Food & Drink The 15 Washington Beers to Drink Before You Die

<strong>Reuben's Brews |</strong> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/waste_of_paint/8887176406/in/photolist-dVXji9-u91Ht7-exk6Vq" target="_blank">Flickr/Krystin Norman</a>

Who cares what a certain lifestyle site that rhymes with “illest” says, Washington is clearly the best beer state in America. We had over 80 breweries open here within the last year alone! But it turns out that having so many sweet suds-makers poses a bit of a problem: how can you possibly know which local beers to drink? By reading our list of the 15 Washington beers you have to drink before you die, obviously...

Elysian Immortal IPA IPA, 6.3%

This medium-bodied delight is a Northwest interpretation of the classic English style, served up by one of Seattle’s most prolific/creative breweries, so if you’re looking for a solid example of what is rapidly becoming the country’s most popular kind of craft beer, this one’s for you.

Reuben’s Brews Robust Porter Robust porter, 5.9%

If the fact that this beer won gold at both the 2015 Washington Beer Awards and World Beer Championships doesn’t impress you, the deep roast and yummy caramel flavors really should.

Populuxe Brewing Citra/Red American amber ale, 5.5%

A SMASH (single malt, single hops) brew, this award-winning citra/red supports a mild nutty flavor with a pleasant citrus aroma. Top that all off with a crisp finish and you’ve got yourself a... sorry’boutthis!... SMASHingly good pint.

Two Beers Brewing Co. Cold Brew Coffee Brown Ale Coffee beer, 5.2%

There aren’t many beers you would want to eat a donut with, but this chocolatey brown ale is the perfect match for any sweet treat you want to throw its way. This beer spends about 24 hours in contact with a premium Ethiopian Harrar roast, giving it that delectable coffee taste and aroma.

Courtesy of Stoup Brewing

Stoup Brewing Citra IPA American-style strong pale ale, 5.9%

The folks over at Stoup Brewing like to call this one “sunshine in a glass,” and they couldn’t be more right. This light and citrusy brew has aromas of tropical fruit and goes down very easily.

Big Block Raspberry Blonde Fruit beer, 5.2%

Made with real Northwest raspberries (no syrups here, bub!) this blonde ale has long notes of raspberry without all of the sweetness, most of which ferments out of the final product. Light and refreshing!

Manny’s Pale Ale Pale ale, 5.4%

The well-loved Seattle brewery, Georgetown Brewing Company, brews this well-loved Seattle beer with a complex malt flavor, and crisp, hoppy finish that you can find... well, basically anywhere. Yes, it’s that popular.

Courtesy of Holy Mountain Brewing

Holy Mountain Brewing Kiln & Cone American pale ale, 5.2%

This newish brewery has quickly become a cult favorite (they have trouble keeping up with demand) thanks in no small part to this beautifully crafted and aromatic pale ale, every batch of which is made with a selection of hops, and may require a pilgrimage to their Interbay brewery if you want to find it.

Jolly Roger Christmas Ale Winter warmer, 8%

You’ll think Christmas came early when you take a sip of this gorgeous, rich, and malty winter warmer. Brewed with a blend of fresh Northwest Chinook and Cascade hops, this strong brew will have you feeling jolly in no time.

Old Schoolhouse Ruud Awakening American IPA, 7.2%

Big and bold with plenty of piney and floral Pacific Northwest notes, this beer is the signature brew of Old Schoolhouse Brewery located in Winthrop, which is a tiny community... um, somewhere in Washington, presumably.

Big Al Rat City Blonde American blonde ale, 4%

This light beer is perfect for lounging on a patio while enjoying the beautiful and sunny summer weather. Subtle malt sweetness and mild hoppy flavors finish off this satisfying beverage.

Epic Ales Salty Ghosts Sour ale, 4.2%

This traditional German beer is made with unique ingredients like coriander and sea salt that give it a strangely satisfying, and savory finish, but that kind of creativity is hardly a surprise coming from the guys who gave us Gastropod.

The Pike Space Needle Golden IPA Golden IPA, 6.3%

We couldn’t compile the best local beers without including this ode to the Seattle landmark that EVERYONE knows. This West Coast-style IPA, brewed with five varieties of Yakima Valley hops, won a contest back in 2012 seeking to find the beer most evocative of Northwest beer culture. It lives up to that honor.

Chuckanut Helles Lager European pale lager, 5%

Known as “liquid bread” in Germany because it is often served at breakfast, this style of beer is renowned for its easy-drinking and malty character. This one is definitely that, and has won numerous awards over the years, including most recently a bronze at the 2015 Washington Beer Awards.