Where to drink in Grays Harbor

written and photographed by Jackie Dodd

Blame it on Seattleites rushing to beach towns during the pandemic, or the prolific mollusk and crustacean fishing in the area, or even the impressive expanse of sand covered beaches that have Grays Harbor becoming a Washington getaway destination quickly rising in the ranks of the best places to spend a holiday weekend. As you can expect, the beer is also rising with the tide that is bringing in the tourists. While you may be considering the location for other reasons, namely the world-class crab, oyster, and razor clam recreational harvesting, or the rare sight or uninterrupted miles of actual sandy Pacific Northwest beaches, but you will surely stay for the beer.

No matter where in Washington you’re traveling from, you will almost certainly find a path to the beach through Aberdeen, which also happens to be the best place to start your harbor-beer-drinking journey. This little flannel-clad area of the state is home to not one, but two outstanding breweries. Mount Olympus Brewing is quickly becoming a hub for social activities in this tiny but storied town. With a healthy rotation of diverse beers, a full kitchen, as well as continuously updating social events that range from animal adoption parties to grunge album listening sessions, it always seems as though Mount Olympus has something new and exciting to offer. Just a few blocks away is Steam Donkey Brewing, the older of the Aberdeen beer siblings but the smaller of the two. Steam Donkey is more or less just a taproom with a few seats, but the beer has won several awards, and there seems to always be a food truck right outside. It’s worth the stop to sample what they have to offer.

From there, you need to make a choice. You either take the northern route to travel west to Ocean Shores, or you can take the southern route to Westport. Let’s start with the north route. As you make your way along the long and winding road towards the coast, you won’t go more than a few miles before your next stop: Hoquiam Brewing, a small but growing entity that’s become a cornerstone of the small town’s social scene. The beer selection continues to grow and improve, and the kitchen offers tasty pizza with vegetarian and gluten-free options.

If you continue along with your sights set on the sea and your destination pinned on Ocean Shores, your next stop won’t be a brewery but a satellite taproom. Although Elkhead Brewing is located in Buckley, they’ve opened a small taphouse in Ocean Shores worth a visit. Other than a hard-to-read sign, the only indication that you’re in the right place will be bold letters on the eaves that spell out FRESH BEER. It’s a beer-only joint, so the acquisition of your favorite fermented beverage will have to be the focus of your visit. Your next location is only a few blocks away and along your route there you will find Bennett’s Fish Shack, the perfect place to stop in between beer destinations for the best crab cakes and fish ‘n chips around as well as a decent selection of both craft beer as well as craft soda. The last stop of the Ocean Shores beer tour will be Ocean Pours, a taproom a little more than a block away. With a dozen and a half taps featuring beer from all over the world but with a heavy focus on the Pacific Northwest, this stop should make the list of any beer lover who finds their way to this part of Washington’s coast. Ocean Pours offers a small selection of pub grub as well as weekly events to keep you coming back.

Let’s back up and say we took the other road out of Aberdeen, let’s go south this time. As you make your way into Westport, arguably the most underrated Washington beach town, you’ll end your journey at Blackbeard Brewing, a mainstay in this sleepy little town and a local favorite. Blackbeard Brewing offers two locations, the original is larger, and the offerings include not just solid beers, but also a full kitchen, making it a must-visit if you’re in town. Blackbeard also opened a taphouse this year along the water on Westhaven Drive that serves beer, cider, craft soda, coffee, and tacos and an excellent location to end your beer-by-the-beach journey.

GRAYS HARBOR ITINERARY

MOUNT OLYMPUS BREWING

05 W. Heron St., Aberdeen

www.mountolympusbrewing.com

What to Know:

• Kid- and dog-friendly
• Patio seating
• Full kitchen

STEAM DONKEY BREWING

101 E. Wishkah St., Aberdeen

www.steamdonkeybrewing.com

What to Know:

• Kid- and dog-friendly
• No kitchen
• Outside food welcome

HOQUIAM BREWING

526 8th St., Hoquiam

www.hoquiambrews.com

What to Know:

• Kid-friendly
• Full kitchen

BLACKBEARD BREWING

700 W. Ocean Ave., Westport, and 2401 Westhaven Dr., Westport

www.blackbeardsbrewing.com

What to Know:

• Kid- and dog-friendly
• Patio
• Full kitchen

OCEAN POURS TAPROOM

759 Ocean Shores Blvd. NW, Ocean Shores

www.oceanpourstaproom.com

What to Know:

• Patio seating
• Dog-friendly
• Small food menu

ELKHEAD TAPROOM

39 Point Brown Ave. NW, Ocean Shores

www.facebook.com/elkheadtaproom

What to Know:

• 21 and over
• No kitchen