September in Washington’s Yakima Valley isn’t just your typical transition to fall. For the Yakima Valley, the smell of freshly harvested hops wafts through the air as we all get ridiculously excited about fresh hop beers. It’s a time of year to slow down, visit your favorite breweries and celebrate the agricultural abundance of the area. But can you do that with kids in tow? Absolutely! Whether you live in the valley, or you’re taking a drive to visit and raise a glass to fresh hop season, you can indeed visit the hop capital of the world while keeping your kids entertained at the same time. Talk about a parenting win.
Single Hill Brewing Company
The largest brewery in downtown Yakima, Single Hill is a community space for everyone to gather. There’s a solid selection of all-the-time beers, along with non-alcoholic options and regular food trucks to pair dinner or a snack with your brew. The indoor kid’s area offers plenty of opportunity for play, along with a large outdoor space with games.
Bron Yr Aur Brewing Co.
This Naches staple has been a favorite family stop since 2016. There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, along with an expansive grassy area for the kids to run around. But this place isn’t just about the beer or the space – it’s also about the food. Bron Yr Aur is known for its incredible pizza and its specialty cheese zombie sandwiches and tomato soup.
Bale Breaker Brewing Company
Located just outside of the city of Yakima in Moxee, Bale Breaker knows a thing or two about hops. A family-owned and run brewery, this hop hub offers truly fresh-off-the-farm sips featuring estate grown hops. Families are welcome on the outdoor patio and lawn, and there’s a food truck option for a bite most afternoons and evenings.
Varietal Beer Company
It’s well worth the drive to Sunnyside to enjoy a visit at Varietal. With go-to classics, unique experiments and incredible sours, there’s a beer on tap for everyone to enjoy. The kids have plenty of room to roam outside, and there’s often a food truck on-site for the whole family to grab a bite for dinner.
Cowiche Creek Brewing Company
Derrick and Maria Norberg certainly own their slogan “beer made the farmer way” as they utilize estate grown barley and hops in their brews. And as they share their farm-made beers with the public, they also welcome visitors out to their property in Cowiche with stunning valley views and an incredible food menu. Adults can grab a pint to enjoy in the taproom, or join the kids outside as they play on the expansive lawn.
Wanderland Zillah
Nathan Cooper opened Wandering Hop off of N. 20th Ave. in Yakima in 2017. But the location of the brewery and taproom quickly became too small. Since then, Cooper has opened another location in the valley, Wanderland Zillah, which has more space for visitors of all ages to roam. The space is complete with stunning vineyard views, a firepit and even a children’s play area inside.
