I found myself doing something unusual this week in brewery hopping. Normally I go all in with a pint of whatever tasty beer is on tap. I passed and went with the flight. My taste buds, stomach (no bloating), bladder (less frequent trips to the ladies room) and head thanked me each day.

I was able to taste far more beers and determine which ones sucked and didn't suck this way. I have to admit I had two ipa beers from two different breweries that were awful. Having a full pint of these would have royally pissed me off. I'm not one to waste beer but they were that bad. When you have a flight you are "tasting" and therefore feel less obligated to finish it. Overall I was pleased with the offerings of beer and round two consisted of getting a full pint of something completely not in the flight. A flight offers you the opportunity to taste most of the menu without fully committing yourself to just one. If there are one or two that I wasn't able to fit on my flight I will grab a pint of it depending on the style.

Less bloating is another factor I enjoy. Let's be honest here. Bloating is an unfortunate side effect of drinking beer. With a flight there is less of that going on which makes for a more pleasant drinking experience.

When I commit to just one pint when I have so many choices I find my pint less enjoyable. My taste buds are thinking why are you just having one when there are several to be had. I'm a commitment phobe at times and a flight addresses this issue. I'm able to have a lot of beers and my commitment to any of them is kept to a minimum. My taste buds and phobia are happy.

What can I say...once I break the seal it is on from there for the rest of the night. My trips are a little less with a flight. A night full pints and I spend most of time in line for the ladies room.

This one is easy. I don't artlessly chug my beer... I experience my beer. Sometimes I experience too much of it. Especially when it is beer I can't get anywhere else. We have all been there and done this. I make no apologies for this. I have learned that my body and head thank me when I tone it down. Flights are an excellent way to do this. I still get to drink and experience a lot of beers but with less punishment later.

Do you enjoy flights or prefer pints?

My friends know that I love beer and will visit any brewery while in any city. Six new breweries just opened in Ballard. I managed to visit 4 of them and the beer, patrons and staff were great. Each one served up pretzels or peanuts for you to munch on while you drink. The best part, though, is you can bring your own food in with you.

Reuben's stole my heart because they served up three different IPA beers. A close second was Northwest Peaks, third was Hillard's and finally Populuxe. None of these are huge breweries which I liked. Populuxe, who serves a really good Saison, only does three barrels at a time. You can tell the brewers and patrons are passionate about beer and will talk it all day long.  I was bummed that I wasn't able to get to Peddler or Urban Family but they will be for next time. Along with Maritime Pacific and Hale's Ales.

Reuben's
Hillard's
Northwest Peaks
Populuxe
Urban Family Brewing
Peddler



http://www.king5.com/food/Ballards-beer-scene-exploding-with-6-new-breweries-187225321.html