Our (Two) Week(s) in Pictures March 14th – March 27th, 2010
Admittedly we sputtered after the first run of our new feature. But can you blame us, with a busy week like Saint Patrick's Day & Hard Liver in the same week?! Included within this set is photos from St. Patrick’s Day, Hard Liver, Pike at Latona Night, Snipes at Naked City, Ray’s Cafe Dinner, Pillager’s, and finally Cask Fest.
Next week we should get back on track with the usual ‘Week in Pictures’.
Wednesday March 17th, 2010
St. Patrick's Day at Pike – It has been our long standing tradition that rather than be apart of a temporary case of ‘Irish-ness’, we stay indoors. Usually on this day I will visit the nearby deli, order up some Corned Beef, toast up some bread, cook up some onions and top off a Corned Beef sandwich with some 1000 Island Dressing.
This year we instead broke with tradition and stopped into Pike for a couple of their $3.50 pints of Kilt Lifter, while listening to a nearby fiddler. Special thanks to Drew Cluley, plus Charles and Rose Ann Finkel for their hospitality.
Pike Pub & Brewery
1415 1st Avenue Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 622-6044
Saturday March 21st, 2010
The alarm went off at about 8:00 a.m. and with it thoughts of barrel aged, vintage, and previously untasted, barleywines. Sipping on a cup of coffee, we warmed up the car, before I was dropped off at the entrance, a hour and a half before the bar opened. Featured within the line was the usual familiar faces, I have grown accustomed to.
Occasionally, as I looked up at the windows into the second floor, I spotted familiar beer judges who would wave to me and the crowd, before taking a snapshot.
Once the doors opened, we rushed in to grab a seat with most of the bar chairs taken. As luck would have it I found a colleague of mine had secured a table and with it we ordered our drinks from the list. Minor courtesy and word of advice for next year, when you get in get your numbers down (not your beer names), it makes things easier for the server when they order from the bar.
At around 1:00 p.m. (or maybe it was 2:00 PM), Co-Owner Matt Bonney made the announcement and it was Glacier Brewhouse’s Old Woody 2009 taking the top vote for best Barleywine of the festival. Second and worthwhile mention went to Old Blue Hair 2009 from Big Sky Brewing and finally Washington brewer Anacortes for their Old Sebastes 2009. Special thanks to Owners Matt Bonney and Matt Vandenberghe for allowing me to pop in and take a few photos.
Included below is also some photo highlights from the event that we have included. If you have some to share feel free to contact us and we will add it to the list.
Our Brouwer’s Cafe’s Hard Liver Barleywine Festival Flickr page
Brouwer’s Cafe
400 North 35th Street, Seattle, WA 98103 (206) 267-2437
Monday March 22nd, 2010
Admittedly this event was not on our calendar mostly in part because we were entertaining guests. But regrettably they had to leave early because of a medical appointment which freed up our Monday and the rest of the week. With this minor distraction out of the way, we left for LaTona to welcome spring and Pike Brewing, as the final brewery to sponsor a beer for Bob Brenlin’s three pubs.
Called Dry Wit, the beer was created out inspiration of the coming spring and the common psychological leap toward light colored beers. The beer itself approached easy sipping while it imparted some citrus along the way. As we sat a table we bumped into some familiar friends and discussed not only the previous week, but the occasional discussion leaning towards upcoming events (Cask Beer Fest, etc.). As the night wore on the customary drawing occurred and as luck would have to of the peopled seated at our table scored themselves growlers with free refills courtesy of Pike.
LaTona Pub
6423 Latona Avenue Northeast, Seattle, WA 98115 (206) 525-2238
Tuesday March 23rd, 2010
There is nothing like a brewers night at Naked City Brewery and Taphouse. Besides the guest of honor (with this time being Snipes Mountain and Chris Miller) we bumped into former Schooner Exacts' Co-Owner Marcus Connery, multi-brewery former employee (Silver City, Stixx, Far West Ireland, Alpine, etc.) Tom Munoz, among others.
Featured at this Brewers Night was a rare Purple Carrot Sour Ale, which derived its name from its 6 months (Chris can vouch for clarification) spent fermenting while devouring the flavors of purple carrot. Although, from what we heard the keg was gone by the next day. Also on tap was a Belgian-Style ale called Mad Cow (Snipes is near Mabton, WA), India Pale Ale, and Extra Blonde (a nice dry hopped Blond Ale).
Chris took some time throughout the evening to discuss the follies of traveling with those less passionate about craft beer, in between the occasional pint of Snipes Mtn. brew. Eventually we took the hint that it was time to go. As we left, we indicated a trip for sure to Snipes Mountain, the next time we were driving along 82 on our way to Walla Walla.
Naked City Brewery & Taphouse
8564 Greenwood Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103(206) 838-6299
Wednesday March 24th, 2010
If you have never been to Ray’s Cafe, then you are probably under the delusion that its pretty much another Seafood restaurant. However, Ray’s Cafe unlike its older brother below, is a much more comfortable location, where one can wear cargo shorts while seated with someone in khakis.
That night we were treated to five local but up and coming breweries; Salmon Creek Everybody’s Brewing, Seattle’s Epic Ales, Seattle’s Odin Brewing, Shelton’s Grove Street, and Gig Harbor based 7 Seas.
Throughout the evening each brewery representative (owner, brewer, rep), would cordially come by our table and discuss their beer and how it paired well with the dish we were consuming. Pictured to the right is head brewer Doug Ellenberger of Everybody’s Brewing. This is one brewery (Everybody’s Brewing) that admittedly we have yet to visit and will definitely put it on our list.
As Doug left us and our plates removed, we were greeted by more entrees each more different from the last and each paired with a brewer, who would discuss the beer and the food. At one point we popped into the back area to see the brewer’s relaxing. While we were waiting for our Chocolate Mousse, we spoke with Odin and 7 Seas our indications to visit. Our Chocolate Mousse arrived and with it being the last dish, our last brewer Travis Guterson sat down to discuss the beer, before moving onto another guest. After about two hours or so, we had finished our last course. The only regrets we had was we never had a chance to meet Grove Street’s Adam Orrick, as the Cafe coordinator forgot about our table.
Ray's Boathouse Seafood Restaurant, Cafe, & Catering
6049 Seaview Avenue Northwest Seattle, WA 98107 (206) 789-3770
Friday March 26th, 2010
Friday afternoon as promised during a brief conversation with Dan and Brian (the previous night at Ray’s Cafe), we headed towards Odin Brewing’s tasting room. Admittedly we were under the impression that the location was right in the same business campus as Baron / Three Skulls but we learned later that it was actually across the street from that.
As you enter the brewery, the first thing you witness is the grain mill (grinds up the malt before being introduced into the kettle), with the brewery in the background. On this particular day, Brian Taft (formerly of Gordon Biersch Seattle & Guinness Brewery Dublin Ireland) was rinsing out some empty kegs, while owner Daniel Lee (Dan) was entertaining a couple of visitors. As we looked around we noticed the small living room setup that was directly across the way from the tap handles and the growlers. After a short while Dan took some time to welcome us to the brewery and offer a small conversation about his background and even the mode of transport for all their kegs (1993 Acura with over 200,000 miles). Eventually, the two Brian (Taft) and Daniel (Lee) had to leave with us following out the door shortly after that.
Note, we were smart enough to bring cash to their tasting room and they would appreciate if you did the same.
Odin Brewing
9130 15th Place South Seattle, WA 98108-5124 (206) 762-3909
Later that day, we drove out to Greenwood on our way home, to check out Pillager’s Pub and to congratulate Jeff Smiley on their first year in business. Located down the street from Naked City Brewery & Taphouse, the Pillager’s Pub was created as both an expression (of Jeff’s love of Pirates) and as a tasting room.
Jeff Smiley, who owns both Three Skulls and Baron Breweries, previously operated a tasting room adjacent to his brewery. Unfortunately the property manager didn’t feel it would be in the best interest of the property to continue encouraging people to stop in for a drink. So without a place to serve his beer directly fro the brewery (outside of the usual alehouse or restaurant), Jeff leased the former Tully’s location, and created The Pillager’s Pub.
While we sat at a table we spoke with Naked City Co-Owner and Head Brewer Don Webb, over a pint of Baron Rauch, while Jeff entertained loyal customers and pirates alike. Eventually Jeff came to our table sat down for a spell as we discussed the state of brewery festivals, namely GABF. Eventually we took our leave for home, but congratulated Jeff again for surviving his first year of running a bar.
Pillager’s Pub
8551 Greenwood Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103-3662 (206) 706-2779
Saturday March 27th, 2010
Previously we informed our active subscribers of the pending list of beers that were featured at the SOLD OUT Washington Beer Commission, Cask Festival. After loading up on some bread (thanks to Subway) we made our way to get in line some 30 minutes before the doors opened. Clearly the line was long for the WABL crowd as we witnessed the line going almost all the way to the Science Center entrance. Littered throughout the line was the usual suspects that we have grown to expect at festivals such as these.
As the doors opened we made our way to start out consumption of beers from both Eastern Washington favorites (Ice Harbor) and locals alike (Big Al Brewing). Throughout the afternoon, we sampled beers from Elliott Bay, Silver City, Redhook, Elysian, Black Raven, Naked City, Boundary Bay, Georgetown, The Ram, Snipes, and a few others. One of our favorites was the Silver City WTF with a close second being the Snipes Mountain ‘WABL beer’ Mad Cow Belgian-style Ale.
Finally at around 3:15 p.m. Executive Director of the Beer Commission’s Eric Radovich, made the announcement that Silver City won third for their WTF Sour Ale, Black Raven winning second for their Scotch Ale, and finally Black Raven again winning this time for their Double India Pale Ale. Shortly after that we made our way the door, took the monorail to downtown, had ourselves an after festival dinner at Collins Pub before finally resting at home.
Well that is all we have for you, but we will see you all next week. As always be safe, be smart, and above all, if you don’t think you will be able to make it home safely, take an alternate form of transportation.
Cheers
About the photos’ author
Paul “Fruit Trees” Orchard, is an amateur craft beer enthusiast and amateur photographer. Throughout the many years in craft beer he is always carrying a camera (smartphone, digital, traditional) and is invites you to see that beer can also be exciting even if you can’t drink the photo.
