Saturday 1st of January 2011 07:23:58 PM

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On my last visit to Friday Harbor (summer 2010) I was very disappointed to find the Front Street Alehouse closed and a For Lease sign in the front window. While the beer was only a little better than average it was still a great place to pass the time while my family did the tourist thing in the local shops. Hopefully someone will be able take over the location and brewery though I doubt that will happen as Friday Harbor has undergone a resurgence of development in recent years and that piece of real estate will be in high demand due to it's location and waterfront views.

Wednesday 20th of August 2008 10:14:32 PM

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I had been here before in 2003 and thought the beer was quite good. Since then I had heard reports that "something crawled in and died." I'm happy to report that only one of the eleven beers on tap (yes, I tried them all) would I consider undrinkable due to some off flavors. Unfortunately that was their pepper beer that was my favorite five years ago. Fortunately there were plenty of other very good ales to choose from. The IPA is not what I would call a NW style; it's more British in nature. If you want hops the pale is probably what you're looking for. Lots of Cascades in that one! Their Hefe (called a Krystal Weizen, I believe) was great! Also available were an amber, a porter, a stout, a cream, a pilsner (not the best), and a couple of specialties.
The service was a bit laid back which was fine for us as we came in on a private boat and didn't have to catch a ferry. If we needed to it might have been an issue. The food was very good "pub grub." All in all I would recommend a visit if you happen to be in Friday Harbor enjoying the majesty that is the San Juan Islands.

Thursday 13th of December 2007 04:05:49 PM

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Ah, the San Juan Islands, sandwiched between Northern Washington and British Columbia in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. There are 700 of these islands, 176 large enough to be named but four comprise the bulk of the San Juans, #4 on a list of best North American islands by Conde' Nast: the main island of San Juan and the biggest city on the islands, Friday Harber; Lopez - agricultural in nature and home to incredible ice cream; Shaw, the most private of islands without medical facility, mail, school buses or sewer disposal system, something the 150 residents believe keep them from being over-run with commercialism like nearby; Orcas with its proliferation of bed & breakfast inns, antique shops, hikers, campers and the like.
But there is no prettier place in Spring nor a better way to wile away an afternoon than sitting in the Front Street Tavern watching the people through the window...or just staring out into the serene harbor knowing that this is what you see in your head as you dream about the perfect spot to live. The Front Street Tavern offers up beer like Garrison Bay Double IPA (surprisingly drinkable with good hops & malt balance!), Diablo Ale for the adventerous who are Latino at heart and can't get enough Mexican food and beer (perfect with fish tacos)and the signature brew, the Raging Main - whiskey smooth and robust, bursting with flavors of chocolate and toffee with a bit of jazzy tanginess at the finish.
Come on a Thursday night and test your skills in the Trivia game. Come often and bartender Miles might offer you membership in the Pub Scum Club...a group that meets "whenever" to talk, enjoy the beer and each other's company.
But come early. At 4:00, wife Persimmon and I with two friends ruled the crowd of six. By 5:30, people were waiting for a table. Just come. Don't miss this place, if you're ever in the neighborhood. And when you're finished, walk the streets, feed Popeye the seal that hangs out by the fish restaurant at the dock, find the little hidden Backdoor Restaurant and enjoy dinner.
Most of all, come and breathe in the air. Smell that?
It's called relaxation.

Wednesday 5th of December 2007 01:01:44 AM

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The beer here is terrible. I don't know if they had some sort of contamination in their beer when I was there, but among my group we had several different beers, none of which got finished with our meals. However, the food was excellent and the sea town ambiance is great. I would go back to eat a meal but would order a coke with it. Unfortunately, this is a vacation spot and it's hard to see wandering around this island and not wanting a beer with my lunch.