Washington Brewers Festival a Huge Success! Thanks for Coming!

The 2010 Washington Brewers Festival was a resounding sucess for the Washington Beer Commission and craft beer lovers everywhere.
The wet weekend weather certainly did nothing to dampen the spirits of thirsty attendees! Nearly 2,000 folks came out on a sunny Friday evening to enjoy some exclusive Washington brews and jam to Flowmotion on the music stage. More than 5,500 showed up on an overcast Saturday and lines were long for the Black Raven and Northern Lights taps most of the day. The "Buzz Cart" was a big hit as well. On Sunday we all got a bit wet but nearly 4,500 were on hand to celebrate Father's Day and watch "Cowboy Ross" of Iron Horse Brewery win the Keg Toss Championship.
All-in-all a fantastic weekend. Many thanks to the volunteers who helped make this great beer tasting event happen for the fifth year at St. Edward State Park.
So many great craft beers, such a short weekend...See you next year!

Kenmore Mayor to Tap the First Keg Friday at Washington Brewers Festival!

Kenmore Mayor David Baker will tap the first keg to open the Washington Brewers Festival on Friday, June 18, at 4pm!
A reminder that Friday features Washington Beer exclusively and the 40 brewers on hand will be serving some unique and delicious beers on that first day of the weekend event. Friday is also 21+ only.
Flowmotion will hit the stage at 7pm Friday and don't forget to check out the Buzz Cart, Putting Contest and Full-Pint Beer Garden, all new for this year's festival.

Perfect Beer Drinking Weather Forecast for Washington Brewers Festival!

Check out the weather forecast for the Washington Brewers Festival this coming weekend! Mostly sunny, nearly 70 degrees and virtually no chance of rain! Shorts and t-shirts...and great Washington Beer! See you there.

Join WABL (WAshington Beer Lovers) at the Washington Brewers Festival!

WABL members will receive a few perks at the Washington Beer Commission's annual Washington Brewers Festival. WABL members will receive a special WABL t-shirt, a tasting glass and a bonus token, plus they will get to try a special WABL Beer (a token required for each taste) available exclusively to WABL members. While supplies last! WABL membership lasts for a year and the discounts, bonus tokens, special beers to try and unique opportunities just keep on coming! WABL membership is a steal at just $25.

Get Your Discount Tickets to the Washington Brewers Festival Now!

Just a reminder that the on-line ticket discount for the Washington Brewers Festival ends on Saturday, June 11 at midnight. The online price will go from $20 to $25 on Sunday, June 12!

Remember you can still get a $20 discount ticket by visiting the ticket outlets below while supplies last!

Tap House Grill
550 106th Ave. NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 467-1730

Tap House Grill
1500 6th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 816-3314

7 Seas Brewing
3207 57th Street Court NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(206) 851-5586

99 Bottles
35002 Pacific Hwy. S. A102
Federal Way, WA 98003
(253) 838-2558

The Beer Authority
12716 Lake City Way, NE
Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 417-9629

Big Time Brewery
4133 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 545-4509

Black Raven Brewing
14679 NE 95th Street
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 881-3020

Bottleworks
1710 N 45th St., Suite 3
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 633-2437

Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen
601 W Holly St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 752-3377

Diamond Knot Brewing
621A Front Street
Mukilteo, WA 98275
(425) 355-4488

Elliott Bay Brewing Co.
4720 California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 932-8695

Elliott Bay Brewing Co.
255 SW 152nd St.
Burien, WA 98166
(206) 246-4211

Full Throttle Bottles
5909 Airport Way S.
Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 763-2079

Hale's Ales Brewery
4301 Leary Way NW
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 706-1544

Harmon Brewing
1938 Pacific Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 383-2739

Hood Canal Brewery
26499 Bond Rd. NE
Kingston, WA 98346
(360) 297-8316

Mac & Jack's Brewery
17825 NE 65th St.
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 558-9697

Malt & Vine
16851 Redmond Way
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 881-6461

Mountain Homebrew & Wine Supply
8520 122nd Avenue NE
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 803-3996

Pike Brewing Co.
1415 1st Ave.
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 622-6044

Pyramid Alehouse
1201 1st Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98134
(206) 682-3377

Redhook Ale Brewery
14300 NE 145th St.
Woodinville, WA 98072
(425) 483-3232

Double D’s Bar & Grill
7211 Northeast 181st Street
Kenmore, WA 98028
(425) 483-9606

Cider anyone? Six Cideries at This Year's Brewers Festival!

Be sure to check out the expanded Cider and Wine tent at this year's Washington Brewer's Festival, June 18-20, at St. Edward State Park in Kenmore.
The six featured cideries include Finnriver Cidery, Snowdrift Cider, Tieton Cider Works, Westcott Bay Orchards, Red Barn Cider, and the just added Wild Fire Cider, believed to be the only organic cidery in the western U.S.!
The two wineries this year are both from nearby Woodinville. Festival regular Patterson Cellars will be joined by William Church Winery as we add options for those who come with craft beer lovers but who would like a palate pleasing option.
See you at the Washington Brewers Festival!

Washington Brewers Haul in 22 Medals, Including 7 Gold, at NABA!

The winners of the North American Beer Awards (NABA) announced last Friday in Idaho Falls, Idaho, included a twenty-two medal haul by Washington Brewers! The competition, put on by the North American Brewers Association is know to be one of the highest regarded craft-beer judgings in the nation each year (this was year 14).
Congratulations to our Washington Brewers, seven of whom won Gold!
Also of note, if you like Scotch Ale, Washington brewers swepth the category!

Gold Medal Winning Washington Brewers:

Ram Brewery, Tacoma, Auntie Esthers Best Bitter
Walking Man Brewing, Stevenson, Pale Strider
Rock Bottom, Bellevue, Hop Bomb
Old Schoolhouse Brewery, Winthrop, Hooligan Stout
Laht Neppur Brewing Co., Waitsburg, Piper Canyon Scotch Ale
Silver City Brewing, Silverdale, Old Scrooge
Ram Brewery, Seattle, Big Horn Blonde

For a list of all award winners: http://www.northamericanbrewers.org/winners2010

Three of the Top 10 U.S. Brew Pubs are here in Washington! Including #1 Boundary Bay!

According to New Brewer Magazine and the Brewers Association rankings, Washington has three of the Top 10 Brew Pubs measured by beer produced with more than 25% sold on the brewery site. Congratulations to #1 Boundary Bay Brewery in Bellingham, #5 Elysian Brewing Co. in Seattle, and #8 Scuttlebutt Brewing Co. in Everett! Complete Top 10 is below.

All three of these brewers will be on hand at the Washington Brewers Festival, June 18-20, at St. Edward State Park! Don't miss it!

Top 10 Brew Pubs in the U.S.

#1 Boundary Bay Brewery, Bellingham, WA
#2 Natty Green's Pub and Brewing Co., NC
#3 Laurelwood Public House and Brewery, OR
#4 EmpyreanBrewing Co., NE
#5 Elysian Brewing Co., Seattle, WA
#6 Hopworks Urban Brewery, OR
#7 Hofbrauhaus Brewery and Biergarten, PA
#8 Scuttlebutt Brewing Co., Everett, WA
#9 Moylan's Brewery and Restaurant, CA
#10 Opa Opa Steakhouse and Brewery, MA

It's June! Where is the Sun?

My guess is that ol' Mr. Sun is making plans for the middle of June and the Washington Brewers Festival! More than 50 great Washington Craft Brewers will be on hand June 16-18 at St. Edward Park in Kenmore to serve up more than 100 of the freshest, local, award-winning beers in the land.

This event is family friendly on Saturday and Sunday and there is a great kids play area and expanded wine and cider selections so bring the whole gang! Sunday is Father's Day and you can be sure that dad deserves a beer! Tickets make a great gift. Take the free shuttle in and I'll see you at scenic St. Ed's!