FOLLOWUP: Best of Hands Barrelhouse announces its opening date

(Photo courtesy Best of Hands Barrelhouse)

9:09 AM: Long-in-the-works Best of Hands Barrelhouse has just announced its opening date for 7500 35th SW, former home of John’s Corner Deli (past and future home of the cow on the roof):

Craft beer drinkers near and far – rejoice! Best of Hands Barrelhouse, West Seattle’s newest microbrewery, will open March 8, 2019. Casual imbibers to beer connoisseurs can look forward to a comfortable taproom and outdoor patio to discover beer designed around Washington state ingredients and terroir.

West Seattle owners and brewers, Chris Richardson, Gregory Marlor, and Nicholas Marianetti’s brewery will showcase a range of rotating beer styles, with a focus on mixed-fermentation barrel aged sours and European inspired farmhouse ales. The goal of the brewery is to make beer that embodies a sense of place by utilizing the highest quality Washington state and Pacific Northwest ingredients whenever possible, and forging relationships with independent raw materials producers. The mission of the brewery is to produce the best handcrafted product we can while providing eclectic offerings to our guests.

Nicholas Marianetti and Gregory Marlor have most recently been serving the West Seattle community as beertenders at Alaska Junction’s beer bar and bottle shop, The Beer Junction. The two of them are level II Certified Cicerones®, and they will be sharing brewing and beertending duties at Best of Hands Barrelhouse.

Best of Hands Barrelhouse is located at 7500 35th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126 and can be found
at www.bestofhandsbarrelhouse.com.

Hours of operation:
Sunday- 3-10 pm
Monday- 3-10 pm
Tuesday- CLOSED
Wednesday- CLOSED
Thursday- 3-10 pm
Friday- 3-10 pm
Saturday- 3-10 pm

ADDED LATE WEDNESDAY: Nick from Best of Hands sent answers to some questions that came up in comments:

-We are a 21+ establishment

-Well behaved pets will be allowed on the patio only

-We are planning to host rotating food trucks but have not yet developed that program

-Lastly, the parking lot on 35th beside the patio, as well as Clearview’s parking lot, will be available to our guests after 5 pm on weekdays and anytime Saturday and Sunday. There is usually ample street parking besides, and we’re conveniently located on the 21 bus line.

As for the cow (whose name is Merriam), Nick says she will be back before they open.

West Seattle Hipster January 30, 2019 (9:19 am)

They have done an amazing job with the building, best of luck to them on a successful venture.

Amy January 30, 2019 (9:20 am)

WOO HOO! Thanks for the update!

Smiley January 30, 2019 (9:20 am)

Can’t wait!! Will it be kid friendly?

Ariel Felton January 30, 2019 (2:40 pm)

Last fall they said yes when I asked the person working on the building, but that could have changed.

Eric O January 30, 2019 (9:27 am)

Yes! Can’t wait! These guys know how to brew…we are all so excited for them (and for us!). Cheers, here’s to many future beers.

Eric O January 30, 2019 (9:29 am)

Yes! Can’t wait! These guys know how to brew…three cheers to many future beers here.

Bob January 30, 2019 (9:30 am)

Any news on what’s going on in the old Fresh Bistro space? I’ve been hearing some work in there…

WSB January 30, 2019 (9:49 am)

We’ve reported twice, including yesterday again, that Agave is taking that space.

Amy January 30, 2019 (9:41 am)

Any news on whether this will be family friendly or +21?

Amy M January 30, 2019 (9:51 am)

WOO HOO! Thanks for the update!

Chris January 30, 2019 (9:52 am)

WooHOO. I am looking forward to the opening. I was going to ask, but upon visiting the website I am confident the Cow will return too:)

RayWest January 30, 2019 (9:57 am)

Great news! The cow on the roof is coming back. I was so worried about that dang thing. Seriously, I will definitely give these guys a try. Sounds like a nice addition to the neighborhood.

Wseattleite January 30, 2019 (10:01 am)

Yeah! And yeah for the cow! Let it rise again.

Liz Steen January 30, 2019 (10:08 am)

They’re keeping the cow on the roof! Love it and welcome to the neighborhood!

Peter January 30, 2019 (10:14 am)

Woo-hoo! Nothing like a brewery a block from home, especially in a neighborhood with very little else of any interest. I can’t wait to try them out!

Swede. January 30, 2019 (10:21 am)

Nice! More beer to the people!

SaraB January 30, 2019 (11:37 am)

We in Gatewood are super excited about the opening! Welcome to the neighborhood. :)

Lala January 30, 2019 (12:00 pm)

Great addition to the neighborhood and also YAY THE COW IS COMING BACK. Excited to try your brews!

James January 30, 2019 (12:11 pm)

NO, HELL NO, I’m still pissed about not having the corner store, this particular area does NOT need another douchy, bearded, hipster hangout that serves overpriced, crappy beer. Additionally, what is the fascination with people wondering if traditionally “adult only” establishments are/will be “kid friendly”?It’s a “brewhouse/bar/lush hangout”, why the hell would you bring your kids? Will they be offering kid friendly drink specials? Apple Juice and Tonic? Smashed Pea Stout?Seriously, leave your kids at home and let adults have some alone time w/o bringing your spawn along with you.P.S. NO I don’t hate kids

Yma January 30, 2019 (12:24 pm)

Um @James you do come across as pretty negative. The corner store was ok, but probably didn’t do much business in the past decade.What do you think the corner/close area needs?
West Seattle Hipster January 30, 2019 (12:27 pm)

That is the best comment of the year (so far).
PangolinPie January 30, 2019 (12:37 pm)

Thank you – please, please no more kid playgrounds in bars. Yes, looking at you folks who let your toddlers run around where adults are having adult beverages. If you want to drink while you parent your kids do it at home.
- Paul January 30, 2019 (2:48 pm)
  
  Plenty of 21+ places in WS for you grumps
- Chris Dyer January 30, 2019 (10:25 pm)
  
  Amen, and I have kids.
Charlie January 30, 2019 (12:46 pm)

Boo hoo 😭😭😭😢😢😢😭😭😭
Tracey January 30, 2019 (1:17 pm)

Thanks James. Perhaps someone in the neighborhood has an idle teen who would be willing to babysit?
Ariel Felton January 30, 2019 (2:49 pm)

A family-friendly restaurant is what I’d like in the neighborhood. We have literally nowhere we can walk with our 6yo for lunch or dinner that’s closer than Westwood Village!To those who are unhappy about parents asking for friendly spaces for their whole families, there are a plethora of drinking establishments that are 21+. Requesting just a few where we can try a new beer without having to pay $50 for a babysitter doesn’t seem like too much to ask. We’re not in there getting sloppy drunk, we’re trying to enjoy and support a neighborhood business without paying a premium for the privilege.
- toute February 2, 2019 (7:41 pm)
  
  I loved the cow store Oh I know it didn’t have a lot of what you wanted but it had deviled eggs and fried chicken and a cow on top and my daughter would say “Papa can we go to the Cow Store?”She of course wanted to get her sugar fix .Be very glad it hasn’t turned into another inappropriate for the neighborhood “Clear View”Maybe when she is twenty one she will say … yes you guessed it. Just another three and a half years to wait for that one. Sigh!Nick seems to have a sense of humor in any event.
WW Resident January 30, 2019 (3:39 pm)

LOL!!!
Kram January 30, 2019 (10:42 pm)

Wow. I think someone with a beard really hurt James somehow. It’s just a little beer joint. Buy your cigarettes and top ramen at Wallgreens up the street.
mok4315 January 30, 2019 (11:12 pm)

I second the nomination for best comment of the year 😂
Nick January 30, 2019 (11:59 pm)

@James – did you hear that our first beer is actually called Another Douchy, Bearded, Overpriced, Crappy Beer Served at a Hipster Hangout!? I can’t promise you it’ll fill the corner store shaped hole in your heart, but I think such a coincidence implores you to stop by and give it a try.
- Calires January 31, 2019 (12:10 am)
  
  I don’t live near this bar, but I will be making it a point to visit because this comment is so good.
  - WestyD January 31, 2019 (8:31 am)
    
    I concur with Calires. Nick’s response is pure gold.
- Tracey January 31, 2019 (11:43 am)
  
  I’ll be there on the 8th at 3pm for the first taste of this brew. And to Best of Hands, thanks for doing your best to be good stewards of our little corner of West Seattle. Attempts at off street parking, early closing hours and for listening and responding to our banter on the Blog.
- Jethro Marx January 31, 2019 (12:09 pm)
  
  I feel like the corner store that was was better then most of you thought. It was like a mini grocery store and we are saved from mourning its loss by the hope that this place might be alright too, especially if I can still buy tortillas and eggs there. Only ADBOCBSHH is a bit of a mouthful to call that first beer, how about ‘James’s bitter.’ He doesn’t mean to be rude, I’m sure, yet as they say, accidental rudeness occurs alarmingly often.
  - cwit February 1, 2019 (1:27 pm)
    
    +1 vote for a future bitter ale named James Bitter.
- WW Resident January 31, 2019 (12:27 pm)
  
  If you actually name it that, I’ll buy some
- A Different James January 31, 2019 (10:51 pm)
  
  Encase this in amber and seal it in a bunker for future generations to reference.
Nolan January 31, 2019 (10:18 am)

That’s way saltier than I’d aim for, but the core of it is about right. Beer halls aren’t a place for kids to run around and scream in — glad to hear the place will be 21+ — and you can’t trip on the sidewalk without falling into one so the value of yet another one is dubious. Good luck to the new owners, let us know when that food truck program starts so I know if I want to drop by.
RayWest February 1, 2019 (3:31 am)

James, I’m sorry your corner grocery is gone, but business is business. Stores close for a variety of reasons–retirement, new opportunities, bankruptcy, etc.–but don’t blame these guys for taking over a vacated space and offering something new. Businesses continually come and go and that’s just the nature of any commercial/residential area. I don’t like it when my favorite stores go under, either. Give these guys a chance before prejudging them and resorting to unfounded characterizations. In the overall scheme of things, they’re a pretty small footprint that won’t have a negative impact on your neighborhood.
- CMT February 1, 2019 (11:46 am)
  
  I LOVE James’ comment BUT do not think this place will serve crappy beer! Love Nick’s comment as well and I wish you a ton of success!
Elle Nell February 2, 2019 (10:20 pm)

James- yes yes and a HELL YES!! Thank you!! As a multi decade hood member… I’m a bit over these cats floatin in and bring INsANE attitudes to locals whose neighbors business would be appealing in my opinion. Couple examples— local and westy. Sh—y attitudes make your neighbors talk bad to ALLNthe people they know… SO, please have some humbleness and realize you are new in a neighborhood that deserves some respect, especially since you took our Johns market, which was the best in the West..!!

Yma January 30, 2019 (12:18 pm)

Been watching & waiting. Yay!bringing back the cow is bringing back a bit of West Seattle. Thank you. We’ll be there.

Tracey January 30, 2019 (12:39 pm)

Excited to give them a try especially on a beautiful Spring day. Parking for customers? I know that question is perhaps ludicrous in Seattle. Being a stones throw away, I’m very pleased they will be closing at 10pm and not 1am. Thanks for that.

Yma January 30, 2019 (1:02 pm)

I think it’s great to have adult only places.i also think -for places we can walk to, maybe not all 21+

HelperMonkey January 30, 2019 (1:06 pm)

please god let it be 21+. I can’t even go to Beer Star anymore because there are too many kids and it is SO LOUD and obnoxious.

WSB January 30, 2019 (1:19 pm)

Regarding the age restrictions, though it’s not mentioned in this announcement, the operators said in a comment on our first report almost 2 years ago that it would be an adults-only establishment.

https://westseattleblog.com/2017/02/west-seattle-beer-the-best-of-hands-barrelhouses-plan-for-ex-corner-deli-space/#comment-2077395

Ariel Felton January 30, 2019 (2:50 pm)

Interesting. They told me when I walked by last fall that it would be family-friendly and dog-friendly, at least the patio. And that they’d be trying to get food trucks in.

KM January 30, 2019 (2:06 pm)

I’m hoping they use that outdoor parking area as a patio of sorts, kind of like Reuben’s old taproom.

Jeff January 30, 2019 (2:50 pm)

Super happy to hear this news. Hopefully it stays open later than 10PM once things get hopping.

Sky King January 30, 2019 (7:56 pm)

Actually, let’s hope they don’t extend their hours any later, please. Except for what is barely a handful of businesses fronting 35th, this is a quiet, residential neighborhood. The hard-working neighbors are trying to sleep after 10pm to get up early for work the next day and won’t appreciate loud people wandering through the residential streets to find their cars after 1pm (‘cuz that’s where patrons will end up parking). Thank you, guys, for being good neighbors and closing at 10pm. I’m really happy to see you taking over the space and doing something nice with it – that corner store might have been nice once, but it was a grungy s***hole for the entire 25+ years I’ve lived just a block from it, so I appreciate the changes you’re making. Welcome to the neighborhood, thanks for the amazing work you’re doing to make the place look so great and, especially, thanks for keeping the cow. I’ll walk over and buy a beer once you’re open!
- MJC January 31, 2019 (11:05 am)
  
  Dilly, Dilly

T Rex January 30, 2019 (2:55 pm)

James, I thought I was the only person who called people’s kids spawn. Don’t have any, won’t have any but I do like kids that are well behaved in a restaurant. Especially don’t like parents who allow their kids to NOT behave in a restaurant. But kids do NOT belong in a bar like setting. Who takes their kids with them to go drink beer? That is just weird to me.

J-Rod January 30, 2019 (10:23 pm)

I agree 100%. Kid-friendly brewery? lol.

ktrapp January 30, 2019 (3:39 pm)

I may have missed it, but did anything ever come of the investigation into who stole the cow? I recall it likely being a “senior prank” at one of the high schools, and they were encouraging the responsible parties to come forward or they would contact the police. But I don’t recall seeing anything else after that.

Cow_stealer69 February 1, 2019 (1:09 pm)

As far as I know there never was any sort of investigation, and the miscreants are still at large.
CowStealer69 February 1, 2019 (1:37 pm)

As far as I know there was never any sort of investigation, and the miscreants remain at large.

Graciano January 30, 2019 (3:50 pm)

I agree with James maybe not in such bold aggression but I do agree. Bars/Breweries are for adults and yes not everyone that patronizes one is an alcoholic but why would you want to show your kid(s) how to down a beer until the wee hours of the night…when I was a kid I remember waiting in the car for my dad to come out of the bar and all the drinking that went on at home, it was not a happy time, yes I grew up in the 60’s and I guess it was “OK” for a parent back then to do that (NOT) but come on leave the bars to the adult, children can learn on their own in due time or hopefully not is the better choice.

momosmom January 30, 2019 (5:35 pm)

Kind of scary that you would take an innocent child to a bar and then choose to drive home or even walk home after having a few drinks.

Hahahahah January 31, 2019 (3:39 pm)

Thanks for the laugh. “Innocent child”! HAH! Scary that you would have a drink and then walk home! HAH! You’re comic gold, you are. Please never stop.
- momosmom February 1, 2019 (11:13 am)
  
  @hahahahah…walking impaired is just a dangerous as driving… the parent not paying attention to the child and the child could dart out into the street…take it from there.Anyways IMO children do not need to be at a bar/brewery if you can’t get a babysitter or afford one then you don’t need to go out and if you really need a adult beverage then go to a restaurant that serves adult beverages.

MO January 30, 2019 (6:43 pm)

Do you really think nobody drinks beer between noon and 3? If you do you don’t know too many old retired folks who would show up every day!

melissa January 30, 2019 (7:52 pm)

Er, aren’t The West and Locol just down the street? And aren’t both of them 21+ establishments? Why, then, all the hue and cry over the wish for a place that accomodates kids?

melissa January 30, 2019 (8:20 pm)

*The Westy. Dang it.
KM January 31, 2019 (9:34 am)

Tap Station used to allow children. Maybe some parents in the neighborhood can work together to reopen it? That space is still empty.

WSB January 31, 2019 (12:13 am)

Nick from Best of Hands has sent answers to some of the questions that have bubbled up in the comments here. I’ve added them at the end of the story above. – TR

SaraB January 31, 2019 (2:18 pm)

Now that everyone has aired their feelings about kids and beer in proximity to one another, I hope we can shift our focus to the important question about whether Merriam is a steer or a cow. Lots of people appear to believe cow, but I recall differently.

Question Authority January 31, 2019 (6:09 pm)

Cows are for milking, steers are for the BBQ. What goes with BBQ? BEER!

skeeter January 31, 2019 (3:28 pm)

Bummer it’s 21+. Most breweries welcome children/families and I take my kiddo. I totally respect the decision of the owners though. Their call.

cwood January 31, 2019 (6:22 pm)

Hope there is at least one dark beer…..

Cory January 31, 2019 (7:01 pm)

Are they brewing onsite? As a homebrewer I’d be super interested in a brewery tour and being able to pick the brain of the brewers. I love the focus on farmhouse ales and sours, can’t wait to try your lineup.

Jeannie February 1, 2019 (12:54 am)

Is the name “Merriam” a nod to SW Webster Street right around the corner? By the way, I look forward to the day when beards go out of style. In the meantime, I hope these guys wear beard nets when they’re brewing. Other than the snark (do they have vegan, gluten-free beer, etc.), I do look forward to trying this place. But I’ll skip the mashed peas stout.

Erin98126 February 1, 2019 (1:06 pm)

LOVE LOVE LOVE the history of the building on your website and the way you are incorporating Merriam in your logo and keeping her on the building!!! Thank you for keeping some of old West Seattle and mixing it with the new. My husband and I will become regulars.

K to the F February 1, 2019 (1:31 pm)

Excited for the opening! We’re with-spawn in my house so are bummed as well they’re 21+ but will hopefully get there at some point. I love a kid-free place as much as the next person (oh, Beer Junction and Hudson, we miss thee) but am happy most establishments are more open to it lately. There’s no harm in having a beer with dinner with a kiddo around and, in my opinion, we’re way too Puritanic in the U.S. when it comes to this stuff. I’m happy my kid will see us drink responsibly rather than shelter him for year only to have him binge drink once he’s finally free in college.We’re also not Beer Star fans for the way they are laid out and the madness that ensues. Our fav family-friendly, beer-centric spot is now Pit Stop in Burien.

Naomi February 2, 2019 (10:26 am)

I live 2 blocks away and whether or not I frequent the establishment, I’m really happy that it’s a place that will bring people together and be social instead of yet another doctor’s office or nail salon. Variety makes everything more interesting.

Sorry, comment time is over.