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52 Weeks: Port Townsend Brewing Co., Port Townsend, WA
Picture courtesy of beeradvocate.com. It was dark by the time we arrived.
Week 43 of 52- catching up. We will get there before the end of the year. PROMISE!
330 10th St # C
Port Townsend, WA 98368-1815
(360) 385-9967
Rank: 4/5
Type of Establishment: Brewpub, Friday night summer music venue
Visit: A quick trip across the Puget Sound for a camping trip in Port Townsend.
Beers on Tap (at time of visit):
Barleywine
Hop Diggity IPA
Peeping Peater Scottish Ale
Glass Kisser Double IPA
Straight Stout
Pale Ale
Bourbon Barrel Aged Porter
Chet’s Gold Golden Ale
Bottle List:
Find something you loved on tap? Ask the bartender if they have any in stock. My suggestion: grab several bottles of the barleywine.
Food Options:
Peanuts. Peanuts you can throw on the floor. Depending on the time of day there is a taco stand/hut right outside. Tonight, we got there too late.
Bar Opinions:
Visit this brewery in the summer on a Friday night and you can hear the music playing from the parking lot. Located about a mile outside of downtown Port Townsend, Port Townsend Brewing Co. attracts the whole town which creates an amazing vibe. However, when we went, it was a bit colder, the band had retired for the season and the party had moved inside.
Despite the cool weather, we had plans to camp nearby at Old Fort Townsend. The second we arrived in Port Townsend, we stopped at the brewery. We emerged from the car and as we approached the brewery, a large fermentation tank towered over us with the brewery’s logo stamped on the side- a fisherman leaning over a “lookout bucket” holding a telescope. I own a long sleeve shirt with that very same logo now except my shirt declares “Thar she brews!”
We entered the first door that we see and decided to take a seat and order a brew in this taproom with windows on two of the four walls, plenty of bar style seating (around the bar, in the middle and along the windows) and the likings of a modest ship.
With a Barleywine, a Glass Kisser Double IPA and their limited release Bourbon Barrel Porter in hand (well my hand and two other peoples’ hands) we set out to experience the craft brews, the top notch brews that come out of this brewery located on the other side of the Puget Sound (and then some). All three of those beers were amazing. A bottle of Barleywine was purchased and the owner so kindly poured us a growler of the limited edition porter to bring back to the campsite.
Aside from the space we nestled up in, there is an outdoor area where a band plays on the weekend during the warmer months and people get together to dance. There is also another tap room which is older than the one we spent our time in. The other area is also wooden but darker and smaller with less space to sit. Mixed nuts and peanuts are available at both bar areas.
Its a great brewery with a space that keeps the party flowing from area to area. You can bring your beer outside, inside, wherever suits your fancy (as long as it is on thier property).
This is the perfect place for a Friday night in Port Townsend- great beer, people and a live band in the summer to top it off!
Don’t Forget! Book Your Hotel (And Your Beer) For Strange Brewfest 2011
don't delay - get a hotel now
Time to start thinking about Strange Brewfest 2011! This festival is a celebration of the unique spirit that the now-closed Water Street Brewing once encompassed. Strange Brewfest is a chance to see the creativity of Washington’s wonderful brewing community.
If this is the first time that you ever read this blog, you might not know about our affinity for a former brew house known as Water Street Brewing. The iconic pub once ruled the streets of Port Townsend, Washington, with incredible food, heartwarming charm and of course – excellent beer. If you need to catch up on why we loved (and still love) it so very much – read this post.
Of course, many of us were concerned that Water Street’s closing spelled the end to this event. But Nina and Mark, the committed owners of the former pub, have made sure that Strange Brewfest continues on!
The event will span across three days this year and be held down the street from the original location at the American Legion Hall. The event will no longer be a Water Street Brewing event, but Nina and Mark will serve as consultants, to ensure that the festival does not lose it luster.
So, book your hotel for January 28-30, 2011. There are a list of suggested hotels on the Strange Brewfest website. Be sure to peruse the rest of their website to find out more info on the event.
If you are a brewer and want to showcase your exotic grog at the festival, please complete this Brewer’s Application and have it submitted by January 14, 2010. Submission instructions are included in the form and you can contact the festival crew at info@strangebrewfestpt.com with any questions.
Check in with the Water Street Facebook page to learn more about the event as we inch closed to the big date.
300 Posts: 3 Big Moments in Beer Blotter History
De Zon's organic bathrooms really left an imprint - and a lesson in hilarity.
On Friday, Beer Blotter offered its 300th post! Over less than a year has elapsed since we first went public on BeerBlotter.com. We have a had a blast so far, and we look forward to much more ahead.
In almost 11 months, we have managed to put up more than 300 stories (this article is #302). From our editor’s first beer review of Lazy Magnolia’s Jefferson Stout to Mark Leavens’ review of sandwich board art over at Atlantic Crossing – we have come a long way.
While we look forward to big changes over here, we wanted to take a look into the past and discuss the three biggest, and most memorable, moments in our short history. We have visited Belgium, Holland, France, Canada, San Diego, San Francisco, New Orleans, Cleveland, New York, Washington DC, Portland, Chicago and more – all in that 11 month period.
These three moments stick out the most:
#3 — Beer Blotter Spawns From the New Orleans Beer Arrival & A Chicago Surprise
If you have ever visited New Orleans, you are probably aware that its almost impossible to find a good beer. You are almost assured of being stuck drinking some fruity concoction of a massive amount of liquor. Not anymore.
We visited New Orleans in the beginning of last November with little knowledge of any beer scene. But, we stumbled our way through bar after bar and discovered that craft beer does exist. In fact, we were floored with what we found; hope for a good future was established.
While we were in New Orleans, our editor was surprised with a no notice flight up to Chicago. It was her first visit – and a great opportunity to see an amazing world of craft beer. We visited the Publican, drank Three Floyds at the Map Room, bought a bounty of beer at Binnys and took in a Browns v. Bears game, before returning to New Orleans.
Upon returning, we decided to launch this site. Beer Blotter was born over a pint of Lazy Magnolia Jefferson Stout and NOLA Hopitoulas at the Avenue Pub. From that moment – 300 articles followed.
#2 — The Crew Visits West Flanders
The entire crew decided to throw down and take an excursion to Belgium, back in March. We planned the trip for a period of 12 months, holding epic Belgian beer tastings once a week until we left. As part of the trip, we decided to visit Germany, France and Holland as well.
Every day was filled with splendor. From the iconic bottle shops, to the revolutionary brewers, Belgium brought us to our knees. We saw Cantillon in Brussels, visited Moeder Lambis during its opening week, drank gallons at De Molen, sorted through bottles at Paters Vaetje, and gifted a Pliny the Elder to Hane at De Gans.
But, nothing was more epic than a one day visit to West Flanders. I had caught a pretty vicious cold that had put me out of commission for a few days, but I refused to allow it to defeat my trip to Westvleteren to catch Westy 12. I sucked it up, chugged some orange juice, bought some nose spray (so i could taste again) and we took off for West Flanders.
When we arrived at the Saint Sixtus Abbey in Westvleteren – my cold cleared up. Whether this was an amazing intervention of the almighty himself or simply an incredulous recovery – we will never know. But, it all came together as my first Westy 12 was placed in front of me.
From there, we trucked on to St. Bernardus, visited a brewer’s cottage in Woesten, drove to France to sample Escambeq’s best (with a brewer who could not speak English), drank De Struisse’s finest in a living room at De Zon and enjoyed splendid wonders from the private collection of Alvinne’s owner. I’m unsure that this day could ever be eclipsed.
#1 — The Closing of Water Street Brewing & Alehouse
The number one moment is not a happy one. But, it certainly had a profound effect on me.
For days I labored over visiting my favorite beer spot before it would shut its doors, for the final time. In the end, I didn’t go. The horror was too much for me to handle.
If you never got a chance to read the hardest post I ever typed, take a gander now. For purposes of brevity, I will not relive the words that came to mind when I head that Water Street Brewing would close down. But if you were around me for those few days – you know it was always in my mind.
Bars come and go – that is for sure. Some bars leave way too early; that was the case with Water Street. Because of a legal spat that keeps the former Water Street brewing space vacant to this day (we just saw the space this past weekend and its still not even close to re-lease), Water Street was forced into early retirement.
But, like all great combatants, Water Street may rise again. Their Facebook page has provided snippets of hope to those of us who yearn to have Queen Nina pour us another IPA. Recently, Nina announced that Strange Brewfest would return this year! This was an amazingly welcoming sign that Water Street is still alive and kicking – somewhere.
300 More.
300 posts of Beer Blotter has brought us this far and we vow to keep it going. In the next month, we hope to have our new site running, filled with gobs of media and more user friendly resources.
Stick with us, please. We’ve enjoyed your company.
Strange Brew 2011? – Its Happening!
Can't nobody hold them down! Strange Brewfest is back!
If this is the first time that you ever read this blog, you might not know about our affinity for a former brew house known as Water Street Brewing. The iconic pub once ruled the streets of Port Townsend, Washington, with incredible food, heartwarming charm and of course – excellent beer. If you need to catch up on why we loved (and still love) it so very much – read this post.
After a long bout with the owners of their former space, Water Street was forced to close its doors. If you have visited Port Townsend since this closing, you might have seen their empty space, still donning the famous mural that once make the place as epic as can be. For me, it was so incredibly difficult to peer through that glass and notice no life within.
But, lets cheer up. As we inch closer to Winter, we can begin to think about Strange Brewfest. This festival is a celebration of the unique spirit that Water Street encompassed. Strange Brewfest is a chance to see the creativity of Washington’s wonderful brewing community.
Of course, many of us were concerned that Water Street’s closing spelled the end to this event. We were wrong to bet again Nina and Mark, the committed owners of the former pub.
Nina and Mark have announced, via their Facebook page, that Strange Brewfest is on! The event will span across three days this year and be held down the street from the original location at the American Legion Hall. The event will no longer be a Water Street Brewing event, but Nina and Mark will serve as consultants, to ensure that the festival does not lose it luster.
So, book your hotel for January 28-30, 2011. There are a list of suggested hotels on the Strangebrew Festival website.
Check in with the Water Street Facebook page to learn more about the event as we inch closed to the big date. See you there!
The Hardest Post I’ve Ever Typed: The Death of My Heart, Water Street Brewing
Water Street. Rest in Peace. You left your mark on us all.
The first time I ever gazed upon the entryway, I shuddered. Isn’t this the iconic portal where Richard Gere once had a pint in an Officer and a Gentleman? It was. But it was so much more. It was the most inviting entry on the block. It only took one glance.
I remember walking up and thinking – this is everything a brewpub should be. Its an over-sized, over-vaulted, sun sprayed, open-aired masterpiece. We can fill the pool of demographics with a sample of the bar crowd. You could swim in the smell of fresh beer wort filling the air. It was everything I had dreamed of – and there was more to come.
Before I continue my heart-wrenching words, I want to say that I have put off this article for more than a year. I might be crazy; I might be frightened. I’m just not sure. But the essence of Water Street Brewing could not be bottled and it could not be served on an outside-viewing public. It was the inside of your dreams and the best that your imagination could muster.
But now, its soon to be gone. In roughly 30 hours, all that I knew of the bar I called “perfection” will be erased from its space on the waterfront in little ole Port Townsend. I have died a little inside.
But my memories will try and live on – at least what can be maintained from the few beer-engulfed images I took home with me. The images ingrained themselves so deeply, it would be nearly impossible to forget.
Walking in, you are met with scents, images, music and aura. I don’t think that I’ve ever felt aura before. I’m just not that type of person. I notice the layout, feel, and comfort of bars – i love them. But never before did I honestly feel a sense of excitement in the air, especially in a bar that was practically empty. You could just tell that a remarkable history and passion ran rampant through this place. I was now going to be a part of it.
I took a few glances before even thinking about sitting. The pharaoh and the demon mural, the mermaid, the stage, the blown glass, the old wood, the vaulted ceilings coated in $1 bills, the veranda with its collection of broken pool cues, the air, the light and the sound. It was magnificent.
Once I had returned to earth, we saddled up at the bar. We were greeted by the image of all that is respected and loved and intertwined in the aura of Water Street – Queen Nina. Nina Law – hello.
You have never been treated by a bartender until you spend an afternoon, evening, entire calendar day with Nina as your bar mate. She is spectacularly in love with this place, its constituents, and its craft. For quite some time, the house’s greatest and most love-filled beer has been named for her – Queen Nina IPA.
A bucket of pumpkin-colored, viscous, sweet-herbed IPA is poured. I remain calm, in awe of the surroundings. The man to my right immediately strikes up the conversation – howdy. He’s a man of many a year in Port Townsend. This is his home, the bar stool beside me. I am told of the wonderful things that the crowd of this place has done for this man. I am told of the minor contributions that he made to keep the place afloat in early 2009, when the bar almost went belly-up from a loss of income. The stuttering of his voice guaranteed the reality that I was in this magical place.
Even the Iceman went to Water Street. Just part of the crowd.
What next? Food from the soul? An inspiring chat with a stranger? Some impromptu live folk music? How about some fiddling? How about I rip this shirt off the wall and take off with my little piece of Water Street? I took it all.
Being from the Midwest, I have one food passion – wings. I know its a bit silly to get passionate about hot wings, but then again – have you been reading this article? Packed with love.
Anyways, the wings: perfection. I remember that Queen Nina brought out my platter and said – “you know what? thats the best damn wing order I’ve ever seen.” She was right. To this day, it might be the best dozen that I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying. Covered in fresh roasted garlic, rolled in tangy sauce, cooked to perfection, served with liquid gorgonzola. It was heaven for a wing man.
We spent at least an hour in each of the five separate spaces at Water Street’s 7,000 square foot warehouse of bar. Each space had its own comfort, each providing you with a different feel. Of course, we begun at the bar – which would rival the collegiality of a World Cup soccer team. But there are other spaces with their own great comfort.
There is the restaurant area, directly in the airways of the kitchen (smell the shellfish!) and the brewery (smell the malt!). Then there is the cubby hole beneath the stairs – the perfect place to gather with cronies. Next, the upstairs veranda, full of pool tables, portals overlooking the bar from 20′ above and the malt mill! Last and certainly not least – the outside patio. Nestled beside the water, and a few feet from the brewery exhaust, its the perfect place to enjoy pitcher and a clambake.
You wanted music? How about some impromptu gypsy-folk, featuring a fiddle and guitar, on the old stage? If that’s not going on, Queen Nina is sure to keep the bar’s sound waves geared up on 1960s-1970s hippy rock. They keep it mellow.
I couldn’t leave if I wanted. To some extent, I never have. I wanted so badly to have that place in my memories, that I ripped an old shirt off the wall. It was the last shirt that remained from their economic near-collapse earlier in the year. They couldn’t afford new merchandise at the time, but Nina was more than happy to send me home with the last remaining article on the wall. Best $15 I ever spent. I wear that shirt once a week – no joke.
The first time I went – we stayed for about 8 hours. The next morning, we returned for another 5 hours. I know, that’s how much I loved it. You’d certainly think that cannot be duplicated.
After weeks of giving friends my elevator pitch on Water Street, we returned. They stopped in, had some wings, had some beer and loved every moment. But 3 hours was enough for them. They decided to check out the town. Not me. I stayed by myself, enjoying the crowd, enjoying the staff, and enjoying what would come to be my last and final glimpse into the one remaining bar, which is soaked in the love of its admirers.
Pumpkin Juice. Queen Nina IPA.
So……call me a sap. Do it. I deserve it, but I do not apologize or regress from my statements in this article.
Maybe you didn’t think the bar resembles anything close to what I said? Well, just rest easy knowing that such a perception of a watering hole is possible. Know that a person could be so very much overwhelmed by the aura of an institution that it could reduce them to near tears upon learning of its demise.
Know all of that, and continue searching for your own place. Aura exists. Rest in peace – Water Street.
