You can expect a curated craft beer experience of the best brewing the Northwest has to offer when visiting the Side Hustle Local in Bothell or Kirkland.
Among their rotating 24 taps, one beer consistently steals the spotlight for Hazy IPA fans: Goofy Boots.
The Hazy Heavyweight: Goofy Boots
While Side Hustle Local produces incredible local favorites like Sudo and Vicious Mockery, they also pride themselves on bringing in world-class guests. Goofy Boots is the flagship Juicy IPA from Penrose Brewing, and it has become a staple at Side Hustle Local because it represents the gold standard of the Hazy style.
Why It’s Famous
This isn’t just another juice bomb. Goofy Boots is a decorated champion with a serious pedigree:
- Gold Medal Winner – 2020 Great American Beer Festival (Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale)
- Bronze Medal Winner – 2019 Great American Beer Festival
Tasting Notes: A Circus of Flavor
Goofy Boots is billed as a “Midwest IPA,” which means it strikes a perfect balance; it’s not as bone-dry as a West Coast IPA, but it has a more refined bitterness than your average “milkshake” NEIPA.
- The Pour: A glowing, opaque golden-yellow with a thick, pillowy white head.
- Aroma: An immediate explosion of pineapple, guava, and candied lime.
- The Palate: It’s incredibly “juicy” without being cloying. You’ll pick up notes of ripe peach and dried mango swinging across the palate.
- The Finish: It lands on a soft, pillowy wheat finish with just enough hop bite to keep you coming back for another sip.
The Side Hustle Local Experience
What makes drinking Goofy Boots at Side Hustle Local special is the environment. Unlike many industrial taprooms, Side Hustle Local focuses on comfort; think cushy barstools, historic decor, and a “speakeasy” vibe inspired by PNW bootlegging history.
Perfect Pairings
At the Bothell location, the European fusion menu offers some killer food pairings for a bold Hazy IPA:
- The Spicy Sando: The tropical fruit notes in the beer cut through the heat of their house-made spicy sauces.
- Focaccia Pizza (Focizza): The pillowy wheat finish of the beer complements their hand-made, airy focaccia crust perfectly.
How to Get It
Goofy Boots is a frequent flyer on the Side Hustle Local tap list, but because they rotate their 24 taps constantly to ensure “brewery-fresh” quality, it’s always a good idea to check their live digital board before you head in.
If you see it on the list, grab a pint (or a pitcher for the table). There’s a reason this beer beat out thousands of others at GABF; it’s a masterclass in hop balance.
Clark believes that the best professional relationships are built on shared experiences and a bit of fun. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Clark has been a vocal advocate of the local craft beer scene for years. He enjoys exploring the unique flavors and community-driven atmosphere of Washington’s and Oregon’s many breweries while working through the complex software architecture opportunities presented by social interaction. After a hard day of work, Clark can often be found on the karaoke stage any day of the week belting out 80’s rock and heavy metal tunes while bringing the same passion and energy to his performances as he does to his startups; valuing confidence, engagement, and the power of a good song and a bourbon barrel aged beer to bring people together.
