There’s a difference between crows and ravens but I won’t bore you with the technicalities. If you’re truly interested, this is one of the better explanations that popped up in the Google search results. Basically, ravens are much bigger than crows and they speak a different language. Crows say, “caw-caw” and Ravens say, “gronk-gronk” (according to Dr. Kevin J. McGowan). At any rate, for the sake of this review we’ll focus on the raven, though I’ll likely use the terms interchangeably like most of us do (my apologies to the National Audobon Society and to bird fanatics worldwide).Side note: Both my mother and step-mother owned bird identification handbooks from the Audobon Society when I was a child. Needless to say, I can identify my fair share of birds. Big dork, I know. But every once in awhile it comes in handy and on occasion I sound impressive. Moving on...
A trip to Black Raven for the first time evokes skepticism. It’s a brand new establishment (opened April 2009) hidden within a business park making it easy to miss by the casual passerby. The signage on the front is unassuming and the brewery is housed in an off grey office building which looks identical to the half dozen that surround it. Fortunately, the corporate vibe is quickly alleviated upon entering the front door. The smell of hops and yeast awakens your senses and it is immediately apparent that this place is all about the beer. It’s important to note that Black Raven is a taproom, not a restaurant, so don’t arrive expecting to order food. However, they do provide nuts and pretzels to munch on and if you’re really hungry you can have food delivered from a local pizza and pasta joint.
From a design standpoint the tasting room is unique, clever, and subtle. The owners have successfully developed around the image of the raven, offering a dimly lit space with natural wood accents and a rustic feel. It’s a quiet and casual environment which is a welcomed relief from the hustle and bustle of your everyday restaurants and bars.
If you’ve read any of the previous editions of What’s on Tap you’d know that my palate is quite IPA-centric. I’ve tasted dozens of them over the years and Black Raven’s Trickster IPA is easily within my top five. It offers a “tricky” blend of a variety of hops which includes; Chinook, Magnum, Simcoe, Amarillo, and Cascade with an ABV of 6.8%. Yeah, it’s pretty much a party in your mouth. I asked the server how it’s selling and she replied that they’re barely able to keep up with the demand. Glancing around the room I noticed that nearly everyone had a pint of it in front of them. Apparently she was telling the truth…
Aside from the IPA they brew a small but diverse selection. All of their beers have clever names derived from a variety of mythologies. Each comes accompanied with an interesting story that coincides with the name and the beer’s characteristics. You can check them out here. Overall, the beer is outstanding and the atmosphere is cozy. If you're looking for a typical bar scene this isn't the place for you. If you're in search of a quaint neighborhood brewery and enjoy IPA's, it's a must.
Okay. Writing about their IPA is making me incredibly thirsty so I’m going to wrap this up. Lucky for me, Black Raven Brewing Company is only about two miles from my house as the crow flies. The plan is to fill up the growler and indulge this evening, my friends. TGIF.
Here’s my final assessment:
Atmosphere = 3.5 hops
Food = NA (given that Black Raven is a tasting room)
Beer = 4.5 hops
Service = 3.5 hops
Final Tally= 3.5 hops(Scale of 1-5 hops, 5 being the highest mark)
The Raven's Nest Taproom @
Black Raven Brewing Company
14679 NE 95th ST
Redmond, WA 98052
blackravenbrewing.com
Out of curiosity… What’s your favorite raven? I rank my top three as follows:
1) The Raven – Edgar Allen Poe
2) Black Raven IPA
3) Ray Rice – Baltimore Ravens (totally dominating for my fantasy football team)
To the Counting Crows, so close.
