Despite the swarms of tourists encircling its Pike Place Market location and the mountains of beer kitsch inside their bar, locals should be visiting this landmark brewery. Pike Brewing opened in 1989 and it is still locally owned (unlike some of the city's other craft pioneers—cough, Elysian, cough). Even if Pike isn't the hippest brewery, they nail the classic craft styles. Their Pike Stout has big roasted malt and chocolate flavors, a balanced bitterness, and the smoothness that all stouts should have. Even at 7 percent alcohol, it's still not too heavy to split a pitcher of it. LESTER BLACK