Beer at Safeco Field 2015 – Finding the good stuff at Mariners games

ATTN: See our 2016 Guide here
Seattle Mariners fans who enjoy good beer are in for a treat again this year thanks to Centerplate, the exclusive food, beverage and hospitality provider for Safeco Field. Centerplate and the Mariners continue to focus on making a trip to the ballpark a reflection of Seattle itself. In other words, lots of great beer and lots of great food, much of it very local. Below we list everything we know about finding good beer at Safeco Field. Going to the ballpark? Bookmark this page on your phone. We’ll update it as we learn more, discover more, and as the season progresses.

A few of America’s other big league ballparks are recognized for their impressive beer programs. I won’t pretend to have visited them all, but I’ve heard nothing that challenges Safeco Field’s well-earned reputation as the very best ballpark in the major leagues when it comes to beer.

Click here to see our listing of the ballpark’s best beer locations. But first, a few highlights.

Simply the Best Ballpark for Beer


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beer at safeco field
Tapping a firkin in The ‘Pen on a Firkin Friday.

Other ballparks may serve a decent selection of beer, but do they serve cask-conditioned beer at every game? Besides an amazing array of local and regional beers on tap and in bottles/cans available throughout the ballpark, Safeco Field offers cask-conditioned beer, poured at two separate locations. This is not an easy thing to pull off. Cask-conditioned beer is fragile and takes a lot of babysitting. Two specially designed beer engines (the hand-pumped devices used to serve cask-conditioned beer) get a workout every night at the ballpark. Those devices also require special attention.

Also, every Friday is Firkin Friday, when a local brewer shows up with a firkin of beer and taps it in The ‘Pen during happy hour. For the uninitiated, a firkin is basically a keg of cask-conditioned beer that is tapped the old-fashioned way. That is, with a mallet and a tap. The beer is literally poured straight from the keg into the cup and served for $6 pints until the firkin runs dry. It is a raucous, fun-filled beer drinking experience – lots of smiling faces.


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Pike Brewing Returns

It seemed odd, but last year you couldn’t find any beers from Pike Brewing at the ballpark. Perhaps the city’s most recognizable brewery, Pike Brewing has returned to Safeco Field. Among other spots, you can find various Pike beers at The Way Back Crab Shack (Section 185) and the Hit it Here Cafe.

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Hit it Here Café

beer at the ballpark
Opening day lineup at the Hit it Here Cafe, will rotate monthly.

This year they’ve changed things up a bit at The Hit It Here Café. Located on the second level in right field, the Hit it Here Café offers a “mostly local” selection of beers on tap, complimented by a few great beers from around the country. With a total of eight beers on tap, seven beers will rotate throughout the season. That is, you’ll find a different selection of beer each month. You can also choose from a selection of bottled beers.

The “Mostly Local” Breweries of the Hit it Here Cafe:

  • Bale Breaker Brewing – Yakima, WA
  • Ballast Point Brewing – San Diego, CA
  • Black Raven Brewing – Redmond, WA
  • Deschutes Brewing – Bend, OR
  • Diamond Knot Brewery – Mukilteo, WA
  • Fremont Brewing – Seattle, WA
  • Full Sail Brewing – Hood River, OR
  • GoodLife Brewing – Bend, OR
  • Iron Horse Brewing – Ellensburg, WA
  • Laurelwood Brewing – Portland, OR
  • Ninkasi Brewing – Eugene, WA
  • No-Li Brewhouse – Spokane, WA
  • Northwest Brewing – Pacific, WA
  • Oakshire Brewing – Eugene, OR
  • Pike Brewing Co. – Seattle, WA
  • Rogue Ales – Newport, OR
  • Schooner Exact – Seattle, WA
  • 7 Seas Brewery – Gig Harbor, WA
  • Skagit River Brewery – Mount Vernon, WA
  • Stone Brewing Co. – San Diego, CA
  • 21st Amendment – San Francisco, CA
  • Two Beers Brewing – Seattle, WA
  • Victory Brewing – Downington, PA

Cask Beer

beer at safeco fieldNobody was really certain how the idea of serving cask-conditioned beer at the ballpark would work out, but last year’s cask experiment was a hit. In fact, it was a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, so it’s back again this year. And it’s been expanded. You’ll find the special beer stations, complete with beer engines, at Section 129 (main level, behind home plate, has two beer engines) and at section 330 (Good Hops beer stand, upper concourse behind home plate has one beer engine). Cask selection rotates with each home stand.

Participating in the program this year:

  • Black Raven Brewing – Redmond, WA
  • Diamond Knot Brewery – Mukilteo, WA
  • Fremont Brewing – Seattle, WA
  • Georgetown Brewing – Seattle, WA
  • Laurelwood Brewing – Portland, OR
  • Schooner Exact – Seattle, WA
  • 7 Seas Brewery – Gig Harbor, WA
  • Silver City – Bremerton, WA
  • Skagit River Brewing – Mount Vernon, WA
  • No-Li Brewhouse – Spokane, WA

The Good Stuff, by location:

THE BEST OF THE BEST
the locations with the best selection

Caught Lookin Bar (in The ‘Pen): Fremont Summer Ale, Silver City Ridgetop Red, Laurelwood Workhorse IPA, Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale Ale.

Section 136, Mariners Museum/Power Alley bar (behind home plate, towards 3rd base, around back): Diamond Knot IPA, Laurelwood Workhorse IPA, Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale Ale, Silver City Ridgetop Red, Iron Horse Irish Death, Black Raven Trickster IPA, Ninkasi Total Domination IPA, Fremont IPA.

Section 185 Northwest Beer station: Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale Ale, Black Raven Trickster IPA, Fremont Summer Ale, Silver City Ridgetop Red, Ninkasi Total Domination IPA, Iron Horse Irish Death.

Section 319 Good Hops: Fremont Summer, Laurelwood Workhorse IPA, Silver City Ridgetop Red, Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale Ale, Black Raven Trickster IPA, Iron Horse Irish Death, Manny’s Pale Ale, Mac and Jack’s.

Cask-Conditioned Ale: Sections 129 and 330.

Hit it Here Cafe: Seven craft beers on tap, rotate monthly.

THE COMPLETE LIST

Caught Lookin Bar (in The ‘Pen):  Fremont Summer Ale, Silver City Ridgetop Red, Laurelwood Workhorse IPA, Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale Ale

Edgar’s Tortas: Diamond Knot IPA. Manny’s Pale Ale

Edgars Cantina: Diamond Knot IPA. Manny’s Pale Ale, Elysian Immortal IPA, Elysian Men’s Room, Redhook

Edgar’s Porch: Laurelwood Workhorse IPA, Manny’s Pale Ale

Edgar’s Tacos:  Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Swingin Wings:  Pyramid Curveball

APizza Stand: Pyramid Curveball

Long Bar: Pyramid IPA, Manny’s Pale Ale

High Cheese Pizza (club level): Manny’s Pale Ale

Hot Corner Grill (club level): Manny’s Pale Ale,

Rolling Roof Hot Dogs (club level): Pyramid IPA

First Base Bar (club level): Mac and Jack’s

Third Base Bar (club level): Mac and Jack’s

Section 109, Rolling Roof / High Cheese: Manny’s Pale Ale

Section 117, Ivar’s: Alaskan Summer Ale

Section 126, Rolling Roof: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Section 121 Northwest Beer cart: Fremont Summer ale, Black Raven Trickster IPA, Iron Horse Irish Death, Schooner Exact 3 Grid IPA

Section 129 Northwest Beer cart: Laurelwood Workhorse IPA, Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale Ale

Section 129, CASK station: two different WA cask ales, changes brewery every home stand.

Section 132, Thai Ginger: Mac and Jack’s

Section 132, Rolling Roof / High Cheese: Pyramid Curveball

Section 134 Northwest Beer cart: Fremont Summer ale, Diamond Knot IPA, Silver City Ridgetop Red. Ninkasi Total Domination IPA.

Section 136, Mariners Museum/Power Alley bar: Diamond Knot IPA, Laurelwood Workhorse IPA, Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale Ale, Silver City Ridgetop Red, Iron Horse Irish Death, Black Raven Trickster IPA, Ninkasi Total Domination IPA, Fremont IPA

Section 136, Hiroshi’s Sushi: Schooner Exact 3 Grid IPA

Section 185 Northwest Beer station: Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale Ale, Black Raven Trickster IPA, Fremont Summer Ale, Silver City Ridgetop Red, Ninkasi Total Domination IPA, Iron Horse Irish Death.

Section 185 Way Back Crab Shack: Pike Kilt Lifter, Pike IPA

Section 248 Good Hops bar/Sound Seafood: Fremont Summer, Silver City Ridgetop Red, Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale, Schooner Exact 3 Grid IPA

Section 312 High Cheese Pizza: Pyramid Hefe

Section 319 Good Hops: Fremont Summer, Laurelwood Workhorse IPA, Silver City Ridgetop Red, Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale Ale, Black Raven Trickster IPA, Iron Horse Irish Death, Manny’s Pale Ale, Mac and Jack’s

329 Rolling Roof / High Cheese: Pyramid Curveball

Section 330 Good Hops: Fremont Summer Ale, Silver City Ridgetop Red, Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale Ale, Schooner 3 Grid IPA

Section 330, CASK station: Featuring a different cask beer for each home stand.

Section 335, Ivar’s: Alaskan Summer Ale

Section 340 Safeco Chicken & Sausage: Pyramid Hefe

Sectin 349 Lookout Landing: Manny’s Pale Ale, Mack and Jack’s, Alaskan Amber, Elysian Immortal IPA, Redhook

BEER STANDS (PORTABLES)

Section 105: Pyramid IPA, Pyramid IPL

Section 114: Pyramid IPA, Pyramid IPL, Porland IPA, Portland Seasonal

Section 115: Manny’s Pale Ale

Section 118: Pike IPA

Section 121: Fremont Summer Ale, Black Raven Trickster IPA, Iron Horse Irish Death, Schooner Exact 3 Grid IPA

Section 126: Portland IPA, Portland Seasonal

Section 129: Laurelwood Workhorse IPA, Bale Breaker Field 41

Section 131: Manny’s Pale Ale

Section 134: Fremont Summer Ale, Diamond Knot IPA, Silver City Ridgetop Red, Ninkasi Total Domination IPA

Section 137: Elysian Mens Room, Elysian Immortal IPA

Section 141: Pyramid IPA, Pyramid IPL, Porland IPA, Portland Seasonal

Section 143: Pike IPA

Section 147: Manny’s Pale Ale

Section 150: Alaskan Amber, Alaskan White, Alaskan Ice Bay, Alaskan Summer, Elysian Mens Room, Redhook

Section 195: Elysian Immortal IPA, Redhook

Section 327: Manny’s Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Pike IPA

Section 333: Manny’s Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Pike Kilt Lifter, Pike IPA

HIT IT HERE CAFE
(As mentioned above). Seven monthly rotating taps, and 14 bottles of craft beer and cider (22oz only):

Bottles

  • Ninkasi Vanilla Oatis Stout
  • Northwest Brewing Joker Amber Ale
  • Black Raven Trickster IPA
  • Black Raven Session IPA (as released)
  • Fremont Interurban IPA
  • Iron Horse Brewing Irish Death
  • Spire Dark & Dry cider
  • Stone IPA
  • Schooner Exact King Street Brown
  • Crispin Honey Cider
  • Blue Moon
  • Pike 5x stout
  • Pike Kilt lifter
  • Pike Naughty Nellie

April’s Taps

  • 21st Amendment Watermelon wheat
  • 7 Seas Port Royal stout
  • Full Sail Amber
  • Victory Prima Pils
  • Bale Breaker Top Cutter IPA
  • Rogue Hazlenut Brown Ale
  • Two Beers EVO IPA

NOTE: We will continue to add information as we get it and as the season progresses.

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20 thoughts on “Beer at Safeco Field 2015 – Finding the good stuff at Mariners games

  1. I’m so glad I’m going to the Guys night out this month. I’m grabbing a pint of the Top Cutter.

  2. While I’m a homer as much as the next guy, and Mariners Stadium does do a great job, in the past it’s been generally accepted that Phillies Field has the best selection. I haven’t see their list for this year yet, so we might have overtaken them.

  3. Meanwhile, next door at CenturyLink we have to sell our souls to AB-Imbev and can’t get anything independent. What’s up with that and is there anything we can do about it???

  4. There is some good beer at the Clink. Some. Not much, but some. From what I understand, it’s been a battle to get this far.

    BeerHamster, I’ve heard that too. Unfortunately, they don’t have a “me” in Philly, so I haven’t been able to find a lot of information.

    I need to do some research. Instead of us just saying which is best, maybe we need to do a quantitative, hands-on evaluation of all ballparks in America. I’d be happy to do it if someone wants to sponsor the trip(s).

  5. The beer situation last season was a lot better, there were many more local beers. This year it appears that they’ve gone back to only beers owned by AB Inbev, which is why the “craft” stand now features such fake craft beers as Goose Island and Blue Moon, and the only “local” beer is Elysian. It sucks for cider drinkers and glutards too, as Omission is now gone and the only cider is that horrible Johnny Appleseed crap. WA Beer Commission needs to get on this!!

  6. I’m with Rinnster about the cider. I kind of start leaning towards ciders now (the hopped stuff is quite good) and the Northwest now has a wealth of good cideries and brands. With that said, even though I don’t mind a Spire out of Oly, sad that there isn’t a better representation. Crispin automatically get in because it’s a bigger brand but that that’s a Minnesota product, which also pumps out the Fox Barrel out of CA.

  7. At the Sounder game tonight, I could choose from a Silver City Red, Fremont IPA, Schooner Exact 3 Grid, or Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale. I saw a Manny’s tap too. Pretty good selection in my book!

  8. Of course this blog leaves out the price of these drafts, which is a big fat rip off. I

  9. Will this page address stay the same and updated through the season? I’d like to bookmark it and look things up when I hit Safeco.

  10. Great article! What happened to the Irish Pub with Guiness and Harp? It was always around aisle 138 but it’s gone today!

  11. Growler Dave- great to hear it! Maybe they were just off to a slow start getting good beers in at the beginning of the season.

  12. Couldn’t help but notice the gigantic Coors Light tap in the photo from the Hit it Here Cafe. Was not listed anywhere, though. Not wishing to dwell on the negative, great job Kendall, you saved me a lot of running around.

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