19 Best Seattle Breweries in 2023 (By a Local)

I’ve been to plenty of the best breweries in Seattle, 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.

The Emerald City is a craft beer destination worthy of a beer crawl or two. Here are the best spots to find good beer in Seattle!

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19 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 Seattle 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. They also regularly host 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 their “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

Georgetown brewery in a historic location serving up traditional English ales

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Machine House Brewing Website | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞 +1 206 402 6025

You’ll find Machine House Brewing in the historic brick building that once housed the original Rainier Brewery. Make a stop here on a Georgetown brewery crawl. 

Machine House brews small batches of English-style cask-conditioned ales. Try their 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 vast majority of its beers have lower ABVs. This means it’s a good place to sample a few tasty and well-rounded pints.

📝 Note: Machine House Brewing currently has plans to relocate to the Hillman City neighborhood in Spring 2023. Plan to visit the old location before then, or go to the newest location if you’re visiting after.

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. Located along the Burke Gilman Trail, it’s a must-visit if you’re in Seattle 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 their 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 Fremont Brewing 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 Seattle breweries with innovative beers. 

The brewery sets itself apart by using interesting ingredients to make one-of-a-kind beers. From the real peanut butter in their delicious Peanut Butter Cream Stout to the fresh peppers of their Two-Pepper Pale Ale. My recent favorite is their Honey Cinnamon Stout, but if you want something a little more traditional, don’t skip the Yinz Jawn Lager.

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. To get started, go to 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 was the birthplace of the Washington favorite Manny’s Pale Ale

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Georgetown Brewing Co Website | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞 +1 206 766 8055

If you’re already into the Washington beer scene, you may recognize several offerings at Georgetown Brewing. 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 beertenders are knowledgeable and can provide excellent staff recommendations. This vibrant brewery is one of the Seattle essentials for diehard beer fans looking for a classic Seattle craft beer experience.

Future Primitive

Super spacious White Center brewery hosts midweek movie nights and serves beers with cheeky names

📍 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. The large brewery has plenty of seating outside, beneath a covered patio, and upstairs. Come on a Wednesday for one of their midweek movies. Don’t miss the food pops ups to get some delicious burgers or Afro-Latin soul food bites.

Perihelion Brewery

Best brewpub in Seattle for food with 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 brewpubs when I lived in the area. If you’re 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 their specialties.

If you’re hungry, go for one of their many juicy burgers like the classic beacon, bleu cheese truffle, or the vegan BBQ jackfruit burger. Try the crispy and spicy shrimp, beer-steamed clams, or fries with bone marrow and chipotle aioli for a delightful snack.

Since Perihelion is right next to the light rail station, public transit is a great way to get there.

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 specialty beers. Of these, the Black Stripe Coconut Porter, which is infused with toasted coconut, is one of the most popular.

Inside Metier, you’ll find plenty of large tables for groups, and they have live music often. If you get hungry, try one of the drool-worthy Japanese okazu pans (little buns with savory filling) from a beloved local bakery. 

If you’re driving, you’ll find nearby street parking. Metier is also right across the street 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. The beers are made using millet, brown rice, and buckwheat. This means all of the beers here are gluten-free, as are their 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 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 not too hard, but expect to search a little more on game days since T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field are nearby.

Lowercase Brewing

A small, homey brewery with weekly food pop-ups

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Lowercase Brewing Website | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 +1 206 258 4987

Lowercase Brewing’s beer is brewed in small batches, and its beer list is tiny. The Mexican Lager and Italian Pilsner are specialties, and they’re phenomenal. 

If you’re doing the Georgetown Brewery crawl I recommended in my 3-day Seattle itinerary, make sure you stop at Lowercase Brewing. The brewery is neither big nor flashy, but it is cozy. Come here on a date or with a small group of friends to enjoy an unpretentious craft beer experience.

If you’re able to visit early on a Sunday, you have to check out the donut and beer pop-up. On Friday evenings you’ll be treated to a tasty ramen pop-up.

Pike Brewing Company

30-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

Founded in 1989, Pike Brewing Company is one of the oldest breweries on this list. It’s been a Pike Place Historic District staple for years. When you visit Pike Brewing, 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, the 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.

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 their beer slushies. 

Sour fans, this is the brewery to visit. Fruit-forward beer is their specialty, and they have plenty to choose from. Enjoy a delightful raspberry or prickly pear sour, or an unusual lemon earl grey tea sour. 

If you get hungry, Urban Family Brewing has rotating food trucks on different days. Expect everything from tacos and BBQ to sandwiches and Vietnamese street eats.

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 heavy metal playlist? Holy Mountain Brewing is the perfect fit. The 21+ brewery is located in an industrial warehouse that has plenty of space for groups.

The menu features excellent saisons and a variety of other beers. Many of the names of these brews are evocative of metal songs. When you visit, prepare to listen to a lot of heavy metal as you sip your brews.

Keep in mind that they don’t offer samples or free tastings at Holy Mountain. Make sure you chat with your beertender before ordering to ensure you get exactly the right beer for 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. 

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 had.

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. 

If you love IPAs, Reuben’s Brews is a good place to grab a pint or two. For a lighter but still hoppy beer, I highly recommend the Hazealicious IPA. If you like something heavier, you can’t go wrong with Reuben’s barrel-aged beer. Of these, their 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 the capacity. 

Stoup Brewing

Top-rated Seattle 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 easily one of the best breweries in Seattle. Choose from the core beers on a visit. The Citra IPA, award-winning Robust Porter, and German Style Pilsner are some of the best of these brews. 

One fun feature at Stoup is the smoked meat vending machine. It may sound odd, but the selection of jerky and cheeses pair perfectly with a pint. It’s a tempting option for someone looking for a snack. If you prefer a larger meal, you’ll find a food truck outside daily.

Stoup is kid-friendly on the patio and beer garden, and 21+ only upstairs. If you’re doing a beer crawl through Ballard, don’t skip Stoup!

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 a really good beer.

In particular, their Makeda Coffee Porter is delightful, especially for fans of dark, rich beers. If you prefer red ales, don’t pass up on Paint the Town Amber for a delicious, malt-forward beer.

Rooftop Brewing occasionally has a food truck, but they always offer 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

If you’re already exploring Pike Place Market, head to Old Stove Brewing to grab a beer. 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 Seattle area

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Cloudburst Brewing Website | 🍽️ Food Trucks Nearby (Ballard location)

Cloudburst Brewing has two Seattle locations. One is near the downtown waterfront, and another is up in Ballard. Both have vibes as good as their beer. If you’ve only got one day in Seattle, either is a fun place to grab a drink. 

This brewery isn’t fancy but has a lot to offer those hunting for some of the best craft beers in Seattle. The Froth Goblin is a solid Helles Lager. If you like pale ales, you can’t go wrong with Antiques Hop Show or Like Really Chill.

Cloudburst doesn’t offer samples or flights. The good-natured and funny beertenders can help you decide if you’re struggling to choose, though. If you’re looking for a place that is just for adults, visit Cloudburst since both locations are 21+ only.

FAQs About Seattle Breweries

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If you’re looking for the absolute best breweries in Seattle, this list should get you started. Washington state and the Pacific Northwest have some of the best beer in the country. Seattle is a great place to begin your hunt for your new favorite brews.