If you’ve ever found yourself dodging flying salmon at Seattle’s Pike Place Market and thought, “I need a craft beer with a nice view”, then you’ve likely stumbled into Old Stove Brewing. Located in the MarketFront expansion, Old Stove Brewing isn’t just a brewery; it’s a panoramic front-row seat to the Puget Sound. We’re talking floor-to-ceiling windows, views of the Olympic Mountains, and enough ferry-watching to make you feel like a local, even if you’re still carrying a bag of souvenir pasta.
But Old Stove Brewing isn’t just a pretty place to take in the scenery. This is one of our go-to places for excellent craft beer and food in Seattle. Wee feel confident in recommending anything they have on tap and we have tried all of the regular brews on the tap list as well as many of their seasonals over the years. On this particular stop, we partook in the Circuit Breaker IPA.
The Beer: Circuit Breaker IPA
While some IPAs try to punch you in the mouth with bitterness, Circuit Breaker is more of a tropical hug. It’s a Hazy/Juicy IPA that leans heavily into the “juice” side of the spectrum.
- The Vitals: 6.2% ABV | 25 IBU
- The Hops: It’s a showcase for BRU-1 hops. If you aren’t a hop nerd, just know that BRU-1 is basically the “pineapple hop.”
- The Vibe: It pours with that classic hazy, sunset-gold glow. On the nose, you’re getting hit with a massive wave of fresh-cut pineapple and stone fruit.
- The Taste: It’s pillowy soft. Thanks to a generous malt bill (think oats and wheat), the mouthfeel is creamy rather than sharp. The flavor is a tropical fruit salad (pineapple, melon, and a hint of citrus) without that lingering resinous bite that scares off the casual lager drinkers.
It’s the kind of beer that makes you realize why the “Hazy” craze never actually died. This is a solid drinkable craft beer.
The Location: Pike Place MarketFront in Seattle
If you haven’t been to the “new” part of the market (it’s been around for a few years now, but we still call it new), Old Stove Brewing is the anchor.
- The Atmosphere: It’s massive. Even when the market is swarming with tourists, you can usually find a corner of the long communal tables to park yourself. And in the spring, summer, and early fall, grabbing a table outside with the salt air breeze off the sound is a wonderful experience.
- The View: Seriously, it’s arguably the best taproom view in Seattle. Watching the sunset over Elliott Bay with a Circuit Breaker in hand is a top-tier Pacific Northwest experience.
- The Food: Don’t sleep on the wood-fired pizzas. They have a massive oven right in the middle of the space that pumps out some of the best crusts in the downtown core.
Wee Verdict on Old Stove Brewing
Old Stove Brewing manages to do something rare: they’ve built a “tourist destination” that locals actually like. The beer is technically sound, the location is iconic, and the Circuit Breaker IPA is the perfect companion for a breezy Seattle afternoon.
If you’re doing the Market crawl, skip the “World’s First Starbucks” line. Walk a few blocks further, grab a stool at Old Stove Brewing, and let the pineapple hops do the heavy lifting.
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.
