Why: Ghost Runners Brewery was established in 2012. The 10-barrel brewery distributes its handcrafted beers, along with exclusive, seasonal specialties to bars and restaurants throughout Washington and Oregon and offers a unique tasting room experience with a small selection of food items made fresh and provided by Farrar’s Bistro twice a week.
What I tried: With just three food items on the menu, it was an easy choice — the layered bean dip with chips. Unfortunately, that is what most tasters choose and the supply was depleted. So, I settled on the hummus with vegetables and pita bread.
The combination of hummus with jicama, carrot, and celery sticks, Kalamata olives, grape tomatoes and petite pita triangles are served lunch-pack style in a plastic container. Everything was fresh without any dry edges and the portion size was just right to accompany a pint.
Atmosphere: The brewery and gathering space occupies two units in the industrial center, which provides two roll-up doors for patio-style snacking. Picnic tables with benches accommodate several guests, and there are stools at the bar. String lights are stretched across the gathering portion of the space, which cozies it up under the tall ceiling. Stained wood pallets and a grass shade cover a portion of the wall where swag is displayed. A pingpong table is set up at the far end where a collection of artwork is displayed against unfinished, taped drywall. Large screen TVs provide entertainment. Overall, the space is clean, inviting and tastefully assembled.
Dining Out review: Ghost Runners Brewery
Hours: 4:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 3 to 9 p.m. Friday; 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Where: 4216 N.E. Minnehaha St., Suite 108, Vancouver.
Contact: 360-989-3912 or www.ghostrunnersbrewery.com. You may also find Ghost Runners Brewery on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Untappd.
Health score: Ghost Runners Brewery does not have a working kitchen. Farrar’s Bistro, which provides food for the brewery, received a score of 15 on June 9. Zero is a perfect score, and Clark County Public Health closes restaurants with a score of 100 or higher. For information, call 360-397-8428.
Menu highlights beyond what I tried: Pre-packaged chips and goldfish are available, as well. You may also bring your own food in to enjoy with Ghost Runners’ refreshing brews and cider.
Other observations: On my visit, Roberto was tending the taps, and I found him to be friendly and knowledgable about the industry and a congenial ambassador for the brewery.
Ghost Runners T-shirts, racerback tanks, hoodies and hats are available for purchase. Free Wi-Fi is accessible. Pingpong is played on Tuesdays for fun and competitively on Wednesdays. The tap room may be rented for private events (see website for details). Ghost Runners Brewery will be joining the Waterfront with a brewpub in 2018.
Cost: Food items are 50 cents, $5 and $8. Non-alcoholic drinks are 75 cents to $1.50. Brews are served mostly by the pint, on-tap cost $4.75 to $5.50. Nitro beer is $4.75. Cider is $5.75. Beer and cider to go (32-ounce and 64-ounce) costs $8 to $23. Ghost Runners growlers are available in a 64-ounce stainless steel for $69 and 64-ounce glass for $7.75 as well as a 32-ounce glass for $5.25.
