Sampling The Suds -- Seattle's Pubs And Microbreweries Satisfy Beer Fans And Brew Snobs Alike

There's very little difference between a brew pub and a microbrewery with a pub. They both make and serve suds. And their customers and loyal fans seem happy enough with that.

However, a brew pub's foamy product is served up only on the premises. A brewery, say a Redhook or Thomas Kemper, also peddle their wares elsewhere. Whatever, if you're after a relaxing spot to soak up a foamy brew in an interesting ambiance, consider yourself lucky. The Seattle area, perhaps as much as anywhere in the nation, has an abundance of both brew pubs and microbreweries with their own pub. Here is a listing of both within the Seattle area.

Breweries

Hart Brewing, 91 Royal Brougham Way, Seattle. Huge pub (235 seats) near the Kingdome with great pub grub and dozens of brews on draught from Thomas Kemper and Pyramid (both owned by Hart). Pub hours 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 682-3377.

Thomas Kemper, 22381 Foss Road N.E., Poulsbo. "A few miles north of Poulsbo and a few centuries east of yesterday" is the way the Thomas Kemper folks describe themselves. Great little beer garden and tap room. Check out the outrageous root beer, too. Pub hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. 1-360-697-1446.

Maritime Pacific Brewing Co., 1514 N.W. Leary Way, Seattle. No pub but a small tasting room connected with tours. Hours 1-4 p.m.

Saturday. 782-6181.

Pike Place Brewery, 1432 Western Ave., Seattle. No pub but samples at the Library Malt Supply on First Avenue. 622-3373.

Redhook Brewery, 2400 Phinney Ave. N. in Fremont. Everybody's favorite, snug little brewery pub (the Trollyman in the corner of a historic brick building) where you can ease back in comfy chairs, order a Redhook or snack on nicely prepared pub food. Try Redhook's new rye beer. Pub hours: 8:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-midnight Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. 548-8000.

Redhook Brewery, 14300 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville. New and about as slick and modern as they come (with specially designed German brewing equipment and a building that soars with steel and glass). The spacious 175-seat public house and taproom (Forecasters) is spectacular and has a patio for warm weather days. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-midnight Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. 483-3232.

Lake Tapps Brewing Co., 15625 Main St., Sumner. The area's latest brewery, near Lake Tapps, which gives it an appropriate name. There's a tasting room, retail sales area and a picnic area. Hours 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily except Sunday. 1-206-863-8438.

Seattle Brewers, 530 Holden St. Seattle. A small microbrewery that makes and delivers beer to establishments only in keg. But there's a casual pub called Jerry's Jungle Bar. Hours: 3:30-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Closed weekends. 762-7421.

Note: A number of new breweries, such as Hales Ales in Fremont and Aviator Ales in Woodinville, do not yet have tasting rooms or pubs, but they are planned.

Brew pubs

Big Time Brewery & Alehouse, 4233 University Way N.E. Claims the distinction of being the first brew pub in the Seattle area (1988). Popular with the college age and young career types, the crowded little place manages to come up with 30 to 40 different brews over a year's time. Good, affordable food. Hours 11:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m. daily. 545-4509.

California & Alaska Street Brewery, 4720 California Ave. S.W. Popular and established (1991) spot in the heart of West Seattle. Brews are featured above food, but the pub food is hearty and ample (piles of nachos and overstuffed sandwiches). Hours: 3-11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and 4-9 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays. 938-2476.

Pacific Northwest Brewing Co. Ltd, 322 Occidental S. One of the city's most popular brew pubs, in the heart of Pioneer Square, complete with a sidewalk sitting area in the summer and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. The ales lean toward being English style but the fare (nicely prepared) is definitely Northwest. Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. on Sunday. 621-7002.

Issaquah Brew House, 35 W. Sunset Way off Front Street in downtown Issaquah. The area's newest brew pub and already popular. Live music and open mike on Tuesday and Saturday nights. Extensive menu to accompany five different brews made on premise. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, noon-10 p.m. on Sunday. 557-1911.