A cult Seattle brewery combining heavy metal attitude with world-class wild ales, saisons, and barrel-aged beers.
Holy Mountain Brewing takes its name from both Mount Rainier and the classic stoner metal album by the band Sleep, a dual influence that perfectly captures the brewery's blend of Northwest reverence and heavy metal attitude. Founded in late 2014 by Mike Murphy and Colin Lenfesty, who met while working at the now-defunct Schooner Exact Brewing, the operation quickly established a cult following in Seattle. The original Interbay taproom, located in an industrial stretch near Pier 91, eschews the typical warm, wood-heavy Pacific Northwest pub aesthetic. Instead, it offers an austere, whitewashed warehouse space with high ceilings, concrete floors, and minimalist floating concrete tables, all set to a soundtrack of heavy metal. This 21-and-over space feels almost monastic, directing all attention to the complex liquids rotating through the taps.
The brewing program at Holy Mountain is defined by a deep devotion to oak, wild yeast, and mixed-culture fermentation. Unlike many modern breweries that rely almost exclusively on stainless steel tanks, Lenfesty and Murphy utilize oak foeders and salvaged wine and spirits barrels to coax complex, rustic flavors from their beers. Their flagship Brettanomyces saison, The Goat, is brewed with barley, rye, oats, and wheat, then aged in a foeder for months to develop a dry, peppery complexity. Another staple, The Seer, showcases how aggressive dry-hopping with Galaxy hops interacts with their house saison yeast and Brettanomyces. Despite their reputation for wild and sour ales, the brewers also excel at clean, hop-forward styles. Kiln and Cone, their ever-rotating house pale ale, delivers a bright, citrusy punch that rivals any fresh-hop beer in the city, while their crisp lagers and rich, roasty stouts prove their mastery over traditional styles.
In July 2023, Holy Mountain expanded its footprint by opening a second taproom in the residential neighborhood of Phinney Ridge, located at 7011 Greenwood Avenue North. While the original Interbay location remains a strictly adult-only sanctuary for focused drinking, the Phinney Ridge outpost is an all-ages, dog-friendly space designed to welcome the local community. This neighborhood spot features a clean, white-tiled aesthetic reminiscent of the original brewery but with a brighter, more accessible atmosphere. Twelve rotating taps keep locals supplied with fresh cans, bottles, and draft pours, ranging from delicate table beers to massive, barrel-aged imperial stouts. From patrons lining up at the Interbay warehouse for a limited bottle release to neighbors enjoying a quiet pint on Greenwood Avenue, the focus remains on meticulously crafted, uncompromising beer.
The industrial Interbay taproom is strictly 21 and over, while the Phinney Ridge location welcomes families and pets. Check their website or social media for the latest bottle releases, which often sell out on the day of release.
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