The Kitsap Peninsula is home to award-winning craft breweries like Silverdale’s Silver City Brewery, Valholl Brewery in Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island Brewing. These and more are only a hop, skip and a jump away on the natural side of Puget Sound.

Cruise on over on a Washington State ferry to one of our waterfront towns where tasty food and beverages await. VisitKitsap.com has a great selection of waterfront lodging options for a spur-of-the-moment spring getaway.

Slippery Pig’s unique and tasty brews include Norwegian Sunburn Amber Rye, Bollocks Rye Pale, Rhubarb IPA, and Hogs Breath Honey Wheat. If you’re into barrel aged beers, head to Silver City Brewery and Tap Room on the west side of Bremerton for Bourbon barrel aged Old Scrooge, Big Magnificent Bastard Scotch Ale or Time Goddess Imperial Stout. But wait! There’s more!

Craft beer lovers have two or more great reasons to head on over to the Kitsap Peninsula and hangout. The newest addition to the craft beer community is Deep Draft Brewing in Gorst. It took some time for partners Linda Seymour-Sweet and George Wood to pull it off but finally, Deep Draft Brewing is open and features German-style brews in a nautical setting.

The name Deep Draft honors the deep water ships that have been an integral part of Puget Sound’s history, particularly the Kitsap Peninsula, homeport to USN aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport also known as Torpedo Town USA.

The name, the garden gate and the brews all have a maritime theme. Cozy up to a Keelhaul Kolsch, Old Salt Alt, or Prop Wash Pilsner in the taproom, outdoor garden or the nearby Wigwam Pub & Texas BBQ. An added bonus – while sipping some suds, reading the beer descriptions will educate landlubbers on how to speak like a sailor.

As an example, the Prop Wash Pilsner was named for “the froth (known as the wash) coming off of a shiny bronze propeller. We have found that standing on the fantail (the back of the ship), staring down at the wake a ship leaves as she cuts through the water gives a sailor a peaceful, contented feeling.”

Located at 3536 W. Belfair Valley Road in Gorst, the taproom is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The rest of the week, you can enjoy Texas style BBQ and a Deep Draft beer at the adjacent Wigwam Tavern. www.deepdraftbrew.com

Much like Deep Draft Brewing, Crane’s Castle Brewing Company began with home brewing in the garage and after years of planning and hard work, they opened for business late last year. The owners are parents, so this is a place where families hangout.

The atmosphere owners Dan and Megan Kranenburg created is decidedly German and reminiscent of a German beer hall. Kids entertain themselves playing cornhole or another game in the toy corner, while you look on sipping a stein of pilsner made from great-grandfather Johann Otto Lang’s recipe.

Their German-style lagers are fermented at lower temperature, stored at cooler temperatures which contributes to the smooth, mellow taste of the pilsner, Dark Helmet Schwarzbier and Doppel Troppel Bock.

In addition to lagers, Crane’s malty ales are also subject to cool maturation for fuller body and mellow finish. Beers to try are an Irish Red Ale and the Primus Robust Porter. Hoppy ales are fermented warm and forego the cool maturing process for hoppy aromas and flavors in the Dragonfly Amber, Prerequisite India Pale Ale, or Double Major Imperial IPA. Crane’s Castle is located at 1550 NE Riddell Road in Bremerton and open every day. Outside food is ok.

The Kitsap Peninsula is just a relaxing ferry ride from the Seattle area or by the scenic Tacoma Narrows or Hood Canal bridge; the perfect place for an impromptu holiday from the hectic urban scene. Click here for a WA State ferry schedule.

A mid- or weekend getaway will give you plenty of time to unwind with a pint and a pretzel. Nearly every town on the Kitsap Peninsula is located on the water with warm and welcoming hotels nearby, beautiful scenery, shops and eateries for all tastes and budgets.  For more information on events, dining and lodging options, check out VisitKitsap.com