Back in 2021, we breakdown changes during the Seattle Mariners' 2021 season in our Atlas of Beer at T-Mobile Park.
Since the early days, when bat applied to ball, and ball applied to glove, the game of baseball has been a part of this country. Truly, there is no sport more Zen-inspiring, more calming, than watching or attending a baseball game. Oh sure, there are some who will compare the excitement experienced with watching a ball game to that of a coat of latex paint hardening on the wall. But make no mistake, every March and April is a reminder that Spring, and yes baseball is back.
It has survived wars, depression, and yes, even a global pandemic. And now, thankfully, baseball is back in 2021, albeit with a modified approach.
Announced with little fanfare, the Seattle Mariners have announced the resumption of fan-attended games at T-Mobile Park. Starting with some 9,000 fans, sequestered in assigned areas, the Mariners and the staff at the ballpark welcome you back.
Like previous years, the ballpark is not only happy to see you return but has made some changes since the 2020 season.
The Mariners seek to provide a healthy environment.
“The health and safety of the fans and our employees is our top priority. Together with the Mariners and our global Sodexo network, we have developed a set of guidelines to keep our guests and our staff safe while still providing the first-class experience and local sourcing program of one of the best ballparks in baseball,” said Meagan Murray, Centerplate General Manager for T-Mobile Park.
Right from the start, guests should expect the following protocols to be in place.
Daily health screenings for all employees;
PPE, including double masks;
Plexiglass protective barriers;
Frequent cleaning and sanitizing of all food service equipment;
Surfaces wiped down with sanitizer after every contact.
Along with use of PPE, barriers, and frequent sanitation, the ballpark is reducing waste and contact by providing prepackaged food. Unlike previous years, one can expect to receive everything that is needed before you return to your seat.
Which is also something new, mask enforcement when not at a seat. That means no more drinking beers while roaming the ballpark or consuming food. The basis is to minimize spread by anyone who might be infected with COVID-19.
Plus the Mariners have gone cashless allowing for use of credit, debit, or contactless payment services like Google Pay or Apple Pay. But for those who only carry cash, the ballpark is providing kiosks to convert cash into prepaid debit cards.
Last of the recent changes, Mobile Order. an exclusive to Diamond Club and Suite guests, the Mariners are now supporting mobile ordering via a QR code system. As part of the system guests will receive text alerts which include order and delivery status. The eventual hope is to offer the service to other areas of the ballpark.
The Atlas of Beer (and Food) at T-Mobile Park
Back again, we’ve taken the time to source from both the Mariners and local breweries and whole distributors, the list of beers, hard ciders, and hard seltzers offered throughout the ballpark. Besides drinks, we’ve incorporated a breakdown per level of where you can find these drinks and where you can track down food, to enjoy while in your seat at the ballpark.
Within our new guide we have provide the following sections.
If you have any thought to purchasing a ticket, or you have purchased a ticket but don’t know what to expect, due to state health guidelines, there is a helpful button. After clicking the button, you will be redirected the Mariner’s Health & Safety section.
Taking the guesswork out of the Mariner’s website, we have included helpful links and section information, for local food options. Obviously, once you get the ballpark or if you have the MLB app installed, you can simply review IT on your phone as well. But this at least is a start.
Next, there is a graphical breakdown, per level of what beers, hard ciders, or hard seltzers you can find. Bear in mind, the omission of wine and spirits was intentional, mostly because this website fosters support of craft beer, cider, and hard seltzer.
After reviewing the list of options, you can select a beer, cider, or seltzer, and immediately will get a ‘trading card’ of sorts, with useful information including a button to the brewery and current section data based on the Mariners’ season. Lastly, there is a helpful link to Untappd, associated with the product you’re consuming, in case you want to record your experience.
Additionally, we’ve included beers labeled as craft but are domestic owned. After all, just because your beloved Kona Big Wave has gone corporate, doesn’t mean you should still be able to enjoy one at the game.
One more detail within our guide, discounts. As part of the Mariners’ awareness that fans need more options, when it comes to inexpensive, 12-ounce beers, the ballpark and we have listed those craft and domestic-owned craft, within our guide.
Note, if you visit the MLB Beer Finder, you’ll notice that domestics like Miller aren’t in our list. This is by design as this website remains a “craft” beer website.
Finally, if you want to kick the tires on the new guide. we invite you to visit https://www.northwestbeerguide.com/2021-atobtmp
Moving away from self-promotion, the Mariners want to draw attention to some changes at the ballpark regarding your favorite food and beverages.
Ballard Pizza anyone?
Food and Beverage
If you’ve attended a ballgame in the past few years, then you’ve grown accustomed to “rally fries” from Kidd Valley, Ivar’s chowder and fish, or a vegan sausage at The Natural, then rest assure they aren’t going anywhere.
What is changing though is the Mariners definition of value, emerging taste, and happy hour, via Centerplate’s Executive Chef Taylor Park and local restaurateur Ethan Stowell.
Rolling Roof Rollback. As part of their campaign to welcome fans to the ballpark, the staff at the ballpark are offering “discount items” throughout the park. They include hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts, sodas, water, and of course red ropes. Rates range from $2 to $4 and can be found at all Rolling Roof stations throughout the ballpark.
Highlight Bite – Every Tuesday and Friday, fans can become acquainted with some of the most delicious and perhaps less well-known specialties with the new “Highlight Bite” program. Fans will have a chance to push their palate and save at check-out with a discount on that game’s Highlight Bite.
Value Beer Menu Expanded. Recognizing the importance of a local or domestic beer, at a reasonable rate, the ballpark is now offering 12-ounce beers at over 10 locations, and covering 12 unique breweries. Priced at $5 (domestic) and $6 (craft), the change should be immediately noticeable.
Because who can say no to Paseo?
In with new and keeping the old
If you’ve been walking the streets around the Capitol Hill neighborhood, you’ve probably come across the unique ice creamer, Salt & Straw. Producers of such flavors as Sea Salt w/Caramel Ribbons, Honey Lavender, Chocolate Gooey Brownie, and Double Fold Vanilla; the creamery is a regional favorite. For the ballpark, one can expect not only their local flavors but also Creepy Crawly Critters, a matcha ice cream with toffee-brittle mealworms and chocolate-covered grasshoppers.
Besides your classics including Kidd Valley, Caffe Vita Coffee, Hempler’s, Din Tai Fung and Paseo; you should also expect poke bowls from Hiroshi’s Sushi. Plus, The Natural is expanding to serve up Beyond Burger, plant-based patties. Meanwhile, Lil Woody’s and Ballard Pizza have expanded to two new locations in the Terrace Club level.
Note, the photo is a relevant depiction of Frozen Rope Ice Cream Sandwich Company but is from a couple years ago.
Finally, local restaurateur Ethan Stowell, is happy to announce the newest dessert, How to Wolf a Cookie. Located at the Frozen Rope, near section 132, this new dessert is an “oversized, freshly baked cookie stuffed with chocolate chunks, dried cherries, pistachios, a hint of lemon and a sea salt garnish”.
More to come
As the season progresses and with any luck, the state improves, the hope is to expand the number of locations within the ballpark to serve up meals, drinks, treats, and above all memories. Till then, know that the Mariners hope your stay is a memorable and safe one.
