Seattle-area Beer Festivals to Add to Your Calendar
Bottoms up! Get your drink on at these upcoming beer festivals
By Danny Calkins August 6, 2015
Beer: The cause of — and solution to — all of life’s problems. It might be the truest thing Homer Simpson ever said.
It’s only fitting that we celebrate this enticing elixir with grand festivals that showcase our affections for it (at least until the next morning). We’re talking beer festivals here, and there are some great ones just around the corner to put a hop in your step as we head toward fall.
1. Bushnell Craft Brewery’s 1st Annual Founder’s Day Party
August 15, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Bushnell Craft Brewery 8461 164th Ave. NE, Redmond
The original Founder’s Day celebrated America’s good fortune during the Revolutionary War. This Founder’s Day event has nothing to do with that, but rather a celebration of Bushnell’s one-year anniversary. And it does offer a socially acceptable excuse to double-fist various craft beers on a Saturday afternoon.
Celebrate the milestone in a family-friendly environment with live music, games and seven craft-made beers on tap. There’s even a kids area with Jenga, Connect Four, Ladder Golf and Nintendo 64!
Free entry (although $10 buys you unlimited fry-bread tacos!).
2. South Sound Craft Beer Festival
August 29, times vary
Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall & Plaza, 2727 E D St., Tacoma
All you need to know is 30 Washington breweries, including Backwoods Brewing, Paradise Creek Brewery and Wingman Brewers will be at the event, pouring more than 100 craft beers. (Caution: Please do not try to drink all 100 in one day because you will die.) But feel free to sample away! Plus there’s food and live music.
21 and older only. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. $5 admission for designated drivers (includes free water and soda).
3. Hops and Crops Music and Beer Festival
September 12, noon-6 p.m.
Mary Olson Farm, 28728 Green River Rd., Auburn
Country boys and girls gettin’ down on the farm — the historic Mary Olson Farm, that is. Enjoy food and live music while sampling more than 30 craft brews and ciders from local breweries such as Airways Brewing, Fremont Brewing and Schilling Cider. You can even tour the farmer’s marketplace and meet the farm animals! Word on the street is that Mary has a little lamb with a fleece as white as snow (sorry, I had to).
21 and older only. Tickets $15 (must purchase online before noon September 4, 2015) or $20 at the gate.
September 18, 5 p.m.-midnight
September 19, 11 a.m.-midnight
September 20, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Fremont neighborhood in Seattle (entrance located at the intersection of Phinney Ave. N and N 35th St.),
Translated from German, “Oktoberfest” roughly translates to Octoberfest. With 80 different microbrews and German beers to taste, liter steins and a massive beer garden, this is one event you don’t want to miss. And for the first time ever, kids are allowed in the Tasting Garden (Sunday only) for root beer tasting and other fun activities. Prost!
21 and older only Friday and Saturday (kids allowed Sunday; free admission with a paying adult). $25 general admission before September 18 ($35 after).
October 1, 6 -9 p.m.
Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N
If you’re like me, you’ve always dreamt of partying with a family of adorable penguins. Well, Brew at the Zoo is where dreams come true. Sample imports, domestics, microbrews and ciders from more than 40 different breweries. If that’s not enough, the event also includes music and tasty treats available for purchase, as well as access to Zoomazium, Jaguar cove and penguin exhibits.
21 and older only. $30 ($70 for VIP tickets, which includes 5 p.m. early entry, a souvenir tasting glass, complimentary buffet and more).
October 2, 4 -10 p.m.
October 3, 2 – 8 p.m.
Elysian Airport Way Brewery, 5510 Airport Way S
You’ve probably carved a pumpkin before, but have you ever poured beer in it and served it to party guests? If not, this is the fest for you. In addition to more than 80 pumpkin beers ready for sampling, there’s also a several-hundred-pound pumpkin that is scooped, scorched, filled with Elysian pumpkin beer, sealed and conditioned, and tapped for all to enjoy.
21 and older only. $28 day pass ($50 for two-day pass).
October 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18, times vary
Downtown Leavenworth
I took German as a foreign language requirement for four years in high school and learned two things: My German accent is terrible and Germans know their beer! Leavenworth’s Oktoberfest, which takes place on the first three Fridays and Saturdays in October, is a massive event and one of the most popular in the state so make sure to book your hotel early if you plan to stay overnight.
All ages welcome until 9 p.m. (kids get in free with an adult), $10 for Fridays or $20 for Saturdays.
October 23, 6 – 9 p.m.
2211 Alaskan Way
Seattle boasts some of the finest brewers in the state. And for the third year in a row, you have the chance to taste myriad local brews at Brew Seattle, Seattle magazine’s local-breweries-only tasting event that also includes games, music and giveaways. While you’re sampling the suds, vote for your favorite. The winning brewery will be crowned Brewer of the Year, a title currently held by Pike Place Brewing Co.
21 and older only. $25 tickets.
9. Roostertails and Ales: Oktoberfest Beer Tasting at the Museum
October 24, 6 -9 p.m.
Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum, 5917 S 196th St., Kent
This Oktoberfest event actually takes place in October. Seafair may be over, but don’t miss your chance to check out some vintage hydroplanes while sampling from eight different Northwest microbreweries. Oh, and there’s also bratwurst, soft pretzels and live music.
21 and older only. $20 advance purchase ($25 at the door).