Issaquah: A Hike and a Beer

We then checked out a hike I’d read about on Tiger Mountain, just east of downtown Issaquah. It’s supposed to be a beginner hike, but although the terrain was easy to walk, it was pretty much straight uphill the entire time. On the hike (5 miles roundtrip) you climb from an elevation of 500 to 2500 feet. We were shaded by the canopy of trees for most of the hike and ran into several friendly off-leash dogs and their owners along the way. After walking uphill for 25 minutes, we turned around and headed back. It’s definitely a hike we would do again.

After the hike, we headed into Issaquah for a visit to the Issaquah Brewhouse, which we fell in love with on the last visit.

I remember telling Nate, “I want to live here.”
Nate: “You mean in Issaquah?”
Me: “No, right here, on this barstool.”

They are a Rogue brewhouse, and feature something like 25 Rogue beers on tap. Besides having a great selection of beers, they have OUTSTANDING food! Imagine this: Kobe meatballs stuffed with Rogue Creamy blue cheese, smothered in rich marinara, nestled on a homemade soft hogie roll. Yup, that was our lunch yesterday. Compliment that with a mixed green salad with roasted hazelnuts, dried cranberries, and blue cheese, served with toasted beer bread, and you have a memorable meal.  Oh, and the Rogue Hazelnut Brown Ale is a must! The last visit, we were served by a knowledgeable, laid-back, yet attentive guy. The bartender that served us this time was kind of a tool, but we enjoyed each other’s company nonetheless.

Visit #1: 5 stars
Visit # 2: 3 ½ stars (the food was equally good as last time)

It really goes to show how much the service can impact your experience.
We headed back home for a much needed rest. Toady, we are on our way to Salem to hang out with Noah and his lovely new (yea!) wife, Kim.