I’ve lived in Seattle for over a decade and have been to plenty of the best Seattle breweries. So I know just how easy it is to find great beer in the city. Traditional ales, hoppy IPAs, toasty stouts, and fruity sours await adventurous beer lovers.
Seattle is a craft beer destination worthy of a beer crawl or two. After all, hitting up the breweries is one of the best things to do in Seattle. Here are the spots to find great beer in the Emerald City!
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18 Best Seattle Breweries
Good Society Beer
Every beer purchased benefits the community at this West Seattle brewery.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Good Society Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 206 420 3528
Good Society Beer is one of my personal favorite breweries because of its emphasis on doing good things for the community.
A portion of every pint Good Society sells goes toward a local non-profit. It also regularly hosts trivia, music bingo, and local school fundraisers.
Good Society rotates its beer offerings regularly, so count on having something fun and new to try on return visits. I recommend any of the “neon” beers (Neon Puppy Eyes, Neon Kiwi Eyes, etc.) if you like IPAs. Grab the Wit and Wisdom wheat beer for something light and summery.
Kids and dogs are welcome in the brewery. They have plenty of seating inside and a covered, heated outdoor area for year-round use.
Machine House Brewing
Hillman City brewery in a new, cozy location serving up traditional English ales.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Machine House Brewing Website | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞 +1 206 402 6025
Machine House Brewing relocated from its original Georgetown location in the historic brick building that once housed the original Rainier Brewery.
And you know what? Its new Hillman City location is just as fantastic. The beer is still great, and the exposed brick walls and cozy interior make you feel like you’re hanging out in a British pub.
Machine House brews small batches of English-style cask-conditioned ales. Try the Better Bitter, Dark Mild, or Golden Ale to see the best of what they do.
One thing I love about this brewery is that a majority of its beers have lower ABVs. This means it’s a good place to sample several tasty and well-rounded pints.
Fremont Brewing
This popular Seattle brewery is a summertime staple.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Fremont Brewing Website | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞 +1 206 420 2407
Fremont Brewing is one of the most well-known Seattle breweries. It’s located along the Burke Gilman Trail, making it a must-visit if you’re biking along this trail (especially in the summer).
This family-owned brewery has a wide range of beer. Two of the best choices are the Sky Kraken Hazy Pale Ale and the Golden Pilsner, but you can’t go wrong with any of its core beers or special releases.
When you grab your pint, don’t forget to grab a bowl of free pretzels too! The brewery has a ton of seating inside along with a heated urban beer garden full of plants and other greenery.
The social atmosphere of Fremont Brewing is one of its best features. Bring your friends, kids, and dog to hang out at here on a lazy, sunny day.
Lucky Envelope
Find innovative and tasty beers at this Asian-owned brewery in the Ballard Brewery District.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Lucky Envelope Brewing Website | 🍽️ Food Trucks Nearby | 📞 +1 206 659 4075
Visit Lucky Envelope Brewing if you’re searching for a brewery with innovative beers.
This brewery sets itself apart by using interesting ingredients to make one-of-a-kind beers. It uses real peanut butter in its delicious Peanut Butter Cream Stout along with fresh peppers in the tasty Two-Pepper Pale Ale.
One of my past favorites was the Honey Cinnamon Cream Stout and there are always unique iterations for dark beer lovers. But don’t skip the Yinz Jawn Lager if you want something more traditional.
Good vibes abound at Lucky Envelope. The beertenders are friendly and the clientele is laid back at this dog-friendly brewery.
👉 Pro Tip: Going on a beer crawl is one of the best things to do in Seattle. Get started in Ballard where you’ll find dozens of breweries within walking distance of one another. Many of them are on this list!
Georgetown Brewing
This popular Georgetown brewery is the birthplace of a Washington favorite: Manny’s Pale Ale.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Georgetown Brewing Co Website | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞 +1 206 766 8055
You may recognize several offerings at Georgetown Brewing if you’re already into the Washington beer scene. The most popular of these is Manny’s Pale Ale. The Roger Pilsner, Lucille IPA, and Bodhizafa IPA are other well-recognized brews that originated here.
Georgetown Brewing opened in the early 2000s. Along with some of the more recognizable choices, you’ll find beers of every type here. Get something light and refreshing or hoppy and unusual – this brewery has it all.
The space is large with plenty of seating. The staff is knowledgeable and can provide excellent recommendations. Add this brewery to your Seattle itinerary if you’re a diehard beer fan looking for a classic Seattle craft beer experience.
Future Primitive
Super spacious White Center brewery with communal vibes and cheekily-named beers.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Future Primitive Brewing Website | 🍽️ Food Served
I highly recommend venturing just south of West Seattle to White Center where you’ll find the neighborhood gem that is Future Primitive.
This brewery’s tap list includes a good mix of IPAs and German-style beers. Try its NPFO Pilsner for something refreshing and light, or the Wet Pine Winter IPA for a unique, woodsy-tasting brew.
Future Primitive has a fun, communal atmosphere. I’ve made friends here instantly during the sumo-wrestling watch-party series. The large brewery has plenty of seating outside, beneath a covered patio, and upstairs.
And don’t worry if you can’t make it to the big White Center location. Future Primitive also opened a second location right along Alki Beach!
Perihelion Brewery
The best brewpub in Seattle for food has cozy fire pits and delicious year-round beers.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Perihelion Brewery Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 206 200 3935
The Beacon Hill neighborhood is lucky to have Perihelion Brewing, which was one of my most frequented spots when I lived in the area. Looking for the best spot on this list for solid brews and mouth-watering food? Perihelion is it.
Perihelion Brewing is small and cozy with fire pits on the outdoor patio to make cool evenings pleasant. The beer list is varied, though saisons and other ales are its specialties.
Let’s talk food: you gotta try one of its many juicy burgers like the Beacon, Bleu Cheese Truffle, or the vegan BBQ Jackfruit Burger. You also can’t go wrong with the bang bang shrimp, beer-steamed clams, or fries with bone marrow and smoked chile aioli.
Perihelion is right next to the light rail station, meaning public transit is a great way to get here.
Metier Brewing Company
Energetic Central District brewery with live music and delicious Japanese snacks.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Metier Brewing Company Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 425 415 8466
Metier Brewing is one place you’ll find busy whether it’s a chilly February evening or a warm afternoon in July.
The Black-owned brewery has both core beers and several specialties. My go-to is the Black Stripe Coconut Porter, which is infused with toasted coconut, and is one of the most popular.
Inside, you’ll find plenty of large tables for groups and you can catch live music and other events pretty frequently. Hungry? Try one of the drool-worthy Japanese okazu pans (little buns with savory filling) from a beloved local bakery.
Street parking is available if you’re parking. Metier is also steps away from Cafe Salem, one of the top restaurants in Seattle. I recommend going to both on an evening out.
Ghostfish Brewing
A unique brewery in SoDo offering gluten-free beers and food.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Ghostfish Brewing Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 206 397 3898
Ghostfish Brewing is a godsend for beer lovers with celiac disease or gluten intolerances. Its beers are made using millet, brown rice, and buckwheat. This means all of the beers here are gluten-free, as are its food offerings.
Give Ghostfish a try even if you aren’t gluten-free. Start with the Meteor Shower if you like good, crisp lagers. Go with Vanishing Point for something malty and delicious. The food menu includes mac and cheese, sandwiches, fish and chips, and other pub grub.
Ghostfish is in SoDo, which is an industrial area of Seattle. Parking is typically lovely difficult, but expect to search a longer on game days since T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field are nearby.
Urban Family Brewing
This Ballard brewery is a haven for sour beer lovers.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Urban Family Brewing | 🍽️ Food Trucks Nearby | 📞 +1 206 595 5255
Urban Family Brewing is for the whole family. It’s a kid and dog-friendly space with a relaxed vibe and personable, friendly servers.
Summer visits are especially great because you can take advantage of the outside patio seating and cool off with one of its beer slushies.
Sour fans, this is the brewery to visit. Fruit-forward beer is its specialty, and there’s plenty to choose from. Enjoy delightful flavors like raspberry, prickly pear, and an unusual lemon earl grey tea sour.
Urban Family Brewing has rotating food trucks on different days. Expect everything from tacos and BBQ to sandwiches and Vietnamese street eats.
Pike Brewing Company
35-year-old brewery in Pike Place Market with a beer museum and a wide range of IPAs.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Pike Brewing Company Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 206 622 6044
Pike Brewing Company was founded in 1989 and is one of the oldest breweries on this list. It’s been a Pike Place Historic District staple for years. When you visit, you’ll be greeted by walls of whacky beer memorabilia in the multi-level brewery.
Pike Brewing Company is home to a beer museum that has plenty for beer lovers to look at. Stop by to check it out or come solely for a couple of pints and a meal.
IPA fans have plenty to choose from. Get the Seattle Freeze Cold IPA, Space Needle West Coast IPA, and several other brews with names that nod to places throughout the city. Chowder, burgers, and pretzels are a few popular food offerings.
Holy Mountain Brewing Company
Saison-forward brewery in Interbay with an industrial setting and heavy metal atmosphere.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Holy Mountain Brewing Website | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞 +1 206 457 5279
Want to throw back beers in a brewery with a punk rock vibe and a metal playlist? Holy Mountain Brewing is the perfect fit. This 21+ brewery is located in an industrial warehouse with plenty of space for groups.
The menu features excellent saisons and a variety of other beers. Many of the beer names are evocative of metal songs (like ‘Into the Void’ and ‘Plague of Angels’). Prepare to listen to a lot of heavy metal as you sip your brews.
Keep in mind that Holy Mountain doesn’t offer samples or free tastings. Make sure you chat with your beertender before ordering to ensure you get a beer to match your preference.
Jellyfish Brewing Co
Unpretentious Georgetown Brewery with jellyfish-themed beers and reasonable prices.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Jellyfish Brewing Co Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 206 397 4999
Go to Jellyfish Brewing to bond with a group of friends over great brews. This unpretentious brewery is welcoming and has a good variety of beers at budget-friendly prices. Jellyfish may not be the most popular brewery, but it’s another one of my favorites regardless.
Many of its beers have names that nod to the brewery’s nautical namesake. I’m partial to the Hydra Pils and the Sea Wasp Scotch Ale since both are delightfully malty. The Party on Garth Sour Red Ale is also one of the most interesting sours I’ve tried.
As far as food goes, Jellyfish Brewing has a few snacks and charcuterie board options available. You can also bring in food from other restaurants in the neighborhood.
Reuben’s Brews
A Ballard neighborhood staple with super solid IPAs and a chill atmosphere.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Reuben’s Brews Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 206 784 2859
Reuben’s Brews is yet another gem of a brewery in Ballard. The family-run brewery is named after the owner’s first child, and it’s known for having some consistently tasty beer.
Reuben’s Brews is a good place to grab a pint or two if you love IPAs. I highly recommend the Hazealicious IPA for a light but still hoppy beer. You can’t go wrong with Reuben’s barrel-aged beer if you’d prefer something heavier. Its chocolatey Robust Porter is fantastic.
The atmosphere at Reuben’s is chill, making it a great place to meet up with friends after work. The taproom is relatively small, but the outdoor seating area adds to its capacity.
Stoup Brewing
Top-rated brewery with fantastic year-round beers and a quirky meat vending machine.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Stoup Brewing Website | 🍽️ Food Trucks Nearby | 📞 +1 206 457 5524
Stoup Brewing is a fan favorite for locals and visitors alike. Try any of the core beers on a visit. The Citra IPA, award-winning Robust Porter, and German-style Pilsner are some of the best brews.
The smoked meat vending machine is a fun feature at Stoup. It may sound odd, but the selection of jerky and cheeses pair perfectly with a pint. It’s a tempting option when you’re feeling snackish. Want a larger meal? There are food trucks outside daily.
Stoup is kid-friendly on the patio and beer garden, and 21+ only upstairs. Don’t skip Stoup if you’re doing a beer crawl through Ballard!
Rooftop Brewing
Relaxed brewery in north Queen Anne with patio seating and free popcorn.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Rooftop Brewing Co Website | 🍽️ Food Trucks Nearby | 📞 +1 206 457 8598
Rooftop Brewing has a covered patio area that’s often packed on nice summer days. Don’t expect breathtaking views here (the surroundings are pretty industrial). But what you should expect is phenomenal beer.
The Makeda Coffee Porter is delightful, especially for fans of dark, rich beers. Don’t pass up on Paint the Town Amber if you love red ales. This malt-forward beer is one of my go-to’s. Be open to trying new beers, though, since the tap list rotates seasonally.
Rooftop Brewing occasionally has a food truck, but it always offers free popcorn while you sip your beer. Since the brewery is right beside the Ship Canal Bike Trail, it’s a good one to visit on a ride through the area. Kids and dogs are always welcome.
Old Stove Brewing
Pike Place Market brewery with a good food menu and scenic Puget Sound views.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Old Stove Brewing Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 206 602 6120
Head to Old Stove Brewing to grab a beer if you’re already exploring Pike Place Market. It’s located right in the market, with awesome waterfront views, a large patio, and a solid food menu.
Dark and hoppy beers dominate the tap list. Sample everything from West Coast IPAs to rich, smooth stouts. Pair the beers with burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and shareable apps like pretzel bites and oysters.
Old Stove is a kid-friendly brewery. Expect some crowds if you’re visiting in peak season. But you can avoid them if you go later in the day when the market is closed.
Cloudburst Brewing
Adult-only brewery with two locations and some of the best craft beer in the city.
📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Cloudburst Brewing Website | 🍽️ Food Trucks Nearby (Ballard location)
Cloudburst Brewing has two locations. One is near the downtown waterfront, and another is up in Ballard. Both have vibes as immaculate as the beer. Either is a fun place to grab a drink if you’ve only got one day in Seattle.
This brewery isn’t fancy but it has a lot to offer those hunting for solid craft beers. The Froth Goblin is a great Helles Lager. You can’t go wrong with the Happy Little Clouds or Well, Actually if you like pilsners.
Cloudburst doesn’t offer samples or flights. The good-natured and funny beertenders can help you decide if you’re struggling to choose, though. Both Cloudburst locations are 21+ only, so come here if you’re looking for a place that’s solely for adults.
FAQs About Seattle Breweries
How many breweries are in Seattle?
There are an estimated 60 breweries in Seattle and new ones open all the time. Visitors can find other breweries with tasty beers outside of Seattle city limits.
What beers are from Seattle?
Manny’s Pale Ale is sometimes considered the pale ale of Washington. It was brewed right in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle. Rainier Beer was also originally brewed in Seattle.
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This list should get you started on your Seattle beer hunt! Washington state and the Pacific Northwest have some of the best beer in the country, so come to Seattle ready to find your new favorite brews.
