ryan easttum

Review of Ice Harbor Brewing Company

So-so. Cool space, good pub grub, but the beer nee...

So-so. Cool space, good pub grub, but the beer needs a lil work. I'm admittedly comparing them to the elite echelons of Portland, but while their Kolsch is clean and crisp, their seasonals taste and feel like experiments. Specifically, the tangerine hefe, Tropika IPA, and Scottish Ale were feeling a bit too much like home brews. I have high hopes for Ice Harbor, I love what they're doing in the Tri-Cities, but think if they honed in more on their lagers and German-esque beers (seriously, brew a Helles, you'd nail it) they could capitalize on an underserved niche and really excel. Also, I get you have to cater to your market, but it's such a bummer to hear so many people order Coors Light (which, nothing against Coors) at a real brewery. It'd be awesome to see the bartenders at least half-heartedly try to steer them toward their own lager (which is mighty tasty).