Last weekend we paid a visit to Der Blokken Brewery in Bremerton. A few months ago we reported that a new brewpub was opening in the Manette neighborhood, but we’ve taken our time getting there. Fact of the matter is, most of the brewery equipment is installed but they are not yet brewing their own beer. Still, they have a license, the equipment, the intention, and at least one beer bearing their name on tap.
First off, the Manette neighborhood (east Bremerton) is not what out-of-towners who rarely make it much beyond the ferry line are expecting to find in Bremerton. The town suffers a reputation that this neighborhood dispels. It is cute and friendly. Old houses line the streets, with small businesses of every description along the arterial routes. You’ll find Der Blokken at the corner of Perry Avenue East and East 11th Street, a rather main intersection in this quiet neighborhood.
The restaurant flows into the bar with virtually no visible separation. The large, open space is flooded with natural light. Along one side of the room garage doors open to the west. When we visited, the doors were open and it almost felt like an outdoor beer garden. We sampled a couple of items off the specials menu–a pair of delicious appetizers. We watched heaping mounds of food being served to the other patrons.
We asked, but didn’t get any real definitive answer as to when they would start brewing on premise. The Der Blokken Black “Smooth Stout” was not at all an unpleasant beer on a warm, summer afternoon. Not usually the kind of weather that makes me long for Stout, but I had to give it a try. I’d best describe this beer as being darker in color than body. It is smooth, amply carbonated and sessionable. The tap selection also included German standards like Bitburger and Hoegaarden alongside west coast favorites like Firestone Walker Union Jack and North Coast Old Rasputin. Expect to find 10 or 12 beers on tap.
We enjoyed our visit and could rave on and on about the food, though we only had appetizers. Here are some pictures of our visit.