Ascending the Peak for Holy Mountain Brewing’s 11th

Holy Mountain Brewing is talked about in Seattle with the kind of reverence usually reserved for rare vinyl finds or secret fishing spots. For years, we’ve nodding along while friends raved about their foudre-aged saisons and “doom metal vibes,” but other than our year of visiting every Washington brewery in 2022, we hadn’t been back to try their latest craft beer.

Well, for their 11th Anniversary, Wee finally decided to make the pilgrimage back to Interbay to see if we can add to the hype in the house of the holy.

The Holy Mountain Brewing Vibe: Minimalist Metal

Stepping into the taproom on Elliott Ave in Seattle is an experience in contrast. It’s tucked away in an unassuming industrial strip, but inside, it’s all stark white tile, polished wood, and concrete. It feels less like a messy garage brewery and more like a high-end art gallery that happened to be playing an all-time great album: Led Zeppelin III (on a record player) at a volume that vibrates the soul as we bellied up to the bar. It’s clean, it’s cool, and it’s a little intimidating; until you realize everyone behind the bar is incredibly down-to-earth.

The 11th Anniversary Craft Beer Lineup

Wee went hoping to get a taste of the Death Beholden Double Barrel Aged Imperial Stout but found they had sold out of it on the day it launched, very sad for us, but we’ve made a note to be here on launch day for their 12th anniversary. After that disappointment, we took a look at their menu and their on-prem bottle service and found some well-crafted beer to try. It turns out Holy Mountain Brewing doesn’t just lean into the weird; they celebrated the classics that put them on the map. Here’s the breakdown of what we tried:

• Bitter Peace: A quintessential Holy Mountain Brewing choice to start. This is their “extra pale” or “bitter” style that proves you don’t need a massive ABV to have massive flavor. It’s snappy, floral, and exactly what you want when you’re settling into a long session.
• The Realm’s Remedy: This is their Anniversary West Coast IPA, and yes, the ABV is a cheeky 6.66%. It’s a throwback to when IPAs actually had some bite, packed with resinous pine and a citrus finish that cut right through the gray Seattle drizzle. The only downside for us was the abundance of Mosaic hops, not our favorite, but we know it is popular so if you like that Mosaic flavor, this is a beer for you!
• Country Death Song: Don’t let the dark name fool you; this is a beautifully complex Foudre-aged mixed culture beer. It’s got that signature Holy Mountain Brewing “funk”; tart, earthy, and bright. It tastes like a farmhouse in the middle of a thunderstorm.
• Sin Nanna (2nd Anniversary Imperial Stout): The “final boss” of the visit. They brought out the heavy machinery with this bottle pour. It’s a massive, velvet-textured Imperial Stout that’s spent serious time in oak. We’re talking deep notes of dark chocolate, charred wood, and a hint of dried fruit. It’s the kind of beer you want to sit with for an hour while you contemplate your life choices.

Wee-Tips for Your First Ascent in Seattle

If you’re a Holy Mountain Brewing virgin, keep these three things in mind:

1. No Flights, No Problem: They don’t do traditional flights. Instead, they offer 6oz pours. This is actually better; it lets you curate your own tasting journey without your beer getting warm while you stare at a tray of five glasses.
2. Bring the Pizza: They don’t have a kitchen, but they’re right next door to Dantini’s. Order a pie, they’ll bring it over, and suddenly you’re having the best lunch of your life.
3. Check the Merch: Their shirt designs are legendary.

The Verdict

Is it worth the trek? Absolutely. Holy Mountain doesn’t just make craft beer; they make an atmosphere. Whether you’re a “hophead” or a “sour-seeker,” there’s a level of intentionality here that you just don’t find everywhere else. Eleven years in, and they’re still at the top of their game in Seattle.