Yesterday (Tuesday, Feb 7), Brad Robinson of Odin Brewing was on King 5 TV’s New Day Northwest discussing beer and food pairing. He presented a lovely array of food from Naked City Brewery and Taphouse paired with beers from Odin Brewing, Naked City Brewing, 7 Seas Brewing, Big Al Brewing and Sound Brewery. We share the video below, or you can find on the King 5 website.

Brad represented Washington beer very well and shared some good information with the audience, which is primarily comprised of women who do not normally order a beer with dinner.

It’s great that King 5 decided to do this. Washington beer deserves more of this kind of mainstream attention. Brad and King 5 New Day Northwest producers are to be applauded. Great job!

Here is a press release from Big Time Brewery about today’s big release event. If the introduction of this beer is anything like the release of Pliny the Younger, then there is probably a line outside the Big Time’s front door as I write this. Consider Whiny the Complainer a tribute beer that pays homage to the great beer from Russian River Brewing and all the people who are hopelessly obsessed with it. Here’s the press release from Big Time.

The Big Time Brewing Company is pleased to announce the release of Whiny the Complainer on February 7th 2012 when the doors open at 11:30 am.  Brewed on 12/28/2011, Whiny is a delicious triple India Pale Ale that features an abundant amount of bitterness, hop flavor and aroma from over 3 lbs of hops per barrel.  Hops include, Cascade; Centennial, Chinook; Columbus; Magnum; Amarillo; and Simcoe.  It was dry hopped with Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand.  Original gravity 1.088; Terminal gravity 1.019;  9.1%  abv.

The name Whiny the Complainer was thought up by former head brewer Bill Jenkins – it is in homage to Russian River’s Pliny the Younger – and the patrons who whine because they missed out on their coveted few ounces of PtY.

Whiny the Complainer is the 2,300th batch brewed at the Big Time since batch #1 was brewed on November 10th 1988.  Whiny will be available on draft at the Big Time through the month of February.  It will be served in 10 ounce snifters only.  Seven quarter barrels have been released to the following accounts for release at their discretion:  Beveridge Place Pub; Brouwers Café; Fiddlers Inn; The Hopvine, Naked City Brewery and Taphouse; Wedgewood Alehouse; The Yard Café.

The Big Time is the oldest brewpub in Washington State having opened its doors on December 7th 1988.  Big Time is celebrating its 24th year of serving quality craft beer to beer aficionados in the University District of Seattle.  4133 University Way, Seattle 98105

We just received some IPA news from Elysian Brewing Company. They plan to get a bit manic about IPA in the coming months.

Also, Avatar Jasmine IPA (one of Mrs. Beerblog’s most favorite beers ever) is about to make its return and is getting a facelift. The brewery reports that after a little hiatus due to difficulties securing quality jasmine flowers, Avatar Jasmine IPA will soon be returning to taps and shelves.

Here is the information about the manic IPA series straight from Dick Cantwell, brewmaster at Elysian:

They call it Foreplay Before the Big Day. ChocoFest takes place at Pike Pub and Brewery on Sunday, February 12th. This is a great event and you need to make your reservations soon. Kick-off your Valentine’s celebration a couple days early with some great food and drink.

ChocoFest is not merely about chocolate. The event involves chocolate, beer, wine, spirits, mead and food. And plenty of it. We’re talking about the good stuff, like chocolate from Theo Chocolate and cheese from Beecher’s Cheese. Beer will be provided by Pike Brewing as well as some other local favorites like Big Time Brewery, Lazy Boy Brewing, Diamond Knot Brewing, Fremont Brewing, and Epic Ales. (Complete list of participants.) For more info read the press release below.

For  $30 you are entitled to gorge yourself on delicious drinks and other treats. Proceeds benefit FareStart.
For reservations and information: Tara (206) 812-6604 | tshuttleworth@pikebrewing.com

Press Release:

FOREPLAY BEFORE THE BIG DAY: On February 12, 2012 Pike again gathers together top producers of beer, wine, spirits, and mead, along with select local restaurants and specialty food producers, to make ChocoFest 2012 the best ever. We will feature local producers, and for the sake of comparison, represent some of the best imported, too. This year we will open up the brewery, one floor below the Pike Pub, in order to accommodate greater numbers of enthusiasts.

BENEFIT FOR FARESTART: Proceeds from the event will benefit FareStart, a culinary job training and placement program for homeless and disadvantaged individuals. Over the past 19 years, FareStart has provided opportunities for nearly 5,000 people to transform their lives, while also serving over 4.5 million meals to disadvantaged men, women, and children.

CHOCOBREW FEST: We are inviting local breweries to brew and serve their own versions of beer made with chocolate. Pike will offer XXXX Cocoa Cherry Porter, specially brewed for the occasion in our new pilot brewery.

WINE, SPIRITS, MEAD, CIDER, RESTAURANTS, BAKERS, and CHEESE MAKERS: We have invited more wineries, distilleries, and cider makers, and even a meadery, along with restaurants, bakers and artisan cheese makers, in order to make 2012 Chocofest the best ever.

A SWEET HISTORY: Our goal from the beginning has been to expose food lovers to the natural harmony of chocolate and beer. Many people are unaware of this exquisite combination, and there’s no better time to expose them to it than around Valentine’s Day. Wine marketers first promoted chocolate and wine many years ago, so there is often more awareness of this pairing. Spirits, too, marry beautifully with chocolate, but until recently, we had but a few local spirit producers. With a substantial local chocolate culture and an abundance of great breweries, wineries, distilleries, and even a meadery, in 2008 we decided to have a festival. Pike ChocoFest was born and it was a hit from the very beginning.

Each year ChocoFest has had more participants, more guests, and has been more fun. The first year ChocoFest occupied only the two levels of our Museum Room, and in years two and three, in an effort to accommodate more guests and create better traffic flow, we added the Naughty Nellie Room, as well as our IPA level, to the event floor plan. This year
we are including the Pike Brewery.

Pike ChocoFest is a great way to enjoy a romantic, delicious, and sensuous evening at Pike, and feel good about it! Plus some participating vendors will have products available for sale if you’re looking for the perfect valentine gift.

Cost: $30, with proceeds benefiting FareStart
For reservations and information: Tara (206) 812-6604 | tshuttleworth@pikebrewing.com
Click here to see some of our confirmed vendors .

This Saturday, February 4th, the 3rd Annual Belgianfest takes place on Seattle’s waterfront. The event features 30+ breweries pouring 70-something different beers. All of them Belgian-style. Amazing. The choices are overwhelming, to be sure. You need help navigating your way through this one, we know. That’s why we provide you with this cheat sheet. This is our list of top picks. Something to get you started. It is only our opinion.

You should get your tickets now. Don’t wait until the last minute or you might miss out. There are two sessions. The first session starts at 12:00 p.m. and the second session starts at 5:30 p.m. Go to the official event website for ticket information. Also, think about transportation. This year’s new location offers a lot more transportation options. The Washington Beer Commission has even arranged a special deal for festivalgoers at the nearby Marriott, in case you want to spend the night. Details on the event website.Here is our cheat sheet. The complete list of breweries and beers follows.

Our Top Picks

Big Time Brewery

Trombipulator Belgian Tripel.  A nearly 1-year-old 1/4 bbl keg of our Trombipulator Belgian style Tripel features Fuggle hops, and Westmalle yeast. This was original brew #666 1st brewed in 1994 – named after the Parliament Album Trombipulation.

Black Raven Brewing

Bourbon Barrel Aged La Petite Mort. Belgian style strong abbey brown aged in bourbon barrels. 8.8% ABV.

Elliott Bay Brewing

Batch 1000 Sour Blend. Exclusively for Belgianfest: a one-off blend of our 1000th brew fermented and aged in four different red wine barrels.

Elysian Brewing

Backhanded Compliment Belgian IPA CASK. Backhanded Compliment Cask version dry-hopped with Citra. Brewed with organic pale, Munich, Cara-Hell and Cara-Vienne malts and bittered with Chinook and finished with Amarillo and Citra hops. Fermented with Westmalle yeast. 6.2% ABV

Engine House No 9 Brewery

Love child Kriek. 5.9% ABV Ruby in color with a pink head. Aromas of cherries and oak. With a cherry and slight sour flavor finishes bright and clean.

Bourbon Saison. 7.8% ABV Traditionally brewed saison, aged in bourbon barrel. With aromas of oak, bourbon, vanilla, clove and hints of sour. Giving way to flavors of banana, cloves bourbon and hints of sour finishing clean and dry.

Georgetown Brewing

Waldman. Modeled after an English Ordinary Bitter with a few decidedly Belgian stylings, Waldman is brewed with Northern Brewer hops and 36 lbs of Belgian Candi Sugar then fermented with a Belgian ale yeast. We finish with Brettanomyces “Wild” yeast strain and a heavy does of dry hops. The Brett is carried over to the bottles where Waldman continues to develop complex flavors throughout the bottle conditioning.  ABV 6.1%, IBUs 35

RAM Restaurant and Brewery

(You may not know it, but they kick ass at Belgian-style beers.)

1) Barrel #1. Light, tart and refreshing – a blonde ale fermented in a barrel by many a mysterious critter – 4.5% ABV

2) Barrel #2. An intensely flavored dark ale, fermented in an old wine barrel with a couple of Brett strains and hints of lactobacilius. 6.5% ABV

3) BBlage-a-trois. A blend of 3 wildly fermented bbls made exclusively for this year’s Belgian Fest.

Silver City Brewery

La Fat 2007. La Fat is Silver City Fat Scotch Ale fermented with a Belgian yeast noted for creating big, spicy phenol character. La Fat goes through a secondary fermentation on French Oak.  La Fat combines classic Belgian characteristics with Scotch like toffee and caramel notes with hints of oak and peat. ABV 9.2%

Sound Brewery

(Regular offerings from Sound, but if you haven’t had these yet…)

Dubbel Entendre. Comforting aromas of chocolate malt and dark toffee, with a hint of banana and stone fruits. A dark abbey style ale with a subtle rich maltiness and a dry, spicy finish. 8.0% ABV

Tripel Entendre. Complexity and balance from a simple recipe of the finest ingredients obtainable. Clear and light in color, this strong Belgian ale drinks smooth and easy but has the complexity to complement the finest meals or to savor alone at the end of the evening. 9.9% ABV

Koperen Ketel. Biscuity Belgian malt balanced with the finest Slovenian Styrian Goldings hops, Koperen Ketel has a delicate herbal, fruity aroma and a clean dry finish making for a refreshing, easy drinking copper color ale. 5.0% ABV

The Complete List of Breweries and Beers

7 Seas Brewing

1) Le Havre Belgian Winter Ale

This seasonal offering is fashioned with reverence towards the long-standing tradition of Trappist Abbey-style beers of Belgium. Brewed with Pale Ale malt, oats, and dark crystal malts, hopped with Fuggles, and fermented with authentic Belgian Abbey yeast, the ale reveals intricate layers of spice, fig, bitter chocolate.  ABV: 8.0%

American Brewing Company

1) Big Pucker

Wood Barrel aged Sour Beer. Double Flanders Sour Ale aged in a used, oak Cabernet Franc Barrel.

Anacortes Brewery

1) Peppercorn Saison

A lighter 4.5% ABV Belgian farmhouse style made with several varieties of fresh cracked peppercorn.

2) Dubbel

A strong dark ale made with demerara sugar, honey and chocolate wheat.

3) Trippel

A strong 8.5% ABV light colored ale hopped for balance with saaz and styrian golding varieties.

4) Sour Red

Red ale soured with lactobacillis and brettanomyces aged in a bourbon barrel passed between multiple breweries.

Big Time

1) Jack Candy Grand Cru

Jack Candy is a pale Belgian style strong ale fermented with both Westmalle and Achouffe yeast strains. Saaz hops lend bitterness and spiciness. The name was inspired by a Walkabouts Song. 9.3% ABV

2) Black Jack Candy

Black Jack Candy is our Belgian style Grand Cru with aseptic Blackberry puree added.

9.3% ABV

3) Trombipulator Belgian Tripel

A nearly 1-year-old 1/4 bbl keg of our Trombipulator Belgian style Tripel features Fuggle hops, and Westmalle yeast. This was original brew #666 1st brewed in 1994 – named after the Parliament Album Trombipulation.

9.0% ABV

Black Raven Brewing

1) Belgian Style IPA

Northwest IPA that has been through a secondary fermentation with brettanomyces. Dry hopped with calypso, nugget, citra and Chinook. 7.3% ABV

2) Bourbon Barrel Aged La Petite Mort

Belgian style strong abbey brown aged in bourbon barrels. 8.8% ABV

3) Cask Saison

Four grain saison with brettanomyces. 6.6% ABV

Boundary Bay Brewery

1) Belgian Style Tripel

Strong in alcohol, our Belgian Style Tripel is golden in color, medium bodied and moderately hopped. The flavor and aroma are both dominated by alcohol and Belgian yeast. It has a nice malt backbone, is spicy, slightly earthy and finishes dry. Hops: Tettnang, Saaz. Malts: Pilsner, Belgian Aromatic, Caravienne, Munich, Special B, Vienna Original Gravity: 1.082 ABV: 8.9%

Diamond Knot Brewing Co.

1) Strong Belgian IPA

Crisp golden in color with a complex yet delicate flavor with a big hop-forward aroma, that gives away to citrus and floral tones. This will leave you begging for another. IBU: 40 ABV: 7.3%

Elliott Bay Brewing Co.

1) Batch 1000 Sour Blend

Exclusively for Belgianfest: a one-off blend of our 1000th brew fermented and aged in four different red wine barrels.

2) Long Black Veil

Black Ale based on the Dry Stout style and fermented with our house Belgian yeast strain.

3) Nitwit Imperial Wheat (cask)

Cask-conditioned strong Wit-style ale = 8% ABV.

4) Brandy-barrel-aged Fuerte Strong Ale

Rich 9% ABV amber ale aged for three months in Kentucky brandy barrels.

5) Saison de la Chance Redux

Our 13th Anniversary Saison re-created for the patrons of Belgianfest. 8.5% ABV

Elysian Brewing Co.

1) Yuzu’s Belgian-style Golden Ale

Yuzu’s is made with 100% pale malt, Turbinado sugar and Belgian Golden ale yeast. Bittered with Magnum and finished with Styrian Goldings hops. Organic dried lemon peel is added at the end of the boil, and yuzu juice is added both pre- and post-fermentation. 4.5% ABV

2) Bete Noel Belgian-style Ale

Brewed with Pale, Munich, Castle Aromatic and roasted barley and black malts, with amber Turbinado sugar added to the kettle. Bittered with German Northern Brewer, finished with Hallertauer hops and fermented with Belgian Golden Ale yeast. 8.5% ABV

3) Krokus Saffron Sour Wheat Ale

Brewed with pale, malted wheat, flaked wheat and wheat flour and hopped with Hallertauer and U.K. Fuggles. Infused with American saffron and fermented with the 4th generation sour tank collection of yeasts and bacteria. 6% ABV

4) Ferme noire Cascadian Dark Sasion

Our dark and hoppy ale fermented with a Saison yeast. The resulting beer adds a bone-dry, barnyard twang to an already slightly roasty and moderately hoppy beverage. Malts: pale, dark Munich, aromatic, and Carafa III Sugar: 50 lbs of Demerara Hops: Chinook, Amarillo, Cascade 8.2% ABV

5) Backhanded Compliment Belgian IPA CASK

Backhanded Compliment Cask version dry-hopped with Citra. Brewed with organic pale, Munich, Cara-Hell and Cara-Vienne malts and bittered with Chinook and finished with Amarillo and Citra hops. Fermented with Westmalle yeast. 6.2% ABV

6) Bete Blanche Belgian-style Tripel

A twist on the French expression “Bête Noire.” Brewed entirely from Pale malt and augmented in the boil with clear Belgian candy sugar. Bittered with German Northern Brewer and finished with Styrian Goldings hops. Fermented with Belgian ale yeast. 41 IBU. 6.9% ABV

7) Nibiru Belgian-style Tripel

Infused with Yerba Mate. Combining the tasty esters of Belgian yeast and the compelling tea-like flavors of the South American herb mixture. A mixture of German Northern Brewer, Czech Saaz and American Amarillo hops round out the uniqueness of this first beer of the Apocalypse. 7.65% ABV

8 ) The Prefessor

With plums and brettanomyces, Marris-Otter pale, Munich and wheat, and East Kent Goldings to bitter and finish, at the Tangletown brewery.  4.65% ABV

Engine House No 9 Brewery

1) Love child Kriek

5.9% ABV Ruby in color with a pink head. Aromas of cherries and oak. With a cherry and slight sour flavor finishes bright and clean.

2) Bourbon Saison

7.8% ABV Traditionally brewed saison, aged in bourbon barrel. With aromas of oak, bourbon, vanilla, clove and hints of sour. Giving way to flavors of banana, cloves bourbon and hints of sour finishing clean and dry.

3) Belgian White

5.0% ABV Grainy spicy wheat aromatics with hints of coriander and orange. Pleasant malt sweetness with zesty citrus, coriander and subtle spicy hop flavors. Finishes with a slight wheat tartness

Fish Brewing Company

1) Monkfish Belgian Style Tripel Ale

A cracking fine example of the classic style, Monkfish Belgian Style Tripel Ale is the color of nectar, with a sweet malty flavor and subtle hop aroma. Mingling in its character, fruity and spicy esters impart a heavenly complexity to this medium-bodied delight. Brewed using Pale malt, Honey malt, aromatic malt, Belgian candy sugar, Styrian Golding hops and, of course, Belgian Abbey yeast, Monkfish stands firmly in the Belgian triple tradition. 32 IBUs 9.0% ABV

Fremont Brewing Co.

1) The Lamb

Saison aged in French Oak wine barrels with brettanomyces lambicus.

2) Return of Blood Funnel

Gallaghers Where U Brew

1) The Monk

A delicious Belgium Triple with a smooth 8.5% fruity bite. Coriander and orange peel add to the decadence of this ale. The use of Orange peel during the dry hop adds to the amazing aromatics of this popular brew.

2) Black Imperial Belgium

The use of our Belgium yeast allows the fruity character of this beer to stand out. Its dark color compliments the full body mouth feel and is enjoyed by all.

Georgetown Brewing Co.

1) Frosty “The Waldman”

In the Winter Warmer tradition, this dark ale is brewed strong with Pale, Pilsner, Special B, Crystal, and Chocolate malts, and 10 lbs/bbl of rich molasses boost the holiday cheer. Northern Brewer hops contribute the bulk of the bitterness, while Sterling hops, cinnamon sticks, and nutmeg add a spicy nose. Fermented with a Belgian ale yeast strain to lend a smooth and complex character. ABV 7.6%, IBUs 40

2) Waldman

Modeled after an English Ordinary Bitter with a few decidedly Belgian stylings, Waldman is brewed with Northern Brewer hops and 36 lbs of Belgian Candi Sugar then fermented with a Belgian ale yeast. We finish with Brettanomyces “Wild” yeast strain and a heavy does of dry hops. The Brett is carried over to the bottles where Waldman continues to develop complex flavors throughout the bottle conditioning.  ABV 6.1%, IBUs 35

Hale’s Ales

1) Hale’s “25″ Belgian Dubbel

The first edition of this beer was brewed to celebrate Hale’s Ales 25th anniversary in 2008. True to style, Hale’s “25″ Belgin Dubbel is moderately strong, very malty and possesses the unique flavor characteristics imparted by Belgian yeast.  7.3% ABV, 20 IBU’s

2) Hale’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Belgian Gold

Hale’s Belgian Gold is made with Pilsner, C-40 and Carapils Malts with a blend of various sugars. The beer is hopped with Goldings. This delicious beer has been aged in bourbon oak barrels for most of 2011. The combination of the wood and whiskey overtones combined with the belgian beer flavors makes this beer a true delight.  9% ABV, 15 IBU’s

3) Hale’s Belgian Wit

A classic, unadulterated Belgian Wit brewed with no spices. Crisp, refreshing and slightly tart.  4.8% ABV, 5 IBU’s

Hilliard’s Beer

1) Hilliard’s Saison

Simple beer, complex taste and aroma.  A special yeast and unique fermentation profile give this beer hints of coriander, orange peel, and maybe a bit of pepper. Castle Malting Pilsner Malt and Golding Hops, no spices added.  7.4% AVB

Issaquah Brewery

1) White Frog Ale

Belgian Style Ale: Summer Wit Beer. Aromas of coriander and orange spice dominate the nose. A very light mouthfeel is countered with sweet orange peel, coriander and subtle notes of chamomile. It finishes with delicate banana and clove spices. Surprisingly light and immediately quaffable. ABV: 5.2%

2) Menage A Frog Belgian Trippel

Menage A Frog has a brilliant golden amber color. Inviting aromas of toasty baguette, orange blossom honey, and delicate bubblegum spice follow through on a round entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with caramel pear and peach custard tart notes. Finishes in a bold peppery spice, delicate grassy herbal and citrusy hops, and toffee fade with lingering warming alcohol.

ABV: 9%

Lazy Boy Brewing Co.

1)Belgian Golden Ale

2)Belgian Dubbel

McMenamins Pubs & Breweries

1) Reinhold’s Flying Armadillo Dark Belgian Strong

A nice, full bodied Dark Belgian with a mild hop presence and a flavorful malty character.  Made with Wyeast Belgian Abbey II yeast. 7.75% ABV

2) Girl Next Door Belgian Blonde

This is a light bodied, smooth tasting and highly carbonated Belgian Blonde Ale. It is made with Pilsner, Wheat and Aromatic malts and hopped with US Golding hops. Brewed using Wyeast Belgian Abbey II yeast. 6.0% ABV.

Naked City Brewery

1) La Touche De Mal

Belgian Strong Golden Ale

New Belgium

1) Belgo

Belgian style IPA made with an authentic Trappist yeast strain and 4 varieties of hops.  7.0% ABV and 60 IBU’s

2) Trip 11 Farmhouse Ale

Farmhouse ale brewed with Rosemary and Sage.  8.5% ABV

Odin Brewing Co.

1) Thor’s Equinox

this Belgian Dark Strong Ale is a brew that is big in flavor without the chewy body holding you back from finishing the whole glass. We have showcased malt and a unique woody note from Angelica spice, creating a beer that is still Belgian, yet can satisfy stout and strong porter lovers as well. Aroma– dark fruits and portlike notes, Top note– strong maltiness, some molasses, Middle note- malt sweetness,  banana, End note– light tartness, woody, Color– dark nut brown. 9% ABV, 20 IBUs

Paradise Creek Brewery

1) Paradise Hoe

A refreshing and traditional Belgian Wit with a nose that offers you wonderful orange, subtle banana, clove and other sweet fruit. One taste of this cloudy straw colored ale confirms what you smell and opens up notes of coriander and just a dash of pepper. The white wheat and a little oats give this beer a nice medium bodied mouth feel. ABV 5.8%

Pike Brewing Company

1) Saison

2) Pike Monk’s Uncle

Big, full-bodied and complex with a yeasty nose, fruity esters and malty dryness. Hints of honey, spice and exotic fruit play with the senses. Powerful, yet gentle. ABV 9%

Ram Restaurant & Brewery

1) Barrel #1

Light, tart and refreshing – a blonde ale fermented in a barrel by many a mysterious critter – 4.5% ABV

2) Barrel #2

An intensely flavored dark ale, fermented in an old wine barrel with a couple of Brett strains and hints of lactobacilius. 6.5% ABV

3) BBlage-a-trois

A blend of 3 wildly fermented bbls made exclusively for this year’s Belgian Fest.

Redhook Brewery

1) Allocation

Allocation is a super drinkable Belgian Session Ale. Medium in body and amber hued with ample handfuls of wheat malt to keep the beer’s finish light and dry. Mild phenolic notes from the Trappist yeast offer up mild hints of spiciness and banana. It is tradition for the Monastic brewers in Belgium to get a daily allocation of the lightest (session) beer they produce after their work is done.

Schooner EXACT Brewing Co.

1) Schoon White

Belgian-style wheat ale brewed with Pilsner malt, wheat malt, unmalted wheat and oats. Fermented with a traditional Belgian Wit beer strain. Hallertauer hops and a subtle addition of spices including citrus zest and hibiscus make this a thirst quenching and refreshing beverage. 5.2 % ABV

22 IBU’s

2) Biere de SODO

A hoppy Belgian-style pale ale brewed with Pilsner malt, sugar and a generous helping of Styrian Golding hops. Fermented with a blend of a unique Belgian yeast and a special strain of brettanomyces, this beer is easy drinking with an ever so slight funkiness.

6.4% ABV, 38 IBU’s

3) Abbaye de Schooner Dubbel

A Belgian-style ale brewed with a complex and distinctive blend of German and Belgian malts. Hallertauer hops, Belgian candi sugar and organic flame raisins complement the rich, toasted, caramel malt and yeast finish.

6.9% ABV, 20 IBU’s

4) Saison Goélette

A traditional Belgian farmhouse ale brewed with Pilsner malt, rye malt, turbinado sugar and Hallertauer hops.

5.8% ABV, 24 IBU’s

Silver City Brewery

1) The Giant Made Of Shadows

This Dark Strong Ale is rich in big malt character, candy like sweetness, and warming alcohol.  Suggestions of chocolate and dried fruits pair well with oak and vinous notes from extended aging in Tempranillo wine barrels. 9.5% ABV

2) Nutcracker 2005 Special Brown Ale

A festive beer (8.6 % ABV), Nutcracker rings in the Holiday Season with a medley of dark roasted malt, fruit and spice. Some hints of fruit (plum, cherry, peach) come from a wonderful and distinctive Belgian yeast strain. Additionally, ginger, orange and tangerine peel was added to spice things up.

3) La Fat 2007

La Fat is Silver City Fat Scotch Ale fermented with a Belgian yeast noted for creating big, spicy phenol character. La Fat goes through a secondary fermentation on French Oak.  La Fat combines classic Belgian characteristics with Scotch like toffee and caramel notes with hints of oak and peat. ABV 9.2%

4) Whitecap Wit

A Belgian witbeir (white beer) brewed by award winning Seattle homebrewer Nick Ladd in collaboration with Silver City Brewmaster Don Spencer for entry in the 2011 Great American Beer Festival Pro-Am competition. Wheat and oats are mixed with malted barley to make a light and hazy (white) beer. Coriander, Fresh Tangelo and Valencia orange peel are added for a vibrant citrusy appeal. 5.5% ABV

Snipes Mountain Brewing

1) Golden Ale

Belgian-style Golden Strong made with Belgian pilsner malt, clear candi syrup and NW beet sugar. Fermented with an authentic Belgian golden strain. 9.5% ABV, 27 IBU’s

2) Darkstrong

Belgian-style Dark Strong made with three types of rye malt, dark candi syrup and aged for a year with Lactobacillus. 8.5% ABV, 28 IBU’s

Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company

1) Triskaidekaphobia

Reminiscent of the Millennial Madness we created 12 years ago, Triskaidekaphobia is a great balance of crisp clean malt, lemony hops and spice. Unfiltered but clear to the eye, Trisky is made from 100% German pilsner malt, Belgian candi sugar, 100% Czech Saaz hops and Belgian ale yeast.8.6% ABV

2) Spring Fever

Orange hues, rich malt flavors, spicy coriander overtones and fruity, tropical aromas make this one beautiful beer for fans of Belgian styles. Spring Fever is crafted from the finest Two-Row, Munich, Carastan and Belgian Aromatic malts, Columbus and Czech. Saaz hops, spiced with coriander and fermented with Belgian ale yeast. 7.0% ABV

Sound Brewery

1) Dubbel Entendre

Comforting aromas of chocolate malt and dark toffee, with a hint of banana and stone fruits. A dark abbey style ale with a subtle rich maltiness and a dry, spicy finish. 8.0% ABV

2) Tripel Entendre

Complexity and balance from a simple recipe of the finest ingredients obtainable. Clear and light in color, this strong Belgian ale drinks smooth and easy but has the complexity to complement the finest meals or to savor alone at the end of the evening. 9.9% ABV

3) Koperen Ketel

Biscuity Belgian malt balanced with the finest Slovenian Styrian Goldings hops, Koperen Ketel has a delicate herbal, fruity aroma and a clean dry finish making for a refreshing, easy drinking copper color ale. 5.0% ABV

Wingman Brewers

1) Black Widow

A dark Belgian strong ale aged in a Pont21 Cabernet Sauvignon barrel from 21 Cellars. A Cab Sav nose is followed by the familiar Belgian flavors of ripe fruit and figs. 11.4% ABV

2) Cerise Noire

A light lambic influenced sour ale.  Featuring pediococcus, lactobasillus, brettanomyces, and black cherry tea. 6% ABV

1) Le Havre Belgian Winter Ale

This seasonal offering is fashioned with reverence towards the long-standing tradition of Trappist Abbey-style beers of Belgium. Brewed with Pale Ale malt, oats, and dark crystal malts, hopped with Fuggles, and fermented with authentic Belgian Abbey yeast, the ale reveals intricate layers of spice, fig, bitter chocolate.  ABV: 8.0%

New Puyallup Brewery just weeks away (plus, Sarah learns some geography)

– by North Seattle Sarah, North Seattle Bureau Chief –

Eric Akeson was an excited man as he was sipping his beer last night at Naked City Brewery and Taphouse in Greenwood.  You see, after making his first homebrew 17 years ago, he’s finally going pro.  Puyallup River Brewing Company is just a few short weeks away from beginning production, pending final inspection approvals and sign-off.

To help Akeson launch, Don Webb of Naked City assisted him in brewing a batch of his Fryingpan Cascadian Red Ale, using Naked City’s equipment, so the public could get their first taste.  The launch went off incredibly well with a standing room only crowd tasting the beer in both cask and draught form.  Puyallup River Brewing already has a lot of ready fans, and many of them turned out to wish Eric luck and success.

The brewery itself will be a small establishment on a one-barrel system, producing six to nine barrels per month.  Akeson plans to bottle a large amount of that for local distribution, but north Seattleites have no fear: Naked City has been promised the first keg of every beer to come out (because we’re special).  He also plans to attend many of the brewing festivals as soon as he’s up and running, so everyone will have a chance to get a taste.

Eric Akeson and Don Webb

As for the beers, there are four staples right now.  The Fryingpan Cascadian Red Ale is a hoppy, powerful red with a beautiful color.  The other beers include the Electron IPA, the Lahar Imperial IPA, and the Point Success Porter.  I asked Akeson where the names came from, and learned that they’re all connected in some way to the Puyallup River and Mount Rainier.  I’m probably most excited to try out the Lahar, after learning that a lahar is basically a giant deadly mudslide caused usually by a volcano.  Yes, that’s right, I learned something last night about geography.  Fryingpan is a glacier just east of Rainier, and Point Success is the second highest summit on the mountain.  Electron was the name of a mudflow from the mountain into the Puyallup River.  Alex Trebek, bring it.

Despite all these hoppy varieties soon to be released, Akeson says his favorite style of beer to drink is a mellow, sessionable pale ale.  He reminisces often back to the craft beers of the mid-1990’s and pines for the no-longer-around Winthrop Outlaw Pale Ale.

Look for the first bottles and kegs of PRB (not to be confused with PBR) to be coming soon.  For those of you that are anxious for updates, Akeson shares his progress on the Puyallup River Brewing Facebook page, and tweets from @puyallupbrew.  Oh, and those of you in the south end, watch out for lahars.

North Seattle Sarah is the Washington Beer Blog’s North Seattle Bureau Chief. Sarah is a regular contributor to the blog. Her blog, northseattlesarah.com, is a leading source of community and real estate information for Seattle’s Green Lake neighborhood and beyond.

The second annual Washington Beer Open House takes place at breweries across the state on Saturday, February 25, 2012. Start making your plans now. This is an early warning. More breweries will sign up and details will come together in the week’s ahead.

What exactly is Washington Beer Open House? All across the state breweries will open their doors and welcome the public. What happens at each brewery is up to the brewery itself. Barrel tasting, food-beer pairings, seasonal releases, and whatever else. Who knows. By all accounts, last year’s inaugural event was a huge success. Read more about last year’s Washington Beer Open House.

There is an interactive map available for your mobile device. The map will be updated continually as more breweries sign up. On Twitter, use the #WaBeerOH hashtag. When we start to learn more about what particular breweries have planned for Open House, we will share that information with you. Also, keep an eye on the official Washington Beer Open House website.

Below we have the list of beers that will be poured at Belgianfest this year. Scroll down if that’s all you want. We have a couple of other things to say about Belgianfest as well. The event takes place one week from Saturday on Seattle’s waterfront – Saturday, February 4th at the Bell Harbor Conference Center.

Tomorrow on Facebook and Twitter we will announce a contest. We will give away two pairs of tickets to Belgianfest: each of the two winners gets a pair of tickets. You’ll need to be following us on Facebook and Twitter to know about the contest.

The Washington Beer Commission describes ticket sales as “brisk.” You can buy tickets online and also offline at select locations. Find out about tickets at the official event website. Expect the early session (12:00 – 4:00) to sell out first and the second session (4:30 – 8:30) to sell out shortly thereafter. Get your tickets now.

Other Belgianfest Notes

Okay Elysian, we get it. You kick ass. But really? Eight Belgian-style beers? Showoffs. (Of course you know I’m kidding. You guys are amazing. We’re just in awe.)

Last weekend we visited the Engine House No. 9 in Tacoma. The E9 might have the distinction of being the oldest brewpub you’ve never heard of.  Rarely does the E9 attend festivals or distribute beer outside the pub’s walls. For years, many beer geeks did not lament this fact because they found the beers to be quite unremarkable. Not bad by any stretch, but not terribly exciting either. That’s changed.

Nothing surprising about seeing barrels in a brewery, right? These are just some of the barrels in the E9 brewery. That's exciting!

Without going into details, there have been some big changes at the Engine House No. 9. It is all good news. Right now, there are two things you need to know about those changes. First, know that Engine House No. 9 will be pouring at Belgianfest this year. Second, go drink the beer. I mean, make the E9 one of your first stops at Belgianfest. You will not be disappointed and the beer will likely go fast once people realize how amazing it is.

The Beers of Belgianfest

7 Seas Brewing

1) Le Havre Belgian Winter Ale

This seasonal offering is fashioned with reverence towards the long-standing tradition of Trappist Abbey-style beers of Belgium. Brewed with Pale Ale malt, oats, and dark crystal malts, hopped with Fuggles, and fermented with authentic Belgian Abbey yeast, the ale reveals intricate layers of spice, fig, bitter chocolate.  ABV: 8.0%

American Brewing Company

1) Big Pucker

Wood Barrel aged Sour Beer. Double Flanders Sour Ale aged in a used, oak Cabernet Franc Barrel.

Anacortes Brewery

1) Peppercorn Saison

A lighter 4.5% ABV Belgian farmhouse style made with several varieties of fresh cracked peppercorn.

2) Dubbel

A strong dark ale made with demerara sugar, honey and chocolate wheat.

3) Trippel

A strong 8.5% ABV light colored ale hopped for balance with saaz and styrian golding varieties.

4) Sour Red

Red ale soured with lactobacillis and brettanomyces aged in a bourbon barrel passed between multiple breweries.

Big Time

1) Jack Candy Grand Cru

Jack Candy is a pale Belgian style strong ale fermented with both Westmalle and Achouffe yeast strains. Saaz hops lend bitterness and spiciness. The name was inspired by a Walkabouts Song. 9.3% ABV

2) Black Jack Candy

Black Jack Candy is our Belgian style Grand Cru with aseptic Blackberry puree added.

9.3% ABV

3) Trombipulator Belgian Tripel

A nearly 1-year-old 1/4 bbl keg of our Trombipulator Belgian style Tripel features Fuggle hops, and Westmalle yeast. This was original brew #666 1st brewed in 1994 – named after the Parliament Album Trombipulation.

9.0% ABV

Black Raven Brewing

1) Belgian Style IPA

Northwest IPA that has been through a secondary fermentation with brettanomyces. Dry hopped with calypso, nugget, citra and Chinook. 7.3% ABV

2) Bourbon Barrel Aged La Petite Mort

Belgian style strong abbey brown aged in bourbon barrels. 8.8% ABV

3) Cask Saison

Four grain saison with brettanomyces. 6.6% ABV

Boundary Bay Brewery

1) Belgian Style Tripel

Strong in alcohol, our Belgian Style Tripel is golden in color, medium bodied and moderately hopped. The flavor and aroma are both dominated by alcohol and Belgian yeast. It has a nice malt backbone, is spicy, slightly earthy and finishes dry. Hops: Tettnang, Saaz. Malts: Pilsner, Belgian Aromatic, Caravienne, Munich, Special B, Vienna Original Gravity: 1.082 ABV: 8.9%

Diamond Knot Brewing Co.

1) Strong Belgian IPA

Crisp golden in color with a complex yet delicate flavor with a big hop-forward aroma, that gives away to citrus and floral tones. This will leave you begging for another. IBU: 40 ABV: 7.3%

Elliott Bay Brewing Co.

1) Batch 1000 Sour Blend

Exclusively for Belgianfest: a one-off blend of our 1000th brew fermented and aged in four different red wine barrels.

2) Long Black Veil

Black Ale based on the Dry Stout style and fermented with our house Belgian yeast strain.

3) Nitwit Imperial Wheat (cask)

Cask-conditioned strong Wit-style ale = 8% ABV.

4) Brandy-barrel-aged Fuerte Strong Ale

Rich 9% ABV amber ale aged for three months in Kentucky brandy barrels.

5) Saison de la Chance Redux

Our 13th Anniversary Saison re-created for the patrons of Belgianfest. 8.5% ABV

Elysian Brewing Co.

1) Yuzu’s Belgian-style Golden Ale

Yuzu’s is made with 100% pale malt, Turbinado sugar and Belgian Golden ale yeast. Bittered with Magnum and finished with Styrian Goldings hops. Organic dried lemon peel is added at the end of the boil, and yuzu juice is added both pre- and post-fermentation. 4.5% ABV

2) Bete Noel Belgian-style Ale

Brewed with Pale, Munich, Castle Aromatic and roasted barley and black malts, with amber Turbinado sugar added to the kettle. Bittered with German Northern Brewer, finished with Hallertauer hops and fermented with Belgian Golden Ale yeast. 8.5% ABV

3) Krokus Saffron Sour Wheat Ale

Brewed with pale, malted wheat, flaked wheat and wheat flour and hopped with Hallertauer and U.K. Fuggles. Infused with American saffron and fermented with the 4th generation sour tank collection of yeasts and bacteria. 6% ABV

4) Ferme noire Cascadian Dark Sasion

Our dark and hoppy ale fermented with a Saison yeast. The resulting beer adds a bone-dry, barnyard twang to an already slightly roasty and moderately hoppy beverage. Malts: pale, dark Munich, aromatic, and Carafa III Sugar: 50 lbs of Demerara Hops: Chinook, Amarillo, Cascade 8.2% ABV

5) Backhanded Compliment Belgian IPA CASK

Backhanded Compliment Cask version dry-hopped with Citra. Brewed with organic pale, Munich, Cara-Hell and Cara-Vienne malts and bittered with Chinook and finished with Amarillo and Citra hops. Fermented with Westmalle yeast. 6.2% ABV

6) Bete Blanche Belgian-style Tripel

A twist on the French expression “Bête Noire.” Brewed entirely from Pale malt and augmented in the boil with clear Belgian candy sugar. Bittered with German Northern Brewer and finished with Styrian Goldings hops. Fermented with Belgian ale yeast. 41 IBU. 6.9% ABV

7) Nibiru Belgian-style Tripel

Infused with Yerba Mate. Combining the tasty esters of Belgian yeast and the compelling tea-like flavors of the South American herb mixture. A mixture of German Northern Brewer, Czech Saaz and American Amarillo hops round out the uniqueness of this first beer of the Apocalypse. 7.65% ABV

8 ) The Prefessor

With plums and brettanomyces, Marris-Otter pale, Munich and wheat, and East Kent Goldings to bitter and finish, at the Tangletown brewery.  4.65% ABV

Engine House No 9 Brewery

1) Love child Kriek

5.9% ABV Ruby in color with a pink head. Aromas of cherries and oak. With a cherry and slight sour flavor finishes bright and clean.

2) Bourbon Saison

7.8% ABV Traditionally brewed saison, aged in bourbon barrel. With aromas of oak, bourbon, vanilla, clove and hints of sour. Giving way to flavors of banana, cloves bourbon and hints of sour finishing clean and dry.

3) Belgian White

5.0% ABV Grainy spicy wheat aromatics with hints of coriander and orange. Pleasant malt sweetness with zesty citrus, coriander and subtle spicy hop flavors. Finishes with a slight wheat tartness

Fish Brewing Company

1) Monkfish Belgian Style Tripel Ale

A cracking fine example of the classic style, Monkfish Belgian Style Tripel Ale is the color of nectar, with a sweet malty flavor and subtle hop aroma. Mingling in its character, fruity and spicy esters impart a heavenly complexity to this medium-bodied delight. Brewed using Pale malt, Honey malt, aromatic malt, Belgian candy sugar, Styrian Golding hops and, of course, Belgian Abbey yeast, Monkfish stands firmly in the Belgian triple tradition. 32 IBUs 9.0% ABV

Fremont Brewing Co.

1) The Lamb

Saison aged in French Oak wine barrels with brettanomyces lambicus.

2) Return of Blood Funnel

Gallaghers Where U Brew

1) The Monk

A delicious Belgium Triple with a smooth 8.5% fruity bite. Coriander and orange peel add to the decadence of this ale. The use of Orange peel during the dry hop adds to the amazing aromatics of this popular brew.

2) Black Imperial Belgium

The use of our Belgium yeast allows the fruity character of this beer to stand out. Its dark color compliments the full body mouth feel and is enjoyed by all.

Georgetown Brewing Co.

1) Frosty “The Waldman”

In the Winter Warmer tradition, this dark ale is brewed strong with Pale, Pilsner, Special B, Crystal, and Chocolate malts, and 10 lbs/bbl of rich molasses boost the holiday cheer. Northern Brewer hops contribute the bulk of the bitterness, while Sterling hops, cinnamon sticks, and nutmeg add a spicy nose. Fermented with a Belgian ale yeast strain to lend a smooth and complex character. ABV 7.6%, IBUs 40

2) Waldman

Modeled after an English Ordinary Bitter with a few decidedly Belgian stylings, Waldman is brewed with Northern Brewer hops and 36 lbs of Belgian Candi Sugar then fermented with a Belgian ale yeast. We finish with Brettanomyces “Wild” yeast strain and a heavy does of dry hops. The Brett is carried over to the bottles where Waldman continues to develop complex flavors throughout the bottle conditioning.  ABV 6.1%, IBUs 35

Hale’s Ales

1) Hale’s “25″ Belgian Dubbel

The first edition of this beer was brewed to celebrate Hale’s Ales 25th anniversary in 2008. True to style, Hale’s “25″ Belgin Dubbel is moderately strong, very malty and possesses the unique flavor characteristics imparted by Belgian yeast.  7.3% ABV, 20 IBU’s

2) Hale’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Belgian Gold

Hale’s Belgian Gold is made with Pilsner, C-40 and Carapils Malts with a blend of various sugars. The beer is hopped with Goldings. This delicious beer has been aged in bourbon oak barrels for most of 2011. The combination of the wood and whiskey overtones combined with the belgian beer flavors makes this beer a true delight.  9% ABV, 15 IBU’s

3) Hale’s Belgian Wit

A classic, unadulterated Belgian Wit brewed with no spices. Crisp, refreshing and slightly tart.  4.8% ABV, 5 IBU’s

Hilliard’s Beer

1) Hilliard’s Saison

Simple beer, complex taste and aroma.  A special yeast and unique fermentation profile give this beer hints of coriander, orange peel, and maybe a bit of pepper. Castle Malting Pilsner Malt and Golding Hops, no spices added.  7.4% AVB

Issaquah Brewery

1) White Frog Ale

Belgian Style Ale: Summer Wit Beer. Aromas of coriander and orange spice dominate the nose. A very light mouthfeel is countered with sweet orange peel, coriander and subtle notes of chamomile. It finishes with delicate banana and clove spices. Surprisingly light and immediately quaffable. ABV: 5.2%

2) Menage A Frog Belgian Trippel

Menage A Frog has a brilliant golden amber color. Inviting aromas of toasty baguette, orange blossom honey, and delicate bubblegum spice follow through on a round entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with caramel pear and peach custard tart notes. Finishes in a bold peppery spice, delicate grassy herbal and citrusy hops, and toffee fade with lingering warming alcohol.

ABV: 9%

Lazy Boy Brewing Co.

1)Belgian Golden Ale

2)Belgian Dubbel

McMenamins Pubs & Breweries

1) Reinhold’s Flying Armadillo Dark Belgian Strong

A nice, full bodied Dark Belgian with a mild hop presence and a flavorful malty character.  Made with Wyeast Belgian Abbey II yeast. 7.75% ABV

2) Girl Next Door Belgian Blonde

This is a light bodied, smooth tasting and highly carbonated Belgian Blonde Ale. It is made with Pilsner, Wheat and Aromatic malts and hopped with US Golding hops. Brewed using Wyeast Belgian Abbey II yeast. 6.0% ABV.

Naked City Brewery

1) La Touche De Mal

Belgian Strong Golden Ale

New Belgium

1) Belgo

Belgian style IPA made with an authentic Trappist yeast strain and 4 varieties of hops.  7.0% ABV and 60 IBU’s

2) Trip 11 Farmhouse Ale

Farmhouse ale brewed with Rosemary and Sage.  8.5% ABV

Odin Brewing Co.

1) Thor’s Equinox

this Belgian Dark Strong Ale is a brew that is big in flavor without the chewy body holding you back from finishing the whole glass. We have showcased malt and a unique woody note from Angelica spice, creating a beer that is still Belgian, yet can satisfy stout and strong porter lovers as well. Aroma– dark fruits and portlike notes, Top note– strong maltiness, some molasses, Middle note- malt sweetness,  banana, End note– light tartness, woody, Color– dark nut brown. 9% ABV, 20 IBUs

Paradise Creek Brewery

1) Paradise Hoe

A refreshing and traditional Belgian Wit with a nose that offers you wonderful orange, subtle banana, clove and other sweet fruit. One taste of this cloudy straw colored ale confirms what you smell and opens up notes of coriander and just a dash of pepper. The white wheat and a little oats give this beer a nice medium bodied mouth feel. ABV 5.8%

Pike Brewing Company

1) Saison

2) Pike Monk’s Uncle

Big, full-bodied and complex with a yeasty nose, fruity esters and malty dryness. Hints of honey, spice and exotic fruit play with the senses. Powerful, yet gentle. ABV 9%

Ram Restaurant & Brewery

1) Barrel #1

Light, tart and refreshing – a blonde ale fermented in a barrel by many a mysterious critter – 4.5% ABV

2) Barrel #2

An intensely flavored dark ale, fermented in an old wine barrel with a couple of Brett strains and hints of lactobacilius. 6.5% ABV

3) BBlage-a-trois

A blend of 3 wildly fermented bbls made exclusively for this year’s Belgian Fest.

Redhook Brewery

1) Allocation

Allocation is a super drinkable Belgian Session Ale. Medium in body and amber hued with ample handfuls of wheat malt to keep the beer’s finish light and dry. Mild phenolic notes from the Trappist yeast offer up mild hints of spiciness and banana. It is tradition for the Monastic brewers in Belgium to get a daily allocation of the lightest (session) beer they produce after their work is done.

Schooner EXACT Brewing Co.

1) Schoon White

Belgian-style wheat ale brewed with Pilsner malt, wheat malt, unmalted wheat and oats. Fermented with a traditional Belgian Wit beer strain. Hallertauer hops and a subtle addition of spices including citrus zest and hibiscus make this a thirst quenching and refreshing beverage. 5.2 % ABV

22 IBU’s

2) Biere de SODO

A hoppy Belgian-style pale ale brewed with Pilsner malt, sugar and a generous helping of Styrian Golding hops. Fermented with a blend of a unique Belgian yeast and a special strain of brettanomyces, this beer is easy drinking with an ever so slight funkiness.

6.4% ABV, 38 IBU’s

3) Abbaye de Schooner Dubbel

A Belgian-style ale brewed with a complex and distinctive blend of German and Belgian malts. Hallertauer hops, Belgian candi sugar and organic flame raisins complement the rich, toasted, caramel malt and yeast finish.

6.9% ABV, 20 IBU’s

4) Saison Goélette

A traditional Belgian farmhouse ale brewed with Pilsner malt, rye malt, turbinado sugar and Hallertauer hops.

5.8% ABV, 24 IBU’s

Silver City Brewery

1) The Giant Made Of Shadows

This Dark Strong Ale is rich in big malt character, candy like sweetness, and warming alcohol.  Suggestions of chocolate and dried fruits pair well with oak and vinous notes from extended aging in Tempranillo wine barrels. 9.5% ABV

2) Nutcracker 2005 Special Brown Ale

A festive beer (8.6 % ABV), Nutcracker rings in the Holiday Season with a medley of dark roasted malt, fruit and spice. Some hints of fruit (plum, cherry, peach) come from a wonderful and distinctive Belgian yeast strain. Additionally, ginger, orange and tangerine peel was added to spice things up.

3) La Fat 2007

La Fat is Silver City Fat Scotch Ale fermented with a Belgian yeast noted for creating big, spicy phenol character. La Fat goes through a secondary fermentation on French Oak.  La Fat combines classic Belgian characteristics with Scotch like toffee and caramel notes with hints of oak and peat. ABV 9.2%

4) Whitecap Wit

A Belgian witbeir (white beer) brewed by award winning Seattle homebrewer Nick Ladd in collaboration with Silver City Brewmaster Don Spencer for entry in the 2011 Great American Beer Festival Pro-Am competition. Wheat and oats are mixed with malted barley to make a light and hazy (white) beer. Coriander, Fresh Tangelo and Valencia orange peel are added for a vibrant citrusy appeal. 5.5% ABV

Snipes Mountain Brewing

1) Golden Ale

Belgian-style Golden Strong made with Belgian pilsner malt, clear candi syrup and NW beet sugar. Fermented with an authentic Belgian golden strain. 9.5% ABV, 27 IBU’s

2) Darkstrong

Belgian-style Dark Strong made with three types of rye malt, dark candi syrup and aged for a year with Lactobacillus. 8.5% ABV, 28 IBU’s

Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company

1) Triskaidekaphobia

Reminiscent of the Millennial Madness we created 12 years ago, Triskaidekaphobia is a great balance of crisp clean malt, lemony hops and spice. Unfiltered but clear to the eye, Trisky is made from 100% German pilsner malt, Belgian candi sugar, 100% Czech Saaz hops and Belgian ale yeast.8.6% ABV

2) Spring Fever

Orange hues, rich malt flavors, spicy coriander overtones and fruity, tropical aromas make this one beautiful beer for fans of Belgian styles. Spring Fever is crafted from the finest Two-Row, Munich, Carastan and Belgian Aromatic malts, Columbus and Czech. Saaz hops, spiced with coriander and fermented with Belgian ale yeast. 7.0% ABV

Sound Brewery

1) Dubbel Entendre

Comforting aromas of chocolate malt and dark toffee, with a hint of banana and stone fruits. A dark abbey style ale with a subtle rich maltiness and a dry, spicy finish. 8.0% ABV

2) Tripel Entendre

Complexity and balance from a simple recipe of the finest ingredients obtainable. Clear and light in color, this strong Belgian ale drinks smooth and easy but has the complexity to complement the finest meals or to savor alone at the end of the evening. 9.9% ABV

3) Koperen Ketel

Biscuity Belgian malt balanced with the finest Slovenian Styrian Goldings hops, Koperen Ketel has a delicate herbal, fruity aroma and a clean dry finish making for a refreshing, easy drinking copper color ale. 5.0% ABV

Wingman Brewers

1) Black Widow

A dark Belgian strong ale aged in a Pont21 Cabernet Sauvignon barrel from 21 Cellars. A Cab Sav nose is followed by the familiar Belgian flavors of ripe fruit and figs. 11.4% ABV

2) Cerise Noire

A light lambic influenced sour ale.  Featuring pediococcus, lactobasillus, brettanomyces, and black cherry tea. 6% ABV

1) Le Havre Belgian Winter Ale

This seasonal offering is fashioned with reverence towards the long-standing tradition of Trappist Abbey-style beers of Belgium. Brewed with Pale Ale malt, oats, and dark crystal malts, hopped with Fuggles, and fermented with authentic Belgian Abbey yeast, the ale reveals intricate layers of spice, fig, bitter chocolate.  ABV: 8.0%

On Tuesday, January 24 The Beer Authority hosts a brewers night celebration featuring the beers of Elliott Bay Brewery. The event is intended to welcome Elliott Bay Brewery to the Lake City neighborhood. In case you haven’t heard, Elliott Bay is in the process of building its third brewery and pub. The location, which is just a couple blocks up the street from The Beer Authority, is now in the final stages of construction. No word of a grand opening date yet. We will keep you posted.

In the meantime, join The Beer Authority on Tuesday evening as they pour Elliott Bay beers, hopefully including some special treats. Bill Jenkins will be there representing Elliott Bay. Formerly the head brewer at Big Time Brewery in the University district, Bill will be manning the brewhouse at the new Elliott Bay location.

Tuesday evening at The Beer Authority we expect Bill to talk about Elliott Bay Brewery’s beer, hopefully provide some valuable information about the status of the new brewery, and generally warm the room with his congenial personality and rapier wit.

Elliott Bay Brewers Night at The Beer Authority
12716 Lake City Way NE
Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 417-9629

Tuesday, January 24th
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

We just received an update from Westport Brewing. Mark Wagner, the Brewmaster, just sent us an email to tell us the following:

“We’ve been in production since late December 2011 and our tap room opened January 1 2012. Our Cohasset Cream Ale is ‘selling like hotcakes’ in Grays Harbor! Take a road trip, see the beautiful coast and have a few pints with us!”

The Washington Beer Blog will visit Westport Brewing in April (if not sooner). We look forward to taking mark up on his offer. Can’t make out to Westport? Find them on Facebook.