Northwest Beer Guide: Washington Beer Guide: 2015: Atlas of Beer at Safeco Field. Seattle Mariners Regular Season.
"Since the Inaugural Game on July 15, 1999, Safeco Field has gained a reputation locally, regionally and nationally as a terrific setting for baseball and a great place for baseball fans. Sweeping views of Seattle's downtown skyline, breathtaking sunsets over Puget Sound, combined with excellent views of game action from all angles give fans at Safeco Field an experience unequalled in Major League Baseball." -Safeco Field history, Seattle Mariners http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/sea/ballpark/
If the quote sounds familiar - congratulations, you've either subscribed to this website last year or you've absorbed everything there is to know about the Seattle Mariners.
Back in early 1999, while people were preparing for the completion of the Seattle Mariners' new home, the city's breweries began to grow up. But you wouldn't know it by looking at the paltry selection, showcased at the Kingdome. In fact the standby 'local' was either a can of Olympia or Rainer. Eventually the Kingdome was torn down, replaced (today) by Centurylink Field. But much like its predecessor (the Kingdome), The 'Clink' has continued the tradition of carrying, mostly, light lagers.
Last year, Safeco Field took notice of prior reviews (associated with their food, beer, wine, and spirits) and invited local breweries, distilleries, and chefs to upgrade the menu. The brewers, not wanting to fail, succeeded in providing 70% of the ballpark with craft beer, spread out over 30 locations. For their part, last year's guest chef (Ethan Stowell) updated some local favorites to make them more 'ballpark friendly'.
A week ago (April 2nd, 2015), Centerplate and the Seattle Mariners invited us to see the changes, they were making to the food and beverage menu. The Mariners, not wishing to perform a 180, renewed their faith Ethan Stowell as it’s guest chef. Lastly, we learned that local brewery legend, Pike Brewing, is the latest brewery to be made available throughout the ballpark.
First the Food
Dungeness Crab Sandwich. Dungeness crab with house-made lemon aioli on garlic butter-grilled Alaskan Sourdough Bakery bread. It's a safe bet, that you've heard of Boston's famous "Lobster Roll".
Applying a Northwestern-spin on the East Coast tradition, Chef Ethan Stowell is sharing his recipe at the "Way Back Crab Shack".
Pairing idea? If your looking for a beer, we suggest a Pale Ale or India Red Ale.
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog. ¼ lb. Cloverdale hot dog wrapped in Bavarian Meats bacon, topped with grilled onions & jalapeño, finished with chipotle crema.
Pairing idea? Based on our experience, you will be compelled to ask for another round. Pair this with a German pilsner, or even a Pike Naughty Nellie.
Found at the famous "Edgar's Cantina" or "Edgar’s Tacos" or "Cantina Nachos".
Hit It Here Burger. Two ¼ lb. Rainier Ranch grass-fed beef patties, caramelized onion, Tillamook cheddar cheese.
- Pairing idea? If you're feeling indecisive, then try a Red Ale or Stout. If all else fails you can reach for a balanced Pale Ale.
Prosciutto & Arugula. Figs, fresh mozzarella cheese, prosciutto di Parma.
- Pairing idea? Again we're thinking Pilsner, Pale Ale, or a Red Ale.
Calabrian. Calabrian chiles, artichoke hearts, red onion, Pecorino Romano, fontina, olive oil.
This was a bit on the spicy side. And honestly we were stumped on what to suggest, short of a scoop of ice cream; mostly to counteract the chiles' spiciness.
BBQ Chicken. Grilled Draper Valley Farms chicken smothered in raspberry jalapeño BBQ sauce, topped with green & red onions.
- Pairing idea? We can't resist suggesting a Pilsner or Red Ale.
Five Times the Mudd. 22oz bomber glass with Pike Brewing Company XXXXX Stout over Snoqualmie creamery Mukilteo Mudd ice cream.
- Pairing idea? Honestly, we're not going to suggest a beer pairing here. Because this is a beer pairing!
Hit It Here Burger, all 3 mentioned flatbread pizzas, and the beer float, are located in the "Hit It Here Cafe"
Full disclosure - There was other items being showcased; but unfortunately ran out before arriving on our table.
Want more food tips? Here's what the folks from Centerplate (on behalf of the Seattle Mariners), had to say about 2015's food options.
A mound of Dungeness crab meat dressed in house-made aioli on garlic butter-grilled sourdough bread is one of the menu updates fans can find at Safeco Field during the 2015 Seattle Mariners season.
Centerplate, the Seattle Mariners concessions partner, and noted Seattle restaurateur and Safeco Field consulting chef Ethan Stowell, have created a variety of new ballpark food based on fresh and local ingredients.
Other updates include a new décor and menu at the Hit It Here Café, the addition of Pike Brewing Company beer on tap, Peet’s Coffee as Safeco Field’s official coffee provider, and an improved selection of healthier, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Way Back Crab Shack
The Dungeness Crab sandwich highlights the Way Back Crab Shack, located in center field on the Main Level (under Section 185). "Dungeness crab is one of the Pacific Northwest's iconic ingredients," says Stowell. "It only seems right to have this delicious food showcased at Safeco Field, for a real taste of Seattle." Chef Stowell’s creation pairs well with the rotating selection of draft beers from Seattle’s Pike Brewing Company, which joins Safeco Field’s best-in-baseball beer selection this season.
Hit It Here Café Refresh
The Hit It Here Café, located above right field on the Club Level, has a new Northwest casual décor and updated menu featuring Chef Stowell’s version of pub classics such as Swingin’ Wings, nachos, a Bacon & Egg burger, and a selection of flatbread pizzas, including:
- Arugula and prosciutto
- Calabrian chiles and fontina cheese
- Wild mushrooms and pecorino Romano cheese
- BBQ chicken and raspberry jalapeño sauce
- Zoe’s Meats Pepperoni
For dessert, fans will find house-made bread pudding prepared with Ninkasi Brewing Company (Eugene, OR) Oatis Oatmeal Stout and beer floats featuring craft beers poured over Snoqualmie creamery ice cream.
The Hit It Here menu items pair with a selection of two-dozen Northwest-and-beyond brews, rotated monthly. Options include Bale Breaker Brewing of Yakima, Iron Horse Brewing of Ellensburg and No-Li Brew House of Spokane.
The Natural
Fans will find an expanded selection of healthier, vegetarian and gluten-free products at The Natural at Section 132 on the Main Level. New menu items include house-made quick-serve sandwiches and fresh salads such as beet and fennel and quinoa and kale. Beverage options include Coors Peak gluten-free beer and Crispin Cider on tap. Field Roast vegetarian hot dogs will continue to be available at The Natural as well as select stands around the ballpark.
Peet’s Coffee
Peet’s Coffee joins Safeco Field as the ballpark’s new official coffee provider. Peet’s Coffee is a specialty coffee company, founded in Berkley, California in 1966, and is committed to premium, high-quality coffee and superior freshness. Peet’s will serve a full selection of its fresh drip coffee, uniquely crafted “hot and iced” espresso beverages and hot chocolate at various concession stands and restaurants throughout the ballpark.
Other new menu and concessions features include:
Bacon-wrapped hot dog -- Edgar’s Cantina, Edgar’s Tacos & Cantina Nachos locations. Cloverdale quarter-pound hot dog wrapped in Bavarian Meats bacon, topped with sliced onions and jalapeños, finished with chipotle crema.
Seattle Burger -- Hamburg+Frites, The ‘Pen. Expanding on the local favorite Seattle Dog hot dog is the Seattle Burger, a one-third pound all natural Northwest beef patty topped with cream cheese, pickled peppers and grilled onions on a Baker Boys (Tacoma) fresh baked bun.
Edgar’s Tacos – Now available on the Terrace Club Level at Section 212. Also, fish tacos have been added to the menu at Edgar’s Tacos and Edgar’s Cantina in left field.
Pepsi Fan Deck – Main Level, Section 149. One-stop shop for refreshments and snacks featuring an expanded selection of Pepsi brand beverages (sodas, waters and juices), including Pure Leaf real brewed tea and the new Mountain Dew Kickstart caffeinated soda, juice and coconut water hydrating boost drink. A wide selection of Frito Lay snacks such as Cracker Jack, Doritos, Fritos, and more are available in single-serve sized bags.
Jack Daniels Caught Looking Lounge – The ‘Pen. A full-service bar with cocktails, beer and wine, presented by Jack Daniels, which joins Safeco Field as a Mariners corporate partner.
Craft, Draft and Bottled, Beer
Moving onto the beer, we are happy to announce the following breweries will be featured throughout April and throughout the 2015 Regular Season.
- Bale Breaker Brewing, from Yakima, WA
- Ballast Point Brewing, from San Diego, CA
- Black Raven Brewing, from Redmond, WA
- Blue Moon Brewing Co., from Golden, CO
- Deschutes Brewing, from Bend, OR
- Diamond Knot Brewery, from Mukilteo, WA
- Fremont Brewing, from Seattle, WA
- Full Sail Brewing, from Hood River, OR
- Georgetown Brewing, from Seattle, WA
- GoodLife Brewing, from Bend, OR
- Iron Horse Brewing, from Ellensburg, WA
- Laurelwood Brewing, from Portland, OR
- Ninkasi Brewing, from Eugene, WA
- No-Li Brewhouse, from Spokane, WA
- Northwest Brewing, from Pacific, WA
- Oakshire Brewing, from Eugene, OR
- Pike Brewing Co., from Seattle, WA
- Rogue Ales, from Newport, OR
- Schooner Exact, from Seattle, WA
- 7 Seas Brewery, from Gig Harbor, WA
- Skagit River Brewery, from Mount Vernon, WA
- Stone Brewing Co., from San Diego, CA
- 21st Amendment, from San Francisco, CA
- Two Beers Brewing, from Seattle, WA
- Victory Brewing, from Downington, PA
Cask Beer
Also, be on the lookout for cask beer (aka, Real Ale) near sections Main Level, Section 129; and View Level, Section 330. Also look for 'hand-pumped' "Cask Conditioned Ales" at a station behind Home Plate at Section 129 and at Good Hops near Section 330.
If you're looking for examples of 'hand-pumped' "Cask Conditioned Ales", then look no further than ...
- Black Raven Brewing, from Redmond, WA
- Diamond Knot Brewery, from Mukilteo, WA
- Fremont Brewing, from Seattle, WA
- Georgetown Brewing, from Seattle, WA
- Laurelwood Brewing, from Portland, OR
- Schooner Exact, from Seattle, WA
- 7 Seas Brewery, from Gig Harbor, WA
- Silver City, from Bremerton, WA
- Skagit River Brew, from Mount Vernon
- No-Li Brewhouse, from Spokane, WA
Finally, "Firkin Fridays" make a return during every Friday game at home.
Every Friday in The ‘Pen, a local brew master will kick-off an extend Happy Hour. Normal Happy Hour includes $6 pints from the time the gates open until one hour before first pitch. On Firkin Fridays, Happy Hour will be extended until the firkin is dry. Select breweries from around the Northwest will be represented on a rotating basis on Firkin Fridays.
Making a change from last year, we will not be listing beers at various sections. Instead we will list what beers will be featured (starting in April) and then what sections will be featuring craft beer.
- 7 Seas Port Royal Stout
- 21st Amendment Watermelon Wheat
- Alaskan Amber Alt Bier
- Alaskan White Ale
- Alaskan Icy Bay Pale Ale
- Alaskan Summer Ale
- Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale
- Bale Breaker Top Cutter IPA
- Black Raven Trickster IPA
- Black Raven Session IPA
- Diamond Knot IPA
- Elysian Men’s Room Red
- Elysian Immortal IPA
- Fremont Summer Ale
- Fremont IPA
- Full Sail Amber
- Georgetown Manny's Pale Ale
- Iron Horse Irish Death
- Laurelwood Workhorse IPA
- Mac & Jack Amber Ale
- Ninkasi Total Domination IPA
- Ninkasi Vanilla Oatis Stout
- Northwest Brewing Joker Amber
- New Belgium Fat Tire Amber
- Pikes XXXXX Extra Stout
- Pikes Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale
- Pikes IPA
- Rogue Hazelnut Brown
- Schooner Exact 3 Grid IPA
- Silver City Ridgetop Red
- Two Beers Evo IPA
- Schooner Exact King Street Brown
- Sierra Pale Ale
- Sierra Nevada Torpedo
- Stone IPA
- Victory Prima Pilsner
Depending on your seating section, you can find the above beers in one of the following locations.
- Jack Daniels’ Caught Lookin Bar (in the ‘Pen)
- Edgar’s Tortas
- Edgars Cantina
- Edgar’s Porch
- 136 Mariners Museum/Power Alley bar
- Hiroshi’s Sushi 136
- Northwest Beer cart 121
- Northwest Beer cart 129
- CASK station at 129 – 2 different WA cask ales, changes brewery every home stand
- Northwest Beer cart 134
- Northwest Beer station 185
- Good Hops bar/Sound Seafood 248
- Good Hops 319
- Good Hops 330 featuring a “beer engine featuring a new CASK BEER every home stand”
- Hit it Here Café – 7 monthly rotating taps, and 14 bottles of craft beer and cider (22oz only)
In the coming months, we will do what we can to keep the list up to date. Until then, we hope you’ll purchse a ticket, grab a Flatbread Pizza while washing it down with a Bale Breaker Field 41.
Play ball!
