Pre-Flight Craft Beer from SeaTac to Las Vegas

Wee like to arrive at the airport a bit early, get the bags checked, breeze through security, and spend a bit of time at SeaTac enjoying a last pint or two of craft beer before catching a flight. This last trip, the bright lights of Las Vegas were calling. But before hopping on that bird to the desert, there’s a crucial ritual to observe. Leaving the Pacific Northwest without a proper liquid send-off seems criminal and SeaTac has stepped up its game lately, so we decided to hit two spots that were close to our gate.

SeaTac Seattle Dawg House

The Pour: Sky Kraken Hazy Pale Ale (Fremont Brewing)

Our first stop was the Seattle Dawg House. It’s got that classic “stadium vibe” right in the terminal, which feels appropriate when you’re gearing up for a weekend of sports books and high-stakes energy.

Fremont Brewing rarely misses, and the Sky Kraken hazy pale is a solid pre-flight choice. It’s sitting at a manageable 5.5% ABV, which is exactly what you want when you still need to navigate an airport. It hits you with waves of guava, melon, and a nice citrus zing. It’s tropical, refreshing, and just “craft” enough to remind you why our craft beer scene is world-class before you head into the land of $15 pints.

SeaTac Brewtop Social

The Pour: Brewtop IPA

Next, we headed up to the mezzanine for Brewtop Social. This place is a hidden gem in the Central Terminal, perched right above Salty’s. If you’re a plane spotter, this is your sanctuary. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a wonderful view of the airfield operations, and the open-air layout makes it feel way less claustrophobic than your average airport bar.

Wee ordered a round of the house Brewtop IPA. It’s a quintessential Northwest IPA; clear, bright, and sporting a healthy head of foam. On the palate, it delivers that familiar piney bitterness and grapefruit punch that we locals crave. It’s a bit steeper than your neighborhood pub (expect to drop about $16 for a 20oz pour), but for the view of the runways and the relative quiet of the mezzanine level, it’s worth every penny.

The Mid-Air Refreshment

From the Can: Cloud Cruiser IPA (Fremont Brewing)

It feels right drinking this while literally cruising through the clouds. This isn’t just a generic “airplane beer”; it’s a legit IPA from the heart of Seattle. Fremont knows their way around IPAs, and this collaboration with Alaska Airlines proves it.

Even at altitude, where your taste buds supposedly go a bit dull, this beer pops. It’s got a clean, snappy bitterness and a big hit of tropical fruit and citrus. It isn’t quite as heavy as a traditional West Coast hop-bomb, which makes it incredibly drinkable for a two-hour flight. It’s crisp, it’s refreshing, and it made the hushed cabin conversation more enjoyable.

Wee Guide to a Beer Flight to Las Vegas

Between the Sky Kraken and Brewtop IPA on the ground and the Cloud Cruiser in the air, the PNW-to-Vegas pipeline is looking pretty “hoppy.” If you see these excellent craft beers on the menu during your next flight, skip the tomato juice and the mini-bottles of bourbon. This is the way to fly.

SeaTac Craft Beer Seeker Advice

If you’re in a rush and just need a quick, reliable hazy, the Dawg House is your spot. But if you have a bit of time to kill and want to watch the 737s dance while sipping a piney IPA, get yourself up to Brewtop Social.

WeeBeers Cheers!