Times are still a bit strange so it took me and Kim longer than normal to visit two new breweries in Seattle for the first time. Last weekend, on a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon, we checked out Wheelie Pop Brewing and Ladd & Lass Brewing.

I am happy to report that the beer was good at both places. Most importantly for new breweries like this, the beers were flawless. I don’t mean that as some glowing superlative; rather, I quite literally mean that in brewing terms I detected no flaws in any of the beers I tasted. That may seem like a low bar, but it is a great starting point and I’ve visited plenty of new breweries that missed that mark. I mean it as a compliment for a new brewery. Getting it right straight out of the gate is a worthy accomplishment.

I found the beers quite tasty, clean, and true to style at both breweries. The atmosphere was friendly and inviting as well. They both have that “taproom in the brewery” vibe. Pay either or both of them a visit soon.

Wheelie Pop Brewing

The latest addition to the Ballard Brewery District, Wheelie Pop Brewing is conveniently located on NW 50th Street, equidistant between Reuben’s Brews and Lucky Envelope Brewing. Wheelie Pop opened in December, just before Christmas. The brewery’s outdoor seating area opened earlier this month. Dog- and kid-friendly, with food available from the Trail Bend Taproom, which is right next door.

The brewery’s founders have both dabbled with motorcycle racing and you may recognize references to that in the brewery’s name, logo, and decor. If you know a couple things about the sport, you’ll recognize some subtle references in the beer names as well. The Daijiro IPL is an homage to a legendary Japanese racer who died tragically young in a racing accident (Daijiro Kato). The Ascari Amber is a reference to a major feature at a legendary racing circuit in Monza, Italy — a chicane called Variante Ascari. There are others.

Ladd & Lass Brewing

Across town in the University District, Ladd & Lass Brewing is now open in the former home of Floating Bridge Brewing at the corner of NE 45th Street and 8th Avenue, very near the legendary Blue Moon Tavern. Ladd & Lass Brewing also opened late last year. The taproom is family- and dog-friendly offering indoor seating only — there’s not really any room for patio seating. However, they do have shuffleboard.

The Ladd and the Lass are a husband and wife team, Nick Ladd and Jessie Quan. The two are long-time homebrewers who are excited to go pro. Unapologetically geeky about fermentation, the two promise to offer a wide range of beers, from session-inviting lagers to hoppy IPAs to mixed-fermentation creations. When I was there, they had eight beers on tap ranging from a hoppy pilsner to a dark mild and a coffee ale.