At last, a beer festival on the east side of the mountains

The Washington Beer Commission just announced that it will host the inaugural Spokane Oktoberfest, taking place September 24-26 at Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane. This will be the first official Commission-supported event to take place on the east side of the cascades. Spokane Oktoberfest will feature great beer from a number of Washington breweries, along with live Bavarian music and authentic German cuisine.

Expected to participate in Spokane Oktoberfest are a number of breweries not wholly familiar to those of us residing on the wetter side of the mountains. While many of us have sampled eastern-born beers from Iron Horse Brewing (Ellensburg) and Northern Lights Brewing (Spokane), fewer of us have tried beer from breweries like Laht Neppur Brewing (Waitsburg), Rocky Coulee Brewing (Odessa), Riverport Brewing (Clarkston), and Palouse Falls Brewing (Pullman). The complete list is provided in the press release below.

What’s more, Spokane Oktoberfest also provides an opportunity for east side residents to sample beer from breweries like Elliott Bay Brewing and Fremont Brewing, which otherwise rarely find their way over the mountains.


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For those who have not been, Spokane’s Riverfront Park is absolutely lovely. This event will see the park’s Central Meadow transformed into a Bavarian bier garten.

Located in downtown Spokane, near the Spokane Convention Center and Gonzaga University, there are plenty of lodging options. There are several hotels within easy walking distance of Riverfront Park. The closest are the Doubletree Spokane City Center and the Red Lion Hotel at the Park. For serious luxury and opulence, consider the historic Davenport Hotel, just three blocks from the park. Other nearby options include an Oxford Suites, a Travelodge, a Ramada, and a Holiday Inn Express. There are several others nearby. Use the Google.


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Here is the official press release from the Washington Beer Commission:

The Washington Beer Commission proudly announces

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Spokane Oktoberfest!

September 24 – 26, 2010 Ÿ Riverfront Park, Spokane, WA

The Washington Beer Commission will host its inaugural Spokane Oktoberfest on Friday, September 24th through Sunday, September 26th at downtown Spokane’s Riverfront Park. This will be the first craft beer tasting festival for the Washington Beer Commission on the east side of the Cascades. The Commission currently produces four beer festivals in the greater Seattle area as a means for supporting the marketing, education and public relations efforts of the Washington Beer Commission and its more than 100 member breweries.

Spokane Oktoberfest will turn Riverfront Park’s Central Meadow into an authentic Bavarian bier garten featuring delicious German food, music and of course Washington brewed German style lagers and fall seasonal beers on tap. This first-year event will showcase more than 30 wonderful craft beers masterfully brewed by Washington breweries.

The event will take place over three days, beginning with Friday evening, September 24th from 4pm to 8pm. Saturday, the 25th the festival will run from noon to 8pm and Sunday the 26th from noon to 6pm. Admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door if tickets are still available. Separate tickets are required for each day or you may purchase a three-day pass for $50. Admission includes a commemorative tasting cup and six 5.5oz sample tastes. Additional tastes will be available for purchase at $1.50 each or four for $5.00. Tickets are available online at www.spokaneoktoberfest.com and at select ticket outlets. The event is expected to sell out so advance ticket purchase is recommended. This is a 21 and over only event. Additional information including the beer lineup, entertainment schedule, contests, menu items and ticket outlet locations coming soon.

The Washington Beer Commission was formed in 2007 to promote craft beer brewed in Washington State, to educate Washington consumers about craft beer and to foster a vibrant community of craft brewers in Washington. With more than 100 breweries now producing craft beer in the state, Washington boasts a top three ranking for number of state-wide breweries.

DATES:

September 24th, 25th and 26th, 2010

HOURS:

Friday, September 24th – 4pm – 8pm

Saturday, September 25th – Noon to 8pm

Sunday, September 26th – Noon to 6pm

LOCATION:

Riverfront Park, Central Meadow

507 N. Howard St.

Spokane, WA 99201

ADMISSION:

$20 advance tickets or $25 at the door if still available. Admission includes a commemorative tasting cup and six 5.5oz sample tastes.

Must be 21 years old or older and have a valid ID to be admitted.

Designated driver admission is free and available at the door only.

Tickets are on sale online at www.spokaneoktoberfest.com and at select Washington breweries.

BEERS:

Washington breweries expected to attend Spokane Oktoberfest include: Northern Lights, C.I. Shenanigans, Iron Horse, Riverport, Paradise Creek, Palouse Falls, Georgetown, Elysian Fields, Snoqualmie, Elliott Bay, Fremont, Pike, Schooner Exact, Laht Neppur, Rocky Coulee and Alpine. More detailed information about breweries and their beers to come soon!

WASHINGTON BEER COMMISSION INFORMATION:

www.washingtonbeer.com

UPDATED SPOKANE OKTOBERFEST INFORMATION:

www.spokaneoktoberfest.com

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