Cold One After Work 1: Tavern Hall

Cold One After Work

Location: Tavern Hall - Bellevue, WA

Date: January 31st, 2018

Whether you're just getting over a long hard day of work, or facing an unbelievably long commute back home, sometimes it's easier to just grab a nice cold brew to relax before returning to your humble abode.

Today my commute home would have clocked in at 80 minutes of crawling along I-405...something I intended to find a way out of.

There's a pretty great place in downtown Bellevue that I have frequented before called Tavern Hall.  They have some pretty great brews from local breweries and great food as well (Including one burger claiming to be the best in Bellevue...and it very well may be, but that's another post for another blog.)  I felt the commute issue was an occasion calling for me to go try a couple over a few hours while the traffic died down.

Note: The pictures aren't great, but then again, nobody wants to be that guy at the bar with the big flashing lights, unless you're either celebrating something, or trying to convince people you're drinking alone and taking selfies.

On tap for the Evening was:

- 498. Tavern Hall Ale
Style: Kolsch

Brewery: Black Raven Brewing
Untapped Rating: 4/5
Description: "Sweet, malty, light taste, very light hop."
Comments: This was an amazing brew.  If you're looking for something to start a beer drinking session with that doesn't kill you, but doesn't let you don't either, this does the trick perfectly.  A sweet brew, with a light taste, malty amazingness, and with just a pinch of hop (I could barely tell until I really let it sink in.)  You need this in your life.

- 499. Habanero Cider
Style: Cider

Brewery: Finnriver Farm & Cidery
Untapped Rating: 4/5
Description: "Very smooth, slight heat, spicy flavor, hint of apple."
Comments: After drinking this, I was 2 for 2 in finding some pretty epic brew.  This is one of (if not the best to date) ciders I have ever had.  I am really getting a kick out of these Pepper brews, and this one did it.  It went down super smoothly, it had some heat to it, but a crazy amount.  There was a spicy flavor that lingers after you drink it, but it's more of a spicy calming buzz as opposed to actual burning.  The cherry on the top was the hint of apple, splashed in for the sweet cidery effect.  This was amazing.  The only thing I didn't like was that it was only available in a bottle.  This would be amazing on tap.  Regardless, get one soon!

Pike's Brewing Company

Brewery Review

Brewery: Pike's Brewery

Location: Seattle, WA

Date: Jan. 27, 2018

Tag Team Partners: Mathew

Ran around Seattle showing off different places to my friend and co-worker Mathew.  3rd stop of the night was Pike Brewing Company inside Pike Place Market.  This place is one of the trendier places to hit up, and they live up to their name by serving some pretty good brew.  Always a good time to be had when you stop in here.

On my Tap for the Evening was:

- Naughty Nellie
Style: Golden Ale

Brewery: Pike Brewing
Untapped Rating: 2.75/5
Description: "Light, little hoppy, flavor that lingers, tasty."
Comments: Not a bad brew to kick off the list.  Golden Ales always deliver that refreshing taste that looks, and feels like a typical light beer, but delivers on a much higher level.  This beer had some hoppiness to it, and had a taste that stuck around for a while, and made you want some more.  Good stuff.

- Pike Place Ale
Style: Pale Ale
Brewery: Pike Brewing
Untapped Rating: 2.25
Description: Good pale ale, smooth
Comments: Don't let the rating fool you, this is a decent pale ale.  Very citrusy in taste, but certainly goes down smooth.  Definitely try it when you go in.  Sometimes with citrus, you need to drink it at just the right moment, or if you're drinking others, get some water to acquire the full taste.  Recommended.

- IPA
Style: IPA
Untapped Rating: 3/5
Description: "Powerful malty IPA"
Comments: The Pike take on IPA is done very well.  It delivers with a great taste of maltiness, while delivering the hops in sweet bitter sort of way.  The aroma is herbal in nature, and hits the spot.

- Kilt Lifter
Style: Scotch Ale
Untapped Rating: 4/5
Description: "Good Malty, Scotch Ale"
Comments: My official rating shows a 2.25.  My rating lies.  This is clearly a much better beer than when I first had it (probably a few pints in and wasn't expecting it) but that's because when you try drinks multiple times and don't update, it shows your initial rating.  First impressions aren't everything, and once you know your tastes, the Kilt Lifter will do more that just raise yours.  A wonderful blend of rich strong ale with the smokiness of scotch mixed in for a delicious taste.  Light hoppiness to round out this one.  This is one of the top beers recommended for Pike's.

- XXXXX Pike Stout
Style: Stout
Untapped Rating: 3.5/5
Description: "Tastes like a Guinness"
Comments: Exactly as described, Pike's stout comes out fighting and gives Guinness a good run for their money.  Strong dark coffee taste, almost roasted with hints of sweetness, and goes down very smooth.  Bravo!

- Monk's Uncle
Style: Belgian Tripel
Untapped Rating: 3/5
Description: "Almost like drinking a fruity pie"
Comments: Very sweet beer with a light smooth taste that gives off a rich fruity taste that goes down easy.  Very good dessert beer.  Check it out!

Six-Pack Feedback: Scuttlebutt Bonus

Six-Pack Feedback

Brewery: Scuttlebutt Brewing

Location: Everett, WA

Week of Jan. 28 - Feb 2

After doing the tour of their taproom the other day, I have decided to try some more of their brews to rate and examine for you.

Jan. 27th: Starting tomorrow, I will drink a different one each day and rate it.  3 of them are ones I have had before, but felt the need to go back and revisit to get the full spectrum of what they offer.

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Jan. 28th

64. Homeport Blonde Ale
Style: Blonde Ale
Untapped Rating: 3.75/5
Description: Good blonde ale, sweet, refreshing, light
Comments: Very good blonde ale.  I do hold a special place in my heart for them.  It's a light beer aroma, refreshingly fluid taste, sweet aftertaste with a golden touch.  Why drink Lite beer when you can enjoy this amazing light beer?  Recommended!
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Jan. 29th

496: Scuttlebutt Porter
Style: Porter
Untapped Rating: 3.75/5
Description: "Rich, Creamy, Sweet, Dark, Smooth."
Comments: Awesome Porter.  This brew delivers a dark creamy taste with a bitter sweetness that goes down smooth.  It brings a rich coffee aftertaste that finishes it off.  Great to pair with a dessert.
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Jan. 30th

497: Hoptopia
Style: Imperial IPA
Untapped Rating: 3.5/5
Description: "Very hoppy, very bitter aftertaste, fluid, with a slight fruity taste"
Comments: If bitter beer is your thing, get a Hoptopia in your hand ASAP!  This beer is bitter, hoppy and damn proud of it.  It carries a nice fluid taste with a hint of fruit, but delivers on it's hoppy namesake and it's place as an awesome Imperial IPA.
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Jan. 31st

286: Scuttlebutt Amber Ale
Style: Red Amber Ale
Untapped Rating: 4/5
Description: "Sweet, super smooth, malty"
Comments: This is a pretty amazing Amber Ale.  It's unbelievably smooth and fluid, has a great malty sweet taste, and really hits the spot.  I sort of liken it to a porter but with more emphasis on the ale than going after a coffee flavor.  This one is a winner, go get it!
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Feb 2nd
(Making up for Feb 1st Post)

287: Galeforce
Style: IPA
Untapped Rating: 3/5
Description: "Smooth, hoppy, malty, bitter floral aftertaste"
Comments: Pretty decent IPA.  The hops are spot on, it has a bit of malt to it, and an aftertaste that seems not quite fruity, but possibly more floral.  If you like a decent bitter IPA, this one's for you!
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Jan. 31st

506: Tripel Seven
Style: Belgian Ale
Untapped Rating: 4/5
Description: "Very sweet Belgian ale, fruity flavor, hints of apple, perhaps pear?  Nice aroma, wonderful Belgian aftertaste"
Comments: This was a pretty epic Belgian Ale.  The Tripel Seven gives off a very sweet vibe with fruity flavors, and aromas of apple and what taste a bit like pear.  It is reasonable smooth, and light in tone.  The Belgian influence is certainly there, and it combines to form an amazing beer.  Get this one!

Six-Pack On Tap:

Jan. 28 - 64. Homeport Blonde Ale

Jan 29 - 496. Scuttlebutt Porter

Jan 30 - 297. Hoptopia Imperial IPA

Jan 31 - 286. Scuttlebutt Amber Ale

Feb 1 - 287. Galeforce IPA

Feb 2 - 506. Tripel Seven Belgian Ale

Huge shoutout to Scuttlebutt Brewing for allowing me to sample this amazing six-pack for the Six-Pack Feedback.  If you haven't been there yet, stop on by, and try some more of their great brews.  If you want to check them out, click here.  If you haven't read the Scuttlebutt Brewery Review yet, click on the link.  Cheers!

Scuttlebutt Brewery

Brewery Review

Brewery: Scuttlebutt Brewing Taproom

Location: Everett, WA

Date: Jan. 26, 2018
Tag Team Partners: None Officially but...
(Honorable mention for Damien - see below)

I went to Scuttlebutt Brewing tonight.  Prior to this, I had eaten at their restaurant back in November of 2016.  For my first visit to this location, I have to say, what a fantastic place tucked away in Everett.  The atmosphere consisted of a nice taproom among the surrounding machinery rooms where people can carry their drinks with them as they walk around and observe up close what is used to produce their beer.  There appeared to be a party there tonight, which showed me it makes a great place to hold celebrations, and honor accomplishments and achievements with great tastes, and brews.

The latest beer they were promoting was their Night Circus Coconut Coffee Porter Ale.  As reviewed below, it is a porter combining the better aspects of coconut and coffee into a darker brew.  They are holding a Special Event to celebrate it on Feb. 3rd, with live music.

SOTR1989 Shoutout Moment: One of the bartenders Damien was a wonderful host, and a great person to talk to about different beers and tastes.  In between taking care of various customers, he was very engaging, and like any other person who loves beer, continues to grow his knowledge of various beers as he goes along.  If you go in there, make sure to say hi to him and have an enjoyable discussion about great brews.  You get my #SOTR1989 shout-out for "Spreading Awesomeness Worldwide."

Overall, this was a great place, and whether going here or to the restaurant along the waterfront, it makes for a memorable and enjoyable experience.

As usual, I had a glass of water on hand to help clear the tastebuds after each sample, and also to keep me hydrated. 

On Tap for the Evening was:

- Thai Me Down
Style: Dark Lager
Brewery: Scuttlebutt Brewing
Untapped Rating: 3.5/5
Description: "Excellent dark lager, flavorful taste, rich, spice"
Comments: This is a good spice beer.  It contains plenty of flavor for a dark lager.  It begs to burn you after you swallow the first sip, but doesn't, and made for a great first pick of the night.

- Hefeweizen
Style: Hefeweizen
Brewery: Scuttlebutt Brewing
Untapped Rating: 3/5
Description: "Sweet, very light and fruity.  Banana flavor mixed with a variety of other flavors that mix well."
Comments: This Hefe had a very light taste to it with a slight banana flavor to it that stands out among the rest.  It had a great aroma, and a sweet dessert-like taste.

- Transistor
Style: IPA
Brewery: Scuttlebutt Brewing
Untapped Rating: 3/5
Description: "Hops immediately, fruity and light taste, not a strong IPA, but well made."
Comments: Good IPA that seems to be different than others.  You get hit with the hoppiness straight from the get-go, but the fruity taste and light smoothness create a nice change from your typical IPA

- Two Berries
Style: Belgian Ale
Brewery: Scuttlebutt Brewing
Untapped Rating: 4/5
Description: "Very smooth ale, Sips well, fruity aftertaste that happens as an afterthought.  Very exceptional ale."
Comments: This was a very smooth Belgian Ale.  You cannot sense the strength of it, and it goes down exceptionally well.  Feels like a sleeper beer in terms of strong but hidden strength.  The berry after taste is a welcome sense, and adds to the flavor and aroma of the ale.

- 10°Below
Style: Dunkelweizen
Brewery: Scuttlebutt Brewing
Untapped Rating: 2.75/5
Description: "Malty, sweet, smooth"
Comments: 10 Below features a very distinct taste.  Malty and sweet in flavor, and quite smooth.  This dark wheat is not afraid to be itself, and as you relish that first sip, you can taste the flavor it holds.  Different, but very enjoyable.

- Dill Peppercorn
Style: Saison
Brewery: Scuttlebutt Brewing
Untapped Rating: 4/5
Description: "Amazing light taste.  Some pep to it in a good way"
Comments: This was an amazing light Saison.  It had a very good flavor, showed hints of spice, and was exceptionally well done!  You need to try this!

- Night Circus
Style: Porter
Brewery: Scuttlebutt Brewing
Untapped Rating: 3/5
Description: "Nice blend of coconut and coffee with greater emphasis on coconut."
Comments: This was their new Coconut Coffee Porter.  It was a very good mix of the two flavors into the porter style.  The coconut is certainly the stronger of the two flavors, but still pleasant.

- Raspberry Moeite
Style: Belgian Tripel
Brewery: Scuttlebutt Brewing
Untapped Rating: 3/5
Description: "Very distinct raspberry taste, stretching sweet/sour effect, enjoyable fruity."
Comments: This 9 percenter has a distinct Raspberry taste, with a great mix of sweet and sour.  It is strong, but in a very berry flavored way.  Almost to the level of a sour beer.

Lazy Boy Brewing

Brewery Review

Brewery: Lazy Boy Brewing

Location: Everett, WA

Date: Jan. 19, 2018
Tag Team Partners: None (officially)

Following Middleton, I made my way across the way to LazyBoy Brewing.  I had heard about this place several times, and figured that since I only had one day off this week, why not make up for it by visiting 2 breweries.  There was a short beer list, only 10 brews on tap, so I decided to try all of them.  I began losing track at the end of the night, so only 9 beers will be reviewed here, but I will definitely return.  The night was also highlighted by a performance by Jeffrey Graham.

On my Tap for the Evening was: 

- Mistletoe Bliss
Style: Brown Ale
Brewery: Lazy Boy Brewing
Untapped Rating: 2.75/5
Description: "Dark, smooth, malty sweet."
Comments: Nice dark brown ale.  Sips very sweetly with a malty taste and goes down smoothly.

- 470. Lazy Boy IPA
Style: IPA
Brewery: Lazy Boy Brewing
Untapped Rating: 2.75
Description: "Good Hoppy IPA"
Comments: It's an IPA that does what it needs to: hits you with a hoppy taste, extra bitter, and ice cold and refreshing in taste.

- 468. Belgian Golden
Style: Belgian Strong Golden Ale
Brewery: Lazy Boy Brewing
Untapped Rating: 3.25/5
Description: "Very amazing sweet Belgian!"
Comments: This Belgian is pretty awesome.  It's nice and strong, taste like a golden beer should, and just rocks of sweetness.  Definitely try a pint of this!

- 469. Norwegian Death
Style: Stout
Brewery: Lazy Boy Brewing
Untapped Rating: 3.5/5
Description: "Smooth stout, sweet, easy-going, nice"
Comments: Very smooth stout.  Sips quite easily, and is pretty easy-flowing, no intense surprises or flavors that make you react.  Just a good beer!

- Blonde Ale
Style: Blonde Ale
Brewery: Lazy Boy Brewing
Untapped Rating: 4/5
Description: "Delicious Blonde Ale"
Comments: I may have a think for blondes...perhaps a weakness, but this was pretty awesome.  Nice and smooth, light, enjoyable and overall awesome.  Have a pint of this!

- Blackberry Cobbler Perry
Brewery: Elemental Hard Cider
Untapped Rating: 4/5
Description: "Like Drinking Juice"
Comments: Not an actual Lazy Boy brew, but pretty good.  The gentlemen next to me earlier in the night recommended this to me.  I felt like I was sipping juice out of a glass.  If you're looking for hoppy or bitter, this isn't for you.  More for the sweeter crowd, but definitely something to enjoy.

- Dry Hopped Grapefruit IPA
Style: IPA
Brewery: Lazy Boy Brewing
Untapped Rating: 2.25/5
Description: "Super Hoppy IPA"
Comments: If you're looking for your hop fix, you've found it in this beer.  This beer hops more than the Energizer Bunny, and delivers a pretty solid taste.  I like grapefruit normally, but they always taste strange when mixed with beer.  Not bad, just odd. 

- Vienna Lager
Style: Lager
Brewery: Lazy Boy Brewing
Untapped Rating: 2.25/5
Description: "Good lager, sweet, certainly very lager in taste."
Comments: Great beer to eat with some pizza or crack open on a day when you just need a cool drink.  It's exactly what you'd expect from a lager.

- Little John
Style: Red Ale
Brewery: Lazy Boy Brewing
Untapped Rating: 2.5/5
Description: "Red Ale, bitter, decent."
Comments: Bitter red ale.  Not bad, but almost similar to any other red ale.  It does the job.

Middleton Brewery

Brewery Review

Brewery: Middleton Brewing

Location: Everett, WA

Date: Jan. 19, 2018
Tag Team Partners: None

I went to Middleton Brewing this past Saturday for their Java Night.  It was amazing to say the least.  They had some great coffee beers.  The atmosphere was laid back, some locals there.  Very much the feel of a coffee shop only with beer.

Also adding to the amazingness was their "Beer Cheese Soup."  Really put the place together as one for beer and good snack food to keep the stomach at bay for the evening.

On my Tap for the Evening was:

- Breakfast First
Style: Stout

Brewery: Middleton Brewing
Untapped Rating: 3.75/5
Description: "Literally a cookies and cream beer."
Comments: Awesome first brew of the night.  I was in the mood for something sweet, and this epic brew hit the spot.  I love most things Cookies and Cream, and from the first sip, I knew this would be something great.  This is the perfect combination of dessert and beer.

- Semper Fi
Style: Blonde Ale

Brewery: Middleton Brewing
Untapped Rating: 3.5/5
Description: "Cereal beer.  Like when you drink the milk from your bowl only in beer form."
Comments: This was a pretty amazing beer that reminded me of eating Lucky Charms when growing up.  You know the feeling, you've finished the cereal, had a big spoonful of nothing but marshmallows, and now it's time to drink the milk straight from the bowl.  Here it is, only in freshly brewed form.  It's brewtastically delicious!  Extra kudos for being a blonde ale.

- J-Walking Grandma
Style: Imperial Milk Stout

Brewery: Middleton Brewing
Untapped Rating: 2.75/5
Description: "Good porter, sweet, coffee bitter"
Comments: Decent porter, but not my favorite of the bunch.  That doesn't mean it wasn't enjoyable.  I think I had been too affected by the sweeter earlier beers that this more bitter tasting brew kinda threw off the scale.  I'll have to try it again at a later date and see if I have a different opinion.

- 14 Steps
Style: Oatmeal Stout
Brewery: Middleton Brewing
Untapped Rating: 3.5/5
Description: "Sweet and smooth oatmeal.  Very good."
Comments: Definitely a worthy oatmeal beer.  Very tasteful, delicious and well made.  Great coffee brew.