Down on the Corner: West Seattle Brewing Company

In May, when my sister Jenny and I return from a camping trip to Deception Pass, we passed a new brewery around the corner from my sister’s apartment.

Breweries around the corner have always treated me well, from Belgrade’s Madison River Brewing (Montana) to Albuquerque’s Marble Brewing to Belmont Brewing (Long Beach, Calif.).

When the opportunity presented itself, I wandered over to WSBC. This nano-brewery runs on small batches of its own brews and a handful of guest taps available on a Saturday evening. The owner tended bar and I chatted with his brother, who joined in bartending once the crowds swelled later in the day.

The brewery itself was relatively small, built in a former convenience store space. The brewers kept the wall of coolers from the convenience store and added a nice touch by placing the kegs behind the clear glass. At one point, brew tanks behind clear glass became a standard brewpub flourish. These guys put the kegs in view, a good innovation. When they removed the drop ceiling, they uncovered massive cedar support beams, another facet which gave the brewery a different feel. 

I started with the Tripel, because it’s not a style every brewery does well. WSBC did just fine, acquitting itself with large quantities of coriander, plenty of dry, biscuity pale malts and flavors of peach, apricot and orange inflected with the black pepper of high alcohol content.

Up next was Road Rage Red, mostly on recommendation of the owner’s brother. Unlike many strong reds, Road Rage had Centennial and other rich, oily hops that did not overpower the malts. This was hoppy red but still balanced red; hops did not run wild in this ale. I closed with House IPA ran 8 percent alcohol, a little strong for an everyday beer. But it was earthy, hoppy and not a palate scorcher.

While disappointed with the lack of stickers, I admired the nano-brewery's chops and saw immense potential for a community gathering place. Brewing strong, challenging beers definitely helps furnish that atmosphere.