Gourmet brewpub

[blackwhisper]

My in-laws will be visiting from out of town; my father-in-law loves beer, so I thought it would be fun to take them to a brewpub, but they are much more into gourmet food than the standard brewpub fare. Are there any brewpubs have especially good food?

Thanks!

[cocktailhour]

because of their interest in gourmet, definitely Quinn's. some of the others mentioned (like the Ram) is just mediocre bar food.

for good casual food, I like the family of Hilltop Tavern, 74th St Alehouse, and Columbia City. They are not brew pubs, but have a lot of beer and decent real food with lots of flavor. I guess more like comfort food.

[terrier]

You should consider Quinn's which has a very good beer selection and food that far outclasses any of the actual brewpubs around here.

Jolly Roger has the best food of any of the actual brewpubs in town - plus I'm a huge fan of their (Maritime Pacific) beers.

[malarkey]

Terrier hits it right. You really have to go to Quinn's if you want great beer selection AND outstanding food. Also consider the newly opened Spur downtown.

[lemiller610]

I would disagree about Elysian (all 3 locations). They've changed their menu as of late at the Cap Hill location, and nothing is good - very disappointing. I got the fish and chips at the Tangletown location once and they were a soggy mess. So, in short, no - not gourmet by any means, IMO.

My suggestion would be Brouwers - they have about 50 beers on tap and the long list of bottles (you have to ask for it) is like 20 pages long. They really know their beer and can recommend a good one for any taste.
Their food has improved as of late - Moules et Frites is especially good. It's in Fremont.

[GreenYoshi]

I sadly have to agree about the Elysian locations.
They're fine, but I remember them being significantly better.

Although, Elysian Fields has put some interesting SOUNDING items on their menu, none were as delicious as they sounded.

[dagoose]

I agree, Elysian on Cap hill is pretty brutal. Brouwers is better food, but not really a brew pub. The ram is okay, but a little chain-y (best bread pudding around though). I like the Eliott Bay that I went to in west Seattle, but I think the Jolly Roger is probably your best bet.
If you are on the east side I think very highly of the Rogue Brewery (even though that is a little chain-y too) still high quality food and exceptional beers.

[GreenLakeDave]

Tangletown has really gone down hill of late. I would recommend either Brouwers or Jolly Roger. However the Jolly Roger is tiny and usually packed as people linger over multiple pints. Be prepared to stand around waiting for a table.

[Kevin B]

Shame to hear that about Elysian. I'll admit that I haven't eaten a meal in any of them since my second was born 6 mos. ago. I think Pike has really turned things around since the Finkel's took it back. The menu is bigger and the quality of food/beer is way up.

I'm a beer first, food second type and the beer list at Quinns both times I've been there had nothing to set it apart. All beers that I've had many times and nothing I can't get at an average pub in this town. Food, pretty freakin' outstanding!

[barleywino]

Quinn's does have beers like Koningshoeven Quad on tap which an average pub (even Taphouse Grill) will certainly not have...then again Taphouse has Dogfish 90 minute IPA...

[Kevin B]

If you asked me which of the Trappist strongs (Westy12, Rochefort 10, Achel Extra & Koenigshoeven) is my least favorite, Koenigshoeven is the one. They've done a big marketing pitch with the re-branding from LaTrappe and within the last year I've seen it a Beverage, Barking Dog, The Duck, Old Town, Stumblin' Monk...

Every time I've been at Taphouse they had Weihenstephaner Korbinian on. In my book that forgives many sins they might commit.

[cscsman]

Pyramid Brewery (down by Safeco Field) has ok food and good beer. The Ram (University Village) has bad food and good beer, but their burgers are pretty good, including a Kobe one that I like.

[Kevin B]

Not a brewery, but Collin's Pub has great food and usually great taps. You could also hit Brouwers but their taps sometimes lack local beers.

My ranking of food at local breweries (but not necessarily best beer) is:

Elysian Tangletown
Elysian Fields
Pike
Elysian Cap. Hill
Jolly Roger Taproom
Elliott Bay Brewing

If you're near the U. go have a beer, but don't eat, at Big Time.