Revelations come at unexpected moments in life; I wasn’t at all prepared for my discovery of Hilliard’s Beer the other night at the Hopvine. I asked if my favorite, Maritime‘s Old Seattle lager, was on tap, and the waitress said, “Nope.”
Well, what have you got that’s like Old Seattle?
That’s why I ended up drinking Hilliard’s Hils Pils, which greets the palate with a fruitier blast than Maritime’s more easy-going lager. That went down well, so it was followed by the malty Regimental Scottish Blonde.
Then came that growler of Cast Iron Stout, pictured, hurried home to get a real cap on it. (There was a Hilliard’s glassware raffle, is the thing: “We didn’t expect that anyone would be filling a growler up tonight,” said one of the capless Hilliard’s crew apologetically.)
Seattle Beer News has a more in-depth report on the new Hilliard’s Beer brewery, ” located in a small industrial strip in Ballard, just a block north of where Maritime Brewing had their original location.” They point out the Hilliard difference, which is a focus on selling their beer in cans. (Cans!)
They are still dialing in their recipe for the saison, but I had a sample of it on draft and quite enjoyed the full-flavored, fruity (citrus & pineapple) profile. It was smooth and refreshing, despite coming in at around 8% ABV.
The brewery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, but you’re invited to drop in and sample the wares at the Tap Room on Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., and on Saturdays, noon to 10. Especially if you’re a bit hopped out from Seattle’s IPA craze, you owe it to yourself to make a Hilliard’s run. This is happily drinkable stuff.
