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Brewery Review Populuxe Brewing



I need to make a confession. I've been to this brewery before. Well that's no surprise. I've been to many of the breweries that get reviewed before I've visited them for this site. I like breweries. I do make a point though to judge breweries, as much as I can, on the experience in the here and now. It just wouldn't do to praise the breweries I went when I celebrated achievements or critique those that I happened to be at on a bad day. I may be drinking but I'm a professional. 

All this said, I will be making comparisons today to this brewery as it was when I wandered over to it in early 2015. Now at the time of this writing that's 3 years ago,( a mean feat for the brewery to still exist at all) and it goes without saying that things have changed. Still, the changes are worth noting and are all good. 

Flagship: None
Dogs: yes
Kids: yes
Do they brew there: yes
Food: food trucks
Has guest taps: no
Events: yes 
Outside seating: yes
Wifi: no

When I walked up to this brewery last week I thought that there had been some mistake. I could see the same building I remembered yet my phone was certain that the brewery was next door. That building did seem to have lights on inside. The other one, while still sporting a Populuxe sign looked closed. So into the new building I went. 

This building had all the hallmarks of a brewery, simple layout, spacious, spartan decor. The arcade room to one side is something I hadn't seen at a brewery before. I also spot the same blue, white, and black color scheme I remembered from last time. 

I make my way up to the bar and find the stools there to be something out of the Jetsons.   Once I've figured out how to sit down a man with the largest mutton chomps I've ever seen asks me what I'd like. 

Over the course of a few beers he, and a few regulars, clue me into what I've missed in the last three years. This is indeed the same brewery as last time. They've expanded, buying the property next to theirs when it became available. Now the new place in which I sat was the primary brewery. The old building is an event space and the area in between is for people to enjoy their beers outside. 

I pry a bit more about the name and style of the place. The brewer reveals that it's a combination of the words "popular" and "luxury". Populuxe then is that style. A very 50's version of the future theme, fitting for a brewery in the city that houses the space needle. The style extends into the chairs, colors, and general aesthetic of the place.  

Populuxe Brewing was impressive on nearly every front. I expect if I had visited during the day rather than at night I would have been further impressed. So while I can't comment on the outdoors portion now, I can say they they have good trucks. If it's anything like it was three years ago then it ranks high among places to drink in the sun. 

The space is large and friendly. Their style is unique and charming. It doesn't hurt that the beer is pretty darn good as well. 

As a final comparison I notice as I close out the sticker I get. Three years ago I was given a serviceable, if cheap sticker. This time the sticker is of high quality. An actual decal that will survive on my car. That's the best metaphor I got for a new favorite place.   



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