Seattle is renowned for its diverse attractions, including coffee culture, the iconic Space Needle, stunning natural landscapes, and, notably, its exceptional breweries. Visitors to the Pacific Northwest can spend their entire stay exploring the local breweries, with ample options throughout Washington State. Drawing on my local experience, I present a curated selection of Seattle’s finest breweries.

Seattle Breweries by Neighborhood

Fremont Neighborhood

Fremont Brewing

Situated along the canal and the Burke Gilman Trail, Fremont Brewing is an ideal stop for walkers and cyclists interested in exploring Seattle’s distinctive attractions. This dog-friendly establishment offers considerable indoor and outdoor seating, with heaters on the patio for year-round enjoyment.

Fremont Brewing features two bars and offers a selection of sandwiches and snacks. Guests also have the option to bring their own food. Their beer menu is extensive, highlighting various IPAs, dark beers, as well as lighter lagers and ales.

Aslan Brewing

Located in the heart of Fremont, Aslan Brewing is known for serving 100% organic certified beer. The brewery boasts spacious indoor seating, complete with an assortment of couches and comfortable chairs. While outdoor seating is limited, dogs are welcome indoors. Food can be ordered from the adjacent Local Tide, which is known for its exceptional offerings.

Ballard Neighborhood – The Ballard Brewery District

The Ballard Brewery District serves as an excellent hub to fully experience Seattle’s vibrant craft beer culture, featuring leading breweries within a compact area, along with a variety of food truck options.

Obec

Obec deserves more visitors due to its exceptional offerings, primarily influenced by Czech brewing traditions. As someone married to a Czech citizen, I can attest that they truly excel in crafting remarkable beers. My favorites include their brown and amber ales, while my husband enjoys their pilsners.

The brewery features both an outdoor covered patio and ample indoor seating, which can be opened up during warmer months, creating an inviting indoor/outdoor atmosphere. It is conveniently located near other popular breweries such as Stoup and Urban Family, both of which also have their own respective food truck schedules.

Reuben’s Brews

Located across the street from Great Notion, Reuben’s Brews presents a taproom-style environment with a diverse selection of beer and cider on tap from various breweries. The lively atmosphere and outdoor patio prove popular during summer, making seating a little challenging at peak times.

Bale Breaker and Yonder Cider

This brewery is a go-to destination for many, offering excellent beer and cider at a lower price point without compromising quality. The original Bale Breaker operation is situated in Yakima Valley, where they grow their own hops, making it a worthwhile stop on a road trip.

The Ballard location offers a limited selection of beers brewed on-site, allowing for a distinctive tasting experience complemented by an extensive variety of ciders. I personally gravitate towards Yonder Cider while my husband opts for Bale Breaker’s IPAs, which are readily available in most grocery stores.

Urban Family

Well-known for its sour beers, Urban Family features around 5-6 different sours alongside various IPAs and other styles. The brewery offers plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and typically has a food truck on site. Those who appreciate sours will find Urban Family’s offerings particularly compelling due to their pronounced tartness, contrasting with the more balanced fruit-forward sours available in other breweries.

Wheelie Pop Brewing

Nestled in a side street within the Ballard brewery district, Wheelie Pop Brewing is a smaller establishment that manages to draw a crowd. Although I don’t frequent it often, it’s certainly worth a visit. The brewery provides board games and occasionally features a hotdog cart outside. Their beer selection includes various styles primarily crafted with North American hops, focusing on sustainable brewing practices.

Cloudburst Brewing

Cloudburst operates two prominent locations, one situated in downtown Ballard, near the Ballard Locks, a recommended sightseeing spot. For hop enthusiasts, this brewery stands out with its ample selection of IPAs. While my personal preference leans away from IPAs, I have sampled and appreciated some of their lagers. Initially hesitant about my enjoyment of Cloudburst given my disinterest in IPAs, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of their lagers. The other Cloudburst location is close to the Bell Harbor International Conference Center in the downtown area, easily accessible from Pike Place Market.

Great Notion

In my opinion, Great Notion is the pinnacle of Seattle’s breweries, even prompting me to purchase their sweatshirt. They offer a unique selection of sour beers, including favorites like Luminous, Holiday Fruit Monster, and Seedless, alongside hazy IPAs like Ripe and Overripe.

Visitors can enjoy both indoor and limited outdoor seating. However, outside food is not permitted, as they have the Burbs serving hamburgers, fries, and chicken nuggets inside. If food trucks are more to your liking, consider visiting another brewery before concluding your beer journey at Great Notion.

Kenmore

Stoup Brewing

Stoup Brewing, located at the center of Kenmore, represents one of several locations, with their primary brewery situated in Ballard and a newly established taproom in Capitol Hill. This expansive venue is among the largest breweries in Seattle, providing an extensive selection of beers that can be overwhelming for visitors.

The Kenmore location features a full food menu and serves as a combination brewery and restaurant with pet-friendly outdoor seating. It is unique among the three locations for having a complete food menu. The other sites typically involve food trucks or nearby eateries. Their newest Capitol Hill addition is conveniently located next to a bowling alley/pool hall, adding an element of fun to the experience.

Cairn Brewing

Cairn Brewing offers a welcoming atmosphere with ample indoor seating, including comfortable couches, where patrons can catch a game. The brewery presents a diverse beer selection and frequently hosts events throughout the year. Conveniently located off the Burke Gilman Trail, it remains accessible while being part of the Kenmore community.

The brewery excels in providing an impressive selection of beers, including a mix of sours, IPAs, lagers, and ales. Unique offerings also include homemade dog biscuits and other snacks, with a rotating food truck schedule available throughout the week.

Capitol Hill

Outer Planet

Outer Planet was a delightful discovery for me, located conveniently near Morfire hotpot (which I highly recommend). This intimate brewery, nestled on a less conspicuous street adjacent to Capitol Hill’s main park, is just a short stroll from popular shopping and dining areas.

Outer Planet is a boutique brewery producing small-batch beers with creatively themed names inspired by outer space. Enjoy a flight while engaging in board games for a relaxed evening experience. My visit included a lively round of Cards Against Humanity, leading to an enjoyable night filled with laughter and great food.

University District

Big Time Brewing

As one of the oldest breweries in Seattle, Big Time Brewing presents a great venue for relaxation and people-watching in the University District. The brewery accommodates both indoor and outdoor seating, and they offer a full menu, prohibiting outside food. What stands out about Big Time Brewing is its exceptional staff who consistently deliver outstanding service. During a visit, when rain commenced unexpectedly, the bartender suggested seating adjustments to ensure comfort and even provided blankets for warmth, alongside water for my dog. While their beer may not be the pinnacle of the city’s brews, the positive atmosphere and hospitality solidify its position as one of Seattle’s must-visit breweries.

Honorable Mentions

Burke Gilman Brewing

This brewery, conveniently located near my home, deserves mention due to its high-quality beer. Tucked off the Burke Gilman Trail, it is slightly outside the University District and features an inviting selection, although prices may be slightly higher than similar breweries. I highly recommend trying their hefeweizen.

Extremely dog-friendly, Burke Gilman Brewing also offers delicious dog biscuits. Guests can procure food from the nearby El Camion food truck to enhance their culinary experience, all while enjoying the scenic outdoor patio featuring heaters.

Ravenna Brewing Company

Ravenna Brewing Company, located near the University District behind U Village, is another intimate brewery offering premium beer. With a blend of indoor and outdoor seating options and an event space designed for larger gatherings, it remains an inviting spot for dog owners, coupled with a schedule of food trucks serving daily. Their beer menu is varied, with rotating options that include IPAs, lagers, and darker beers, appealing to a wide range of palates.

Lucky Envelope Brewing

Positioned slightly on the outskirts of the Ballard Brewery District, Lucky Envelope Brewing is celebrated for its culturally inspired beers, derived from the owners’ travel experiences. With rotating taps, visitors can expect a diverse range of unique offerings, from sours to IPAs and stouts.

Fair Isle Brewing

Adjacent to Bale Breaker and Yonder Cider, Fair Isle Brewing specializes in lagers and mixed-culture saisons. Although the outdoor seating is limited, they boast a new kitchen that features an array of fermented foods and dry-aged meats.

Concluding Thoughts

Seattle boasts a thriving craft beer scene, with numerous breweries spread throughout the city. It is an ideal destination for adventurous beer enthusiasts seeking to savor quality craft beer. Many of these breweries are accessible from the Burke Gilman Trail, including those in Kenmore, Burke Gilman Brewing, University District, Fremont, and Ballard. So, grab a bike and enjoy a day of exploration, ensuring to bring a bike bag for those enticing 4-packs you’ll want to take home!