First visit to Counterbalance Brewing

Earlier this week I reported that the brewery and tasting room was open, but I didn’t visit until yesterday. I arrived at Counterbalance Brewing in Georgetown just a few minutes after the taproom opened on a Wednesday afternoon and joined four fellas sitting at the bar. Jeff, one of the owners, was pouring the beers and it turned out that Frank, the other owner, was sitting next to me.

The beer-only tasting room is spacious, inviting and brightly lit by large, west-facing windows. Lots of bar seating, a spattering of two- and four-top tables. The space is adorned with evocative metal artwork from Equinox Studios, which occupies more than one of the surrounding buildings.

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They delivered another sculpture while I was there and then joined me at the bar. I have a sneaking suspicion that the Equinox crew of artisans and craftsmen are among the tasting room’s first regulars. I am sure the metal sculpture was heavy, but doubt that it required five guys to move. (Equinox Studios is frickin’ awesome, in case you’re unaware.)

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The actual brewery is visible from windows on the north side of the tasting room—a ten-barrel brewhouse, a few fermenters and plenty of room for expansion, which will include more tanks, barrels, a canning line, and so on. The picture below doesn’t show the larger, empty space.

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Back in the tasting room, a flight of beer awaited: Abigale Blonde Ale, Pogo Duck ISA, Counterbalance IPA, Bad Wolf Dark Ale, and Kushetka Imperial Stout. All of the beers are solid; the ISA is immensely quaffable and the Bad Wolf Dark Ale is rich and flavorful, with hints of dark chocolate and spice. Those were my two favorites. The Bad Wolf is actually an Old Ale, by style and not by age, but they call it a Dark Ale because they’re a new brewery and don’t want to mislead or confuse people.

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Let’s get you there. Although the address suggests that Counterbalance Brewing is on Michigan Street, its more aptly described as being on 5th Avenue South, just south of Michigan Street. If you’re headed west on Michigan Street, turn left onto 5th Avenue and find the brewery immediately on your left. Small parking lot in front, long ramp leading to the doorway.

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Kids are welcome in the tasting room. Pets are not. The plan is to host food trucks, or you can bring in your own. For more info about the brewery see our previous post.

Counterbalance Brewing
503 South Michigan Street, Suite B
Seattle, WA 98108
map

Phone: 206-453-3615

Taproom Hours (subject to change):
Wed-Fri 4:00 – 8:00
Sat-Sun 2:00 – 6:00
www.counterbalancebeer.com

https://www.facebook.com/counterbalancebeer

https://twitter.com/counterbalbeer

http://instagram.com/counterbalancebeer/

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