Northwest Beer Guide7 Seas Brewing, Anacortes Brewing, Flyer's Restaurant and Brewery, Hood Canal Brewery, Strange Brewfest', Water Street Brewing, Water Street, Silver City BrewingComment

(WA) Water Street Strange Brewfest, a geo-brewery crawl & guide. Part two, traveling by car

Northwest Beer Guide7 Seas Brewing, Anacortes Brewing, Flyer's Restaurant and Brewery, Hood Canal Brewery, Strange Brewfest', Water Street Brewing, Water Street, Silver City BrewingComment

As January comes to a close and another WA Beer Commission event in the books, we move onto the last festival of the month, Strange Brewfest. In our last installment we discussed the prospect of taking a ferry on your trip to Port Townsend for the big night. However, there are those that live at the two polar opposites of the peninsula. In Anacortes one only have to take the foot ferry and your blocks away from beerdom', while in Tacoma the prospect of driving thirty minutes and waiting another thirty or so on the ferry seems odd. So for those of you up north or down south I offer you this helpful thought, drive to Port Townsend.

South End, Tacoma to Port Townsend (approx. time 1 hour 40 minutes, no stops).

image of 7 Seas' Mike Runion and Travis Gutterson, courtesy of the Tacoma's The News Tribune 7 Seas Brewing Co. – Founded almost two years ago with a strong focus on English Ales, this brewery recently announced they are close to being the first brewery to can their beer in Washington state. On your drive before Silver City and Kingston (and Hood Canal Brewery), drop by between the hours of 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. For a comprehensive list of their beers, we have included a link to their site below. 7 Seas Brewing Co. 3207 57th Street Ct. NorthWest Gig Harbor, WA 98335 (253) 686-3703‎

image of Silver City's Head Brewer Don Spencer, courtesy of Silver City's website Silver City Brewing Co. – Long known in the area as a respectable brewery with their annual Fat Scotch Ale and Whoop Pass India Pale (and many others), you should not pass this brewery up on your trip up north. Featured during the weekend leading up to Strange Brewfest, you are welcome to try their Pilsner which is being submitted to World Beer Cup or one of their many other beers, such as the Ridgetop Red. Also while spending time admiring the brewery tanks, check out the expansive menu (a favorite is the ma’s meat loaf). Silver City Brewery 2799 N.W. Myhre Road Silverdale, WA 98383 (360) 698-5879.

image Hood Canal Brewery – On your drive through, it probably didn’t occur to you there was a brewery nearby. Started by Don Wyatt, the brewery was inspired by years of home brewing was well as his few years of experience gathered at Thomas Kemper before its closure. In the beginning the brewery was pretty much a one man operation with Don delivering beer to nearby bars, when he wasn’t brewing. As word got around regarding his beers, named after locations around Hood Canal, he expanded into what is today the tasting room and retail outlet. While you are savoring the thought of a Burrs Winter Ale, try the Dabob Bay IPA. Hood Canal Brewery 26449 Bond Road Northeast Kingston, WA 98346 (360) 297-8361

imageNorth End, Anacortes, WA to Port Townsend, WA (approx. time 1 hour 33 minutes) If you are planning this leg of the drive you might consider checking the Keystone to Port Townsend Ferry schedule ahead of time. Believe it or not despite being up north there are still some options to be had as you make your way from Anacortes to Port Townsend.

Anacortes Brewery & Rockfish Grill – Situated in what might seem the backside of town, the brewery and restaurant, has been known for its many music filled nights, of Jazz, Rock, and other acoustic entertainment. With fried oysters, seafood, and killer pizza (among other dishes), this place is a great stop on your way out of town to catch the Keystone to Pt. Townsend. If he’s there, you should definitely ask for Rick Star, he might even give you a tour of the brewery. Anacortes Brewery & Rockfish Grill 320 Commercial Avenue Anacortes, WA 98221-1517 (360) 588-9158

image courtesy of Flyer's Restaurant and Brewery Flyers Restaurant and Brewery – Both inspired by the Co-Owner Jason Tritt’s family history in aviation and the nearby Naval base, this place has been a supporter of the town for 4 years. If the medals on the wall for their many beers don’t impress you to get lost in a Pacemaker Porter nothing will. While seated at the bar or table be sure to inquire about the Penn Cove raw oysters. Flyers Restaurant and Brewery 32295 SR 20, Oak Harbor, WA‎ - (360) 675-5858‎

So I hope you enjoyed our suggestions to enjoy your journey to Strange Brewfest. We would love to hear your thoughts and stories of what your experiences were at these many spots. As always be safe and sane out there. We want everyone to come home whole and with maybe only temporary neurological damage.

Related Articles
- (WA) Water Street Strange Brewfest 01/30/2010 & 01/31
- (WA) Water Street Strange Brewfest, a geo-brewery crawl & accommodations guide. Part One, traveling by ferry

Cheers