Story by SBN contributor Chris Clemetson.
Safeco Field has something like four options for hotdogs. Luckily, they have much more variety in the beer department, although things are a bit different at Safeco Field for 2011. After my third Mariners game this year, I think I finally have the beer situation figured out; just in time for the roof to be open more often than it will be closed.
Pregame
You can get a center field bleacher seat for seven bucks, but don’t expect a premium pour for less then that. So if you get to Sodo early, I suggest stopping in to one of the many establishments around the area. Elysian Fields (542 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104) boasts 22 taps of which you can usually find a couple nitros and a cask conditioned beer. Closer to the stadium is the Pyramid Alehouse (1201 1st Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98134). Pyramid hosts an outdoor beer garden on game days and indoor seating with more options at the bar, including seasonals and special beers.
Game time
Last year the “hidden” place to find all the great beer at Safeco Field was the Power Alley Long Bar (behind section 133 near the baseball museum). This is not the case this year. While they do have local micro brews on tap, the selection is nothing like it was last year. The new hidden gem is the Hit it Here Café bar located in right field and above the main concourse, but I’ve got both good and bad news. The good news is that the selection is great. I had an Iron Horse Irish Death on one occasion and a Harmon Point Defiance IPA on another. I also saw they had Fremont Interurban IPA, Lagunitas Hop Stoopid, Redhook Big Ballard Ale and many more. The bad news is that the really interesting selections are not on draft but come in 22oz bottles that are poured for you. On second thought, it’s not really that bad of news. It’s a win-win situation in my book.
The Bullpen Market, now re-branded and much improved as “The Pen”, has the typical Safeco micro brew selections. The selections are available in more concession stands but less varied than they were last year. Despite the lesser selection, the fact that you can watch the pitchers warming up so close makes this a great place to grab a beer and explore.
Around the main level concourse you can find portable beer stalls. For instance, some of the carts outside section 130 carry Dick’s Danger Ale, Lazy Boy IPA, Lazy Boy Pilsner and Skagit Scullers IPA.
The only options I have not personally explored are in the upper concourse. According to the Mariner’s web site you can find a variety of local craft brews at Good Hops Beer located near sections 319 and 330. Sounds like a good excuse for me to find it the next time Felix is pitching at home to confirm this…. all in the name of Seattle Beer News, of course.
All beers at the Pen are also $5 on happy hour an hour + before game time (the Pen opens 1/2 before other doors in the park). Go check out batting practice and enjoy a “cheaper” beer at the game!
awesome post, albeit a week late since i went to the game last week. the beer selection behind home plate was not great, although I guess drinking a bridgeport IPA isn’t the worst thing.
In the hit-it-here bar they also have CIDER!! They have Ace-joker dry and Sam Smith organic cider. They both are 22oz bottles for $11 also can get Woodpecker from the 100 level just above the bullpen.
I’ve been very impressed with the variety of great beers at Safeco – even in the cheap seats you can find great local brews. Now, I just wish Qwest would get on board. The selection there, even in the expensive seats, is just pitiful.
Safeco’s offerings have definitely taken a turn for the worse this season. There was talk that they have a new beverage provider – any truth to this?
I was on a beer bus from uber to a beerfest at the stadium before the game last year. Then drank barleywines at the game. Mariners have the best staium beer imo(if you know where to get it) in the mlb!
@Gina Untrue. At least for Sounders games, go to the ground level concourse on the west side. At least one stand, maybe two serving Big Al’s.
Thanks for the info. This was a great article … hope Chris keeps ’em coming.
Today’s game was the first I’ve been to this year. On draft I saw a few Pyramid beers (Thunderhead IPA, Haywire, Curve Ball), Red Hook ESB, Snoqualmie Falls Amber, Manny’s, Mac & Jacks African Amber, Lazy Boy Pilsner, Skagit Scullers IPA, Moose Drool, Bridgeport IPA, Sierra Nevada Pale, Alaskan Summer Ale, Mirror Pond, Widmer Drop Top and Full Sail Ale. I didn’t get through the whole park, however.
Full Sail Amber Ale, that is.