As Puget Sound gets warmer and the sun sticks around a little longer each day, people’s taste in beer tends to roll from the dark, malty flavors of winter to the brighter, more optimistic palates of spring and summer.
And without missing a beat, four local breweries are gearing up to supply the masses with the drinks they crave.
The Bothell/Kenmore Reporter got in touch with these crowd favorites to figure out just what they’re offering this spring.
Foggy Noggin Brewing
Foggy Noggin is a Bothell-based nano-brewery owned by Jim Jamison, located at 22329 53rd Avenue Southeast with a taproom open Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m., and also Fridays from 3-7 p.m. starting today. It has 10 taps, two of which are nitro taps.
Chief Lightfoot: This annual Irish Red Ale, released last week, a couple weeks features rich and malty grain flavors with a dry finish, but with none of the bitterness reds are known for.
Diablo del Sol: An award-winning English Pale Ale made with English malts and Yakima hops that give it a characteristic brightness. Jamison said this is a favorite while the weather is still dreary, giving his patrons a bright and hoppy flavor without much bitterness.
Rufus: An English IPA with lots of rye malt for a bit of spice. Due to be released in July.
Jamison said he’s shooting for a May 20 release of an English style cream ale with a creamy texture and malty finish for both regular and nitro taps.
Beardslee Public House
Drew Cluley is Beardslee’s head brewer for the recently opened brewery located at 19166 Beardslee Boulevard No. 201 in Bothell, and filled in the Reporter on their spring offerings.
Yellow Belly Wheat: A Bavarian style wheat beer made with authentic German yeast creating banana and clove flavors.
Cluley is also working on two more brews, which are both low to moderate alcohol content session beers. One is a Saosin made from Belgian yeast which is peppery and tart. The other is an IPA with hoppy, fresh flavors and moderate bitterness.
Nine Yards Brewing
After opening last summer, Nine Yards Brewing has proven to be a hit. On top of bringing back a limited release of their whiskey-barrel aged, walnut milk stout for their anniversary this July, owner Ethan Savaglio said they’ve been busy brewing some seasonal favorites.
Brilliant Blonde: An American Blonde Ale with a full bodied, bready brew with a strong hop finish. Savaglio described it as a German meets American meets English style beer. It’s easy drinking, sharp and bright.
Friendly Lager: Reviving this crowd-pleasing Vienna and German styled lager was a no-brainer for Nine Yards. Sporting a crisp but full body and a subdued hop taste, the lager checks in at 3.9 percent alcohol by volume, making it a true summer session beer.
Nut Brown Ale: An English style dry, brown ale made with walnuts sourced from Skip Rock Distillers in Snohomish County with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. Savaglio said it’s not a typical summer beer, but he anticipates it’ll be a hit anyway.
Nine Yards Brewing is also working on an unnamed Mexican Lager which Savaglio described as similar to Pacifico but with more body which will be used with infusers to pump fresh lime juice into the brew.
192 Brewing
192 Brewing in Kenmore has been contacted and the list will be updated with their spring brews as soon as possible.
