Nashville / Seattle / Portland - Advice + Recommendations!

[Stan_da_man]

Come September, I am over in Indianapolis for a wedding as my wife has been asked to be a bridesmaid. We're stopping there for a few days whilst she catches up with friends and family (I'm British, she is American). After that, we are heading down to Kentucky for a day, more to stock up on bourbon(!), before driving further south to Nashville.

Myself and my wife have never been to Nashville so any recommendations on things to see, places to go, where to eat/drink would be awesome. Also debating which distillery to go to, Jack or George!

After Nashville, we are flying to Seattle for a few days and then driving south to Portland so once again, any recommendations on things to see, places to go, where to eat/drink would be awesome.

This trip also ties in nicely with my 30th and I would love to get to a couple of gigs whilst I'm over in the States. I'm big into rock, alternative, hard rock, grunge, whatever it is called nowadays! Any clubs in Seattle that would have live bands playing this sort of thing?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[AboutSweetSue]

Black Rabbit is a cool place. Tennessee Brew Works is my favorite brewery (2 for 1 drafts on Wednesday night, 6-8). The Lovelace Cafe is an excellent restaurant for traditional southern foods. The Flying Saucer has an enormous beer selection.

The Basement, Exit/In, Marathon, Acme Feed and Seed, The Ryman....all great venues, but there are dozens more all around the area that cater to all different types of music.

I've lived in Nashville and in the vicinity of it all my life, 34 years, and I can say that there is a ridiculous amount of things to do. If you'd like to know any specifics, feel free to ask.

 

[roller]

Downtown Nashville (Broadway Avenue and areas nearby) is nothing but a tourist trap. Think Times Square + a bunch of crummy cover bands.

East Nashville and Green Hills neighborhoods are more enjoyable, but aside from a handful of great guitar stores, they don't offer much that's unique to Nashville.

Come September, I am over in Indianapolis for a wedding as my wife has been asked to be a bridesmaid. We're stopping there for a few days whilst she catches up with friends and family (I'm British, she is American). After that, we are heading down to Kentucky for a day, more to stock up on bourbon(!), before driving further south to Nashville.

Myself and my wife have never been to Nashville so any recommendations on things to see, places to go, where to eat/drink would be awesome. Also debating which distillery to go to, Jack or George!

After Nashville, we are flying to Seattle for a few days and then driving south to Portland so once again, any recommendations on things to see, places to go, where to eat/drink would be awesome.

This trip also ties in nicely with my 30th and I would love to get to a couple of gigs whilst I'm over in the States. I'm big into rock, alternative, hard rock, grunge, whatever it is called nowadays! Any clubs in Seattle that would have live bands playing this sort of thing?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[AboutSweetSue]

Downtown Nashville (Broadway Avenue and areas nearby) is nothing but a tourist trap. Think Times Square + a bunch of crummy cover bands.

East Nashville and Green Hills neighborhoods are more enjoyable, but aside from a handful of great guitar stores, they don't offer much that's unique to Nashville.

Broad is cool for a quick visit, if you're into experiencing the tourist experience. There have been some pretty cool bars built, and I'd say it's improved from 10-15 years ago....in some areas. Of course, I rarely make it down there anymore. Dudes from all over go buy boots and a cowboy hat, dressing about as touristy as you can get, looking to get into trouble while completely liquored up. If you like people watching, though.....it's a hell of a performance.

 

[MJ5150]

For Seattle, hit up a Dick's Drive In. They've been in Seattle since the 50's and make a great burger with greasy skin on fries. All they have on the menu are hamburgers, fries, milkshakes, ice cream by the scoop, and beverages. Only one location has seating, the others are just a counter to order and go or stand around and eat with the locals. Who knows, you might see Macklemore, Sir Mix A Lot, or even Jerry Cantrell there.
If you like whiskey, I recommend Radiator in Pike Place Market. Amazing whiskey collection and good food.
13 Coins is a Seattle chain with good food and they're open 24 hours. Way better than Denny's, and each location is decorated with lots of cool Seattle history.
Cupcake Royale makes some really good cupcakes, espresso shakes, and bacon crack cookies which are sugar cookies cooked in bacon grease with bits of bacon in them.
Tofully in Chinatown if you like Korean food, and Dim Sum King while you're in the hood. Best dim sum in town served in a no nonsense diner. If you want the higher end dining experience with your dim sum, Din Tai Fung in the Pacific Place shopping center is your ticket.
Stay out of Starbucks. Slate is the best coffee joint in Seattle, but Uptown Espresso and Caffe Ladro are great too.
On the way to Portland, check out the Smokin Oak in Vancouver (yes, there is a Vancouver in Washington State too) for authentic Texas bar b que. They even have Shiner Bock on tap.
I could go on and on, but there's other Seattle folks who can contribute too.

-Mike

 

[Stan_da_man]

This is all great guys, keep it coming.

 

[Winslow]

We've got all kinds of family in Nashville. I really like the Parthenon in Centennial Park:
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[Stan_da_man]

What are some decent brewery's that I should hit up whilst I'm visiting?

 

[AboutSweetSue]

What are some decent brewery's that I should hit up whilst I'm visiting?

We have over two dozen, last time I checked two years ago.

TN Brew Works has good beer, cool atmosphere with live music regularly. It's my number one for the specials and their Sweet Potato Stout.

Yahoo is a classic around here, and their beer (Dos Perros and Gerst) is reliably good, but they moved recently so I can't comment on the new location.

Blackstone is a classic as well, but they seem to have been forgotten a little.

Fat Bottom is a solid option as well. Of course, they moved as well, and I haven't seen the new spot.

Black Abbey, Jackalope and East Nashville Beer Works are all solid options too.

The Flying Saucer has over 100 beers on tap from all over.

If I had to pick one, TN Brew Works is where I'd send you. It's popular right now, good specials, food music, decent food...There are just so many breweries, and each makes quality beer. And, thank goodness, more are opting out of ridiculously hopped beer for more lagers, ales, and stouts. I don't know about where you're from, but IPA types beers are very, very prevalent here. They disgust me now. Used to love them, but you'll see we have a large selection of beers loaded with all kinds of variations of hops. Some to the point that it will be overwhelming.

Really, no matter the brewery you choose, you're bound to find some dud beers as well as some really, really good ones.

 

[Stan_da_man]

We have over two dozen, last time I checked two years ago.

TN Brew Works has good beer, cool atmosphere with live music regularly. It's my number one for the specials and their Sweet Potato Stout.

Yahoo is a classic around here, and their beer (Dos Perros and Gerst) is reliably good, but they moved recently so I can't comment on the new location.

Blackstone is a classic as well, but they seem to have been forgotten a little.

Fat Bottom is a solid option as well. Of course, they moved as well, and I haven't seen the new spot.

Black Abbey, Jackalope and East Nashville Beer Works are all solid options too.

The Flying Saucer has over 100 beers on tap from all over.

If I had to pick one, TN Brew Works is where I'd send you. It's popular right now, good specials, food music, decent food...There are just so many breweries, and each makes quality beer. And, thank goodness, more are opting out of ridiculously hopped beer for more lagers, ales, and stouts. I don't know about where you're from, but IPA types beers are very, very prevalent here. They disgust me now. Used to love them, but you'll see we have a large selection of beers loaded with all kinds of variations of hops. Some to the point that it will be overwhelming.

Really, no matter the brewery you choose, you're bound to find some dud beers as well as some really, really good ones.

That's good with me my friend. Here in the UK, the pint of ale or more commonly 'bitter' rules supreme. Low carbonation, dark amber in colour, more emphasis on the malts and little hop content, more used to balance out the malt flavours if anything - ABV normally between 4 - 5.5%.

I don't mind IPAs here - but in America they are just way too over the top. The hops take away from the overall flavour if anything and all you can taste is that huge hop bomb. As an example, your pale ales (APA) are similar to our IPAs.

 

[AboutSweetSue]

That's good with me my friend. Here in the UK, the pint of ale or more commonly 'bitter' rules supreme. Low carbonation, dark amber in colour, more emphasis on the malts and little hop content, more used to balance out the malt flavours if anything - ABV normally between 4 - 5.5%.

I don't mind IPAs here - but in America they are just way too over the top. The hops take away from the overall flavour if anything and all you can taste is that huge hop bomb. As an example, your pale ales (APA) are similar to our IPAs.

IPAs and their like are definitely over the top here, and they've gotten worse over the past few years. I do see more offerings of ales and lagers, even some more stouts recently that aren't all hopped to hell. But, still, a lot of breweries will go over the top on a few selections to the point of it being completely overwhelming. You are near drinking hop juice at that point. Quite a few breweries here are also very experimental. Their approach isn't to make a traditional beer, to improve on them or offer an excellent example, it's more of an experimental art to them in that they're looking to create wild concoctions separate from the norm. So, the downside, some of that art is approaching wild levels that I don't understand or care for. Wildwood Flower (could be wrong on the name) is a TN Brew Works concoction that is a good example of a strange, yet good, beer. But, every brewery has at least one with some being slightly different and others being very odd and disgusting.

I also forgot to mention Nashville Brewing Co. Est. 1859. They make an excellent black lager.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, in Nashville check out 3rd and Lindley if you're there on a Monday night. The Time Jumpers are the house band and Vince Gill usually sits in with them. Might not be your cup of musical tea, but the musicianship is superb. Get there early if you go.
I've also seen some great music along music row and the bands play from early in the afternoon till closing... for tips! There's also a lively street scene with a lot of excellent players. Made me wonder how good you'd have to be to make a living in 'Music City'.
Have fun!

 

[MJ5150]

In Portland, check out LABrewatory. A nano brewery that also has some other local breweries on tap.
I'm sure it's not unique to the Pacific Northwest, but it's quite a trend up here to open a taproom or taphouse. They may or may not brew themselves, but they carry a rotating selection from several nano breweries.
There's a couple joints like that in my town and it's a great time to check them out. Always something different.

As for breweries in Seattle, I like Pyramid. Elysian is popular, and for good reason.
If I had to pick one, I'd go to Holy Mountain. I like lagers, and they have one called Second Death that I enjoy.

-Mike

 

[AboutSweetSue]

+1 for Elysian. We carry their brews all the way over here. Good stuff.

 

[Passinwind]

After Nashville, we are flying to Seattle for a few days and then driving south to Portland so once again, any recommendations on things to see, places to go, where to eat/drink would be awesome.

Thanks in advance for any help.

If you are up for a short trip east of Portland to the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area I'd be happy to show you around. There are lots of interesting breweries (and not just pimping grapefruit beers), a few distillers with tasting rooms, and also a very popular winery circuit if you and/or your wife swing that way. But frankly, the outdoor stuff is even more compelling for many people. That starts about 20-45 minutes out of Portland, depending on where in town you start. When you have specific dates nailed down PM me and I'll try to point you toward some Portland shows as well. The Oregon coast is also a very worthwhile detour IMO.

 

[MJ5150]

(and not just pimping grapefruit beers)

Who does a grapefruit beer around these parts?
I just noticed Total Wine carries the Ruby Redbird from Shiner, so I've been buying that lately.

-Mike

 

[Passinwind]

Who does a grapefruit beer around these parts?

That's the colloquial term for many of the the typical "fruity" highly hopped IPAs and the like, especially the ones using Centennial or Cascade hops. I love those particular hops, but much more so in Scottish Ales or ambers like Bert Grant and Bridgeport used to do.

 

[AboutSweetSue]

Grapefruit in beer is an abomination. Just about one of the most disgusting beers I've ever had. Coconut is just about as bad.

Abita is near the only one that does fruit right.

 

[Stan_da_man]

That's the one good thing about UK beer - we don't have a huge choice but what we do, we do well. Give me a Butcombe Bitter or a Theakston XB any day over a fruity hopbomb.

 

[Passinwind]

Grapefruit in beer is an abomination. Just about one of the most disgusting beers I've ever had. Coconut is just about as bad.

Abita is near the only one that does fruit right.

Again, I wasn't talking about actual grapefruit, just a citrus hop profile.