Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood enjoys a remarkable density of breweries. So much so that it has earned the name The Ballard Brewery District. There is perhaps no other neighborhood in the nation with so many breweries in such close proximity. Maybe, the world? Here is a map of the breweries and brewery taprooms in this part of Seattle, along with more information to help you plan your visit to one of the most amazing beer destinations on the planet. For a map of all breweries in the city, click here.
- How it Started
- Why Ballard?
- Ballard Brewery District Map
- Ballard Brewery District Frequently Asked Questions
- Public Transportation Around Seattle
The Breweries and Taprooms of Ballard
- Bale Breaker Brewing, Yonder Cider taproom
- Cloudburst Brewing taproom
- Fair Isle Brewing
- Fremont Brewing (production facility, not open to the public)
- Great Notion Brewing taproom
- Lucky Envelope Brewing
- Rooftop Brewing
- Obec Brewing
- Old Stove Brewing
- Reuben’s Brews
- Rooftop Brewing
- Single Hill Brewing taproom
- Stoup Brewing
- Wheelie Pop Brewing
How it Started
In 1982, Redhook brewed its first batch of Redhook Ale in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, having transformed an old auto repair shop into a brewery. At the time, you could count the USA’s small, independent breweries on one hand. Redhook Brewery’s opening was one of the first shots fired in the craft beer revolution — and nobody knew it at the time, but that’s the moment the Ballard Brewery District was born.
About the time Redhook moved down the road to Fremont and then across the county to Woodinville, Maritime Pacific Brewing Company arrived, opening in Ballard in 1990. Like the American craft brewing scene itself, things held steady through the 1990s and into the 2000s — but change was on the horizon. The Ballard Brewery District, like the entire craft beer industry, was about to blossom. Urban Family Brewing opened its original location in 2011, Reuben’s Brews followed in 2012, Stoup Brewing arrived in 2013, and the whole thing snowballed from there. Today, Ballard is home to a dozen breweries and taprooms, and the neighborhood has never been thirstier.
Why Ballard?
The Ballard neighborhood is unlike anywhere else in Seattle. It has always had an unusual and happy mix of industrial and residential real estate. Historically, Ballard served Seattle’s marine industry, with small industrial businesses producing goods and services for the working waterfront. To a degree, it still does that today — but now it also produces a lot of really good beer.
Those compact industrial buildings, as Redhook proved more than 40 years ago, are tailor-made for breweries. And because those commercial spaces sit cheek-by-jowl with residential neighborhoods — apartments and houses full of thirsty people — Ballard turns out to be the perfect place for a craft brewery. Or, as is the case today, more than a dozen of them.
Beer Touring in Ballard
Beer touring in Ballard is wonderfully easy. Park the car once — or skip it entirely and take public transportation — then simply wander from one brewery to the next. Some of them are practically next door to each other; Stoup Brewing and Urban Family Brewing are literally across the street from one another. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you’ll spot groups of happy people drifting from taproom to taproom, some pushing strollers, some on bikes, all of them smiling. No agenda required. Just pick a brewery, start there, and see where the day takes you.
Ballard is fabulous, but there are other neighborhoods and many other breweries in Seattle. Check out our map of all breweries and recommended beer destinations in Seattle here.
Frequently Asked Questions – Ballard Brewery District FAQ
A: Yes and Yes. Most brewery taprooms in Ballard allow both children and dogs.
A: It depends on where you are starting. The neighborhood is about 5 miles north of downtown and Pike Place Market. Ballard is easily accessible by public transit or rideshare. From downtown, use the D line on Rapid Ride (big red buses) or Metro’s route 28. See the section about public transit below.
A: If you choose to drive to Ballard, you’ll find free parking available on the streets. Note that it is first-come, first-served, and it can get busy. Wherever you find parking, there is likely a brewery nearby. Most of the breweries do not have their own parking lots.
A: Use the map we’ve provided above. As you’ll see, most of the destinations are within a block or two of each other. Simple stroll from one to the next. You’ll probably notice other people doing the same.
A: Some of the breweries have kitchens and serve food. Others frequently host food trucks. Almost all have some sort of snack options. The following breweries have kitchens and offer food: Rooftop Brewing, Reuben’s Brews, Fair Isle Brewing, Old Stove Brewing, and Great Notion Brewing.
A: As a general rule, yes, you can bring food with you. Note that the taprooms with kitchens might not appreciate it.
A: That is a tough question. They’re all good. The Washington Beer Blog’s top recommendations are Reuben’s Brews, Lucky Envelope Brewing, and Stoup Brewing. However, walking from one of those breweries to the next will take you right past some other very good breweries, so do not be afraid to explore and decide for yourself.
Public Transit Around Seattle
Visitors to Seattle can navigate the city using the Rapid Ride, Link light rail, Metro buses, and the Seattle Center Monorail. To pay for your ride, use a credit/debit card or other contactless payment method. You should pay/tap before boarding the bus or train at the station kiosk. Look for the card reader. There is also an app: Transit GO Ticket app.
