Brouwer's Cafe in Fremont is the kind of bar that makes you reconsider everything you thought you knew about what a beer bar should be. Since opening in 2006 as one of the first serious Belgian beer destinations in the Pacific Northwest, it has accumulated 64 draught lines and over 800 bottles — a selection that shifts daily and rewards repeat visits with something new on each occasion.
The Trappist section alone justifies the trip. Brouwer's carries Westvleteren 12 when stock allows and maintains one of the strongest chimay, Rochefort, and Orval pours in the city. The bottle list ventures well beyond Belgium: Pacific Northwest IPAs sit alongside German lagers, English bitters, and American wild ales from some of the country's most thoughtful breweries. The staff know the list well enough to recommend something based on what you usually drink rather than what is most popular.
Fremont is the right neighbourhood for a bar this unpretentious and this knowledgeable. The building is warm, the tables are long, and the food is sturdy enough to support an extended session. Among the best craft beer bars in Seattle, Brouwer's is the place that beer tourists specifically seek out. Pair a visit here with Damn the Weather in Pioneer Square for a complete picture of Seattle's beer culture. Our Seattle bar guide covers the full scene.