District Brewing, Mt. Vernon, two+ years old

Around the time the Covid pandemic began, spring of 2020, I went into blog hibernation on this site.  This was due to some google changes I didn't process, had nothing to do with masking up or getting tested or all those pandemic things.  New breweries that had been in the planning stages in 2019 managed to open in 2020 in spite of the challenges of that time.  One such was District Brewing, right here about five blocks from my apartment.  They opened in the late spring with pizza to go or eat outside and a choice of beers in 12-oz cans available from the get-go.  The site used to be the Lyric Theatre, a cinema back in the day, and they name their pizzas for classic old movies.  The beer names not so much, with one noble exception.  Sean Connery passed away in 2020 and District, then bringing out a rich, malty Scotch ale, named it Connery Scotch, a tribute to the Scottish actor.  

As pandemic restrictions eased up last year, indoor dining came back to District.  Two views from 

the balcony level, one out toward the Skagit River, with the Mount Vernon Farmers Market in the foreground, the other looking at the 15-barrel brewing system through the huge glass window wall. My next stop will be for a Red October pizza (Go, Phillies!) and a pint of Connery Scotch.  

(Visited many times since 06/20, most recently 10/17/22)
 

Glacier Brewhouse and the Great Alaska Beer Train

The Alaska Railroad, established and for many years operated by the federal government, was purchased by the state in 1985.  Headquartered in Anchorage, trains run north to Fairbanks and south to Seward and Whittier, where the big cruise ships dock.  In addition to scheduled runs, the railroad sets up special excursion trains with various tourism-focused companies.  

One such company, Glacier Brewhouse in downtown Anchorage, celebrates October with the Great Alaska Beer Train, a four-hour run along the Cook Inlet with fabulous views, delicious food, and of course plenty of beer. A $200 ticket buys you the experience, six half pints of different beers paired with the food, and the food, of course, brought to you at your seat.  Here is the menu for 2022: 

And this was how the bratwurst sausage was served--

The train doesn't cover a lot of distance in the two hours south, maybe fifty miles.  It does a turnaround and heads back to Anchorage at the same speed, with plenty of time to sip and savor the scenery and the beers.  The sixth token for a half point can be your choice after trying the five on the list.  I went back and had another strong stout!  Wish I had had a Seward's Folly to compare it to.  

I checked out Glacier's restaurant/taproom the next day.  They make at least a dozen beers so there were some good brews that didn't get to ride the train this year.

(Train ride 10/01/22)