The spread.The Place:

Brouwer’s Cafe, 400 N. 35th St., 267-2437, FREMONTThe Hours: Daily, 3-6 p.m.The Deal: Not to undermine the importance to a serious beer nerd of getting Brouwer’s famous rotating draft list for a dollar off–but since their list is already so meticulously curated (on any given night, they have over 60 beers on draft alone) that they can’t do much more than a dollar off drafts, the creativity in Brouwer’s “Power Hour” really lies in their food menu. From the uncomfortably erotic-sounding Vern’s Warm Nuts (spiced nuts with bacon crumbles, $3) to the Power Hour Cheese Plate ($5) to the elk burger ($9) to a few bucks off their soup and salad ($7), their Power Hour fare is versatile, going easily from an after-work snack to an early dinner. Rotating options include a sausage du jour and a chef’s choice (for example, on Friday it was hoisin duck with an IPA sauce).After their beer selection, their secondary appeal is indisputably awesome Belgian-style frites, which during Power Hour join with a beer-cheese sauce, curried ketchup, and diced onion to make the bourgiest cheese fries that have ever graced my mouth ($5). An insanely buttery pretzel, also $5, comes with the same thick, tangy cheese sauce and stone-ground mustard. I’ve never had a Bavarian pretzel in Europe before, but it’s definitely the richest one I’ve had stateside.Oh, a dollar off wells is nice, too, if for some reason you’re going to Brouwer’s for wells. (If only they’d do something with their scotch list for happy hour!)The Digs: Brouwer’s is a dark yet regal expanse of a restaurant. A favorite of beer enthusiasts, this Flemish joint is a key player in local brew holidays like Seattle Beer Week, which starts Thursday, and host of their own festivals devoted to the art of beer, such as the Hard Liver Barleywine Fest.Between its iron-and-stone decor and its basic but comfortable wooden furnishings, Brouwer’s keeps it medieval, but not overpoweringly so. The ambience is robust but casual. You can treat yourself here, but you don’t have to act like you are.Since it’s such a local favorite (plus, depending on your selections, a little on the spendy side), it’s best to get there early. This makes the Power Hour ideal: before the dinner rush, subsequent bar rush, and extra dollar signs.The Verdict: The food, while for the most part in smaller portions than Brouwer’s usually serves, kicked my ass; in turn, the thick craft beers I washed it down with snuck up on me with their ABV. Although not the cheapest place, there is an amazing value to be had here. Just make sure you can get to a couch afterwards.Follow Voracious on Twitter and Facebook.