Go for Coffee and Stay for Beer at The Dray in Ballard
Unlike the month of March, there aren't a ton of beer festivals/events going on this month (the break was a welcome one). That should give you time to check out a new spot that recently opened up in Ballard called The Dray. This European-style cafe opens up at 9 a.m. for coffee (from Stumptown), and you can stick around like the booze hound you are until 2 a.m. every day for drinks. They've got 12 constantly rotating taps of carefully picked craft beers (focus on local NW) and imports, and an expanding selection of mostly imported (lots of great Belgians) bottles available at the bar or to go. They also fill growlers for about $14. No liquor, but a small selection of wine is available. They offer a few sandwiches and pastries for food. The sandwiches looked solid, but don't expect a full menu.
The interior is small but set up nicely, and 20-30 people could fit comfortably. It's the type of place that you could enjoy an early morning coffee with the paper, and then come back with friends for a few pints in the evening. There is hardwood everywhere: on the bar, the tables and the walls. There are a couple of flat screen TVs that will often be showing soccer, bright and early, but will also fill local sports fans' needs. One of the few things we could do without was the music...techno on a Sunday afternoon is overkill for us, no matter how chilled.
The beer lineup this past Sunday included Victory Pils, Baron Helles-Bock, Maritime Pacific Red Alt, Maredsous Tripel, Snoqualmie Falls Copperhead Pale Ale, Roots IPA, Port Townsend IPA, Mad River IPA, Van Steenberge Tripel, Big Time Blonde and Boundary Bay Reefnetter Pale Ale. We just love the fact that every single one of their taps is a rotater, so you likely won't find the same beer on tap on two consecutive visits.
The Dray is a welcome addition to a great neighborhood, and you could have yourself a solid night of drinking between here and the Tin Hat down the street. The owners know their beer and promise to keep some great things on tap at all times. Good luck, guys.
