We're Bess and Torchy. We play roller derby and we enjoy beer very much - specifically IPAs. We decided that you should know our opinions about IPAs - and other beers. We wanted to call it the Bitches' Beer Blog - but we're only bitches on the rink.
So I did not go out for tasty beverages with Bess tonight or even last night but after a nail biter of a WNBA Storm game, Lara, Julie and I went out for some nosh and a tasty beverage at a place in lower Queen Anne that called themselves a bar... I'm not sure why we decided to stay because their beers only came in bottles and started at $5. And thought they tried to be fancy pants, the lack of a good draft beer was terribly disappointing. Terribly.
Don't call yourself a bar if you don't have beer... on draft.
Today I was scrolling on the Deschutes Brewery website today planning my trip to Bend (with Comet, Michael, Lara and Waffles.) I was also looking for an auction donation and was completely distracted by their pretty awesome blog.
Sadly, Black Butte won't be celebrating 22 - which - in my book was an OK year anyway - not really worth celebrating. (What was I doing? Post college theatre degree, living in Cleveland, working two jobs so I could pay my expensive student loans and going out, maybe once a week if I was lucky.)
I am not a fan of Black Butte because it's Bess' realm of beers (dark, rich, sweet). I also don't think chocolate and beer should get along and clearly, in Black Butte XXII - they don't.
is what Mr. B. Ware thought when the server from Santa Fe Cafe on Phiney Ridge commented on his obsecure Minnesota brewery shirt - you know - she had read about it in the Beer Advocate. Turns out her partner had been the brew master at Goose Island and was now at Fremont Brewery. She gave Bess and Mr. B Ware a few drink tickets...
Bess warned me that it would be difficult to find and sure enough I did a loop and ended up parking right in front of it before realizing... well that I was right in front of it.
Fremont Brewery calls it their Urban Garden - open-brew-house-beer-pouring-adventure - of course I stumbled upon a hipster-party-in-action and was immediately was annoyed as I got the - who-invited-you-to-this-party-look. Um. Too many dashes. I waited for a few and then decided I might as well drink. The server was the NICEST guy ever and made up for the hipster-stare-down. I asked him about the Cask IPA(s) and when he was done explaining I said "Though I love hoppy, it's a warm night my friend..." so he awesomely suggested the Cask IPA with Orange and Lime - as it was cooled to 44 degrees and would be the most optimal choice fitting my request for a hoppy but refreshing IPA on a warm Friday night. Bess showed up with her dog Shamus who won over the heart of hipsters and non-hipsters a like. (And wanted to be friends with every single dog that walked by.)
Cask IPA - Orange and Lime - was cooled which made it wonderful event for your mouth on a warm Friday night. It was less bitter/hoppy than the Interurban - but also a much smoother beer. It's like a wine with a nice finish. It's a beer that leaves you wondering what might come next.Worth getting another. YUM.
Interurban IPA - good IPA - but not distinguishable. Hoppy IPA - like synomyous. Very tasty but if given a choice of the two - pick the Cask IPA - with fruit.
It's cool little brewery. If you find yourself outside of Fremont and one of their beers is on tap - you can't go wrong. There are plenty of other beers to taste at the Fremont Brewery - and we suggest you go down and try them out. But keep your eyes open - you'll probably drive right past it - only once.
Oh, and for those of you who are wondering – the obscure Minnesota brewery referenced above is Surly Brewing Company.
So I did not go out for tasty beverages with Bess tonight or even last night but after a nail biter of a WNBA Storm game, Lara, Julie and I went out for some nosh and a tasty beverage at a place in lower Queen Anne that called themselves a bar... I'm not sure why we decided to stay because their beers only came in bottles and started at $5. And thought they tried to be fancy pants, the lack of a good draft beer was terribly disappointing. Terribly. 
