More Airways Brewing Company - The Proper Visit (Part the Second)

In Part I of the Airways Experience blog, I mentioned going back for a 'proper visit' after the Tap Room expansion party. As you can see from my attempts to use a ‘real’ camera (read: not my phone and not a digi-cam) we end up with a picture of me, my purse, a bunny, and some chickens. Plus the wooden drinking man. That my brother took. That's what happens when I don't have Real MGD with me, pretty picture maker of extraordinary proportions. Here's what happens when I do have him:

A view as we approach the Airways Tap Room. As you can see, that's a lie. I'm already inside cheesing it up just in case I'm included in the scenery picture.

Many a lovely customer enjoying a Thursday pint

The loverly Dione Dittmar spent lots of time talking beer with us (yay!) while everyone else works hard in the background. Winna!

Jet City Lavender (with an extra dose of lavender outside) ESB. Gorgeous.

Although I had never seen the old tap room in person, the new place is just lovely. Inside you will find a wide open space with lots of windows and seating, where one can feel like part of a larger group even while at a cozy corner table for two. The bar top is absolutely gorgeous, people seem to drop by to chat up the Airways peeps or watch a game. Or drink beer. Or all of the above.

Every Thursday is Cask Night at Airways. We came specifically for the Jet City Lavender ESB on cask and stayed for a few more, soaking up the atmosphere & chatting with Dione (Alex Dittmar's wife, therefore must be blessed with the tolerance and patience of a saint, just as long as no one give's Alex any more plane parts as gifts).

When hearing of our alleged dropping by at the tap room, Alex (being the superb salesman that he is) expressed his sadness at not being around that day and relayed that he hoped the Lavender ESB didn't taste like shit. Happy to report that it was damn delicious. AKA: I hoped it wouldn't fucking suck and it didn't. Not even one little bit. After an hour long conversation about laundry (don't ask, I don't know either), our whistles needed additional wetting and we tried the following brews.

Jet City Lavender ESB on cask (I know I already said this 2 seconds ago. But this is like the separate, bold list that people who just skim my blog will see. Deal with it.)
Dampfbier
Sky Hag IPA
Dirty Hag - 75% Sky Hag & 25% Starliner Stout (I'll give you 5 guesses who ordered that beauty, but you're only going to need one. Holy effing yum!)

   

It was a long overdue visit(s) to Airways and I'm sad we didn't make the trip sooner. I'm looking forward to the day when they either move their collective awesomeness to Tacoma (officially not holding my breath) or expand their tap room hours (Thurs & Fri: 4-8pm, Sat: 1-5pm) so that I have more opportunities to stop by. Until then I'll probably have to love on them and their beer at festivals and continue to harass them on Facebook. Please keep the restraining orders to a dull roar, thanks guys.

Can't think of a witty closing line,

the pissed liBEERian

Alex & I at the Winter Beer Festival

Photography by The Real MGD

Come party like it's sancitoned by the Mile High Club at Airways Brewing Grand Re-Opening - Saturday, July 9th -

If you haven't met Alex Dittmar (Founder/Brewer) & assorted crew of Airways Brewing Company, I am very sad for you. They are a fun, hilarious bunch to talk beer with and make some amazing brews to boot. Airways has been diligently working on the expansion of their tap room in Kent and this would be as good of a chance as any to head that way for a visit and a pint or two.

The celebration will include not only revelry & debauchery I'm sure, but extended hours (1-9p) and food stuffs from their neighbor, Yukon Grill. In addition to the regular lineup offered (First Class IPA, Sky Hag IPA, Jet City ESB, T-Tail Blonde Ale & Starliner Stout), Airways will be serving the following specialty brews:

• Midnight Departure CDA - brewed for the first time since last summer
• Tickel Your Zwickel - German unfiltered lager
• Maylani's Tropical Stout - Chocolate Coconut Stout
• Über Hag - Sky Hag IPA aged in Heaven Hills Bourbon Barrels

I've yet to walk away from an experience with Airways Brewing (& Mr. Dittmar) not laughing and having experienced a thoroughly great time. I am ashamed to admit that this will be my first time visiting the Tap Room but special occasions & beers bring out even the laziest of folks. Including me. I plan to be there with bells on (plus a few other items) and minions in tow. Below you'll see a few examples of some fantastic moments spent with Airways...

Winter Beer Fest in Seattle

Airways busted out all the stops with their ice sculpture tap handle... thingy. Sick, right?

 

The clips above are from the Airways Brewers Night at Parkway Tavern in Tacoma. I was honored with the task of opening the firkin. I always love it when someone hands me a mallet and tells me to go to town.

In closing I'll just say that I'm really super dee duper (like, public happy dance happiness) stoked about this event and I hope Airways has the crowd and support they've earned and deserve.

I'm Über stoked (again) that even though MGD will be all absent like on party day (super sad face), Alex told me "Sigh. I guess you'll just have to do then Tracy. We'll pour a pint in MGD's honor (almost certain he'd prefer an Über Hag) and let it sit on the counter."

I'm ALSO jazzed because I know that Alex has an amazing memory. Therefore, even though it's months after we met up at the Airways Brewers Night at Parkway Tavern, he will recall that when it comes to work shirts, I wear a size Medium.

Cheers to always keeping things refreshingly Hag-a-licious!

the pissed liBEERian