We just completed an epic roadtrip. It wasn't epic as in we visited national parks. We didn't see majestic animals in their natural habitats. We didn't see glorious vistas the likes of which nature and travel channels are made of.
It was 3,500 miles of U.S. Interstate and nothing but car trouble. But we survived it and through it all we managed to find a lot of really great beer. (The whole story is here.)
Along the way, we passed through four states, stopping at 11 breweries, and sampling 28 beers. I would love to review them all but there were so many that a summary will have to suffice.
We purchased several to bring home, filling the fridge once more with beers from the Pacific Northwest. If anyone is interested in a tasting party, let me know and we'll put something together. Bring your own favorite to share. In particular, I would like to try a NEIPA if someone has one that they like. I'm convinced the West Coast IPAs are the best. Please feel free to prove me wrong.
This isn't even our latest trek. We've made one more short one since we were in the Pacific Northwest and we're about to head out on another one. But that's what summers are for: roadtrips, and discovering new places and experiences.
The breweries and brews are listed alphabetically, rather than in the order of our travel, and the standouts are highlighted. Underlined breweries or brews are ones we've visited/tasted before. Everything else was a new adventure.
BREWERIES:
10 Barrel Brewing, Boise ID- Bad Boy Pilsner
- Sinister Black
54-40, Washougal WA
- Kölsch, Washougal WA
- West Coast Pilsner 5.0%
Bellevue Brewing, Bellevue WA
- 425
- Pilsner
- Hip Check IPA
Brothers Cascadia Evergreen Pub, Vancouver WA
- Lowlands Lager
(We didn't sample any of their beer! But, we had a surprisingly good Mediterranean Wrap from their food menu.)
Ghost Runner
- Last Mile Kölsch 5.0%
- Running Up Pils 5.0%
- The One Dark Lager 4.5%
Loowit, Vancouver WA
- Loowit Lager 4.2%/12 IBU
- Astromech Pale Ale 5.5%/42 IBU
- Boo Koo West Coast IPA, 6.5%
- Pilsner
- Blonde
- Stout
- 3-Way IPA (collab), Fort George Brewery (Astoria OR)/Brujos Brewing (Portland OR)/Ghost Town Brewing (Oakland CA)
- Black Butte NA, Deschutes Brewery (Portland OR)
- Bodhizafa, Georgetown Brewing Company (Seattle WA)
- Columbia Kölsch, Ice Harbor Brewery (Kennewick WA)
- Morning Provision, Sockeye Brewing (Boise ID)
- NA IPA, Freemont Brewing (Seattle WA)
- No Bad Days, Barrel Mountain Brewing (Battleground WA)
- Northtown Pilsner, Larrabee Lager Company (Bellingham WA)
- Ramble West IPA 6.8% (Chico CA)
- Shadow Shinobi, Loowit Brewing (Vancouver WA)
- Summer IPA, Reuben's Brews (Seattle WA)
HONORABLE MENTION:
The Underground Taphouse (Pasco WA): Friendly service and great tap list. If you need food, order from Saag Thai, next door. It was notably good. (Jill, our bartender gave us this tip: don't order it spicy!) If you ever find yourself in Pasco getting your car repaired on a road trip and you're stuck for a couple of days, The Underground is right next to Firestone Complete Auto Care.
