Seattlest: The Eastside - Beer Wasteland?

beauxman

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 01:14:38 -0800

I gotta say something here. In defense of Rock Bottom and other "chain" brewers (I was one). Brian at Rock Bottom Bellevue makes world class beer, wins a medal at GABF almost every year and also wins World Beer Cup medals (2 in 2006). These are considered the world series and superbowl of beer. While some of the beers can be considered boring, they are well made. I also brewed at a "chain" brewery and made my own beers (two GABF medals and one World Beer Cup medal in 2006). Your local "chain" brewers are no different in most cases than your local "independent" brewers, in fact, they most likely brewed at one of these too, I did. I had more creative freedom at my "corporate" gig. Nobody told me how to make my beers, other than make these core beers and here is what we are looking for in the glass. Anything past that, make what you want, you are the brewer. You find this at any brewery, corporate or not. Remember that the brewers are brewers, regardless of the name on the door. In fact, some of our local Seattle "independent" breweries have multiple locations (makes them a chain, by definition) and are incorporated. Guess what, they make the same core beers at each store...does that mean they somehow don't make good beer now? I think not.

AllInAName

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:25:29 -0800

The South Sound area, dare I say Federal Way, has been another beer wasteland until recently when I happened upon a new beer store in Federal Way called "99 Bottles". I instantly became a fan based on the incredible selection, but the fellow behind the counter impressed me further with his vast knowledge of my beloved barley pop. It's located in the new Federal Way Crossings shopping center just off highway 18 and I-5. Yes, Virginia, there is now a reason to come to Federal Way.

Tera

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:15:57 -0800

Nice article! What is sad is Rock Bottom is first on your list (for breweries) and it has sub-par beer and it's a chain. If I want a beer in Bellevue, I would go to Taphouse. Bellevue is getting better with its wine selection. Some great new wine bars are popping up so we can HOPEFULLY expect the same for beer joints.

Geoff

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 09:55:08 -0800

Thanks for the tip - I have not been to the Red House and will have to check it out. I"m not sure that Renton is Eastside(Is it?), but The Dog and Pony Alehouse is a great place to grab a beer.

Juanito the Bandito

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 08:11:30 -0800

Recently, some friend took me to this one place called the 'Red House' in Renton. It was a bit of a drive for me (Sand Point) but still, 500 bottled beers. I had a few Belgiums while I was there and even a took home a few Lost Abbey beers. Here is their online beer list, with navigation to styles on left http://www.redhousebeerandwine.com/beers_american.asp Cheers!

Patrick

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:21:57 -0800

Yea, Bellevue sucks for getting good beers. All the bars have the same 10 lagers on tap and maybe Manny's, if you are lucky.