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Brewery Review: The Pike Brewing Company


Through the dual benefits of bearing the same name as one of Seattle's biggest tourist attractions and being attached to said attraction The Pike Brewing Company may be one of the most recognizable of all Seattle Breweries. In the same way Fremont was last week Pike also seems knows this. 

Flagship: Kilt Lifter
Dogs: service animals only
Kids: yes
Do they brew there: yes
Food: Full menu
Has guest taps: yes
Events: yes
Wifi: yes
Outside seating: no

As I said above, Pike Brewing is located in downtown Seattle next to Pike place market. One can enter  from either the alley which houses the famous Gum Wall or from the street. Either way you led up or down stairs and are treated by a multitude of black metal and red. It is a unique mix that really sets the place apart while also displaying the scale of the brewery. Like Fremont I'd had their beer long before I visited the brewery or even Seattle. In the age of the micro brewery, this is a big accomplishment.

The building is large and expansive, with multiple rooms, bar tops, and seating of all kinds.  Ramps and small stairs vary the levels slightly and metal meets old wood to continue the feeling from earlier but it's the walls that grab me.

The walls are busy with what at first seems to be the typical noise of any sports bar but as I wander through the place I take a closer look at some of it. What I find is both interesting and enlightening. It's a history of beer and brewing and it's really great. I won't spoil any of it here but I must have looked strange to the tourists simply eating and drinking as I poured over the history on the walls. Finally I tear myself away and look for a seat.

It's a full house on the Saturday I visit and I wonder if I've made a mistake coming at a busy time. My fears are quickly quelled for despite the number of people I find a seat at one of the bars easily and before I know it I'm making new friends same as I would anywhere.

Like the market it does feel a little touristy, and none of the new friends I make are from Seattle, but neither of these things deter from the experience. In fact, it's kind of exciting to think of a brewery providing a chance to meet not only someone new, but from far away as well. That there are a number of beers to try, all of which are top notch, makes it even better.

By the time I finally stand up to leave and began to contemplate the long light rail ride home I find that I have to agree with the words on the sticker I receive on my way out.

"I like Pike"

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