Fair Isle Brewing

Servers are quick to let you try what's on tap so you have a really great idea of what's available. Some of the beers are served in wine glasses...and with good reason: they have an extraordinary bouquet that deserves sniffing. if you not wanting to do alcohol, their kombucha is excellent, it comes in a can: try the mango hops -- the body is rich without being vinegary and the balance is smooth and incredible. The food comes from next-door, the Cleaver. Lots of smoking and roasting. Potato wedges were cold and rubbery and the skins were tough. Sauce was good but not my favorite. Easy to make friends at the bar. Patrons that sit down are friendly and willing to share stories. No Seattle freeze there.

Saw Fair Isle ranked as a top brewery in Seattle recently and when I was nearby dropped in to check it out. Noticed it was a lager/saison-spon heavy menu and was definitely intrigued. The beer quality is some of the highest I've ever experienced, and so complex... everything. Will definitely be back and can't wait to hang out in their spot again

I have enjoyed visiting this local brewery a few times since moving to Ballard. I am so glad I discovered it as it's quickly become one of my favorites. I am a big fan of saison style beer and this is what Fair Isle specializes in! It is light and carbonated - a Belgian pastoral style of brewing that reminds me of a dry cider or bubbly wine almost.They are constantly releasing new delicious brews, each one seemingly better than the last. The other great thing about Fair Isle is the food truck pop-ups! Each week they have various food pop-ups to enjoy while sipping on your drink. I have tried the Outsider BBQ twice and loved it.The staff are very friendly and helpful here, offering recommendations and giving samples if requested. There is a lot of inside seating as well as plenty of outside seating to go around! Great for all types of weather and preferences.

When I came to Seattle I knew I wanted to visit Fair Isle Brewing. That was further enforced when literally every industry worker in the area I met recommended visiting the taproom. They are on the 'newer' side, only being open since 2018 - strange to say that's newer, but the craft beer industry is getting older and older nowadays. The fine folks at the brewery focus on mixed-culture Saisons and Lagers with the occasional other Farmhouse Ale style thrown in.When I saw the tap list I knew I was in the right place, with the section split into different types of Farmhouse Ales rather than the traditional Stout vs Ale vs Lager.We got four small pours to try a variety, focusing on the Fruit and Bold Saison section of their menu.Almota:A Farmhouse Ale aged in Oak featuring Eastern Washington grown Malted Grain. The local grain reminded me a lot of what people think of when they are traditionally asked about Farmhouse Ales. Think grainy, a little bit of hay, and just a hint of acid funkiness.Eleanor:A Farmhouse Ale aged in Oak re-feremented on Foraged Elderberries. The elderberry character was there, but didn't take the beer over as you still got that beautiful barnyard farmhouse notes that you want out of a Saison like this.Naledi:I had asked the bartender to pick a beer for us in the flight and this is what they chose. It is a Piquette-Inspired Farmhouse Ale with Mourvedre and Syrah Grapes conditioned with Foraged Lilac Flowers at packaging. Absolutely our favorite of the four. It was bright and botanical with juicy tart grape juice flavors. The aroma is reminiscent of a traditional Saison with a bit of spiciness and herbalism.Andes:A Dark Farmhouse Ale aged in Oak with Vanilla Beans and Chocolate Mint. It is inspired by an Andes Mint, but honestly didn't taste anything like it without the overwhelming milk chocolate and vanilla sweetness; however, this was still delicious. Dark cacao blends with the farmhouse character to bring another layer of complexity on a dark Saison.______

Great cozy interior, warm friendly staff and lots of awards on the wall from 2022!The beer menu is nearly exclusive to sour leaning saison / farmhouse style so that is an important note for the preferential palettes.

Fair Isle has quickly become one of my favorite breweries in the Ballard brewery district and in general! First, they feature farmhouse beers, which are quite a bit different than your regular craft beer. It did take me a few visits to get more accustomed to this style of beer (saisons, etc.) but I'm now hooked! I like how these beers are lighter, yet still flavorful and you can order most of them in a smaller size (perfect if you want to taste a few) or the larger size. The staff is very helpful if you describe what type of beer you're looking for (and the descriptions of the beers on the menu board are helpful too). What also makes Fair Isle amazing is the number of pop-ups and events that they host! We've loved getting to try some of these pop-ups (paired with a tasty beer). Some notable pop-ups we've tried recently (and come back a second time for) are: Good Morning Tacos and Outsider BBQ (and Hamdi, before they got their own brick & mortar). Shout out to Kari for organizing these events & pop-ups!

A beautifully-designed taproom tucked into the heart of Ballard brewery district. We stopped by for a friend's birthday on a Saturday night and were able to find a table for all of us to sit around! In comparison to some of the others in the areas, Fair Isle caught my eye as a more sophisticated space with a unique beer and wine list. The interior feels like a wine-cellar aesthetic and the glassware design was so pretty! The bartenders here are very nice and were able to make recommendations for me based on what I usually drink. Their botanical and rose drinks were really fun -- not something that I'd usually try, but I'm glad I did. They had food available on site and my roommate and I shared a shrimp po' boy -- it was a little on the pricier side BUT a delicious meal with a large potion size. If you're looking for a 'fancier' brewery hopping stop, I would totally recommend coming here.

Fair Isle Brewing is amongst the cluster of breweries in the area, just a bit on the outskirts of the rest. It isn't to be missed though and actually suits it being that there isn't as much foot traffic. It gives Fair Isle a bit more an "exclusivity" to the rest.Fair Isle has a nice setting, the back patio is covered for a nice indoor/outdoor but a fair amount of outdoor counter seating as well as indoor seating. The decor also includes barrels which supports some of the beer's aroma and flavors.On my most visit I had the Syrah and Mataro, two red beers very similar to each other but the Mataro has an oakey taste and smell - I like it. The Syrah is smoother however with slight cherry notes and flavor - definitely my favorite. I had taste of the Mei Zi as well - also good, with a bit of zing in the after taste but not too much. It seems Fair Isle makes tries to distinguish itself from the other breweries as it just looks fancy and sophisticated. The layout, the glass room, the furniture. It looks like you're hanging out in some rich mogul's wine cellar, except it's a beer cellar and its beer you're drinking. Some of it looks like wine though, a lot of Fair Isle's beers even come in bottles. Posh.If you're looking to fancy up your beer experience while brewery hopping, come to Fair Isle.

I usually come here when my friend is cooking for her pop up. The staff is always friendly. It's a great Ballards spot for dog owners as it's dog friendly outside. They variety offered is great and always something for someone. Outside seating and doors that open up nicely and have a great flow from the interior to exterior.

Love, love, love this place! Some of the best brewpub food I've ever had anywhere! And the beers were excellent as well. If they were located in my hometown of Syracuse, NY, this would be my regular.Do yourself a favor and plan on having your next beer and meal here!