With Matty’s new move to a proper brewification site in the Phinney Ridge area, search for a brand new watering hole has begun in earnest. The first stop on our neighborhood be er tour is the much-ballyhooed Barking Dog Alehouse.
Warm colors, simple and clean layouts with wood adorning everything, small but cozy spacing. Think Ikea with beer but less sterile.
The rotating taps and bottle select are rounded out by amazing beers with very rich, complex tastes. Many foreign varieties are featured and some defy the constraints of accepted beer styling – like a shroud of mystery before the ultimate prize. Another secret piece of awesomeness was the Imperial pint glasses which screamed “A normal pint glass would be an injustice”.
This place is all about class, while still being warm, friendly and a fun place to be. The light strands outside provide a warm glow to the passersby and twinkle with an inviting character that makes you just want to sit down and relax with a beer. Inside, the fine wood tables, chairs and counter-tops, help to create a cozy cabin feeling while having still feeling fresh and stylish.
Though we didn’t eat any food, the appetizers, entrees and desserts sounded amazing. Items appeared to be fairly standard pub fare with a gourmet edge. It was really exciting that you can order wine-sized bottles of brew with your meal, showing that they take beer seriously and know how amazing it is to pair with food.
Casual glances around the walls showed a poster hosting a Brewer’s night for Ninkasi brewery. Any place that recognizes the regional breweries like that is a place after my own heart.
From the general aesthetics of the place, to the food/drink available and the waitstaff serving us (thanks Rose!), the Barking Dog Alehouse just screams “comfortable place to have a beer, grab some food, chat with friends and have a good time.” Well, that is, on a slow Tuesday night at least. Word around the campfire is that this joint can get pretty busy on weekends so keep your eyes peeled for the velvet rope and get there early.
Barking Dog First Impression: 9/10
For more info on The Barking Dog Alehouse go here:
Hello, My Name is Beer 