Willi's Sausage Haus is no longer with us, but lives on in our memory.
Beer Blotter is on the road again….
On our way to Leavenworth, WA, a small Bavarian themed village in the middle of the Cascade Mountain range, we are surrounded by picturesque views of tree covered mountains and flowing streams. With a nickname of Heavensworth, it truly is paradise.
Leavenworth is popular for wine tasting. Beer lovers would never hike their noses in the air at ANY type of alcohol. Thus we proceeded to walk down Front Street into these quaint stores that double as tasting rooms and got our fill of fermented grapes. This is all leading up to the ultimate Bavarian experience aside from things experienced in Germany.
Stop #1 The Ultimate Bavarian Experience: The Munchen Haus
A beer garden, several types of sausages and brats, a plethora of mustards, soft pretzels, a roof top view of the snow tipped mountains, hop vines! Oh…man…Lets back up.
We enter the Munchen Haus, an all outdoor restaurant/beer garden. It truly is a beer garden that so happens to serve food which is the beauty behind it all. On tap? You guessed it! German brews. A Bittburger was had by all. As we sat on the roof, sipping the refreshingly cold Pilsner, gazing out at the epic mountains, we sighed and enjoyed a brat.
Munchen Haus is located at 709 Front Street in Leavenworth, WA 98826. Join the delightful staff and fellow beer drinkers for Oktoberfest 2010!
Our accommodations for the night, the great outdoors. However, before we settle into nature’s playground we needed the bare essentials: sausages, cheese and beer. Much to our dismay, Willi’s Sausage House had been closed. It will be okay. We looked down the street to the right….nothing….to the left, a sign in the distance.
Stop #2 The Cheesemonger
The Cheesemonger is full of cheese to sample, mustards to buy, sausages to grill , landjagers, Pfefferjagers and bottled beer to drink. The beer selection is going to be the best you can find in this small town, and it is not to be looked down upon. Beers of all styles are available in bottles. Although you wont find new releases or rare brews, the Cheesemonger will fulfill your beer needs during your stay.
Stop #3 Cashmere Brewing Co. Because if you can drink beer on draft when you camp, then why wouldn’t you?
The second we stepped into the tasting room, roasted malts infiltrated our senses. License plates are welded together on the floor as a stuffed cougar hung from the rafters. This brewery was located about 10 miles outside of Leavenworth in Cashmere, WA in a large mobile space. As the only people there, we were fortunate to receive an introduction to the brewing process, the mash tub, the ingredients and a quick glance at their recipes.
While we were there, we filled two growlers of the Bulldog Amber and the Pioneer Porter.
Bulldog Amber: (5.5%) is sweet with obvious malt flavor and hop finish.
Pioneer Porter: (5.5%) has overtones of chocolate and coffee. A lasting finish leaves you wanting more.
Rumor has it that since our trip in July 2009, Cashmere Brewing Co. has closed. Tales of a lost liquor license and lack of funds surround the closing of this brewery. Hopefully there is more to come from Cashmere Brewing Co. in the future. Keep the faith!!
After a night of camping next to a flowing stream, we packed up our empty growlers, cooler and gear to head home.
Stop #4 Iron Horse Brewery
Located in Ellensburg, WA, Iron Horse Brewery upon first glance looks somewhat like an active space, but open the doors and all the wonder and amazement shine through. A small, modest space with approximately 5 high tables and 10 bar seats, Iron Horse Brewery is home to the Iron Horse IPA, Quilter’s Irish Death and Brass Ass Brown Ale (among others).
These regulars share the spotlight with beers like, my personal favorite……
Mocha Death Stout: Rich in Coffee and Chocolate flavors. This stout is airy and lasting. It stimulates the pallet and will thrust you into a good mood.
A side note: Iron Horse is a growing brewery in WA and attends most, if not all of the local beer festivals. The Iron Horse Super Dry Hopped IPA is balanced, aromatic, sweet and hoppy. A beer full of undeniable flavor.
Iron Horse Brewery is located at 1000 Prospect Street, Suite 4, Ellensburg, WA 98926 right off of Interstate 90.
Follow Beer Blotter on your next trip to Leavenworth, WA. We can’t do it all, so if you have some input on where to go and what to drink in this mountain town, leave a comment!!!
