Dirty Couch Brewing

Dirty Couch Brewing 24Nov2019


I took the D-Line down to the south end of the Ballard Bridge, and then walked past Fisherman’s Terminal to Dirty Couch Brewing. I got my steps on.


The office or retail-like space housing Dirty Couch Brewing looks unkempt as you approach and the low-lit interior seems vacant.

The "Open" sign looks promising

But the open sign says otherwise, so I popped on in. As you enter the doors and turn to your left you see the bar

The scene as you enter the taproom

and to the right of that an open seating area with an entrance set into the wall, presumably, to the brewery.

And the view to your right upon entering

The austere minimalist interior is not so inviting on this cool to cold day and could use some homey touches. Beer list is presented on a plasma screen behind the bar

The beer list. Paper copies with expanded information available at the bar

with a chalked-up menu of beer currently available in bottles.

The view as you step up to the bar

A guest beer from Ravenna Brewing and guest ciders from Greenwood Cider were on offer today. Flights of 4 by 5 oz samples, various size pours (12 to 16 oz), growlers, as well as the aforementioned bottles are available. I picked out a flight of 4 beers (one hazy and 3 sours) and sat where I could look out the window.

First flight l to r: Herdsman Apricot Sour (4.6%); Hazy Pale Ale #1 (5.5%); Founder and Argumentist: Raspberry (4.4%); and Rampant Sour Red (6.8%).

 Later I went back for a second flight of 4 more sours.

Second flight l to r: Plausibility Whiskey Sour Porter (8.4%); Discount Therapist (7.2%); BBCM (9.8%); and Irregularity Blackberry (6%)

Tasting Notes:


Herdsman Apricot Sour (4.6%): Hazy orange yellow, almost – you could say – apricot colored. Fruity lactic aroma. Sour, full body for a low alcohol beer, apricot, and dry. Finishes dry and sour.


Hazy Pale Ale #1 (5.5%): Hazy (duh) dark yellow. Dusty, tropical and piney hop aroma. Sweet malt, very fruity hops – slightly dank with some dust. Finishes sweet and fruity with a hint of bitter.


Founder and Argumentist: Raspberry (4.4%): Very hazy pink. Funky butyric acid with some lactic aroma. Sour and buttery raspberry, full body yet moderately dry. Finishes sour, sweet, and berry. I couldn’t get past the filling buttery-ness and butyrate.


Rampant Sour Red (6.8%): Described as a Flanders style red it is, indeed, a clear dark red color. Fruity lactic with some roast aroma. Very sour and woody-astringent with sweet fruity lactic flavor. Finishes sweet and sour.


Plausibility Whiskey Sour Porter (8.4%): Clear dark brown to black color with dark red highlights. Alcohol and whiskey aroma with barrel and chocolate. The flavor is mildly sour with deep chocolate and it presents as sweet not hot. Finishes sweet and sour.


Discount Therapist (7.2%): Slightly hazy pinkish-red. Musty, grapey aroma with faint lactic presence - meaty. Grape, slightly sour, with a dry thin body. A real thirst quencher even at 7.2%. Disappears with a late sour and bitter finish.


BBCM (9.8%): A barrel aged sour including purple corn. Clear deep red. Aroma of pine and wood. The aroma comes through in the flavor and features spices, a slight sourness, and fruit (cherry, to me). Finishes clean, woody and winey.


Irregularity Blackberry (6%): Slightly hazy red. Aroma includes lactic, mustiness, and some phenolics (rubber). Very sour berry flavor of unripe blackberries and very dry. Finishes berry sour.


As the sign says Dirty Couch Brewing is dedicated to sour beers even though not everyone likes sour. A nod to those who don’t are the trio of hazies on tap. I thought the sours were well made, but not uniformly so – the raspberry sour for instance – while the hazy beers were well executed even though hazies don’t do much for me. If you like sour beers, you will find something on the tap list to suit your fancy. I particularly liked Herdsman, Rampant, Plausibility, and BBCM (despite the high ABV).  I asked about the time line and learned that the present taproom has been open six months. Previous to that the brewery was located in Ballard and was production only. Since I don’t get out much, I haven’t seen their beers on tap in the city.


I sat at the front window and looked out on the ship canal, the locks, and downtown Ballard.

My view out the window onto the ship canal and Ballard

I needed something to munch on but the snack food offerings were meager and no food truck was in sight. The taproom was moderately attended with younger (relative to me, an old man) couples and families. Despite the minimal décor the presence of patrons having fun made the place homey. The area of lower Magnolia near the locks is mixed residential, commercial, and light industrial. Dirty Couch is just a hop skip and a jump from Urban Family though it won’t be for long as Urban Family is moving to the Ballard Brewery District soon.


I walked back past Figurehead Brewing and Fisherman’s terminal to 15^th Ave NW and the D-Line for the short bus ride home.

Future Primitive Brewing

 Future Primitive Brewing 16Nov2019

The connection from the D-Line to the 120 was bang-bang as the 120 pulled into the 3^rd and Seneca stop right in front of my bus. I had to run for it even though the line-up delayed the inevitable departure. The trip to White Center featuring a long drive along scenic Delridge Way was survivable because I had a good book – William Gibson’s The Peripheral.

The warehouse-like building housing Future Primitive inspires little confidence. 

The approach from the south. The impression isn't helped by the neighboring business

As you approach from 100^th SW along SW 14^th Avenue you see an industrial scene with unkempt grounds and weeds. 

The view from directly in front of the brewery is a little more inspiring

The approach to the taproom takes you past the attractively appointed dining area for the permanent food wagon “Das Wagon.” 

The nicely woody interior of Das Wagon. The kitchen had yet to open

Once inside, the inviting bar area beckons to ply you with beer while windows into the brewing area present evidence of a serious brewing concern. 

Looking straight ahead as you enter the taproom

Looking right as you enter the taproom

A chalked-up tap list informs with the latest offerings including guest beers and cider. 

The tap list behind the bar

A flight of up to 6 tasters is available as well as full pours and growlers. I picked 6 and sat at the bar sipping my tasters while a health inspector checked out the operation.

From left to right: Pale Ale (4.6), Zwick’l Lager (5.9%), 1889 Smoked Lager (5.8%), Green River IPA (6%), Sunshine on My Porter (4.5%), Beautiful Terror Imperial Stout (8.8%). All well made. Not pictured is the Glamour Boy

Tasting Notes:

Pale Ale (4.6): Slightly hazy yellow. Tropical fruit (pineapple) aroma. Tropical and slightly savory hop flavor. Very dry and thin body with some minerality. Finishes dry, bitter, and tropical. Light and moreish.

Zwick’l Lager (5.9%): Clear gold. Pils malt and fruit aroma. Balanced sweet malt (pils) and bitterness. Full body and the fruit aroma did not carry through to the sip. Finishes malty and bitter.

1889 Smoked Lager (5.8%): Clear pale gold. Rich hardwood smoke and malt aroma. Smoke and sweet malt flavor with late bitterness and full body. Finishes bitter and smoke. Dedicated to the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.

Green River IPA (6%): Orangish gold and clear. Citrus and piney hop aromas. Sweet malt and berry fruit up front followed by intense bitterness and perfumed hops. Full body. Bitter finish.

Sunshine on My Porter (4.5%): Coffee porter. Coffee black color; smells like coffee grounds; tastes like coffee. Dry finish. No thanks. I didn’t notice the coffee designation when I was ordering. My mistake.

Beautiful Terror Imperial Stout (8.8%): Opaque black, no highlights. Fruit ester aroma. Sweet malt, some esters, restrained roast, and some heat. Bitter sweet and roasty finish. The heat disappeared with warming.

Glamour Boy (8%): Slightly hazy dark gold. Tropical hops and fruit esters. Sweet malt, slightly sour, perfumed fruit and hops. Bitter finish. Dangerously drinkable. A black raspberry extra pale ale brewed in collaboration with Stillwater Artisanal Brewing.

While I sipped my beers, the health inspector checked the brewery and the food truck – two separate businesses. He had one small concern but otherwise gave them a thumbs up. The beers went down pretty easy since they were well made. The brewery is less than a year old and given time I think the beers can excel as the brewer dials in recipes and processes.

After I finished my flight of tasters I ordered some food and sat outside in the partially enclosed patio to eat and drink my full order of Zwick’l Lager. 

Sliced kielbasa on a bun with cream cheese. Onion and jalapeno peppers act as vegetables - for health

Something to wash the dog down

The view is not very impressive, so the wood planking and wood furniture are welcome and friendly to the eye. Just a hint if you decide to sit on the patio this time of year; wear warm shoes and socks. My feet required a bit of time to warm up after I got home.

White Center is yet another Seattle neighborhood that is gentrifying rapidly. The taproom and patio are dog and kid friendly and a lot of family types came in to enjoy the premises. The vibe is friendly and welcoming.

I reversed my bus routes to get home with the transfer from the 120 to the D-Line another matter of bang-bang timing that involved running and crossing against the light. I did get some more reading done and arrived home in time to prepare dinner, such as it was.