Best Breweries In Washington State

Best breweries in Washington State! Experience unique and smooth flavors as you explore “The Evergreen State.”

Best Breweries In Washington State

There are a lot of great cities to visit in Washington State. There are also some pretty awesome breweries. So as you explore the state, be on the lookout for some tasty libations. And if you’d like some personal recommendation, we got you! With the help of some fellow travel bloggers, we’ve put together this list of the best breweries in Washington State.

Bellingham – Aslan Brewing Company

Tabitha of Travel Compositions

Aslan Brewing Company serves USDA organic certified beer in Bellingham, WA. The name Aslan comes from the Turkish word for lion (not after the Narnia character most assume).

On tap you will find some old faithfuls as well as seasonal and special release beers. They serve a well-rounded collection of beer styles, sure to please anybody’s palate. They have lagers, Pacific ales, brown ales, pilsners, saisons and in true PNW fashion they have plenty of IPAs. For their seasonal/special release beers you might find a Mediterranean-style pilsner, a stout, a rye ale, Canadian-style lager, or a seasonal fruity saison. Flights are five 4oz pours for $12.

Aslan’s brew pub serves full meals like mouthwatering burgers and crispy sweet potato fries or loaded rice bowls. Sit inside with two story windows brightening the warehouse-type room or at an outside table so your dog can join in on the fun. Aslan Brewing has been brewing beer since 2013 and has expanded since. 

A block down from their pilot restaurant you’ll find The Depot. It’s a converted 1916 electric streetcar/bus station turned 21+, cozy taproom. This is their barrel-aging facility where you will find a refined choice of their unique and blended brews as well as guest artisan beers, ciders, and wines from around the world. Order from the brew pub menu and your dishes will be brought down from the kitchen up the street.  

You can also find their satellite taproom in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. They keep their tap list limited to ten flavors. Order food from Local Tide next door or BYO.

Bellingham – Otherlands Beer

Jessica of Uprooted Traveler

Otherlands Beer in Bellingham serves up incredible lagers, farmhouse ales, and saisons that are brewed with a variety of traditional and old-world techniques that the brewers have picked up in their travels around the world. The result is fresh and funky takes on European classics. Think: pilsners with a spicy hop nose or farmhouse ales with floral notes.

Beers are available either in full pours ($6.50), half pours ($3.75), or growlers (either 750 mL ($8) or 2L containers ($16)). The friendly staff are also happy to serve up a sample or two if you can’t decide on a brew. Its brewpub offers a cozy and whimsical dining room, with cheeky touches, like golden beer taps topped with hop flowers.

While you’re trying Otherlands’ beer selections, you’re also welcome to nosh on its eastern European dishes, like mushroom pierogies or a beet reuben. Not only is its menu delicious and perfectly executed, but it also demonstrates Otherlands’ tongue-in-cheek attitude. They have drink options titled “Millennial Libations” and brunch is lovingly referred to as “Second Breakfast”.

Otherlands Beer also teams up with a number of other local breweries for events throughout the year. During the annual Sunnyland Garden Party, each brewery releases a special springtime beer to raise money for a local charity. Between its impressive brewery scene, all of the amazing coastal hikes near Bellingham, and its charming downtown, spending time exploring Bellingham- with a stop at Otherlands, of course- should absolutely be on every Washington bucket list!

Leavenworth – Icicle Brewing Company

Katie and Ben of Two Wandering Soles

Washington’s Bavarian-themed mountain town, Leavenworth, has quite a charming main strip, and Icicle Brewing Company is nestled in the center. With a pretty decent variety of beers and a cozy ambiance, this brewery is a town staple and one of the best breweries in Washington State.

With flagship beers, like their famed Dark Persuasion, a German chocolate cake ale, and their long-standing Bootjack IPA, Icicle has a beer for everyone. They also have seasonal offerings. Many of them are named after local landmarks, like Enchantments Hazy IPA and Valhalla Double IPA. And if you just can’t choose, order a flight so you can sample several! If you want a bite to go with your brews, choose from reasonably-priced pub favorites like a farm to table meat and cheese platter or a warm Bavarian pretzel.

Not only do they have tasty brews and a lively atmosphere, but Icicle is a huge supporter of the local community events. They even work with artists for collaborations on their labels. Icicle often has live music and has both indoor and outdoor seating available, making it a great choice no matter the weather.  Icicle Brewing is a perfect place to unwind after a challenging hike on a hot summer’s day, or a cozy spot to warm up next to a fire in the midst of winter.

Pro Tip: Leavenworth is also one of the best places to celebrate Oktoberfest in the US!

Poulsbo – Slippery Pig Brewery

Kelly of A Pair of Passports

The Scandinavian-themed town of Poulsbo is always on our list of places to go when we visit the Kitsap Peninsula. Slippery Pig Brewery is almost always our first stop there. The brewery has Scandinavian heritage of its own and many of their beers are named with that in mind. The ingredients are sourced locally where possible and the brewery experiments with different styles of beer, so there is always something unique to try.

With over 20 beers on tap, it’s hard to pick what to put on your four beer flight. However, you can always just get a second and wash some of it down with their menu of bar food such as tacos, nachos, and sandwiches. Slippery Pig also has a decently stocked merchandise corner with cool t-shirts. It’s perfect for people who like to collect something from each brewery they visit.

When you’re finished with your beer, step right out into the center of the charming town of Poulsbo, where shops, restaurants, and more breweries await you!

Prosser – Horse Heaven Brewery

Corinne of Roving Vails

One of the cutest breweries, with a great origin story, is Horse Heaven Brewery located in Prosser. Prosser is in the southeastern part of the state. The city is probably better known for its wine, but there are plenty of craft breweries, and they are starting to gain momentum.

Horse Heaven Brewery is located behind the Horse Heaven Saloon, which is owned and operated by Gary Vegar. He and his wife grew up in Prosser. However, they moved away when they were younger and stayed away for over 20 years. They made an agreement with each other that they would go back if both of them could get what they wanted. For her it was a horse, and for him it was a brewery. They made both their dreams work, and their happiness shows in the beer products they make.

The brewery is only open a couple of days a week, but the best place to taste his beers are in the Saloon, which is open everyday. You can get a flight, and choose any four out of his eight beers on tap. I tried the Honey Girl, which is amazing. His other beers include some IPAs, a stout, and some great ales. Don’t miss stopping in Prosser and trying out the craft beer scene, especially at Horse Heaven Saloon.

Seattle – Obec Brewing

Adria of The Emerald Palate

Obec Brewing (pronounced “Oh-bets”) is another one of the best breweries in Washington state. It’s located in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood within walking distance of a bunch of Seattle’s best breweries.

What makes Obec special is that they’re one of the few Ballard breweries serving malty, Belgian-style ales like dubbels, tripels, and saisons. Their menu is more diverse in general with porters, reds, lagers, and pilsners. This makes them a great stop if you need a break from all the IPA-heavy menus nearby.

Another reason Obec is special is it stays relatively uncrowded compared to the nearby breweries that are often swarming with people. This may be because it’s a 21+ only establishment, or because it’s on a side street. Either way, if you want to escape the crowds, definitely come here and enjoy a beer under their covered patio or in their cool, dimly-lit indoor space.

Obec has three glass sizes: a 5-ounce barnaby taster, 10-ounce schooner, or 16-ounce full pour. A pint ranges from $5-$7. There’s also a small Washington wine menu and a few snacks, with daily food trucks if you want a full meal. Basically, this Washington brewery has everything you need for enjoying a fun day beer tasting!

Pro Tip: While in town, make sure you also check out these unique places to eat in Seattle!

Westport – Blackbeard’s Brewery

Nina of Washington is for Adventure

In the cute, charming, and tiny town of Westport, you’ll find some beautiful shorelines perfect for flying kites, running, and surfing. Towards the north, you’ll find some lighthouses, gorgeous strolls, and a beautiful marina to explore. There are plenty of things to do in Westport, but you’ll surely need a spot to relax and have a nice cold beer afterward!

While a tiny town, Westport offers up a refuge, Blackbeard’s Brewery. They serve up some mean brews that quench your thirst for a great craft beer! They have a fantastic little patio should the sun be out and shining and a chill indoor area as well.

You’ll be spoilt for choice since they have all the beers you’d want. Old school IPAs, Pale Ales, Reds, Lagers, and even their own hard seltzer! Since you’re likely going to want to try more than one, we’d recommend grabbing a flight at first to get a taste of your top 4 choices. Then grab yourself a nice big pint!

On top of great beer, if you’re a bit nibbly, they have tons of great food like sandwiches, typical bar appetizers, and salads. The real winner here, though, is their hand-tossed pizza. It’s amazing after a day of adventuring around Westport!

*Don’t forget your growler so you can take home some of your favorite brew!

Final Thoughts On The Best Breweries In Washington State

We love that these breweries have a variety of selections, but also that they care about their local communities and do what they can to support each other. Their food doesn’t look too bad either LOL!

So… Are you thirsty yet? Which Washington brewery are you heading to first?

You might also like these other brewery articles:
– Best Breweries In Florida
– Best Breweries In New England

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