Belltown Brewing

Belltown Brewing 02Oct2017

Belltown Brewing in just a block off the D-line on Bell Street. That makes for a very short bus ride from Ballard.

The story I read is that Belltown was a bar and eatery that added brewing capacity recently to become a brewery. Belltown is a rapidly densifying neighborhood that apparently needs a brewery. The entry to the pub is on the corner of 2^nd Ave and Bell Street. An outside seating area sits beyond the garage doors for opening the interior, but the time of the year for outdoor drinking has passed. 

The Bell Street face of Belltown Brewing

As you enter the L-shape of the space is apparent with seating areas to your right and left. 

Seating to the left looking out the garage doors

Seating to the left and the brew kit beyond

The brew kit is to your left and the bar is front and center. 

The bar is visible from the front door

The beer list is chalked up above the taps and today included the three Belltown Brewing offerings plus a boatload of excellent local (Oregon and Washington) brews. 

The chalked beer list with ABV information

Beers can be ordered as five ounce tasters, 12 ounce schooners, pints, and growlers. I ordered a flight of the three house brews plus a Double Mountain fresh hop ale.

From left to right: BB Local Lager, BB Watermain Amber, BB Speakeasy IPA, Double Mountain Killer Red Fresh Hop

Tasting Notes:

BB Local Lager (4.5%, 30 IBU): Clear gold. Bready, fruity, and hop aroma. Slightly sweet, rich malt up front. Low bitterness kicks in. Finishes dry and bitter. The flavors make a nice transition through the mouth.

BB Watermain Amber (5%, 34 IBU): Clear ruby red. Piney hop aroma and malt. Sweet malt up front with a hint of hop bitterness. Finishes dry and bitter. The big malt hides the hops until the sweetness clears then the piney hops rise like a ghost to bring a bitter dry finish.

BB Speakeasy IPA (6%, 60 IBU): Clear orange gold. Piney and fruity hop aroma. Hop forward piney and fruity flavor followed by bitterness. The dry malt body supports the hops. Bitter dry finish.

Double Mountain Killer Red Fresh Hop (7.5%, 78 IBU): Ruby red and clear. Powdery hop aroma; vegetal. Minty hop presence woven in with yeast esters and malt sweetness. Lingering bitter finish. Well done.

The Belltown Brewing space is brand new and part of one of those ubiquitous mixed retail and residential buildings being built all over Seattle. The greeting is friendly, the service is leisurely (to be expected on a slow Monday afternoon), and the service included a delightful hand-drawn “stamp” on my Washington Beer Lovers passport. 

My hand drawn "stamp"

The bar crowd was surprisingly interactive. I had a couple of brief conversations with other patrons. I didn’t expect much conversation at a downtown bar even if it was also a brewery. The décor is pretty standard for current breweries with open ceilings (exposed utilities), wood floors, subdued colors, and miles of windows. The beer was well made and the selection of guest beers and ciders was awesome. I didn’t try the food but I did order a schooner of the BB IPA after I finished my flight.

After I finished my beer I staggered back to the D-Line for a short ride home.