Monday 11th of January 2010 09:07:52 PM

link
This place has the best view of a working brewery we’ve ever had - the brewery is separated from the pub/tasting area only by a four foot high wall. Pallets of grain stack against it, behind them is the grain mill, further back are the brew kettle and mash tun, and finally there is a row of fermenters along the far wall. The brewery is one end of a small semi-industrial building. There are two massive slide-up garage doors that are partially open during clement weather. The floors are concrete and there is an extremely high peaked ceiling. One wall is unfinished dry wall and the ceiling and other wall are coated in white plastic-wrapped insulation. Tables are wood-trimmed formica with green plastic chairs. There are also a few stools at a fairly small, generic bar.

The atmosphere is mostly industrial but there is a good pub feeling (conversations, etc.). It’s a worthy brewery visit.

There is a good range of ales available regularly - from an extra pale ale to a barley wine.

Sunday 14th of September 2008 01:36:47 PM

link
This was a tasting room. They do however have some snacks – Peanuts, pretzels such for the palette cleanse. The bar was in a big newer warehouse and easy to find. You see the whole works right from where you sit. A local’s hangout they have games going and the beers are plenty. You can smell the malts from the beers and see the brewer working hard. Samples, growlers even kegs if you need are there to purchase. They had some good beers and the bartender was very knowledgeable of the product. I will stop by when in the area each time to see what is different. I want to meet the brewer I hear he is super nice. No Kids allowed it is a tasting room only.

Thursday 29th of May 2008 06:56:56 PM

link
Don Wyatt was a one-time shop teacher at the local Kitsap County high schools.

He was also a student of Thomas Kemper, of the root beer that bears his name & sold at Pyramid breweries.

In Don's spare time, he liked to brew beer - so much so that he'd load up his truck after class, jump on a ferry to mainland Seattle and peddle his product to local establishments.

A one-man boot-legging operation! With 9-kegs in the back of his truck, he had more weight than brakes but that didn't stop him.

In 2003, Don quit teaching & started brewing full-time.

Good choice. He knows what he's doing.

Although the brewery is your basic "warehouse" w/o much of a view, stare instead at the big, hearty heads on a number of his beers; Dosewallips Special lager, Big Beef Oatmeal Stout, Breidablik Barleywine, South Point Porter - there wasn't a beer available that wife Persimmon & I didn't enjoy. Even the IPA (neither of us are big fans of the so-called "NW style") was not overwhelmed with hops. Just enough.

No food here - peanuts & pretzels to snack on - but Don reports many locals order in dinner & have it delivered to the pub so it becomes a real neighborhood place.

And that makes it a "beautiful day in the neighborhood" and I'm glad to report that we like being theirs.

So, in the words of Fred Rogers, "Hi, neighbor." Pull up a stool and join us.

Friday 3rd of August 2007 12:18:53 AM

link
Primarily a brewery in an industrial setting, Hood Canal has set aside a small bar and several tables for drop in tasters. They generally charge a buck for individual tastes but pints are also available, as well as six packs and larger bottles/kegs. All six house brews (from light ale thru barley wine) were on tap when I visited. The staff is friendly; they are open for tasting afternoons/evenings every day and you can watch whatever brewing operation is going on. No food service but you can bring in whatever you choose to eat.