Saturday, November 8, 2008
Big E's Ales: Credit Due
I want to be clear that I don't believe I was being overly harsh about the service at Big E's Ales, but I do have to give credit when it's due. My wife, child and I met a friend for beers this past Friday and our server was wonderful. Friendly staff we have become accustomed to, but she was prompt and efficient despite the pub being completely full. Sorry we didn't catch your name, thanks for the great service!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Big E's Ales - Ellersick Brewing
My wife and I recently moved north from Seattle to Edmonds and started looking for a new place to patronize. We are brew pub people so we knew our search was going to be narrow. Diamond Knot was out because they don't allow kids (we don't mind taking our boy Porter to pubs), and Scuttlebutt is a little too far. It will come as no surprise that I was excited to find the Ellersick Brewery at this years Washington Brewers Festival.
The pub is in Lynnwood, underneath I-5 in a small industrial park. The brewpub is clean with a lively atmoshpere and you can peer through a large window at the brewing operation (and fooseball table tantalizingly out of reach.) The beers are well designed and far exceed the quality of the food. Below is my take on some of the brews:
IPA: Well balanced and not over hopped. Recommended.
Imperial IPA: Over 9% abv, and they'll only serve you a couple. Balanced even though it is heavily hopped and high in alcohol, it is reminiscent of the DFH 90 minute IPA. Must Buy.
Lawnmower Lager: Unremarkable, but certainly drinkable. Malty enough to make it interesting yet still crisp. Not offensive.
One negative note: the service, while friendly, leaves a lot to be desired. There always seems to be enough staff for the amount of patrons, but every time I've been in I've waited a long time for my beer. Even so, the quality of the beer, friendliness of the staff and the nice atmosphere will keep me going back.
The pub is in Lynnwood, underneath I-5 in a small industrial park. The brewpub is clean with a lively atmoshpere and you can peer through a large window at the brewing operation (and fooseball table tantalizingly out of reach.) The beers are well designed and far exceed the quality of the food. Below is my take on some of the brews:
IPA: Well balanced and not over hopped. Recommended.
Imperial IPA: Over 9% abv, and they'll only serve you a couple. Balanced even though it is heavily hopped and high in alcohol, it is reminiscent of the DFH 90 minute IPA. Must Buy.
Lawnmower Lager: Unremarkable, but certainly drinkable. Malty enough to make it interesting yet still crisp. Not offensive.
One negative note: the service, while friendly, leaves a lot to be desired. There always seems to be enough staff for the amount of patrons, but every time I've been in I've waited a long time for my beer. Even so, the quality of the beer, friendliness of the staff and the nice atmosphere will keep me going back.
Monday, November 3, 2008
My first blog - Hales Ales
So, being new at this blogging thing I thought that I would start where my love affair with Washington beers began, Hales Ales. As mentioned in my profile, the Moss Bay Extra was my first micro- a malty beer that was perfect for the cold days of an Idaho winter. Although many of the terms to describe micro brews today were relatively nonexistent back then, I would have called it an amber.
A little Hales Ales History: Founded by owner and President Mike Hales, Hales Ales was originally in Colville, Wa (which is a ways north of Spokane and pretty much in the middle of nowhere) and opened on Independence day, 1983. By 1995 the entire brewing operation was moved to the Puget Sound and its current digs in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. Much of Mike's success as a Seattle beer maker can be attributed to his initial focus on traditional English beers-in 1982 he toured southern England by bicycle learning what he could about their style of brewing. Today, although his beers are rooted in this tradition, the Hales tap lineup is a standard bearer of northwest Microbrews.
The brewpub: After the birth of my boy Porter, my wife and I began rethinking our pub visits in "child friendly" terms. On this score, Hales Ales rates very high as there are several dining areas to choose from: booths, the bar, large tables, etc. Children are welcomed, if not encouraged. I've frequented the pub about four or five times a year for the past 10 years and have noticed the following consistencies: the service is always friendly, the beers are always top notch, the food is good and the atmosphere is inviting. In a nutshell, there is a reason I keep going back.
The beers: Although the Moss Bay Extra was my first microbrew, it is not my favorite Hales Ale. That honor goes to the Mongoose IPA. This very hoppy, around 70 IBU's if memory serves, with a rounded finish this beer won't dissapoint the biggest "hop head." The Mongoose was the first IPA I poured at my former pub (Jabu's Pub) and for the five years that I owned the place we almost always had at least one Hales tap handle in the mix. Below are some stand outs:
Mongoose IPA: Hoppy, balanced, rounded. Excellent all year beer. Must Buy!
Moss Bay Extra: Malty, big. Good for those rainy, miserable days. Recommended.
Cream Ale: Dublin style with little or no gas. Very pale with a unique aftertaste, this beer is not for everyone although everyone should try it. Above Average.
Obrien's Harvest Ale: Malty, hoppy and rich, a good beer for the fall. Each year it's a bit different as they select the "best" hops of the harvest. I'm not sure how they pick the best from different varieties of hops - a bit like grading a pinot grape against a chardonnay grape. That being said, I've tried Obrien's each of the last six years and it is always a worthy beer. Recommended.
Red Menace: Malty, sweet amber ale. If you like Alaskan Amber or Fat Tire, this beer is an improvement. A good, easy drinking beer with a wide appeal. Recommended.
Closing Thoughts: A stalwart of the micro brewery movement, at least on the west coast, Hales Ales has been producing top notch beers for a quarter century. If you're visiting the Puget Sound, Hales Ales is as good a place as any to grab a pint and soak up the Seattle atmosphere. Lastly, I can't pass up a chance to plug my newest venture - Puget Sound Gift Delivery. Although the company delivers all types of gift baskets, we specialize in Seattle beer and Washington wine baskets - several of which include the Mongoose IPA and the Red Menace. If you're interested, check out our "Two Bottles of Seattle Beer" and "Seattle Microbrew" gift baskets.
Check back later for more Washington beer and wine reviews.
A little Hales Ales History: Founded by owner and President Mike Hales, Hales Ales was originally in Colville, Wa (which is a ways north of Spokane and pretty much in the middle of nowhere) and opened on Independence day, 1983. By 1995 the entire brewing operation was moved to the Puget Sound and its current digs in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. Much of Mike's success as a Seattle beer maker can be attributed to his initial focus on traditional English beers-in 1982 he toured southern England by bicycle learning what he could about their style of brewing. Today, although his beers are rooted in this tradition, the Hales tap lineup is a standard bearer of northwest Microbrews.
The brewpub: After the birth of my boy Porter, my wife and I began rethinking our pub visits in "child friendly" terms. On this score, Hales Ales rates very high as there are several dining areas to choose from: booths, the bar, large tables, etc. Children are welcomed, if not encouraged. I've frequented the pub about four or five times a year for the past 10 years and have noticed the following consistencies: the service is always friendly, the beers are always top notch, the food is good and the atmosphere is inviting. In a nutshell, there is a reason I keep going back.
The beers: Although the Moss Bay Extra was my first microbrew, it is not my favorite Hales Ale. That honor goes to the Mongoose IPA. This very hoppy, around 70 IBU's if memory serves, with a rounded finish this beer won't dissapoint the biggest "hop head." The Mongoose was the first IPA I poured at my former pub (Jabu's Pub) and for the five years that I owned the place we almost always had at least one Hales tap handle in the mix. Below are some stand outs:
Mongoose IPA: Hoppy, balanced, rounded. Excellent all year beer. Must Buy!
Moss Bay Extra: Malty, big. Good for those rainy, miserable days. Recommended.
Cream Ale: Dublin style with little or no gas. Very pale with a unique aftertaste, this beer is not for everyone although everyone should try it. Above Average.
Obrien's Harvest Ale: Malty, hoppy and rich, a good beer for the fall. Each year it's a bit different as they select the "best" hops of the harvest. I'm not sure how they pick the best from different varieties of hops - a bit like grading a pinot grape against a chardonnay grape. That being said, I've tried Obrien's each of the last six years and it is always a worthy beer. Recommended.
Red Menace: Malty, sweet amber ale. If you like Alaskan Amber or Fat Tire, this beer is an improvement. A good, easy drinking beer with a wide appeal. Recommended.
Closing Thoughts: A stalwart of the micro brewery movement, at least on the west coast, Hales Ales has been producing top notch beers for a quarter century. If you're visiting the Puget Sound, Hales Ales is as good a place as any to grab a pint and soak up the Seattle atmosphere. Lastly, I can't pass up a chance to plug my newest venture - Puget Sound Gift Delivery. Although the company delivers all types of gift baskets, we specialize in Seattle beer and Washington wine baskets - several of which include the Mongoose IPA and the Red Menace. If you're interested, check out our "Two Bottles of Seattle Beer" and "Seattle Microbrew" gift baskets.
Check back later for more Washington beer and wine reviews.
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