Holy Mountain has a second location in Phinney Ridge that’s well worth visiting, but there’s still nothing quite like the flagship in Interbay. Tucked between some train tracks and busy Elliot Avenue, it’s easy to miss at first. But waiting inside is a bevy of old world-style Sours, Farmhouse Ales, and quenching Pale Ales. Aside from a poster for the trippy 1973 movie Holy Mountain gets its name from, the décor is sparse and whitewashed, allowing for full concentration on the beers’ unique profiles. Chances are, you’ll be so captivated you won’t even notice the trains rumbling past the open back door. The White Lodge Belgian-style wit is always a great introduction for the indecisive.

Tart, fruit-heavy sour ales aren’t everyone’s cup of beer. But for those seeking them out, this Ballard brewery is essential. Not only do sours easily make up two-thirds of the menu, but they’re damn good and somehow avoid gimmicks. The space is pretty cool, too, and has plenty of seating, with a sizable upper loft and airy interior, plus a front patio with fire pits for all seasons. Whether you’re a solo drinker looking to get some work done or seeking a spot to introduce a whole group of friends to Ballard’s brewery district, Urban Family more than fits the bill.

Fair Isle makes this list a lot, and for good reason. The surrounding industrial buildings of the Ballard brewing district seem to vanish the moment you walk through the door of this otherworldly brewery. With its dark wood and exposed rafters that still somehow feel cozy, the taproom has the aura of a high-end wine-tasting venue. The array of naturally fermented Farmhouse Ales and balanced Saisons are impressive, propping up Fair Isle in an area packed with hop-forward breweries. And if you’re a collector, try taking home one of the cellared bottle selections for further aging to complex, tasty excellence.

Travel to West Seattle just for beer? Of course! Launched in 2019 as a collaboration project between five master brewers and beer experts, Future Primitive had clout right from the get-go. Years later, it’s still on the destination checklist for visitors and locals alike. Future Primitive excels at beers across a range of styles at its original White Center taproom and satellite location on Alki Beach, featuring a regular selection of IPAs, Stouts, Belgians, and Lagers. The real treasures are the more experimental and Old World-inspired creations, however — oyster Stout or smoked Lager, anyone?

Wondering why groups of people keep walking north out of Pike Place Market? Many of them are headed to Cloudburst Brewing, a.k.a. one of the city’s most popular breweries among tourists and locals alike. Convenient location aside, this brewery rightfully earned acclaim in its near-decade of existence. These guys are multi-Great American Beer Festival medalists, and pro tip: To avoid the crowds at the O.G. spot, head to their newer second location in Ballard. It’s just as chill and has more seating.

Figurehead’s long been a go-to after hikes in Discovery Park or for Magnolia residents looking to kill time with small-batch, award-winning beer. But now, with a second, larger location right where Fremont meets Wallingford, the brewery has truly arrived. The Stone Way location merges American craft with Japanese culture, offering kombucha and sake along with an impressive draft lineup. Here, Figurehead really gets to flex its skill, featuring everything from Kolsch and Saison to Tripel and dark mild ales. Two permanent food trucks are inside the venue, and it has a tree-lined courtyard tucked in the back.

When Pike Brewing launched in 1989 (then called Pike Place Brewery), it was among only a few independent craft breweries in Seattle. The rest of the city has long since caught up, but Pike remains a pillar of the community. Some of its beers can be found in stores, but if you haven’t visited the labyrinthian brewery next to the market yet, put it on the list. Not only is its maximalist beer ephemera a wonder of its own, but the brews themselves somehow taste better below street level. Pike has a few other locations now, but consider this one a must.

Initially the pandemic brainchild of Matt Storm and Brian Strumke (a.k.a. the founder of the acclaimed beer project Stillwater Artisanal), this SoDo brewery launched in 2023 and has soared. The taproom is a series of interconnected rooms furnished with garage sale treasures (don’t like the leopard print folding chairs on astroturf? Try the barber shop seat in the kitchen room.) — it’s a choose-your-own-adventure for sipping on the brewery’s hop-forward IPAs and pilsners. Better yet for local beer fans and visitors, they also have a second location in Queen Anne, not far from Seattle Center.

It’s impossible to discuss Seattle beer without giving Georgetown a nod. It’s the largest independent brewery in the state, and ordering a “Manny’s” or a “Bodhi” at a bar comes as naturally to Seattlites as going without an umbrella in the rain. But the brewery itself is where one finds all the beers that never venture to bars or store shelves. This is where Georgetown shines as a craft brewer, complete with an award-winning coffee cream Ale as toasty as the patio fire pit. 

The folks at Standard make it known that they’re very against hype. That said, their brewery is worthy of it. This Central District staple’s been around for over a decade, and if the frequent lines outside are any indicator, it’s sure made an impact. Considered a hub for some of the city’s best Pale Ales, Porters, and funky oak-aged styles, Standard literally helped set the standard for Seattle beer, and they’ve got the Best of Craft and Washington Beer Awards medals to show for it. The taco-centric food menu is pretty excellent as well.

Whether lounging on the indoor porch swing or snagging some okazu pan (savory Japanese buns) from the food stand next to the bar, a trip to Métier feels like being at a friendly neighborhood hangout. It makes sense given their mission; the proudly Black-owned brewery opened its popular Central District taproom in 2022 with the goal to promote diversity and to “brew damn good beer and build a stronger community to inspire bigger dreams for all.” (The ozaku pan comes from the Black-owned Umami Kushi.) Not only is this an abundantly welcoming space, but Métier makes a seriously tasty Italian pilsner and a whole lineup of flavor-packed lighter styles (though there is the occasional double-digit percenter for fans of high ABVs).

A visit to Outlander is a bit like an escape into the early Wild West days of the modern craft beer scene. This little Fremont brewery’s tucked into a cool old cottage with plenty of cozy spots to disappear into, but the beer brings it all home. With its tiny 3.5-barrel brewing system, Outlander focuses on small, specialty batches of beer. Emphasis on “specialty.” Come here often, and you’ll almost never see the same beer twice, but you will spot creative brews like a basil pale ale, vanilla jasmine porter, or chamoy sour ale.