Entry 14: Making Camp on Whiskey Ridge
Location: Arlington, WA
Brewery: Whiskey Ridge Brewing
Reason: More beer
After we hitched up the ole' Fiat and wrassled up our traveling dog Lupa, Samwise and I moseyed on down to Whiskey Ridge. To get to Whiskey Ridge from Granite Falls, you must follow South Fork Stillaguamish River for several miles before you set your eyes on the beautiful Whiskey Ridge.
First thing first, there may not be a better name than Whiskey Ridge Brewing. There aren't many things I love more than whiskey, ridges and beer. Set in a neat little building just off the main drag in Arlington, the brewery has a nice little feel to it. Only open for 2 months, you notice right away, they are still trying to find their decor with the brewery. They have an idea what they want to do (And you can do a lot with the name Whiskey Ridge), but they aren't quite there yet. But again, 2 months old. If I were them, I'd go with the wild west, gold mining, old timey theme. But what do I know, I'm from Renton.
Now the beer. The beer is good. Samwise and I got a taster each, while Lupa wandered around the brewery, getting in the way. I was a big fan on the Red Bridge IPA (Made with citra hops) and the Naughty Jim Dry Irish Stout (Which has a great and somber story about it, ask the staff). They also their Dead Dog (Not Lupa!) Oatmeal Stout, Clear Creek Kolsch (refreshing), and Muerte de Peludo (made with chiles). Overall, I was impressed with the beers. Sadly they were out of the Logger Lager, which I really wanted to try.
Overall, I'll give this place a 7/10. Only because I want to give them room to go up once they design the brewery more. (Cool themes are a big deal to me, shut up). The beers are VERY solid and if you're up north in that area, give it a try, you won't be disappointed.