3 Standouts at No. 6 Cider Taproom

Our libational expansion continues unabated with new distilleries, breweries and bars.

Recently, No. 6 Cider joined the ranks, and its flagship cider, True, is available in more than 100 bars and restaurants near Seattle (Vancouver, Wash., and Portland and Bend, Ore. coming soon). And in March, the No. 6 Cider Taproom opened right next to its cidery, on the busy Elliott corridor between Ballard and downtown. I love the idea of a bar cuddling up with a producer, and so stopped by to check it out. Here are three things that stood out.

The Ciders: Stop into this pub to taste No. 6’s cider offerings right where they’re made. When I was in, there were six on tap, and all are made from 100 percent cold pressed Washington apples, including intriguing pours like Honey Ginger cider (light on the tongue with a solid ginger finish), and the Juniper (sure to be any gin-lover’s favorite). But my top pick is its  flagship bev True: not too sweet, very crisp and very clean. You can do a tasting flight of all 6 for $12 (3-ounce pours).

The Space: It’s located in a hidden spot off of the street–though it was larger than I thought it’d be and would definitely make for a good after-work spot for co-workers or for a group of friends chilling on a Saturday afternoon. It’s got a rustic and industrial vibe, with tall tables made from tree cross-sections as well as a long communal table made from a Civil War-era lathe (which you can write on with chalk), a big mountain scene behind the bar, a sturdy bar with a heated bar rail, and a fairly pristine shuffleboard table. Perhaps best of all is the window facing out back, where you can watch the trains roll by.

The Non-Cider Extras: Though it’s in a cidery, you’ll find more beverages than just cider, which gives it more of a pub feel, as opposed to just a tasting room. There was an assortment of beers on tap, almost all of which were local, highlighted by the Odin Brewing Company’s Odin’s Gift, a rich amber ale that has a hint of juniper (it might be nice back-to-back with the Juniper cider). There are also a few wines. Oh, while the food menu is quite small, you can fortify with a pretzel and the snazzy No. 6 Honey Ginger cider mustard, or a Ploughman’s platter.