SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
In the post-Industrial downtown section of West Seattle, ELLIOTT BAY BREWERY (with three locations as of 2025) hosts varied clientele at its charmingly elegant upscale space, visited December ‘09. Two park benches at the entrance welcome patrons to glass door of beige building (featuring brewers’ signifying seaworthy murel). Bar at left (with two TV’s) opposes wood-furnished dining area of narrow brick-walled interior. Abstract paintings adorn the walls and beer banners hang from the ceiling where exposed pipes suspend. The small loft area in the rear brings expanse.
World War II Blues played in the background while I sampled eight diversified offerings.
Soft lemon-bruised grapefruit-tart coriander-spiced woody-hopped wheat-blanched Luna Weizen and hop-spiced mineral-grained pine-nutty red-fruited caramel-malted Alembic Pale Ale suited moderate-bodied tastes.
Peanut-shelled rye-soured fig-sugared cherrywood-smoked West Side Brown Ale also stayed light-bodied.
Heartier thirsts will lean towards grapefruit peel-embittered, orange rind-soured, wheat-biscuit-y, grassy-hopped, alcohol-sharp, iodine-nicked Elliott Bay IPA and floral pine-sapped grapefruit-embittered Hoppus Collasum Double IPA, a terrific bold elixir countered firmly by honeyed peach-pear-nectar juicing and creamy cocoa malts.
No Ale Winter Seasonal wedged cocoa-molasses sweetness into malt-roasted dark-spiced cherry-bruised prune-soured finish.
On the dark side, Band-Aid-wafted salami-beefed beechwood-smoked grain-roasted prune-dried Noir Von Boorian Belgian Black Ale boasted mild eccentricities and cherry-pureed vanilla-chalked chocolate-smoked oats-flaked No Doubt Stout reveled in lightly creamed mocha malt smoothness.
Succulent perfume-spiced hop prickle absorbs fruit chocolate-y goodness. Molasses-like caramel malts and floral pineapple-peach-tangerine sweetness counter grapefruit peel bittering. Resinous pine lingers through lemon zest midst before slim nuttiness reaches biscuit-y spine.
Smoothly creamy chocolate-spiced winter seasonal reaches sublime heights. Sugar plum, fig, and date ride shotgun next to cinnamon-nutmeg-coriander-ginger spicing and macadamia-hazelnut-pecan propensity.
Luxuriant nut-roasted molasses-smoked mocha malt creaminess gives lactic tan-headed brown-bodied stout inviting opening. Brown chocolate, vanilla, and cocoa subdue mild bourbon-sherry-port whir as well as espresso-cappuccino-induced finish. Dark rum soaks ripened black cherry, raspberry puree, stewed prune, and raisin illusions at backend.
Amiable light-to-medium-bodied softie provides easygoing drinkability. Plaintive caramel malt setting highlights spiced apple modesty, mild orange-grapefruit tang, and dinky chestnut-almond nicety. Peat-y tea-like earthiness settles below thin mocha-fruited finish. Well-rounded, though needing to push standard ingredients forward a bit more.
Creamy Scotch sweetness and nutty brown chocolate-y center hold up well against dry fruited plain of formerly known Fat Bastard Ale (named after Austin Powers character). Praline, hazelnut, macadamia, and chestnut reinforce rum-soaked dried cherry resolve and sugar plum reminder. Smooth.
Creamy wintry weizenbock retains soft, fluffy texture for cinnamon-spiced brown chocolate theme. Prune, raisin, and cherry gird cocoa-dusted molasses malting as vanilla, cappuccino, and walnut illusions emerge. But seasonal clove and gingerbread spicing lacks stamina.
Similar to Scuttlebutt Amber Ale, though a slight bit better and more resilient. Still, for hop-notched India Pale Ale, proper yellow-orange-fruited tang and piney bitterness lack while toasted cereal graining takes the lead. Phenol walnut-charred dryness gets exhaustive. For contrast, nominal butterscotch, pecan and candy apple nuances simmer through sugary almond-pasted marzipan sweetness.
Wavering mocha-spiced sweetness fades into honeyed wheat spine. Nominal citric twang falters, leaving sugared date, dried fig, hazelnut, and tobacco illusions to wallow in the delicate caramel midst. Under-whelming and uninteresting.
Frothy brown chocolate-vanilla creaminess rises above hop-oiled walnut toasting and tannic grape tartness. Roasted Brazil nut, cola nut, and macadamia illusions sharpen bittersweet mocha-influenced black cherry-pureed backdrop.