Urban Beer Hikes

Green Lake to Greenwood

urbanbeerhikes — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:35:00 +0000

I was awoken by the light of the moon Sunday morning at 2:43. Our bedroom window faces the west and it was so intensely bright that it actually woke me up from a deep sleep. The 3/4 moon looked like a burger with a bite out of it and that made me think of Red Mill, which made me think of walking up to Red Mill for lunch, which made me happy, which made me thirsty, which made me think that it was time for an Urban Beer Hike.

Three… Maybe Seven Pints UBH

View Larger Map

This is an easy-ish one — especially for me, since I live right near here. It starts at the PCC Natural Market on Aurora Ave. and works east around Green Lake (clockwise) and then up the steep part of Phinney Ridge and north to Greenwood. From there, it loops back, over to Aurora and south to where it began. It’s roughly five miles.

The first thing I noticed when we set out from PCC is that the sun was already relatively low in the sky — and it was not even 12:30pm! It’s a short jump from here to the walking trail that goes around Green Lake and soon we were among the throngs of Seattleites out enjoying the sunshine and relative warmth.

This was a bit of an occasion for it was the first time that I had someone with me other than Mandy. My buddy Tom and his dog Samba joined us. I admit, I felt a little pressure to be a bit of a tour guide and try to explain the philosophy of this “urban beer hiking” thing that has grabbed so much of my attention recently. Tom lobbied to stop at the Green Lake Bar & Grill for a pint to keep the spirits up and tie in the whole Green Lake part of the hike, but I had to veto this idea as it was important to me to get to the end before dark. I’ve learned how quickly time can get away from you on these things.

So we pressed on, weaving our way through the dogs, kids, and strollers. We made it all the way around and for the march up Phinney Ridge, we elected to take N 63rd up because Tom needed stop at home and grab something (he lives near 63rd and Phinney Ave.) It’s a steep hill and when you get to the top you feel like you really were hiking. From Tom’s we headed to Red Mill, but no one was too hungry and we all really wanted a lunch beer, so we voted to press on and make the first stop the 74th Street Alehouse.

At the 74th St., I had the Big Time Atlas Amber, Mandy had a Guinness and Tom went with a Hale’s Cream Ale (nitro). We shared a plate of Mediterranean fixins and a small bowl of roasted curried cashews and regaled each other with stories from our respective holidays. It became even more obvious by now that the day was growing long (not even 3pm!) and it was time to move on.

We jumped across the street to Zak-n-Zoe to grab some dog treats for Samba and Link, who practically towed us up the hill earlier and waited so patiently for us outside of the Alehouse. Zak-n-Zoe is owned by two fellow beer lovers Nadja and Cary and it was hard leaving them behind, but I guess some of us have to work — even on sunny Sundays. As we were leaving, we were joined by Tom’s wife Meaghan. What? Are you kidding? We’ve got ourselves a PACK! (I began to have visions of UBHs future where as we walk, more and more people join, sort of like that weird old Coca-Cola ad or something.)

Next up, we hit Naked City Taphouse, which, if you’re reading this, you probably already know about. I’ve been here a handful of times and today was about the only time when it wasn’t busy. It definitely had a quieter, mellower feel that was agreeable as the beertender had more time to geek out with us and talk about beer and dogs. Once again, Samba and Link waited patiently for us while we had some snacks and brews. Mandy had a Russian River Consecration, I had something called Two If By Sea, which is a collaboration between Schooner Exact and Two Beers Brewing, Meaghan had one of the house brews, Yankee Drifter, and Tom had an oak-aged tripel from Drake’s Brewing, which he really liked.

With a killer tap list like NCBC’s, it was really hard to not have a second beer, but the daylight was growing ever so thin and it was time to move on to the home stretch. We headed east along 85th and then south on Aurora. I had been saving my appetite for a torta at Barriga Llena, which is a only a block or two from our last stop, Über.

These tortas are big enough to share, but I was pretty hungry, so I ordered my own (the Argentina). It’s like a grilled panini with chorizo, beans, veggies, and mayo. And it’s pretty inexpensive. I love that the proprietors speak almost no English and the decor is the most authentic I’ve seen. It reminds me of the little places I visited when I was off the main path in Cuba and Mexico several years back. Delicious.

At Über, we checked with the vice maestro (Gabby?) and she let us bring the dogs in. We sat in our usual spot on the couch and layed into our sandwiches. I was unable to resist the wookie-approved Breakaway IPA — probably my favorite IPA of all — way to go Skip! Mandy introduced Meaghan to the Duchesse de Bourgogne, got a Scaldis for Tom, and treated herself to a glass of Cascade Blackberry Nightfall. We talked and drank and took some cute photos of the dogs playing.

We managed to get there just as it was getting dark and it was comforting to know that the car wasn’t more than about 30 yards away over by the PCC across the street where we started almost five hours ago.

We were only able to fit in 3 of the 7 places this time, but hopefully — no, definitely — we’ll do this one again sometime in the spring or summer when the days are longer.

I’m going to Red Mill now.

Downtown to Capitol Hill, v1.0

urbanbeerhikes — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:42:00 +0000

When I woke up this morning, the sun was out. I figured there won’t be many more such instances in the near future, so I began getting ready to hit the pavement and work up a thirst. More of a thirst. For one reason or another it had been a few days since my last pint. Disgraceful!

I had been brewing this one in my head for awhile. Check it out: the route looks like an arm with a pint in its hand! (Totally by accident. I swear.)

View Larger Map

My pal Link and I took the bus Downtown and got off at the Pike Place Market. I had planned to walk up Pike Street and begin at Six Arms, but walking among the throngs of tourists made my liver ache, so I hit up Pike Brewing. Dogs aren’t allowed in the pub, but there is a railing at the top of the stairs — outside the restaurant, but inside the building — where I could hitch him up. I doubt this is officially kosher, but no one said anything and Link behaved himself so no harm done. There are only a couple of places to sit down in the pub where you can see the railing, so you might have to skip this one if you have the dog with you.

I had already ordered and received my Tandem Double Ale, when I noticed that they have the 2nd annual Pike Entire (bourbon barrel-aged stout) on tap. Rats. The bartender gave me a taste and I instantly promised myself that we’d meet again. I’ve been here before, but this was the first time I’d really taken a good look around the place (probably because I’m not usually hiking alone). There is some really cool old stuff on the walls. (And, according to the current Northwest Brewing News, it’s authentic.) It’s tasteful and relevant, unlike those Uncle Moe’s Family Feedbag places.

One framed old postcard caught my eye. It had a great quote on it:

“There is nothing which has yet been conceived by man by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn.”
– Dr. Samuel Johnson

It was was not even 3pm at this point and the sun was already dreadfully low in the sky, so we got moving on up the hill. It’s a straight shot up Pike Street to the next stop, Elysian Brewery, but I couldn’t not go into Pike Street Beer & Wine. I had never been in there before and was in awe of the selection. I can’t wait to go back and spend a little more time looking around. After stopping by the Feedbag next door for some dog treats and Babeland for a butt plug (um…for my friend), we finally made it to Elysian. Again, no dogs allowed inside, but there are two bike racks right outside and plenty of window seating inside.

SORRY BUDDY. YOU’LL HAVE YOUR OWN PLACE SOMEDAY.

I planned on having the Night Owl Pumpkin Ale — ’tis the season — but they had something even more enticing, Dark o’ the moon Pumpkin Stout! On cask! All my aggravation for missing The Great Pumpkin Roadshow at Brouwer’s last Thursday disappeared and I felt cool again.

From there, me and the boy headed north to Hopvine. It’s owned by the good geeks who also own Latona Pub and Fiddler’s Inn. It was pretty busy — I think there was live music on the docket, but it never happened while I was there. It’s a pretty small place, which I like. I elbowed my way onto an empty bar stool. (When I turned around I could see Link hitched up right outside.) I went with the Altbier from Chuckanut Brewing. God bless that wonderful Bellingham water. It was pleasantly crisp and refreshing, unlike the chump next to me who spent his whole beer doing who-cares-what with his Blackberry. Oh well, I guess he didn’t want to hear me drone on and on about my great dog, my wild ideas, and my world views.

It was after dark now and I knew that finding the next place would be a challenge for me. I don’t make it up to the Hill as much as I should these days, so it’s somewhat unfamiliar territory for me. Plus The Stumbling Monk is very easy to miss as it doesn’t have any neon or bright lights. You have to have been there to know where it is — kind of like a speakeasy or members only club. Ok, maybe it’s not that hidden, but you get the idea.

I knew there was no food at the Monk, so I stopped at Dick’s on the way over. (I don’t get there often enough either.) The Monk had just opened so it still had sleepy eyes: dark, quiet, warm with a couple playing a game in the corner and one guy at the bar. I hadn’t had a Duchesse in a long time and it was heavenly. I made a couple new friends at the bar and Rob, the bartender, was gracious enough to allow Link inside where he mostly slept on the floor, no doubt relieved to be inside for a change. This is one of the best places in town to go to talk about beer. The person to your left and the person to your right are just as excited to be there as you are and know their shit when it comes to malt, hops, yeast, and water. The setting could not be less pretentious either. A+, says I. (I’ll stop there. This isn’t Yelp, for chrissakes.)

Before I knew it I had finished my second Allagash Dubbel and was ready to head back downtown and get on the bus home. That Pike Entire was calling my name for a nightcap, but it would have to wait. There were two hungry cats at home whose shit list I had already made weeks ago. (Being on a cat’s shit list is the second worst shit list I can think of to be on.) Best not to rile them up even more.

I’ve added “v1.0″ to the title of this UBH because I definitely want to do this one again and maybe change it up a little. Besides, my friend goes through butt plugs pretty fast and he’ll need a new one pretty soon, I’m sure.

An Autumn UBH- Green Lake & The U-District

urbanbeerhikes — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:49:00 +0000

This has to be my favorite time of year.

Yeah, the days are getting stupidly short and the heating bill is growing another digit, but it’s also when we get an oh so brief taste of foliage and a hopefully less brief taste of great seasonal beers. Stout and porter season is officially here. (Actually, I enjoy dark beer all year, but it’s just more comforting when the weather is shitty or threatening to be shitty.)

Bundle up, pack some ponchos, and psyche yourself up for another long, but rewarding hike. None of the three pubs we’re going to allow dogs, but each has visible — but not covered — space outside to hitch him/her/it up.

View Larger Map

I’ll call this one “Watering Holes” since we’ll be walking around a big hole of water and visiting three of the city’s best, well, …you know. You can begin anywhere around Green Lake — I’ve chosen to start on the south side near the baseball fields. There is a good amount of parking and it’s convenient to several Metro bus lines. Another good option is to start on the west side near the tennis courts and the dog park. It adds a little distance to the total, but there is lots of free parking. (*groan*)

From your starting point, head east — we’ll need to beer up before we start hiking in earnest. TangleTown is not only the name of Elysian’s little pub, but also the surrounding area. It’ll be obvious why when you see how all of the streets sort of, well… tangle. Hitch the dog up outside and sit in the bar area — you should be able to see him/her out the windows while you imbibe. Feel free to check out the menu — it’s been great every time I’ve been here. The next pub has good food, too, but we won’t get there for an hour and a half or so.

After you’re fucked up — sorry, I mean FUELED up (*phew* thanks, spell check!), head northwest, to Green Lake. There is a walking/biking trail the whole way around. Go clockwise around the lake and enjoy the changing leaves, if there are any left by the time you go. Even if there aren’t, there is plenty else to take in. If it’s windy, Green Lake will have whitecaps. If it’s nice out, there will be lots of hottie-hots jogging around (male, female, and neutered).

You are going to come very close to the Duck Island Ale House and Über Tavern on Aurora Ave. N. These are two more of my favorite places, but I’m saving them for a different UBH. If you’re more manly than me, then by all means, have at it. We’ve still got a lot of ground to cover, though and the sun isn’t as high in the sky as you think it is, Lushy McLusherson.

Eventually, about 3/4 of the way around, depart the trail and head up to N 65th St. and the blissfully geeky (beer geeky, that is) Latona Pub. They’ve always got 4 or 5 beers on tap that I want. Good luck deciding. Good food, good knowledgeable service, and plenty of visible space outside to hitch the dog (or the kid — 21 and over!)

If you’re feeling foggy by this point, don’t worry. The next leg of the hike is pretty straight forward and follows main roads. You’ll go out the door, take a right and head SSE toward the University of Washington and The Ave.

Rap with a few Ave Rats if you want and then arrive at one of Seattle’s oldest and (I think) best breweries, Big Time. You can hitch the dog up out front, but the sidewalk is not very wide, so keep that in mind. If you brought a growler, fill it up here. If you didn’t, buy one and fill it up here. If you’re still hungry, there is a modest kitchen that makes decent pizza and sandwiches. There’s always a lively crowd here, so if you choose to end here, I forgive you. You are close to NE 45th St. where you can easily find a cab or the #44 bus that takes you back to very near my starting point on the south side of Green Lake.

Enjoy and let me know how it goes. Cheers!

So Long Jolly Roger!

urbanbeerhikes — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:45:00 +0000

Tonight we say farewell to one of Seattle’s great little pubs and yet another little morsel of goodness that made Ballard a unique place to live until relatively recently.

Maritime Pacific’s Jolly Roger Taproom closes its doors for good at the end of business tonight and while I can’t say that I was a regular, I have been there many times and I will miss it. The Jolly Roger was a most authentic place, not only because you could step outside for a smoke or a phone call and peek in at the kettles and the bottling line, but also because looking around, you knew that everybody in the room appreciated where they were and what they were drinking as much as you did. I’ve always loved tossing back beer mere feet from where it is made — who doesn’t?

Maritime is growing and that is a good thing. We eagerly await the opening of their new place — only blocks from their old place. It’ll be bigger, for sure. The same great people are behind the scenes, so there is no doubt in my mind that it will be quality. What will they do to retain the authenticity? Will they change their menu? How will a bigger, bad ass-er brewery change their offerings?

Now we play the waiting game and dream of little smokers (Dave Miller’s impossibly big onion rings that are even tastier than they look.)

Farewell, Jolly Roger. You will be missed.

Lunch Beers!

urbanbeerhikes — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:04:00 +0000

After a long morning of looking for a job and battling with my slow-ass computer, I could use a long walk and brew or two. Time for an Urban Beer Hike.

I’ll start at The Dray, walk down to Brouwer’s, continue up the backside of Queen Anne to the Hilltop Alehouse, then down the hill to Pike Brewing. From there, it’s a short walk to Pier 55 where the Elliot Bay Water Taxi will take me to West Seattle. A free shuttle bus will take me up to California Ave. SW and Edmunds. From there it’s a short trot over to Beveridge Place Pub.

Ballard to West Seattle by foot with lots to see and drink along the way. Not too shabby.

Here’s a detailed map:

View Larger Map

Better see if Mandy and Link want to come along.