Growing up in Bothell, driving to, through or around Lynnwood was on the same list as having my toenails removed. Unfortunately in order to visit one great Washington brewer – Diamond Knot - you’ll have to do it… unless you take the ferry to Mukilteo, which might be the better choice.
Derrick and I (Adam) hit up The Red Hot last night to pour more delicious amber liquid down our soup coolers. Sergio Leone’s spaghetti western Once Upon a Time in the West was being projected for movie thursdays, so the already limited seating was, well limited. But standing has never detoured us from beer, we ordered our brews and enjoyed.
Speaking of enjoying, if you haven’t seen the movie, go check it out. It is pretty epic… also, they just don’t make them like they used to… see Claudia Cardinale. Now, back to beer. 
Personally I was delighted to see Diamond Knot IPA on tap. It’s a medium bodied IPA with a fantastic balance between the Columbus hops, citrus, dry taste and its perfectly drinkability. It’s not the slap in the face IPA that you can only have a thimble of, but rather the “I could have a few of these because I’m not driving and I’ve got nothing to do tomorrow” type of beers. I love a cloudy beer and when the florescent beer signs radiate their soft magical light it diffracts nicely… aka looks cool when photographed. Oh and they taste nice too.
There was much discussion amongst other TRH goers about beer making processes, hops and all things beer, which I know nothing about. All I know is that some beers taste good, some don’t – which probably isn’t the best for a small town food critic, but alas that taste buds know what they like, and that would be the Diamond Knot IPA. I don’t see it too often in the South Sound, so get down to The Red Hot while it’s still on tap. Don’t drive through Lynnwood. It’s the Lakewood of the north.
