hops as part of the blend, another winner – Cryo Simcoe, Nelson Sauvin, Riwaka and Citra Incognito.

With the US hops being grown to the south of here in Yakima Valley, great to see the brewers in Seattle WA frequently including hops from New Zealand.

A poster showed the logo for the Seattle WA legs of the forthcoming FIFA World Cup. Although Scotland will be represented, briefly as is our custom, there will be no Scottish referees. I wonder why.

Today’s bizarre conversation. Dr. Stan has spotted a peninsula, the southern tip of which is in USA, but is only accessible by land via Canada.  

Yesterday we passed the main Elysian Brewery in Georgetown, no taproom, today, a return to Elysian Capitol Hill Brewery. The 1 Line from nearby Symphony to Capitol Hill was too obvious a route. Instead, the Hector found the G Line from the even closer: 1^st Ave & Spring St heading to E Madison St & 12^th Ave. The end stop was at the bottom end of the block housing Elysian.

Last week we stuck our noses in and walked back out. The atmosphere felt too much like a bar, no sense of this being a brewery, or even a brewery taproom. The chaps from Elysian reported back, informing me that indeed brewing is done on this site, renovations meaning a lot is currently hidden.

I had promised to return.

Having studied the board, no abv quoted, Mozempic at 6.7% was chosen, it had to be: drink Bier, lose weight! What a mistake to make.

A Hazy IPA, the haze was OK, the taste not so. Antiseptic with a Ginger mouthfeel, and the Polish aftertaste suggesting it was a bit young. Despite a favourite hop, Mosaic, this Bier was not for me.

Dr. Stan was similarly struggling, so when Prog G caught up with us, we were for moving on. No Elysian experience for Prof G.

1 Line from Capitol Hill would take us back to University District in minutes. However, the walk up Broadway was not appealing. First Hill Streetcar would take us to within one block of the metro. As if by magic, the tram was waiting for us when we walked down to Broadway. Not only that, the end stop on this line was at a southern entrance to Capitol Hill.

Chili’s in the late evening sunshine, never seen before. In a different era, the Hector would have been back in for more Curry.

We walked a block further down to Big Time Brewery & Taproom, the oldest brewpub in Seattle WA, and not visited since 2018. Happy Hour, all day Sunday, a $1.00 deduction, yay!

The girl serving behind the bar was in a particularly cheery mood. All the more impressive when it was established that she was in charge of taking food orders and distributing them. We would have food: Buffalo Wings, for a change, for Hector, Caesar Salad, with extra bacon, for Dr. Stan.

Where was Prof G? He had headed for Bus 44, however due to the ongoing clearing up after the Fair, the bus gate outside University District metro station was not in use. He came back to join us.

Ah, the Bier.

Boom Shak – Azacca at 6.8%, a Hazy IPA but I could not call it a NEIPA. Orange and fruity, sharp on the palate initially, then subsiding to a more mellow experience. The Azacca hops were complemented by El Dorado and Sintra.

After the Chicken Wings, Cider. Lost Lake Dry Cider (Fremont Brewing, Seattle WA) at 6.5% was quaffed.

Pale yellow, clear with a decent body, suitably Dry. That apples had been used in its creation was most apparent. US Cider, not to be dismissed.

Sumo, the smallest sumo chaps ever seen were on the TV. The waitress informed us that this was a particular favourite watch by the customers here. Anything but football.

Then there was the challenge to get us back to Marco Polo, simples. Two blocks east on 15^th Ave, one stop before University District, Bus 44 would surely appear. It’s a trolley bus, as everyone but the Hector knew. There is a subtle restriction as to which roads it can drive on. Every bus in the University District seemed to pass before ours showed. Patience.

The breweries, taproom and restaurant visited today:

Cloudburst Brewing – 2116 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

Big Time Brewery & Alehouse – 4133 University Way Northeast Seattle WA 98105

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

Rueben’s Brews – Downtown Seattle Taproom – 1201 1st Ave, Seattle WA 98101

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

Monday, May 18^th, 2026

This is it, the final day out in Seattle WA, and as in 2018, it will be spent in Ballard. We first set foot in Ballard on June 17, 2018, the World Cup was already underway. We had left this cluster of breweries as an obvious climax to our eighteen day trip. Had we started here, instead of San Francisco, we might never have left. Today will be our third visit to Ballard on Hector’s Big Birthday Tour, add the two visits in RTW-80 in 2024, and it’s fair to say, the breweries have been well covered.

Before Ballard, a drop down to Capitol Hill courtesy of Bus 44 and 1 Line for lunch. Chili’s South Indian Cuisine is closed on a Monday, therefore somewhere new, good for expanding the global coverage of Curry-Heute. Research had revealed what was meant to be a Curry House serving Punjabi Fayre, instead, it was Mirch Masala, a – Double Disappointment.

Ballard does not disappoint. Yet, in keeping with our model of four breweries in one day, this leaves venues on the west of Ballard we shall never investigate.

As we walked down 14^th Ave NW, deliberately bypassing Obec Brewing, I stopped at the corner at NW 51^st St and made what I shall now refer to as –

The Declaration of Seattle WA:

This is the centre of Bier drinking on the entire planet, Bier Disneyland.

Rueben’s Brews was directly in front of us, Great Notion – Ballard, across the street. Along NW 52^nd St: Stoup Brewing Ballard and Urban Family Brewing. A block to the south-east: Lucky Envelope Brewing and beyond that, Bale Breaker.

Pick four.  People actually live in the streets. Imagine.

Hector, as is his duty, had been trusted in planning the day. We would end at Reuben’s Brews, but as Prof G wanted to be a tourist again he was shortly about to leave us, this became our starting point also.

Dream Team at 7.2% was had yesterday at Reuben’s Brews – Downtown Seattle Taproom, now it could be had – at source. It was good yesterday, it was still good today. We had nearly done the board of Hazy IPAs at Reuben’s.

Prof G had yet to do the Space Needle. As Marg and I had stayed in Belltown in 2024, I knew there was a bus from NW Leary Way, one block away from our locus, to near enough the Space Needle.

Prof G headed off to catch the D Line, he knew we would not be straying far. Still, the Hector got in his favourite Ballard quip:

shall we get an Uber to our next brewery?

We crossed the road, on foot.

Great Notion – Ballard, and after our visit to their Georgetown Taproom two days ago, we knew this would be fun. With two more, different, Hazies to sample, bring them on.

Northleft at 6.8%, a Hazy IPA – NEIPA, the full haze, a big hop presence and possibly vanilla going on in there also. A delight. A fine array of hops: Citra, Mosaic, Krush, and Citra Lupomax.

Sat at the bar, as on my previous visit, the serving Doris engaged. Hector had a question needing answered. When I first visited Great Notion – Ballard in 2024, I sensed this was a Taproom, not a brewery. ur helpful served explained all: the brewery is in Portland OR, west of the places we had visited in Slabtown. Just that bit further out, had the Slabtown breweries not disappointed this year, we could well have gone there, alas, it was never to be.

Do you like Stout? – asked our hostess.

Usally later in the day.

She had mis-poured a CAN, a soupçon came our way.

BBA French Toast at 13.9%, a Bourbon Barrel Aged (BBA) Imperial Stout, wonderful! Aged in Kentucky Barrels, the body was as it should be. Vanilla beans, cinnamon, maple syrup were the flavours we were meant to appreciate, for Hector, this was a much simpler affair: Prune Juice – the drink of warriors!

At least our flight tomorrow is at sensible o’clock, no need for an early rise. Our lady server disappeared, stock-taking, she had also mentioned that she fetches the Bier from Portland OR herself. Not since Hanna, at Lucky Envelope Brewing, on our last day in 2018, had we encountered such a memorable lady, and we would not get her name.

The soupçon was enough, but it put us higher up the mountain. I started to think we were now in Hotel California, there was no way out of here. A DIPA to follow, this early in the day?

Juice Box at 8.2%, a Hazy DIPA, was a juice bomb. The full milkshake haze, the body certainly matching the abv, and Mosaic hops, approaching the – wow, however the hop hit was just a tad short of this.

Still, this is judging Bier with extreme rigour. Let’s get on with enjoying it, simples.

Prof G returned just as we were about to move on, he would catch up later. I secured a CAN of the BBA French Toast, no soupçon for Prof G.

Urban Family Brewing next.

Instinct brought me here in favour of Stoup Brewing – Ballard across the street. Water Ski Turtle, the Hazy IPA – NEIPA at 6.7%, had last time, was still on.

Dr. Stan decided to be different and go to the dark side, what a mistake.

Water Ski Turtle, same Bier, a totally different experience. This was it, a straight 5! Bier of the trip. Stunning! Everything was right on the button. The magic hop blend/hit sought in every NEIPA, so rarely achieved, it was here.

I went back to the bar to congratulate and enquire:

Did someone kick the barrel this morning?

Like Weizen, if the barrel is not rolled oft, the yeast settles, a totally different taste experience results. The Hector was not for moving on, yet, another. Dr. Stan came aboard.

Prof G arrived just as we were about to move on. He was duly directed to Water Ski Turtle. Calling it a day thereafter, and with a differnt route back to Blighty, Prof G is not in this saga any more.

Hector secured a CAN, this too had to go back to Scotland.

The two best Biere of the trip in one afternoon? Let’s not forget Ruse Brewing (Portland OR). Maybe its a function of where the taste-buds are on any given day? And after a pretty horrible lunch, Hector’s taste-buds needed rescuing.

Brewery #4, Lucky Envelope, nostalgia ain’t what it used to be. Our final brewery in 2018, but not last port of call that night. I like the venue. Same Bier as last week: 11^th Anniversary Ramosa, a 6.9% DDH Hazy IPA. It took something this juicy and fruity to follow on from Water Ski Turtle.

Reubens’ Brews stays open until 22.00, a bonus, a key part of today’s master-plan.

We’re back!

Hazealiciuos, a 6.0% Hazy IPA – NEIPA, was first had here in 2024, and Hector saw it was good. The full milkshake haze and three sound hops: Citra, Strata, and Mosaic.

There was food. Hector finally relents, time for a Burger! A smash-burger, wtf?

The US obsession with Burgers and Pizza, I shall never get. What’s wrong with Curry? Actually, in the past week I have answered that. Maybe Mr. Musk could sponsor the Hector to tour more Curry Houses in USA?

Frivolity, clearly. Hector was in a good place, and inspired by the appearance of an anniversary photo on a certain social medium, time to get creative with A-one (sic).

Dr. Stan, Marg and Hector have been to Rueben’s Brews – Ballard, but not necessarily at the same time.

Haze², the final Bier by name, but not necessarily by volume. We were staying to the end. The bar staff had got to recognise us over our three/four visits this month.

What is your favourite brewery – I was asked.

Here!

Thanks so much.

More Haze², 8.5%, suddenly sensible. An Imperial Hazy IPA felt like a good note on which to conclude, a session Bier.

Being last out became the objective, this time a joint photo. Mr. Barman became the paparazzo, and so the final image of Dr. Stan and Hector in Seattle WA on Hector’s Big Birthday Tour.

Trolley Bus 44 took us back to Aurora Ave, tomorrow we have to drag our bags up this slope. Still no massage for Dr. Stan. Marco Polo Motel, possibly the most affordable accommodation in Seattle WA at a useful locus, a glimpse inside: two queen beds.

The breweries, taproom and restaurant visited today:

Urban Family Brewing Co. – 1103 NW 52nd St, Seattle, WA 98107

Reuben’s Brews – The Taproom – 5010 14th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

Great Notion  – Ballard – 5101 14th Ave NW Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98107

Lucky Envelope Brewing – 907 NW 50th St, Seattle, WA 98107

Mirch Masala – 213 Broadway E, Seattle WA 98102

Go to : Seattle WA Homepage

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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?

Kölsch, this was not. And I thought that with appellation rights, nobody outside Köln (Deutschland) is allowed to call their Bier as such.

There was food, Dr. Stan and Hector shared Nachos. About time we tried something Mexican.   A1 sauce, better than AI.

To wash all this down a Cider, not the one on the board, and so for once –

I do not have the information.

The menu had an interesting adjunct.

On assumes that loud, screechy wumin, screaming weans, and yappy dogs are not welcome.

The breweries, bar and restaurant visited today:

Urban Family Brewing Co. – 1103 NW 52nd St, Seattle, WA 98107

Obec Brewing – 1144 NW 52nd Street, Seattle WA 98107

Reuben’s Brews – The Taproom – 5010 14th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

Bale Breaker & Yonder Cider Taproom – 826 NW 49th St, Seattle, WA 98107

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

The 5 Point Cafe  –  15 Cedar St, Seattle, WA 98121

Go to : Seattle WA Homepage

Continue to : Hector’s Big Birthday Tour – Portland OR, Four More Nights

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