The “Cask Beer Experience” at Machine House Brewery

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we spend a lot of time raving about unusually hoppy/boozy/heavy/rambunctious beers with funny names. Today, I’m here to laud the extreme beer’s modest and easygoing cousin – the session ale – and the brewery that’s bringing this beer to Seattle.

Machine House Brewery has moved into the ‘Malt House’ space of the original Rainier Brewery in Georgetown, a neighborhood in south Seattle. The brewery’s goal is to bring the “cask beer experience” to Seattle, according to Brewery Manager Bill Arnott. This means Machine House will be focusing on English-style session ales, which, by their nature, are balanced and drinkable, with a smaller hop profile and maltier finish than many American ales. To accomplish this objective, Bill brews using the traditional open fermentation method – the same style he used when he was Head Brewer at a brewery in Norfolk, England.

The Machine House team, which consists of Bill and Business Manager Alex Brenner, will be offering three beers in the initial Machine House lineup – a bitter, a golden ale, and a mild. Bill brewed the first batch of each beer in December and I had the opportunity to sample all three on my visit to the brewery. Bill noted that he was “pleasantly surprised” with the results of these initial batches and I wholeheartedly agree. All three were very well-balanced and, true to their names as session beers, were both flavorful and exceptionally drinkable. To enhance your experience, the authenticity of Machine House’s English ales is also backed by a supporting cast of hand pumps and a custom-built bar, which further help to distinguish Machine House as Seattle’s quintessential English pub.

Excited yet? Bill and Alex plan to host a grand opening event in mid to late February, but their taproom is already open – check their Facebook page for taproom hours, follow them on Twitter for updates, and stop by for a visit!