Monday 27th June 2011
Bob Thompson
Burien is a long journey on the 134 bus from downtown Seattle, almost an hour, but it is worth it. I alighted at the Burien Transit Center (Bus Station). One block south I found the Elliot Bay Brewery and Pub at 255 SW 152nd Street.
I had no idea what to expect from this brewpub but almost immediately I was cheered by seeing two cask beer pumps and a good range of other beers.
On offer were Pilot Light (4.0%), Highline IPA (5.8%), No Doubt Stout (6.3%), B-Town Brown (5.0%), Alembic Pale (5.2%), Luna Weizen (4.2%), Hop von Boorian (5.8%), Demolition Ale (7.5%). The latter was the only seasonal beer, the rest were part of the permanent range.
As an example of the number of seasonal beers brewed here, just look at what was coming soon: Riot Ale (8.0%), Citra One Hop, Klondike Gold, Black IPA (6.3%), Red von Boorian (5.0%) and Pale von Boorian.
On draught they also had Ace Cider, and Lindeman's Framboise from Belgium. Coffee Stout (6.8%) was available by mixed gas dispense, and for those under legal drinking age there Crater Lake Root Beer.
Finally, the two cask beers, neither of which were brewed here, see below. The brewery is visible from the bar room.
I started with a sampler tray consisting of Pilot Light, Highline IPA, No Doubt Stout, Alembic Pale, Hop van Boorian, and Demolition Ale. I thought the Pilot Light was very lightweight, should have realised that from the name, and Alembic Pale was a bit weird, but good. The rest were excellent, especially the Highline IPA.
However I had left the best till last. The two cask offerings were from breweries I was not visiting on this trip so I was especially pleased.
First was Summer Solstice (5.2%) from the Fremont Brewery in North Seattle. It's a light coloured American Pale Ale, unbelievably good.
It was equalled by Boundary Bay IPA (6.4%) from the brewery of the same name at Bellingham in upper Washington state, just wonderful.
If I needed any reason to be drinking beer in Seattle these cask beers were the justification for it.
Important Information:
Elliot Bay Brewing Co, 255 SW 152nd Street, Burien WA. 98166. Tel: 206 246 4211
Open: Mon-Wed 11.00-23.00; Thurs & Fri 11.00-24.00; Sat 09.30-24.00; Sun 09.30-22.00
The pub is less than five minutes from the Burien Transit Center (Bus station), just go south by one block. However the Bus No 134 from Seattle downtown is no more and the buses to catch now are the 131 and 132. For more details go to http://metro.kingcounty.gov.