![]() As proposed highways break down through the stacked strata of centuries.” ― Ken Kesey, Sometimes a Great Notion. As a shiny new ax, taking a swing at somebody’s next year’s split-level pinewood pad, bites all the way to the Civil War. That way it overlaps…As prehistoric ferns grow from bathtub planters. A breath breathed from a passing breeze is not the whole wind, neither is it just the last of what has passed and the first of what will come, but is more–let me see–more like a single point plucked on a single strand of a vast spider web of winds, setting the whole scene atingle. In other words, I think this brewery is very aptly named. A romping story wrapped inside inspired, near-free-verse prose. I found it challenging but entertaining it is something of a lark but not exactly what I’d call easy reading. The brewery takes its name from a Ken Kesey novel, Sometimes a Great Notion, a formidable novel based in Oregon. Love it or hate it, they do it very well. The company focuses on hazy IPAs and culinary-inspired sours and stouts. Great Notion’s beers are often described as polarizing. The two breweries should pair nicely together, with one providing well-crafted, more-accessible, more-expected beer styles and the other offering beers best classified as ambitious and adventurous. In Georgetown, Great Notion is taking over Mercer Estates Winery’s tasting room, which might sound familiar to Seattle beer lovers because it is located right next to the Lowercase Brewing tasting room on Airport Way South. The Portland-based company already operates two brewpubs in Portland, as well as a taproom in Beaverton, OR. No clear word yet on the Ballard location. The company hopes to open the Georgetown location by the end of July. The pop-up temporary taproom opened last summer, with a possibility of becoming permanent before it closed in the fall as the weather got cooler. In the meantime, we recently learned that Great Notion will also open a taproom in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood on Airport Way South. Portland, Oregon’s Hazy NE-style IPA and pastry/dessert beer leaders Great Notion Brewing have announced the reopening of their 2015 southeast Division Street Beer Garden. Last November, Great Notion Brewing announced its plans to open a taproom in Seattle’s beer-bustling Ballard neighborhood ( read that story). The taproom will take occupancy in a newly constructed building on 14th Avenue NW, but the project has not come together as quickly as expected. In summer, it's the perfect spot for a sunny afternoon happy hour in winter, you can indulge in filling comfort food and hoppy, fruity IPAs.Portland’s Great Notion Brewing is opening a second taproom in Seattle before it opens the first, setting in motion a dance that plays out like an inverted waltz written in 4/3 time, played at the feet of Zeus, plucked out on ancient lyres by trembling, ax-wielding, bearded beasts in plaid flannel togas. Wrap it up: what are we coming here for? Great Notion doesn't limit itself to any one kind of beer, instead offering some of the most popular varieties, like IPAs and sours, all of which are made with skill and experience. But all of them are knowledgeable and can quickly point you in the right direction. Even then, they're likely too busy helping people and pouring beers to converse much. What's the service like? Considering the popularity of this place, don't expect to have long, drawn-out conversations with your server unless you're sitting directly in front of them at the bar. The brewery offers a punched-up sort of bar menu, with a killer fried chicken sandwich, equally pleasing burger and veggie burger, and rice bowls, salads, and bar snacks. Still, the brewery understands that not everyone goes for that sort of thing, offering up a comparable menu of IPAs that will please anyone who loves that traditionally hoppy Northwest-style ale.Ĭan we-or, should we-order something to eat, too? While the tap list is reason enough to visit, the food makes it a true destination. How are the drinks? Great Notion was one of the first to hop on the sour bandwagon when it opened, and it's done so with consideration and talent, offering some of the best fruit sours and farmhouse ales around. ![]() ![]() So who’s there? The crowd is generally a mix of groups of young folks-couples and their children-as well as older beer snobs drinking a contemplative pint. Everyone is here for the beer, whether it's a fruity IPA or tart sour. So, what can you tell us about this place? In the sunnier months-which Portland does indeed have-the sprawling, gravel-lined patio at Great Notion is the place to be, as guests from all over the Alberta neighborhood sip beers at picnic tables covered by umbrellas. ![]()
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