Cloudburst Brewing Seattle: Full Review & Guide

【シアトル醸造所探訪】Cloudburst Brewing完全レビュー – 元Elysianブルワー独自のホップ個性が光る人気クラフトビール

This article is based on past tasting experiences and was updated in June 2025.

Hi, I’m Riho, a craft beer enthusiast. Seattle is known as a mecca for craft beer, with many uniquely distinctive breweries scattered throughout the city. Among them, “Cloudburst Brewing” deserves special attention. In this article, I’ll share everything about this brewery’s appeal, recommended beers, and access information.

About Cloudburst Brewing: Overview and History

Cloudburst Brewing was established in 2016 and is a relatively new brewery, but its creative approach to beer-making quickly made it one of Seattle’s most popular breweries. Founder Steve Luke is a former brewer at Elysian Brewing, drawing on his experience at Elysian before it was acquired by a major corporation to run his own brewery.

Company	Cloudburst Brewing
Location	2116 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98121, USA（本店） 5456 Shilshole Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107（Ballard店）
Founded	2016
Founder	Steve Luke (former Elysian Brewing lead brewer, 5 years)
Major Awards	・2021年 Great American Beer Festival – Brewery and Brewer of the Year（1,001-2,000 barrels category） ・Happy Little Clouds: 2021年GABF銀メダル、2022年・2023年World Beer Cup銅メダル、2024年GABF銅メダル ・2025年 World Beer Cup ゴールド（Peaked in High School / Strong Red Ale部門）
Official Website	https://cloudburstbrew.com/

Beginner’s Guide: What Does It Mean for a Brewer to Go Independent?

In the craft beer industry, it’s not uncommon for passionate brewers to gain experience at large breweries before going independent to realize their ideal brewing vision. Steve Luke is one such brewer, leveraging his experience at Elysian to create beers with greater creative freedom. Cloudburst’s philosophy of “no flagship beers” means every visit brings new discoveries – that’s its greatest appeal.

Craft Beer Tap List Menu

Cloudburst’s appeal lies in its constantly changing tap list. Every visit brings encounters with new beers. Here’s the tap list from my visit. Particularly noteworthy are the impressive IPA variations and the consistently highly-rated pilsner.

• Happy Little Clouds: Contemporary American Pilsner ($7) – Magnum・Saaz・Mandarina・Citra・Mosaic・Stratahops, GABF award-winning flagship beer
• Famous Last Words: German Style Pilsner ($7)
• Snoozefest: IPA – Citra Single Hop（10種・9農場・5収穫年のCitraをT-90/Lupomax/Cryoの3形態で使用）($7)
• Exchanging Pleasantries: IPA – Mosaic & Azacca ($8)
• No Experience Needed: IPA – Mandarina, Hallertau, Calista, Huell Melon ($8)
• Party 4 U: IPA – Galaxy, Nectaron, Mosaic & Citra（complex combination of Southern Hemisphere x North American hops）($8)
• Good Problem: DDH WCIPA – Krush, Columbus, Mosaic ($8)
• Unrecoverable Error: DDH NZ WCIPA – Nelson, Riwaka & Motueka（using only New Zealand hops）($8)
• Vampire Empire: Baltic Porter ($7)
• Totally Oatally: Oatmeal Stout ($7)
• Jokes on You: Bourbon Barrel Aged Milk Stout – 10oz pour ($8)
• Darkenfloxx: Hazelnut Coffee Imperial Stout（fan-voted recipe）($8)

Beginner’s Guide: What Are IPA, DDH, and WCIPA?

IPA stands for “India Pale Ale,” a beer style characterized by hop bitterness and aroma. DDH stands for “Double Dry Hopped,” a process using more hops during post-fermentation to intensify hop aromas. WCIPA stands for “West Coast IPA,” meaning an American West Coast-style IPA characterized by clear, sharp bitterness and citrus aromas. In contrast, the recently popular Hazy IPA has a turbid appearance with a soft mouthfeel and fruity aromas.

Beer Reviews

Here are my reviews of the beers I tried during this visit. What characterizes Cloudburst’s beers is that hop flavors stand out regardless of style. In their IPAs especially, combining multiple hop varieties creates complex, multi-dimensional flavor profiles.

1. Happy Little Clouds (コンテンポラリー アメリカン ピルスナー)

We started with a toast over this American Pilsner. It’s crisp yet thoroughly infused with hops – a distinctly American pilsner with an incredibly refreshing finish. It was just what my tired body needed after a long Friday. The light body makes it incredibly drinkable. This beer offers a modern interpretation that sets it apart from traditional pilsners. Using six hop varieties – Magnum, Saaz, Mandarina, Citra, Mosaic, and Strata – this award-winner strikes an exquisite balance between tropical aromas and grassy bitterness.

2. Party 4 U (IPA – Galaxy, Nectaron, Mosaic, Citra)

Next, I moved on to the IPA. This American Hazy IPA delivers a pleasant punch of hop and phenolic aromas. The bitterness was stronger with a slightly fuller body. The way the bitterness asserts itself in the finish is quintessentially Cloudburst – a pleasantly persistent grassiness. Four hop varieties – Australian Galaxy and Nectaron paired with North American Mosaic and Citra – masterfully combine Southern Hemisphere tropical notes with North American citrus character, creating layered, three-dimensional aromas.

3. Vampire Empire (バルチック ポーター)

The Baltic Porter was wonderfully dry and aromatic, with a delightful way the flavors unfold. I could honestly drink this endlessly. I loved how it balanced lager-like dryness and aromatic complexity with the rich body expected of a dark beer. Notes reminiscent of coffee and dark chocolate maintain an exquisite balance with a smooth mouthfeel.

4. Darkenfloxx (ヘーゼルナッツ コーヒー インペリアル スタウト)

Finally, I shared a Darkenfloxx with a friend. This beer is brewed from a special recipe chosen through an annual fan vote. This year’s version had restrained sweetness, with complexity arising from the interplay of persistent hop character and bold coffee intensity. It’s a stout featuring rich hazelnut and coffee aromas with a deep, full-bodied character.

Flavor Element	Happy Little Clouds	Party 4 U	Vampire Empire	Darkenfloxx
Bitterness	3/5	4/5	2/5	3/5
Sweetness	1/5	2/5	3/5	4/5
Acidity	1/5	1/5	1/5	1/5
Body	2/5	3/5	4/5	5/5
Aroma Intensity	3/5	5/5	4/5	5/5

What Makes Cloudburst’s Beers Special

The defining characteristic of Cloudburst’s beers is their use of hops. The finish is always distinctive – even in dry beers, the hop flavors linger extensively. The hop bitterness persists almost persistently, and this is what captivates so many fans. This brewery is especially recommended for hop lovers.

Beginner’s Guide: The Role of Hops

Hops are a crucial ingredient that give beer its bitterness and aroma. The amount, variety, and timing of hop additions dramatically affect a beer’s flavor profile. Traditional beers tend to use hops for balance, while American craft beers tend to push hop flavors to the forefront. Cloudburst possesses advanced techniques that showcase hop character while maintaining drinkability, continuing to experiment with new approaches – such as combining Mosaic from 9 farms and 5 harvest years in their 2025 “All the Mosaics Please.”

Taproom and Access Information

Cloudburst Brewing currently has two taprooms. Each has its own unique appeal and is worth visiting.

• Cloudburst Downtown (Western Ave): The main location in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood, just a 2-minute walk from Pike Place Market. The retrofitted historic building creates a charming atmosphere. You can also view the brewing equipment.
• Cloudburst On Shilshole (Ballard): The second location opened in 2019. Located in the Ballard district, it’s surrounded by numerous other craft beer bars, making it an ideal location for brewery hopping.

How to Order at Cloudburst Brewing

Cloudburst uses a counter-order style. Even if you’re not confident in English, knowing these basic phrases will help you feel at ease.

Step 1:	“Can I have a pint of [beer name]?” or “Can I try a flight?” to order
Step 2:	Choose payment method (card payment is standard)
Step 3:	Show ID (passport, etc.) if age verification is required
Step 4:	Pay the total including tip (typically 15-20%)
Step 5:	Pick up your beer at the counter

Try asking “I’m new to craft beer. What do you recommend?” and the staff will kindly guide you. If you have a preferred beer style, saying something like “I prefer IPAs” will help them make better suggestions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I drink Cloudburst beer in Japan?

A: Currently, Cloudburst beers are primarily available at their taprooms and in the greater Seattle area. They are known for their commitment to serving fresh beer locally. Be sure to try them in person when visiting Seattle.

Q: Is food available?

A: Cloudburst itself only serves beer, but food trucks are often parked nearby and you can bring in food purchased from them. There are also many restaurants near the Ballard location.

Q: Do I need a reservation?

A: There is no reservation system – you can visit directly. Weekend evenings can get crowded, but generally there’s no need to wait in line.

Q: Can I bring children?

A: Those under 21 are welcome to enter, but alcohol service is limited to those 21 and over. The atmosphere is welcoming, with many families visiting.

More Seattle Craft Beer Information

Seattle has many other appealing breweries worth visiting alongside Cloudburst. For more details, check outSeattle craft beer information.

Visit Impressions and Summary

I’ve visited Cloudburst four times now, and the tap list changes every time, always offering new discoveries. The beers that showcase brewer Steve Luke’s creativity and skill are absolutely worth trying for any craft beer lover. The distinctive IPAs that highlight hop character provide an exceptional experience of American craft brewing at its finest. Named GABF “Brewery and Brewer of the Year” in 2021 and winning a World Beer Cup gold medal in 2025, this is a brewery at the peak of its game.

When visiting Seattle, be sure to check out Cloudburst. Whether you’re a beer beginner or an expert, you’re sure to find a beer that suits your taste.

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