Guest Blog/By Tom Basinski
If you happen to be heading to Seattle this week there are plenty of sights to see, including the 4th Annual Seattle Beer Week (May 10-20), which coincides well with American Craft Beer Week (May 14-20). Many attractions are within walking distance of the historic Pioneer Square area. The Best Western Hotel at Pioneer Square is an historic refurbished lodging establishment that has modern amenities, but with a vintage appearance.
Best of all, at least to me, was the Pioneer Square Saloon (77 Yesler Way, 206-628-6444), right next door to the hotel (Western Ave. & Post Ave). The saloon only serves beer and wine, but oh boy, what beer they sell. There were several brands of microbrews on tap, and an unusual but poignant bar motto that’s stuck with me: “Welcome to the Pioneer Square Saloon—Try not to be an asshole.” Definitely a locals spot (until this blog came out).
I was in the bar two of the three days we were there. On a Saturday the local professional soccer team played, and their replica jersey-donning fans were in full voice the whole match. Alas, most of them ignored great Northwest craft beer (in the middle of Seattle’s Beer Week—for Pete’s sake), drinking Bud Light instead. Had they been less rambunctious I may have made a few suggestions.
We saw the Space Needle – big deal, I know – as well as the Pike Street Market, which is a really neat place. It has tons of souvenir gifts, if you want one. The foodstuffs are out of this world; my top pick was a cheese shop where I had the best macaroni and cheese one could imagine. Okay, you might think if I have macaroni and cheese that I’m not very imaginative. You are wrong. This was great. There’s also a piroshki place (Russian buns packed with a variety of fillings) that will have your mouth watering with all the options. Basically, you name it, and the Pike Street Market has it.
This is a buildup to my favorite spot in all of Seattle – Pike Brewing Company. The brewpub features a half-dozen Pike Brewing signature beers, plus seasonals, but unless you know what you want I suggest ordering the sampler. I used to say I was the Will Rogers of beer drinking—I’ve never met one I didn’t like. That’s no longer true. There are pumpkin beers and other fruity beers that will make someone, but not me, happy.
In addition to house-brewed beers, Pike Brewing has a rotating selection of California beers to choose from, plus select Trappist, German and English ales. There’s also a selection of rotating Northwest artisan ciders. Oh yes, the food: it’s top-notch, and not just “bar food.” My wife was afraid it would be and I always love it when she’s wrong (about once a decade, if you ask her). Pike Brewing is definitely a worthwhile stop on your trip to Seattle. The brewery is located at 1415 1st Ave., Seattle, 98101-2107.
Tom Basinski has written for West Coaster before. He’s an ex-seminary student; ex-cop; ex-DA Investigator and ex-light beer drinker. Currently, a travel writer and true crime writer: “No Good Deed” and “Cross-Country Rapist” for Berkley True Crime publishers.