Bottoms Up at Elysian Brewing Company

With its microbrews and sophisticated beer palate, the Pacific Northwest is becoming as well known for its beer and it is for its wine.  Seattle is a beer kind of place, with some nice tasting brews along with fun brew pubs and interesting breweries and brewing methods.

On Capital Hill, you’ll find the Elysian Brewing Company with both a full service restaurant and bar and a 20-barrel brewing facility.  A walk by gives you a quick look at both, but pop inside for its pub menu and a cold one and you’ll have a better appreciation.

The menu is decidedly pub grub, but there are a few vegetarian options as well.  The Steak Frites, grilled sliced flank steak server over fries and topped with a blue-cheese cream sauce ($13) is one of my favorite choices, but it’s not for the calorie conscious.  Pair it with a IPA for a delicious meal and worry about the calories tomorrow!  The Portobello Panini, Cuban Sandwich, Lamb Ragu are also solid choices.

Elysian brews at three locations, and has a number of beers that are always available as well as some seasonal choices.  Their classics include:  Immortal IPA, Wise ESB, Dragonstooth Stout, Perseus Porter, Zephyrus Pilsner, Elysian Fields Pale Ale, Mens Room Ale, and Avatar Jasmine IPA (one of my favorites).  Seasonal choices include:  Night Owl Pumpkin Ale, Great Pumpkin Ale, Dark o’ the Moon, Bifrost Winter Ale, Loser, and Ambrosia Maibock.  A variety of specialty beers, usually in limited quantity are also poured, and the choices may be different at each location.  If you can’t decide what you want, try one of the beer tasting options.

You’ll find Elysian at restaurants around town, and a few are bottled for sale at local stores.  If you’re not nearby one of the brewery locations, pick one up at your local store.

Locations:

• 1221 East Pike Street, Capital Hill (map)
• 542 1st Avenue South, Downtown (map)
• 2106 North 55th Street, Greenlake (map)

Hours: Hours vary, depending on location.  Happy hour is offered at each location, with a special food menu and $1 off beer.

Prices:  Food ranges from $7-15

Photo credit: via flickr