Beer Blotter

Photo cred due to Yelp.com

Week 49 of 52

Goofy’s Bar & Grill

8519 15th Ave NW
(between 85th St & 87th St)
Seattle, WA 98117

(206) 783-5164

Mon-Fri 2 pm – 2 am

Sat-Sun 11 am – 2 am

Rank: 3/5

Type of Establishment: Dive, sports bar, pre/post-strip club home of intoxicants.

Visit: On Wednesday of this week, DSR, Amateur Hour and I decided to do a quick, impromptu dive bar crawl down 15 Ave. NW.  Amateur Hour and I have lived in the neighborhood for over a year now but there were three bars practically within walking distance that we had never been to before.  We decided that it was time to get to know our local haunts a little bit better.

Beers on Tap (at time of visit):

Three Skulls Poison

Sam Adams Lager

New Belgium Fat Tire

Widmer Hefe

Georgetown Manny’s Pale Ale

Mac & Jack’s Amber

Bridgeport IPA

Sam Adams Winter Lager

Rogue Dead Guy

Lagunitas Pils

Other Macros

Bottle List:

There were a few bottles on display behind the bar but nothing to speak of in this forum.

Food Options:

We had, unfortunately, decided to eat at Sweet Lou’s just prior to arriving here.  The food was terrible there if I do say so myself.  Luckily the beer and atmosphere redeemed that joint, but we are talking about Goofy’s here, not Sweet Lou’s.  I didn’t even get a chance to glance at the menu while we were there (like I said, it was a quick bar crawl…it was a Wednesday people!) but they do have their menu on their website.  I did notice that a young lady seated at the bar had ordered and received the Wednesday special, complete chicken dinner for $4.99.  It wasn’t a very large portion but it looked just like home cookin’ and that made me comfortable.

Bar Opinions:

Prior to this visit, I had only ever known 2 people who had been to Goofy’s.  The one guy, that mind you, was only a mere acquaintance, told me that he would always go there for drinks after tossing some (many) ones at the fine ladies of Centerfolds.  Since Seattle strips clubs are 100% a joke, I didn’t really put too much weight to the complimentary words of this fellow.  The other is a friend that’s from WI and often goes to Goofy’s to watch Green Bay Packers games. Apparently, Goofy’s is a Packers bar.  Odd.  Considering that I care very little about American Football and even less about the Packers, I cared not about any complimentary words that were spoken about the place.

Fire is always a good idea.

But…despite all that, I did feel that there were three legitimate reasons to check out Goofy’s.  The first is that the place is called Goofy’s.  I just really want to be able to tell people that I’m hangin’ at Goofy’s.  I want friends to ask, “Who the hell is Goofy?  Some fat, jovial drunkard that is always getting into crazy situations?  Some ne’er-do-well high school dropout with a mild cocaine problem and a pension for the outlandish?”  I’d quickly respond, “No you silly son of a bitch, it’s a bad-ass dive bar that I just walked to from my house!”

This brings me to my second reason, it’s in my neighborhood and I had never been there before.  I was recently talking to a friend of a friend that I had just met and in describing what I had done that day I mentioned that I had gone to Lunchbox Lab for the first time ever.  I also related to him that I found it to be ridiculous that I had never been there before, not only because it’s awesome but also because it’s about three blocks from my house.  He responded, “Yeah, that always seems to happen.”  Does it?  Maybe I’m not alone on this one after all.  Obviously, we here at BeerBlotter.com are highly interested in trying new places.  That is why this column, 52 Weeks exists.  So given that, why is it that there’s many places right around the corner from me that I have never before visited?  I always seem to hop in the car and drive to some back-country destination to visit a new place when I could just walk up the block and be enlightened near instantly.

The third reason is that I needed to write one more 52 Weeks article before the end of the year and the idea of having the word “Goofy’s” in the headline really excited me.  Hmm… maybe I should talk about the actual bar.

It is really easy to be overwhelmed the first time you step into Goofy’s.  It’s kind of one of those neighborhood bars, where everyone looks at you if you aren’t a regular.  That’s always a little awkward.  Then there is the huge fire pit in the middle of the room.  This puppy is something to behold!  I immediately thought of the fire pit at Uber, but that one is small and modern and actually looks like it belongs indoors.  The pit at Goofy’s looks like it should be in the back yard of a medieval castle.  You could roast an entire pig over that beast!  Then there is the massive wall of random paraphernalia and beer signs and pull tabs behind the bar.  It’s quite busy.  I think if I was on drugs I would have needed to huddle in the corner and suck my thumb, but no…just beer in the system this night.

I was quite amazed by the size of the place.  There is another room at the rear of the establishment that houses the 2 pool tables and various arcade consoles.  There is a few tables and high tops spread about the place…it’s a pretty laid back joint, which I wasn’t expecting.  It’s quite pleasant in fact.  The fire really sets the cozy mood.  The beer list left much to be desired, but none of us had ever seen the Three Skulls Poison on tap before.  We gave it a try, as well as a few pints of the Bridgeport IPA.  We sat and chatted and had a good time.  Amidst it all, there seemed to be a DJ or musician unloading some gear in the back room.  We didn’t stay long enough to uncover the mystery, but I was intrigued.  I think I’ll be heading back to Goofy’s another day.

Pretty darn inviting.

Week 47 of 52 (Only 5 to go!)

Three Creeks Brewing Co.

721 Desperado Court
Sisters, OR 97759

11:30am – 9pm Sunday-Thursday
11:30am – 10pm Friday-Saturday

Rank: 4.4/5

Type of Establishment: 10 bbl brewery and brew pub, gorgeous cabin at the foot of the Cascade Mountains.

Visit: After spending Christmas with my mother in Bend, OR I chose to head home via Rt. 20 to I-5 in order to bypass some, potentially, more hazardous mountain pass conditions.  This route took me through the small tourist town of Sisters, OR.  Sisters is home to one of Oregon’s newest and brightest production breweries.  They also happen to have a killer pub.  I had to stop to fuel up (in more ways than one) before my intrepid trek across the Santiam Pass.

Beers on Tap (at time of visit):

Standards:

Knotty Blonde

Stonefly Rye

Old Prospector Pale Ale

Anvil Amber

Firestorm Red

Hoodoo Voodoo IPA

Seasonals:

Five Pine Chocolate Porter

Cripple Creek Cream Ale

Rudolph’s Imperial Red

Left Behind Barley Wine

Bottle List (all 22oz):

Hoodoo Voodoo IPA

Five Pine Chocolate Porter

Rudolph’s Imperial Red

Food Options:

I didn’t eat here, but after glancing at the menu I immediately wished that I had a much smaller breakfast.  The menu was, for the most part, as far as content goes, pretty typical for a up-scale brewpub… apps, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, etc, but everything seemed to have a little extra panache.  The most notable item that I saw was found on the specials menu – a reuben pizza.  I actually had to ask the bartender if it was really a reuben pizza or two separate items.  Holy shit!  Pastrami and kraut and thousand island on a pizza.  How on Earth did I not order it?!

The bar portion.

Bar Opinions:

I really like this place.  The end.

Just kidding.  Immediately upon pulling my car into the parking spot out front of TCB I felt a sense on comfort.  I knew that I liked the place before I even entered.  It wasn’t so much the brewery that I was standing outside of (though you can tell from the picture above that it does look pretty cool from the outside), it was just such a pretty, pleasant, calming situation I was in.  My stomach and heart were full from the recent Christmas festivities, there was fluffy snow on the ground, I was in a cute little town right on the cusp of a beautiful mountain, I had just driven through pristine fields full of horses and cattle… everything was right as rain.

As I entered, things seemed to only improve.  Just within the doors, the foyer housed the hostess and the “gift shop”.  I was overwhelmed.  The hostess wanted information from me – was I alone?  Was I eating?  Where would I like to sit?  But alas, I was most inattentive, after all, there was beer and brewery merchandise to ogle.  Eventually I regained my composure and asked if there was a bar that I could sit at.  There was, just through the door to my right.

I guess the bar area is where the unsavory folks tread.  That’s why they had to build a wall to separate that area from the more family friendly dining room to my left as I entered.  Sucks to be a family because that area was seriously weak in comparison to the bar, with the great exception of a very luxurious leather couch adorned alcove around a blazing fireplace in the rear of the room that is.

Once I got situated at the bar it became evident that there was nothing unsavory about any area within TCB.  The bar portion was uber clean, cozy and comfortable.  There was wood everywhere, which is an attribute that I adore in a Northwest bar.  There was a huge bay window on one side of the room that revealed the shiny new brewing equipment.  There was a pool table, a Christmas tree, several free-standing tables and a gorgeous leather chair surrounded copper topped bar.  The tap handles seemed to be all hand carved and burnt wood.  The lighting was inviting, and so was the staff.  Wow!  Really impressed!

Sadly, considering that it was snowing and chains were required on the pass, I was both slightly in a hurry and very conscious of my alcohol consumption.  Because of this I inquired on the sampling situation.  TCB does offer a flight of all of their standard offering and a flight of every beer that they have on tap.  I was only really interested in getting three samples so I negotiated a pay as you go deal and the bartender was happy to appease me.  I had the IPA, the barley wine and the chocolate porter.  All three were tasty, but the barley wine really stood out.  I asked if they were pouring growlers of it to go, but it was a little pricey so I stayed content with things as they were.

I took in my surroundings one last time and hit the road.  If there is one thing that I know for certain it is that I will make it back to TCB, hopefully sooner rather than later.  If TCB’s brewpub bar was in Seattle it would, without a doubt, be a regular visit for me.  If you are ever in or passing through or near Sisters – maybe you’re heading to the rodeo – do not miss this precious little beer filled cabin in the woods.

Fire place cove in the dining room.

Ale House indeed.

Week 46 of 52 (6 More!)

Ballard Grill and Ale House

4300 Leary Way NW
Seattle, WA 98107
Neighborhood: Ballard

(206) 782-9024

Mon-Sun 11 am – 2 am

Rank: 3/5

Type of Establishment: Pool hall, sports bar, arcade game laden divey joint with over 30 taps.

Visit: After grabbing dinner and a handful of wax dipped bottles of barrel aged quad from Hale’s, I figured, why not grab a pint at the bar directly across the street?  I’d never been there, so I changed that.

Beers on Tap (at time of visit):

Maritime Pacific Jolly Rodger

Maritime Pacific Imperial IPA

Emerald City Beer Dottie’s Lager

Pyramid Haywire

Ninkasi Total Domination IPA

Dick’s IPA

Elysian Men’s Room Red

Big Sky Moose Drool

Big Al’s Winter Warmer

Red Hook Winter Hook

Deschutes Mirror Pond

Deschutes Black Butte Porter

Rogue Dead Guy Ale

Mack & Jack’s Amber

Stone Arrogant Bastard

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

New Belgium Fat Tire

New Belgium 2 Below

Georgetown Manny’s Pale Ale

…and other macros.

Bottle List:  Nothing exciting.

Food Options:

The “Grill” portion of the name is pretty accurate.  The menu boasts a decent selection of burgers, sandwiches and apps.  It’s bar food.  Nothing too crazy, but it will surely do you right if you are looking to lay down a nice foundation for a long night of boozin’ and hustling the tables.

Bar Opinions:

The bartender informed me, as I was scribbling down the taplist (no website), that BG&AH always has three rotating taps.  It seemed as though the bartender said it in a way that would imply that I should be impressed with that.  Only three rotators isn’t very impressive to me, but the more I thought about it, it actually is sort of impressive in this case because it means that they have a pretty decent number of darn delicious permanent taps.  In hindsight, I’m perplexed with myself that I didn’t think to ask which ones where the rotators at the moment.  I was in an anti-social mood.  It happens sometimes.

I ordered the Dottie because, believe it or not, I had yet to try it.  It’s an amber lager, not something that I’m ever excited to drink, but I do respect craft brewers that make a solid lager.  It’s not easy to do, and I’m happy to say that Emerald City Beer hit it out of the park with this one.  Seriously, if ECB had some serious dough to invest into making massive amounts of Dottie, canning it in pounders and selling it for cheap, I think every Seattle hipster would leave their precious PBR or Ranier behind.  Easy drinking and flavorful to say the least.

As the bartender poured my Dottie he mentioned that they had just tapped it for the first time.  Rotator?  You would think, but you would also think that the seasonals like Jolly Rodger and Big Al Winter Warmer and Winter Hook and 2 Below would be the rotators.  Wait that’s 4 winter beers right there that are obviously not available year round.  I think there just might be more that 3 rotators.  Never-the-less, even if just Arrogant Bastard and Dick’s IPA and Moose Drool and Maritime Imperial IPA are full-time handles here, that’s pretty solid.

Game on!

BG&AH is pretty spacious inside, and though I was there in a Thursday night around 8 p.m., there was enough people there to prevent it from feeling cavernous.  But even it you were there completely alone, there’s plenty to keep you occupied.  It may be slightly challenging to play on one of the 6 pool tables by your lonesome, but you could easily work on your dart game, or shoot some hoops, or some guns on the various arcade games available.  This is definitely a place to bring your insatiable appetite, your lustful, unquenching thirst for fermentables and a pocket full of quarters.

The famous sign donning the front of the Buck.

Week 26 of 52

Buckaroo Tavern (The Buck)

4201 Fremont Avenue North

Seattle, WA 98103-7221

(but not for long; look for their new address on N 36th Street starting in late September!)

(206) 634-3161

Rank: 4/5

Type of Establishment: Straight up – bar. no fancy stuff.

Visit: Wednesday evening from 9:00 PM-12:00 AM.

BEERS ON TAP

Wow. I was quite surprised to see the bevy of beers. As I will explain below, it used to not be this way. They have really stepped it up.

Diamond Knot IPA

Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA

North Coast Old Rasputin Imperial Stout

Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale

Deschutes Black Butte Porter

Elysian Immortal IPA

New Belgium Fat Tire Ale

….and plenty of others. We would estimate that there are a total of 25 taps.

Beers are either 3.50 or 4.25 – yep even the good ones.

BOTTLED/CANNED BEER:

Again,  I was surprised to see the bottle options. Nothing rare or shocking, but a lot of good options. Specifically, Chimay Red  & White, Stone Arrogant Bastard, Duvel, & Unibroue Trois Pistoles.

If you are going – stick to the tap list, though. Its damn good.

FOOD OPTIONS:

HA! You wish I would just say: “none.” But alas, I cannot. The Buck has a monstrous jar of hot pepper pickled eggs behind the bar. This is a necessity for any bar, in my mind. If you don’t have a jar of something pickled back there – you might as well be a bistro. Try these guys out.

They also have some snack items, including free popcorn!

BAR OPINION:

Out of nowhere last night, my buddy decided we should walk down to the Buck. Now, I have to give full disclosure: I have been here before. Unfortunately, I do not really remember my visit and it had been quite some time. Based upon my new perspective, it really fit the mold for discussion here on 52 Weeks.

The Buck is a legendary institution. If a friend says: “lets go to the Buck,” you should freaking go. It has a similar aged luster to it that can make you feel at home, comfortable in your inebriation.

The Buck first staked its ground over 72 years ago! This truly makes it one of the oldest bars in all of Seattle, and certainly the most aged in Fremont (we believe).

The remains of nights gone awry are visible on the Buck’s walls, booths and wooden bar back. They have not changed it; they have not improved it. It remains the same wondrous place it was many years ago.

The Buck is a place where locals remain and ponder their days. This is the quintessential “regulars” bar. If you were to take a time-lapsing photo of the movement at the front door, you’re quite certain to catch the same case going in and out each day. This is how the bar has thrived for over 7 centuries.

So, when I woke up today and saw that even Voracious had caught wind of the sad news that I am about to report – I knew it was time for a write up here on Beer Blotter. Wait for it: The Buck is closing. Relax: it will return.

The Buck has lost its lease, after two rich kids decided to use family money to purchase the building and turn it into – an Eastern European Restaurant!?!? The concept alone boggles my mind. Have these owners actually been inside of the Buck? No building could personify the term “bar” better than the spot on Fremond Ave N. But alas – they made up their mind and the Buck is being booted in mid-September.

One of the worst parts of the article that was run today on Voracious is that it omits the uplifting news: The Buck is returning.

Part of the bar.

What’s best is that its returning in full force, complete with all of the booths, wooden wall coverings, and bar back. In fact, it appears that much of what makes the Buck so wonderful will actually be transported to the new venue. The new location is rumored to be on N 36th Street, somewhere between Stone Way and Fremont Ave N. Can’t wait to check the new digs.

But for now, the Buck is rolling on, serving cocktails, great beer and amazing service. We had an excellent time at the Buck last night. Our bartender went above and beyond to serve us; he even poured us a few on the house.

One of the troubling parts of the Buck is that its cash only (don’t forget that!). What makes it a bit more of an issue is the fact that the ATM was broken and there is not another one for a few blocks. But do not despair – our wonderful bartender let us relax, order beers, have a pickled egg, and enjoy our surroundings – all while not getting paid. I love a bartender who trusts his clients. A good bartender can spot the guys who will pay and the guys who will be a problem. We weren’t the latter, and he gave us a great honor.

So the progress went like this – Union Jack, Diamond Knot IPA, Old Rasputin (at this point we think we are leaving). Then some great conversation with the bartender about the Buck’s future, and another Union Jack (at this point, I’ve told my wife on heading home). Additional great conversation ensues – and its met with a Union Jack on the house (thanks guys).

The Buck at night. Pretty ladies lined up.

The atmosphere was great, filled with oodles of kickballers, fresh from another game. The bartender could not have been better and the price was impeccable. We love it.

Take some time in the next 6 weeks and get over to the Buck before it moves. You will need to get a glimpse of the greatness before its replaced with a heartbreaker.

The Buck will be having a big going away party lasting 3 days. The party will likely center around the September 17th “move out” date. So keep your eyes peeled and chat up the bartender. Hope to see you there.

The entrance.

Week 25 of 52

The Pub at Third Place

6504 20th Ave NE

Seattle, WA 98115

Rank: 4.5/5

Type of Establishment: Pub

Visit: A lazy, summertime, Sunday evening called for a cold beer at a new bar.  We found the perfect one for ultimate relaxation.

BEERS ON TAP —>

North Coast Old Rasputin
Hale’s Cream Ale
Guiness
Mac & Jack’s Amber
Rogue Dead Guy
Three Skulls Blood Orange Wit
Odin Ruby
Maritime Pacific Hefe
Stella Artois
Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar
Georgetown Manny’s Pale Ale
Diamond Knot IPA
Boundary Bay IPA
Hacker Pschorr Munich
Diamond Knot Possession Porter
Chuckanut Pilsner
Ninkasi Tricerahops

The choices.

BOTTLED/CANNED BEER:

None

FOOD OPTIONS:

It’s all explained, in detail, below.  Read on.

BAR OPINION:

Just over five and a half miles north of the Beer Blotter home base, in the beautiful neighborhood of Ravenna, lies a wood-clad fantasy land that we have never before visited. On this day, we changed that.

So here’s the deal – the building is owned by a guy.  The guy owns Third Place Books.  The bar beneath Third Place Books is called The Pub at Third Place.  The Pub at Third Place is owned by a different guy.  The restaurant attached to Third Place Books is called Vios Cafe.  Vios Cafe is owned by the same guy as The Pub at Third Place.  Vios is a Greek restaurant.  You can order food from Vios while at Vios.  You can order food from Vios while at The Pub at Third Place.  There is a small “library” in The Pub at Third Place that has books.  Third Place Books has books.  Third Place Books has really nice wood shelves.  Vios has really nice wood furniture.  The Pub at Third Place has really nice wood EVERYTHING!  Do you follow?

This place is amazing!  This place is beautiful and majestic!  This place defines comfort!  This place epitomizes the Northwest!  This place may have once existed in The Shire!

Can you tell I liked it?  With this inaugural visit, I immediately placed it in my top 10 bars in Seattle.  I can’t believe I didn’t visit this place ages ago!

The moment I approached the door (the freaking door!) I knew I loved it.  Look at the picture above and tell me that’s not inviting.  It looks like it should be the entrance to a grand tree house mansion of some kind.  Once I opened the door and stepped in…it was all over.  My mouth dropped and all of my senses tingled.  I felt like a visitor in a Hobbit Hole.  So much elegant wood, from floor to ceiling, back to front, top to bottom.

I headed straight for the bar and pulled up a very comfortable, leather-clad stool with a back.  I was immediately greeted by the bartender and I ordered myself a Boundary Bay IPA.  Honestly, I was surprised that the beer wasn’t delivered in a wooden mug.  I soon came to realize that the bartender was the only one working the entire establishment, which wasn’t dead by any means.  He was on top of his game, yet incredibly relaxed…tis the way of The P@TP.

Just behind me, a large bookshelf full of classics, reference books, atlases, board games; all sorts of goodies to keep the lonely drinkers occupied.  Obviously, this element plays allusion to the bookstore just above.  On the top of the bookshelf sits the one and only item in the bar that doesn’t belong: a big screen T.V. showing a baseball game.  Luckily the sound was off, and since my back was facing it, I was able to keep its intrusion in the very back of my mind.  In place of the play-by-play – the soothing tunes of Blonde Redhead – pretty much perfect for the mood of the place.

Yeah, it's real.

Most of the gorgeous wooden tables that fill the “dining” area between the bar and the front door are designed for anywhere between 2 to 6 people, with the exception of 2 epic banquet tables.  One in the very front as you enter (slightly fenced off from the rest of the room) and one in the back, behind the bar toward the bathrooms (also a bit removed from the main area).  These tables are long and thin and seem to be a single piece of wood cut from one massive, gnarled tree.  The one in the front seems to seat 8 and the one in the back, 12.  My goal is to one day visit P@TP with a large group and eat at one of these tables.  Quite possibly I’d nibble on some Lembas bread.

Speaking of food, I didn’t partake in the Mediterranean delights offered via Vios, but the menu looked good enough to lure me back in the near future.  Babaganoush anyone?

Ultimately, words can’t describe the serenity of this place.  To be wrapped up in wood like that, well, it’s something you have to experience for yourself.  Head to Ravenna, buy a book upstairs, take it down to the bar, grab a local cold one and sip while you read in a wood cabin forged from the mighty forests of the Pacific Northwest.