Tuesday 18th of August 2009 07:11:33 PM

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Truth be told, I'm as turned off by chain restaurants and breweries as anybody. But every time I end up back at The Ram, I really have a hard time finding fault in what they're doing.

The regular lineup of beers is solid. You'll be hard pressed to find something they're not doing well. But sometimes you'll get a special brewers choice tap that's exceptional. I have yet to have anything from them that I was at all disappointed with. It's above average, and that's really all I expect from a chain.

It has been over a year since I've had an actual meal from here, but the sandwiches I've had have all been exceptional. The food item that keeps me salivating for a return visit however, is the bread pudding. Don't order it with intentions of killing it on your own, it will take at least 3 people with an appetite.

It's a chain, but that doesn't keep it from making good, quality food and beer. I would pick a few other local breweries to eat dinner at, but sometimes we end up here, and that's okay by me.

Monday 29th of September 2008 06:42:39 PM

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Started my Sunday up in Seattle off at the Ram Bighorn Brewery (Northgate). It was tucked in with the Northgate Mall so it was easy to find and the parking at the time was very abundant. It had the look of the similar Ran Bighorns I have stopped at before. Big huge Silo outside to indicate they have something brewing there. The brewery was tucked in the back and it was pretty big from what I could see. Over 20 TV’s going like crazy and the NFL games where in full display. If you had a favorite team you could see them in your special viewing area while drinking Ram Beer’s and eating the pub food. The service was actually pretty good they had some idea f the beers and where able to guide me to the specials. I had an Oktoberfest due to it just felt right for the timing. The place was clean the bar was huge and if you do not like to shop but the family wants to shop you could spend a nice afternoon drinking and watching sports. The beer was nicely brewed and I enjoyed myself.

Tuesday 2nd of September 2008 03:06:04 PM

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The current brewer (Kevin Forhan) is quite good and has really given an extra edge to the beer here. The 2 or 3 specials are innovative, authentic, and quite flavorful (definitely above average). On our last visit there was a Belgian-style Wit, the same beer with raspberry, and a Saison. The standard range of Big Horn beers is also available (notable for us are the IPA and the porter).

The brewpub is located on the outside of Seattle’s first indoor shopping mall, which means there’s not really a neighborhood feel, but it’s a pleasant place and well worth visiting, especially for the beer specials. The overall style of the place is modern with light wood and polished metal and feels more fresh than the standard Ram formula. Several large murals in the restaurant section show old Seattle scenes and sports. There’s also an old wooden scull hanging from the ceiling. The bar area and restaurant are roughly the same size, separated by a short wall. The bar itself is a large horse-shoe shape and is made of brushed aluminum. In the middle are multiple flat-screen TVs (sound off), generally tuned to sports. On the window side of the bar area are many tall tables with tall wooden/metal chairs (each with a nice ram head cut out of the wooden back) and on the interior side are padded booths. The compact but nice looking brewery is visible through glass windows at one end of the bar area and you can watch the brewer at work during weekdays.

Outside the window-side of the bar is a comfortable outside patio with metal mesh tables and black market umbrellas. It’s a nice place to be when the weather is good as it’s away from the mall parking lot and overlooks the large patio that you cross to enter the mall.

Tuesday 3rd of June 2008 11:01:17 AM

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I've been to several Ram's now but the new Northgate Ram is closest to home. They are part of a large corporation, but I've felt very comfortable there. Let's face it I'm not a gregarious guy, so I like to bring a book and show up there for Happy Hour (Mon-Fri) $2.99 Imperial pints. I find a table in the bar and enjoy. Usually one of the screens will have a soccer match on, which I also enjoy. My standard is the Buttface Amber which I find a great session Beer. Their Porter is also among my favorites although it is usually served in a chilled glass, and I'd recomend asking for an unchilled glass. I recently tried their Oktoberfest and it was tasty as well. My son who is a real beer snob had their Belgian Tripple and pronounced it excellent. I can't speak for their IPA since my tastebuds rebel at a strong hop finish, however my daughter and son-in-law enjoy the IPAs and take their two sons their for dinner.

The food, while not outstanding is above average, consistent and Very nicely prepared. Their Happy Hour menu is great! As it is in a Mall (but close to Barnes and Noble where I get some books) it does get crowded on weekends for lunch and dinner, and televised big time sports eventrs but otherwise its fine. Service for me has always been courteous and professional and friendly.

The atmosphere is every bit as comfortable as the Hofbrau Haus in Munich and the service is much faster.

I take some issue with curmudgeon, since I've talked with both Dave Leonard (Head Brewer) and Kevin(Brewer) and find that the brewers at each location have discretion in the seasonals they offer. The Northgate Oktoberfest was very different from the Kent location Oktoberfest for example.

Thursday 15th of May 2008 02:10:49 PM

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The Ram.
A corporate bar masquerading as a local pub but from the moment you enter, the realization is apparent: there is no community here.
Most live in strip malls where parking is abundant (as are the people) and views non-existant (unless you like watching shoppers parade in and out of Target, Bed & Bath and the like!)
TV's are everywhere & the sound is up -- as is the music. Both are loud to create "ambience" but any attempt to carry on a conversation is eliminated.
The bartenders, although friendly, have too much back-bar business to attend so any talking in that arena is obliterated.
Basic pub fare rules and, because of the monolithic size of the corporation, all of it is bland, tasteless, "don't offend any customer" blah-food.
The beer too is, at best, mediocre, from IPA to Porter - nothing unique but count it on to be consistant regardless of which Big Horn / Ram you choose...which is, of course, the over-riding principle when dealing with any company this size.
These are upscale pubs for the 20-somethings walking in with a date or pack-friends eager to watch football / baseball / basketball / etc.
But a pub?
No.

Having been to 4 of the Ram / Big Horn restaurants in Washington State, I can say with complete confidence...the company has succeeded in it's mission.
They are all alike. From the atmosphere, to the food to the beer...these restaurants can't possibly satisfy any pub-lover or novice beer-learner.
With a bit of effort, there are outstanding brewpubs full of community and exceptional beer & food within 10 miles of any Ram.
Make the effort.
You wont' be sorry