Great Beer Here

New breweries, nonalcoholic options, and the rise of the can. Plus: Aurora Avenue then and now, a Whidbey Island weekend escape, Ebbets Field Flannels, and secret sushi.

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

Third Place Nooks

What’s Up with All of Seattle’s Little Free Libraries?

The community boxes have spawned creative counterparts, from mini art galleries to an auto trading garage. But they’re more than just sidewalk ornaments.

08/01/2023 By Taylor McKenzie Gerlach

Lights, Camera, Tax Breaks

Can the Seattle Film Industry Solve Its Vancouver Problem?

Hollywood has shunned shooting in Seattle since its ’90s film heyday. A new studio and tax incentive aims to help our city recapture the spotlight.

06/22/2023 By Benjamin Cassidy

Eat & Drink

Chef’s Day Off

Recipe: Communion Chef Kristi Brown’s Easy Weeknight Soup

Grabbing whatever’s in the produce drawer (and freezer) can yield a restorative bowl full of Asian flavors.

09/07/2023 By Allecia Vermillion

Profile

Chuck Shin, Man of a Thousand Beers

The founder of Chuck’s Hop Shop built a formidable house of craft beer. Then he invited the rest of us inside.

06/21/2023 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Amber Fouts

Up and Down Aurora

A Restaurant District That Hides in Plain Sight

In between the fast food, first-time business owners offer plenty of vibrant menus.

05/31/2023 By Allecia Vermillion

Seattle Beer Week 2023

A Six Pack of: Family-Friendly Taprooms

Most breweries are great for kids (and dogs). A few go above and beyond.

05/26/2023 By Allecia Vermillion and Eric Nusbaum

Seattle Beer Week 2023

A Six-Pack of: Taprooms with Great Food

You've gotta eat if you're gonna drink. From popups to drinking snacks to a (literal) in-house food truck.

05/25/2023 By Allecia Vermillion

Seattle Beer Week 2023

A Six-Pack of: Great Local Lagers

IPAs are great, but we're entering pilsner season.

05/24/2023 By Allecia Vermillion

Seattle Beer Week 2023

A Six-Pack of: Great New Breweries

Really good beer is cropping up all over town.

05/23/2023 By Allecia Vermillion

Seattle Beer Week 2023

A Six-Pack of: Great Local Beer to Grab at the Store

Stymied in the beer aisle? Consider these your go-tos.

05/22/2023 By Allecia Vermillion

Sobering News

Fremont Brewing Releases Seattle's First Craft Nonalcoholic Beer

It's an IPA, of course.

05/18/2023 By Allecia Vermillion

Field Notes

A Smash Burger That Hits

Smash That Burger, a new food truck on Lower Queen Anne is a burger destination that also happens to feed a brewery.

05/02/2023 By Allecia Vermillion

Field Notes

Down a Madison Park Alleyway, Sushi Suzuki Has Great Fun with Serious Sushi

A 10-seat sushi bar presents omakase down the rabbit hole.

04/06/2023 By Allecia Vermillion

Home & Real Estate

Discovery Park Avenue

Property Watch: A Historic Officer's Quarters in the Middle of Discovery Park

This brick townhome, originally part of Fort Lawton, mixes history with a 500-acre backyard.

06/01/2023 By Sarah Anne Lloyd

News & City Life

CrawsOver

Hoops Legend Jamal Crawford Shares His Seattle Favorites

Dick’s burgers, Quincy Jones, and the basketball courts at Green Lake Park.

07/10/2023 By Eric Nusbaum

Coffee Culture

How a Capitol Hill Starbucks Barista Became a Union Organizer

"They actually don’t do anything supporting queer workers, but they say they do. They’ll put up a flag and call it a day."

06/27/2023 By Allison Williams Photography by Mike Kane

Feature

The Schism at Seattle Pacific University

How an anti-LGBTQ+ policy led to an existential dispute at a small Christian college, pitting students and faculty against the board—and placing the institution in peril.

06/08/2023 By Benjamin Cassidy Photography by Daniel Berman

Up and Down Aurora

How an Immigrant Craftsman Gave Us the Aurora Elephant

We have a centuries-old artisan tradition to thank for one of Seattle's beloved roadside landmarks.

05/31/2023 By Eric Nusbaum

Feature

Up and Down Aurora Avenue

The highs, lows, and possibilities of Seattle’s thorniest thoroughfare.

05/31/2023 By Allecia Vermillion Photography by Chona Kasinger

Up and Down Aurora

Photo Essay: Aurora Across the Decades

From Canlis to car culture—to Colonel Sanders's brief tenure flipping burgers.

05/31/2023 Photography by Chona Kasinger By Allecia Vermillion Research by Jane Sherman

Up and Down Aurora

Can We Finally Fix 99's Problems?

Here's how Seattle's deadliest corridor could really, truly, actually, maybe get better.

05/31/2023 By Allecia Vermillion

Up and Down Aurora

How I Grew to Love Aurora Avenue

State Route 99 is often written off as dangerous. But it’s become this writer’s cherished place for family bonding and self-reflection.

05/31/2023 By Angela Cabotaje

Up and Down Aurora

Why Sex Trafficking Persists on Aurora

Survivors are leading belated efforts to advocate for victims. But the situation keeps getting worse.

05/31/2023 By Benjamin Cassidy

Borrowed Time

Love Letters: SPL's Libby App Has a Hold on Me

Seattle Public Library's e-reader platform is low-key, free, and makes my life immeasurably better.

05/30/2023 By Allecia Vermillion

Road Rules

Are You a Bad Seattle Driver?

Our reputation for being terrible on the road extends beyond our inability to complete a zipper merge. Test your knowledge here.

04/10/2023 By Angela Cabotaje

Style & Shopping

G.O.A.T.

These Seattle Brands Make Sweaters Better

Sskein and Paychi Guh use cashmere and alpaca wool to craft knitwear that looks good, feels good, and isn’t so hard on the environment.

10/04/2023 By Zoe Sayler

Uniformity

The Unlikely Rise and Even Unlikelier Durability of Ebbets Field Flannels

How a mom-and-pop company devoted to retro athletic apparel turned into a fashion staple and local fixture.

07/06/2023 By Eric Nusbaum

Travel & Outdoors

Destination Guide

Whidbey Island: Where to Eat, What to Do, and Where to Stay

A charmingly rural escape sits tantalizingly close to Seattle.

04/28/2023 By Allison Williams Photography by Amber Fouts

Once in a lifetime

Tahiti's Brando Resort Wants to Be an Ethical Private Island

Sure, it's where presidents and Hollywood stars go on vacation. But Marlon Brando's island has more than mere luxury up its sleeve.

04/12/2023 By Allison Williams