Happy Beer Hour, Part Five

Special to Seattlest by Paul Orch, craft beer advocate and writer.

Walking around the neighborhoods one would assume it was fall with all the dead leaves strewn about after the summer heat wave. Last week the Fed indicated that the economy might finally be rebounding, but hopefully that doesn't mean the end to our cheap suds. This week's frugal options range from the unusual and the sporting, to the downright toothless. Coming soon, a break from happy hour chronicles in lieu of mention of Fall Seasonal Beers and the Breweries that Brew Them.

Spur, Belltown (Sun-Thurs 5-7 p.m. / 11:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.) An unassuming looking place that has been nationally recognized for their creative and schizophrenic food menu, inspired by local farmers, butchers, and fisherman. From $3.50 for craft beer to their late night (11:30-1:30) $5 Rainier bottles with an order of shoestring fries, you can't go wrong with this hole-in-the-wall off Blanchard.

The Dray, Fremont (Mon-Fri 3-6 p.m.) Inspired by one of the owner's love of British pubs and European football (soccer to you Yanks), this place will either put you to sleep with their buck-off pints or wake you up with their in-house espresso. Pay careful attention to their Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich, which might pair well with that Porter or Stout.

Maritime Pacific's Jolly Roger Taproom, Ballard (Every-other "Firkin" Friday 5 p.m.) Near the Ballard Locks sits a former transmission shop that hosts bi-monthly "firkin" tappings at $3.25 a pint. This place rocks with its pirate motif, tower of onion rings, sliders, and deep-fried pickle. Every day is happy hour--they feature $3.75 pints all day, every day.