Some breweries grow through expansion plans, investor decks, and carefully plotted strategies. Others begin with two people, an old neighborhood tavern, and the stubborn belief that details matter.
Four years ago, Nick Ladd and Jessie Quan opened Ladd & Lass Brewing inside Seattle’s former Fabulous Rainbow Tavern, bringing with them backgrounds in architecture, design, and the sort of creative problem-solving that turns empty spaces into places people want to return to. Since then, they have quietly built one of Washington’s most charming young breweries, producing beers that balance technical precision with an unmistakable sense of personality. Every label, every recipe, every tap handle seems to reflect the same guiding principle: thoughtful things tend to age better than fashionable ones.
That approach reveals itself throughout today’s flight. A World Cup-inspired pilsner built from ingredients sourced across the globe. A Pride pale ale brewed in support of Lambert House. A hazy IPA celebrating canine pageantry. A baseball-themed West Coast IPA. An English barleywine created to mark the brewery’s fourth anniversary. On paper, the lineup looks wonderfully eclectic. In the glass, however, a common thread emerges. Each beer feels intentionally designed, carefully considered, and distinctly its own.
Peaks & Pints Ladd & Lass Beer Flight
Ladd & Lass GOOOALLL!
5.7% ABV | West Coast Pilsner | Seattle, Washington
Some beers are built for contemplation. This one appears designed for sudden eruptions of joy from complete strangers. Crisp pilsner malt glides across the palate with remarkable precision before bright hop notes flash through like a perfectly timed counterattack, all supported by the clean snap that rice brings to the finish. Ingredients sourced from multiple corners of the brewing world lend a subtle international character, yet the beer remains wonderfully uncomplicated in its mission: refresh, repeat, celebrate. Light on its feet and endlessly drinkable, GOOOALLL! captures the peculiar magic of match day, when anticipation, optimism, and a cold glass all seem to arrive at exactly the right moment.
Ladd & Lass Keep Calm & Rainbow On
5.3% ABV | Hazy Pale Ale
Tropical fruit seems to arrive in technicolor here, spilling notes of passion fruit, mango, and bright citrus across the palate with joyful abandon. A foundation of oats lends a soft, cloudlike texture that allows the hop character to float rather than charge, creating an experience that feels vibrant without becoming overwhelming. The beer carries an easygoing confidence, balancing expressive aromatics with remarkable drinkability and a finish that remains crisp enough to invite another sip. Brewed in support of Lambert House, Keep Calm & Rainbow On feels like exactly what its name promises: welcoming, uplifting, and considerably brighter than the average day.
Ladd & Lass The Life of a Show Dog
6.8% ABV | Hazy India Pale Ale
This one seems to arrive freshly brushed, perfectly poised, and fully aware that all eyes have turned its direction. Waves of tropical fruit, ripe citrus, and soft mango drift from the glass before settling into a plush, haze-soft body that feels every bit as polished as the name suggests. Low bitterness allows the hop aromatics to linger and stretch out, revealing layer after layer of juicy character without ever becoming unruly.
Ladd & Lass Pitchers & Catchers
6.5% ABV | West Coast India Pale Ale
Citrus peel and pine needle leap from the glass with the enthusiasm of a crowd greeting the return of Cal Raleigh behind the plate. Centennial, Citra, and Simcoe hops layer bright grapefruit, tropical fruit, and resinous notes across a lean frame supported by just enough bready malt to keep everything grounded. The body remains dry and focused, allowing the hop character to stretch out confidently without becoming cumbersome or showy. There is a wonderful sense of timing to the whole experience, each flavor arriving precisely when needed before handing the spotlight to the next.
Ladd & Lass Year 4
11.8% ABV | English Barleywine
Four years is a perfectly reasonable excuse to brew something that ignores moderation entirely. Waves of caramel, toffee, dried fig, and dark fruit roll across the palate with stately confidence, carrying the sort of malt richness that seems designed for slow conversation and rapidly disappearing evenings. Beneath the luxurious layers, a thread of hop character provides brightness and structure, preventing the beer from drifting too far into decadence. The warmth is present but beautifully integrated, unfolding gradually rather than announcing itself all at once. Anniversary beers often look backward in celebration; this one feels equally interested in settling into the future, rewarding patience, contemplation, and perhaps the decision to order one more small pour.
LINK: Peaks & Pints beer and cider cooler inventory
