Tomorrow (Wednesday, February 22) marks the kickoff of Tacoma Drinks Washington Beer Week. Details below. The event runs through February 29th. I freely admit that I am a Washington beer homer, not to mention a child of the City of Destiny, but just when you think Tacoma cannot possibly get any cooler they step up and dedicate a week to Washington beer. Tacoma rocks.

Remember that kid in Junior High School. You know the one: the coolest kid in school. Even though he could have, he never hung out with the “in crowd” because he was above that crap. He was quiet and independent. Maybe he was kind of a greaser, a loser, or some other form of wrong side of the tracks tough guy. Girls thought he was dangerous in all the right ways. Guys wanted to be him.

That’s Tacoma.

Remember that guy? There were bigger kids, but nobody messed with him. He was tough but not a bully. You didn’t really know him, and you were a bit afraid of him, but then he stepped in and broke up a fight when you were about to get your butt kicked or performed some other heroic act of kindness that made him even cooler. He had an insufferably hot girlfriend who looked like she was 18 and went to a different school. He was a man’s man at age 14. There were rumors of him having a tattoo.

That’s Tacoma.

As if The Red Hot (blog sponsor) and the Parkway Tavern are not cool enough already, tomorrow they kick off Tacoma Drinks Washington Beer Week. Both of these esteemed beer destinations already do a great job of supporting the local brewing community but for one week they will focus on Washington-brewed beers. Also, the Red Hot and the Parkway will host brewers nights and new beer debuts showcasing Washington breweries. But wait; there’s more. Complete the Tacoma Drinks Washington Beer Week stamp card and you’ll get a commemorative growler.

Keep an eye on the tap lists to see what’s pouring:

The Red Hot Taplist

The Parkway Tavern on Taplister

The Events

• Wednesday, February 22 at The Red Hot: Tacoma debut of Wingman Brewers/Airways Brewing collaboration brew, Chocolate Rye Stout. And more.
• Wednesday, February 22 at the Parkway Tavern: Brewers Night with American Brewing Company.
• Thursday, February 23 at The Red Hot: Hilliard’s Beer Night featuring Hilliard’s Extra Special Belgian and more.
• Monday, February 27 at the Parkway Tavern: Randall Wrecker Night with Harmon Brewing. Enjoy Harmon’s beer poured through the Randall.

The Stamp Card

Pictured below is the Tacoma Drinks Washington Beer Week stamp card. At first glance, it looks daunting. That’s a lot of beer. Remember, you have an entire week. Let’s face it, 20 beers in a week is a cinch. After all, you are the coolest kid in school.

A lot happening for a Tuesday. Just thought I’d share the info in case you’re looking for something to do this afternoon and/or evening. As always, check out our Washington Beer Events Calendar whenever you get a hankerin’ to get out there and do something. These days, there seems to be something happening on the beer scene just about every night.

12 Beers of the Apocalypse, Elysian Brewing

The second event in the series. The official release party for the second beer in the Elysian Apocalypse series: Rapture Heather Ale. See our previous post about this series of beers and events. Celebrate the end of days with Elysian today from 4:00 – 7:00 at the Capitol Hill brewpub.

Brewmaster’s Visit to Rogue Issaquah Brewhouse

Rogue’s longtime Brewmaster John Maier pays a visit to the Issaquah Brewhouse. This is a great opportunity to meet the legendary brewer of so many great Rogue beers… and drink his beers. 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Sound Brewery Anniversary at Naked City Brewing and Taphouse

Sound Brewery jumped out of the gates last year and quickly gained a reputation for its outstanding, unique beers. Tonight at Naked City they will celebrate their first anniversary. An impressive lineup of Sound beers is on tap for the occasion.  Hard to believe Sound Brewery has come this far in one year. 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Cancer Sux Benefit at Brouwer’s Cafe

Eugene Koptin, a friend and former employee at Brouwer’s Cafe, was recently diagnosed with leukemia and now find himself in the battle of his life. Local breweries are donating items to help raise funds, including items for a raffle and auction. INCLUDING a bike from New Belgium! All of the proceeds from this event will go to help Eugene’s battle. More information on the Brouwer’s Blog

Beyond that…

Some regular weekly, bi-weekly events. Check with the Washington Beer Events Calendar.

Little Water Cantina and Odin Brewing present “Snouts and Stouts” on Sunday, February 26 from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. It’s really about more types of beer than just Stouts but the alliterative rhyming scheme was just too much for event organizers to resist. Whatever you call it, the event is intended to conjure thoughts of the warmer days ahead. Snouts and Stouts is a monthly event featuring a different brewery each month.

To help remind us that indeed there are warmer days ahead, Chef Shannon Wilkinson will roast a whole pig for the event and serve it up taco-style. Nothing says summer quite like a whole hog roasting over an open flame. For $15 you  get a heaping portion of naturally raised pork along with a beer from Odin Brewing.  Little Water Cantina intends to pour the entire lineup of Odin beers for the occasion.

Little Water Cantina is located in Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood. Perched above Lake Union, Little Water Cantina is perhaps best known for its amazing alfresco dining. The restaurant will put its patio to good use this winter: the patio is where the chef roasts the pigs. Don’t worry, LWC provides indoor seating so you won’t freeze. Snouts and Stouts occurs monthly on the last Sunday of each, starting this Sunday, February 26th.

Squirrel Butter provides live music for this month’s event. Based in Seattle, Squirrel Butter plays old-school blues,  early country,  jugband, and Appalachian twang: banjos, fiddles, square dance calling, and songs dating back to the 1800s.

You can reserve your spot on Little Water Cantina’s Facebook page.

From the Facebook page:

Join us for a whole hog roast and great local beer and music the last Sunday of every month. Our inaugural “Snouts & Stouts” cookout is February 26th with Odin Brewing and the old time musical renderings of Squirrel Butter (www.squirrelbutter.com). $15 gets you a huge plate of roast pork tacos and one of Odin’s beers. We’ll have their entire lineup on tap for you to try for only $4 a glass. Come. Bring friends.

Wednesday, February 22, the Dog and Pony Alehouse in Renton hosts a very special beer dinner. The Silver City Gold Medal Beer Dinner includes five courses paired with a selection of award-winning beers from Silver City Brewing. Each beer featured at this dinner is a Great American Beer Festival gold medal winner. See the menu below.

Kurt Larson will act as the guest chef for the evening. During the day, Kurt works as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Silver City Brewing, but for this occasion he will put on his chef’s hat and orchestrate the meal.

Seating is limited for the Silver City Gold Medal Dinner at the Dog and Pony so you need to call and reserve your spot. 425-254-8080. Food and festivities begin at 6:30.

Silver City Brewery Gold Medal Beer Dinner
Dog and Pony Alehouse, Renton

Featuring Guest Chef Kurt Larson — Silver City Brewery Director of Sales & Marketing. “Chef” Kurt will pair Silver City Brewery’s Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal brews with a menu inspired by the beers.

First Course
Broccoli-Pepperoncini Salad paired with Clear Creek Pale Ale.

Chilled al dente broccoli flourettes, diced peperoncini’s, tomato, onion, alfalfa sprouts & feta cheese tossed with sweet poppy seed dressing.

Second Course
Roasted Red Bell & Asiago Parm Toasted Crostini paired with Fat Scotch Ale.

Balsamic vinegar drizzled crostini topped with roasted red bell pepper & asiago parmesan & baked golden crisp.

Third Course
Bacon Wrapped Basil Prawns paired with Gold Mountain Pilsner.

Butterflied & stuffed with basil & red pepper prawns wrapped in peppered bacon, grilled & drizzled with buerre blanc.

Main Course
Mediterranean Tortellini paired with Ridgetop Red Ale.

Cheese tortellini & herb roasted chicken tossed with black olives, feta cheese, marinara & pesto sauce then baked under a blanket of mozzarella.

Dessert
Caramelized New York Cheese Cake paired with Old Scrooge Christmas Ale.

New York Cheese Cake powdered with sugar & drizzled with caramel then flambéed to a caramel crisp.

Gird thy liver! You must be this tall to enjoy this ride. Lace up your best pair of drinking shoes and tie them tight. You will need a belt and suspenders for this one. Amateurs need not apply. Keep you hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times. This is no place for children.

It’s time to drink some serious beer. Very serious beer. Two of the year’s most-anticipated events approach: Barleywine Bachhanal and Hard Liver Barleywine Festival. Both events are celebrating their 10th year.

Barleywine Bachhanal

bacchanal (n) - a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity.

Each year the Beveridge Place Pub (blog sponsor) assembles an outrageous array of the most bodacious brews available. This year Barleywine Bachhanal runs from Saturday, February 25 through Saturday, March 3. Barleywine Bachhanal features 24 taps dedicated to “The biggest, boldest brews born between Bellingham and Boulder (and elsewhere, too)!”

At the Barleywine Bachhanal, sample-sized glasses are served on trays in sets of six, allowing you to enjoy the widest possible selection of Barleywine before the foggy veil of intoxication envelopes your skull. If there is one beer  in particular that you like, you are welcome to order it by the glass.

In addition to Barleywine, the Beveridge Place Pub maintains its selection of “house regulars.” You will still be able to get Lucille IPA, Immersion Amber, Freya’s Gold Kolsch, and the rest of the stuff on the Bev’s regular, non-rotating list.

Among the barleywines pouring at the Barleywine Bachhanal this year:

Alaskan Barleywine ‘08, ’09, ‘10
Anacortes Old Sebastes ’08, ’09, ‘10
Anchor Old Foghorn ‘11
Anderson Valley ’11
Avery Hog Heaven ’11
Beer Valley ’11
Big Al ’10, ‘11
Big Sky Old Blue Hair ’11
Black Raven Old Birdbrain ’11
Boulder Killer Penguin ’09, ‘11
Boundary Bay Old Bounder ’10
Deschutes Mirror Mirror ’09
Diamond Knot Icebreaker ’10
Dick’s Barleywine ’11
Elliott Bay Old Portside ’09
Elysian Cyclops ’11
Firestone Walker Abacus ‘11
Fish 10 Squared ’11
Fremont Barleywine ’11
Full Sail Old Boardhead ’08
Full Sail Old Boilermaker ‘09
Great Divide Old Ruffian ’10, ’11
Hale’s Rudyard’s Rare ‘11
Hopworks Urban Brewery Noggin Floggin ’09, ‘11
Hood Canal Breidablik ‘10
Left Hand Oak Aged Widdershins ’10
Mad River John Barleycorn ’07
North Coast Old Stock ’10, ‘11
Pike Old Bawdy ’08, ’09, ’10, ‘11
Port Townsend ’10
Scuttlebutt Old #1 ’09
Seven Seas Wheelchair ’11
Sierra Nevada Black Barleywine ’10
Snipes Mountain Roza ’10
Speakeasy Old Godfather ’09
Stone Old Guardian ’08, ’09, ‘10
Wingman Barleywing ‘11

Hard Liver X

Not to be outdone, Brouwer’s Cafe in Fremont hosts Hard Liver X on Saturday, March 3rd. The beers go on tap when the doors open on Saturday and pour until they’re gone. Likely, a line will form outside the door a couple hours before opening time.  Expect the Angel’s Share from Lost Abbey Brewing, along with some of the other premium selections, to disappear quickly.

Hard Liver X features a number of outstanding beers. The list includes:

Alaskan Big Nugget ’09 and ’10
Anacortes
Anchor Old Foghorn ’10
Big Sky Old Blue Hair’11
Deschutes Mirror Mirror ’09 and ’10
Dogfish Head Old School
Emelisse Jack Daniels Barrel Aged
Firestone Walker(beer formerly know as Abucus) ’11
Great Divide Old Ruffian ’10
Lagunitas too many years to list -we will pick one or two for the festival
Lost Abbey Angel’s Share
Pike Old Bawdy ’11
Rogue Old Crustacean’11
Speakeasy Old Godfather’09
Stone Old Guardian (too many years to list; they will pick one or two for the festival)

Updated on Tuesday, Feb 21. See bottom of the post for updates.

On Saturday, February 25th from noon until 5:00 p.m., breweries across the state will open their doors to the public as the Washington Beer Commission presents the second annual Washington Beer Open House. Below, we provide a regional breakdown of participating breweries as well as some advice on how to approach Open House.

Some breweries will offer special releases others will do barrel tastings. Some will provide food/beer pairings, others will offer vertical tastings of beers from the cellar. It’s up to each brewery to decide what Open House means. If any breweries want to chime in and leave comments, we’d love to know more about what you have planned for Open House this year.

On Twitter, use the official Open House hashtag: #WaBeerOH.

There’s a mAP for that

Currently there are 42 breweries signed up for Open House. I would suspect more breweries will sign-on this week so be sure to keep an eye on the Open House map, which you can find at the official Washington Beer Open House website. It is a Google map and the Commission provides a QR code (tag) on the website and the posters which are displayed at all participating breweries. We have included it here for your convenience. You can snap the tag and have the map on your phone. Or you can simply click here to view the map.

Advice

• Look at the map and devise an itinerary that moves you from far to near. Start the day away. End the day closer to home.
• Big breakfast; carbohydrates and proteins.
• Work out, go for a walk, or otherwise get some exercise after breakfast. That will get your metabolism cooking.
• Start early. Be at your first destination when the doors open at 12:00.
• Bring water and stay hydrated between stops. Drink water between stops, not beer.
• Snacks. Lots of snacks. Enough said.
• Growlers. You never know what you might run into so it is always a good idea to have a growler or two with you, especially considering the next piece of advice.
• Designate a driver. Buy your DD dinner at the end of the night. Fill a couple of growlers for them along the way. Incentivize the adventure for your driver.

Be safe. Have fun.

Itineraries, Geographic Listings

West Sound:
Highway 16 and Highway 3 make this an easy adventure. If you’re coming from Seattle, consider driving across the Narrows Bridge and working your way north, then take the ferry home from Winslow. Enjoy having dinner at the Harbour Public House in Winslow before you head back across the Sound (nice tap selection and not far from the ferry terminal in Winslow).

7 Seas Brewing, Gig Harbor
Silver City Brewing, Bremerton
Valholl Brewing, Poulsbo
Slippery Pig, Pouslbo
Sound Brewery, Poulsbo

Tacoma Area:
Breweries, yes, but mix in a stop at the Red Hot (blog sponsor) and/or the Parkway Tavern to make this a real Tacoma beer adventure.

Wingman Brewers, Tacoma
Harmon Brewing, Tacoma
7 Seas Brewing, Gig Harbor (also on the W Sound tour)

South Seattle:
(South of the stadiums.) I expect this to be a busy one. Why not? Great breweries. Comparatively close together.

Odin Brewing, Seattle
Two Beers Brewing, Seattle
Schooner Exact Brewing, Seattle
Epic Ales, Seattle

Seattle, Downtown – The Pike Street Brew Tour:
You can easily walk this one. All three stops are on Pike Street (essentially) and if you start at Elysian it’s downhill all the way. Consider parking downtown, taking the bus up to Capitol Hill (route 2, 10, 25, and others), and then walking back downtown. You should have plenty of time if you do not dawdle.

Elysian Brewing
McMenamins Six Arms
Pike Brewing

Seattle, North of the Ship Canal:
This one is prolific. If you can make it to all the stops on this itinerary, I’ll buy you a beer. Don’t even try. Choose three, maybe four of these destinations and enjoy. Don’t rush.

Big Time Brewery (12:00 -  2:00 only)
Fremont Brewing
Maritime Pacific
Hillard’s Beer
Naked City Brewing
Elliott Bay Public House and Brewery (Lake City)

Everett and the North End:
Another prolific tour. Same advice applies.

Scuttlebutt Brewing, Everett
Lazy Boy Brewing, Everett
Diamond Knot Brewing, Mukilteo
McMenamins, Mill Creek
American Brewing, Edmonds

East of Lake Washington:
Those of you on the Eastside need not cross the lake this year. I don’t know what, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Redhook had something interesting up their sleeve. You should never overlook Washington’s oldest craft brewery.

Snoqualmie Falls Brewing
Black Raven Brewing, Redmond
Redhook Brewing, Woodinville
Foggy Noggin Brewing, Woodinville

Extra North Brew Tour:
Consider this a challenge. It is possible to make it to all of these if you are determined. You will probably want to start at Birdsview at exactly 12:00. If you start in Bellingham, you might not make it out of Bellingham. That would not be a disaster. If you try to do it all, be vigilant.

Birdsview Brewing, Concrete
Anacortes Brewing, Anacortes
Chuckanut Brewery, Bellingham
Boundary Bay Brewing, Bellingham

East of the Mountains:
This is more like a listing than a suggested itinerary. Many miles between each.

Icicle Brewing, Leavenworth
Iron Horse Brewing, Ellensburg
Yakima Craft Brewing, Yakima
Snipes Mountain Brewing, Sunnyside
White Bluffs Brewing, Richland

The Extreme East:
Again, more of a listing and less of an itinerary. It’s just the nature of the expansive eastern half of our state. Divided into two, it is much more manageable.

Paradise Creek Brewing, Pullman
Pallouse Falls Brewing, Pullman
Twelve String Brewing, Spokane Falls
Norther Lights Brewing, Spokane

Honorable Mention:
A little something for the extreme south end. Our beer loving brothers and sisters can get involved in Open House with a quick trip across the river.

Mt. Tabor Brewing, Vancouver

UPDATES

We will add information below as we get it. Here are some of the things that Washington breweries will be doing for Open House this year:

McMenamin’s Six Arms

Stop in and say hello to Six Arm’s own Kyle Jungck who will pour you some fine samples and show you the innermost secrets of this small but mighty brewery. Also note that from 12 noon until 5pm at Six Arms you can purchase an empty McMenamins logo growler for $2.00. This is a one day deal, and you must fill your $2.00 growler up with any Six Arms beer that day to get the deal!

Kyle’s featured ale:

Juniper Infused Firkin of Hammerhead
This rich chestnut colored gem is a model of harmony between hops and malted barley. Hammerhead’s signature Cascade hop nose and intense hopped flavor blend nicely with the caramel tones from the crystal malt. This special firkin has been cask-conditioned and dosed with Juniper Berries.

OG: 1.056
TG: 1.010
ABV: 5.93%

Malts: Great Western Two Row, Great Western C75
Hops: Cascade
Special Adjuncts: Juniper Berries

Schooner Exact Brewing

Sample some beers direct from the barrels. Also, get a sample of Schooner Exact’s Sour Brown Ale.

American Brewing Company

American Brewing Company releases Skip’s newest brew…a SCOTCH ALE!
“A smooth, malty sweet treat! A beautiful, clear, coppery red color.  You will enjoy the rich mouthfeel of this ale which allows the malty flavors to linger on your tongue.  A subtle hint of the Peat Malt and Roasted Barley add some deeper complexities to its flavor.  The overall hop characters are very low, which highlights its malty sweetness.”
ABV: 6.0%   IBU:32

NEW MERCHANDISE…going on sale this Saturday!  Be the first to buy the American Brewing Company black, pullover hoodie sweatshirt  $40.00.

More info coming as it becomes available. Brewers, send us an email and let us know what you have planned for Open House this year.

This weekend (February 17 -19) marks the first-ever Great Washington Porter Festival. Details below. The event takes place at Columbia Valley Brewing in Wenatchee and features a selection of Washington-brewed Porters.

Alan Moen is the editor of the Northwest Brewing News and also the mastermind behind the Great Washington Porter Festival. Alan approached me about the idea a few months ago. At first, I did not completely understand the concept. Washington… Porter… Presidents Day. It took me a moment to connect the dots (big, huge, super-obvious dots) and then I realized it was a brilliant idea.

George Washington and the other Founding Fathers were fueled by ale when they fought for our nation’s independence. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison and quite likely many more of our nation’s earliest patriots were home brewers. In colonial America it was common for men of certain means to brew their own beer. More likely, they had the women brew the beer, but I digress.

Historians note that George Washington’s favorite style of beer was Porter, or at least something brewed in those days resembling what we now refer to as Porter. During the 18th century Porter was the mainstay beer in the Mother Land and presumably in her colonies as well. At this weekend’s event they’ll even be serving up samples of a beer brewed by a local home brewer based (loosely, I’m sure) on George Washington’s recently discovered, historic recipe for “Small Beer.”

The Great Washington Porter Festival is a great idea. We hope it becomes a President’s Day tradition. Lord knows our Washington breweries produce some damn fine Porter. George Washington would be proud.

Here is the press release about the event:

GREAT WASHINGTON PORTER FESTIVAL IN WENATCHEE PRESIDENTS’ DAY WEEKEND

The Great Washington Porter Festival will take place at Columbia Valley Brewing Company in Wenatchee on Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 17-19, 2012.

In honor of George Washington, our state’s namesake and the nation’s first brewer/president, the festival will showcase porter-style ales from different Washington breweries.

Porter, a dark ale with a rich malty favor but without the strong roasted bitterness of a stout, was Washington’s favorite beer. He brewed it at Mount Vernon, and his 1757 small beer/porter recipe is preserved in the archives of his estate today. A variation of Washington’s recipe made by a local brewer will be poured at the festival on both Friday and Saturday.

George Washington was patriotic about American porter, a style first developed in England and probably named because of its popularity with the working class. “We have already been too long subject to British Prejudices,” Washington wrote. “I use no porter or cheese in my family, but that which is made in America: both these articles may now be purchased of an excellent quality.”

Participating breweries include Columbia Valley Brewing, Icicle Brewing (Leavenworth), Elysian Brewing (Seattle), Old Schoolhouse Brewing (Winthrop), Methow Valley Brewing/Twisp River Pub (Twisp), Ancient Lakes Brewing (Quincy) and Flyers Brewery (Oak Harbor).

The festival is for those age 21 and older, with no admission charge. Beers will be sold as samples, by the glass or pitcher. Live music is planned, and food will also be available.

Hours for the festival are: Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18, noon to midnight, and Sunday, February 19, from 2 until 10 p.m.

Columbia River Brewing Company is located at 538 Riverside Drive in Wenatchee. For more information, contact organizer Alan Moen at 509-784-5101, the brewery at 888- 9993, or visit www.columbiariverbrewing.com or the brewery’s Facebook page.

Seattle’s Venerable Latona Pub Celebrates 25 Years with a Series of Special Beers

This year marks the 25th anniversary for the Latona Pub (blog sponsor). In the coming weeks I will tell you more about the Latona Pub’s place in Seattle beer history. One of Seattle’s first truly great beer-focused pubs, the Latona Pub is celebrating its silver anniversary with a series of special beers produced exclusively for the pub. These Latona-only brews debut on select Monday nights from January through August. A week-long celebration takes place August 13th – 18th, more precisely marking the pub’s actual birthday. The complete schedule is below.

The first beer in the series, introduced in January, was produced by Mount Vernon’s North Sound Brewing. This month’s beer is a special creation from John Maier of Rogue Brewing. Thus far all we know is that it is a single-hop, single-malt ale. Maier has a long relationship with the pub, so we expect something spectacular. The beer will be introduced at the second in the series of anniversary celebrations at the pub next Monday, February 20th. Festivities begin at 8:00 p.m.

The mastermind behind countless creative and amazing beers from Rogue Brewing, Brewmaster John Maier began brewing at Rogue in 1989 when the brewery first opened. This will mark the 20th year that John visits the Latona Pub. Seattle rarely catches a glimpse of the legendary John “more hops” Maier, who rarely makes appearances away from the brewery in Newport, Oregon, but the Latona sees him once a year. This time he is bringing a special treat: a 25th Anniversary beer brewed exclusively for the Latona Pub.

Other breweries contributing to the ongoing celebration include Black Raven Brewing, Sound Brewery, Anacortes Brewing, Schooner Exact Brewing, Naked City Brewing and Double Mountain Brewing.

Here is the complete schedule of upcoming release events at the Latona Pub:

February 20th
ROGUE BREWING
The RETURN OF JOHN MAIER & ROGUE. A beer designed by one of the world’s best brewers. The 20th year John has made it back to the Latona!

March 19th
BLACK RAVEN BREWING
A bright spot on the Eastside brewing scene. Beaux Bowman & Crew are an adventuresome and talented bunch!

April 9th
SOUND BREWERY
These beer enthusiasts are taking Poulsbo by storm and brewing such amazing beer in such a short history!

May 14th
ANACORTES BREWING
These reputable brewers return to brew a spring beer for us! They have a special place in our IPA drinker’s hearts.

June 11th
SCHOONER EXACT BREWING
When summer returns this June, Matt & Heather will share something special and new from Sodo.

July 16th
NAKED CITY BREWING & DOUBLE MOUNTAIN BREWING
As we approach our 25th year in August we are lucky enough to have Donn & Charlie celebrate summer with us. There will be some amazing beer showcased.

August 13th – 18th
Latona’s 25th Anniversary Week! Details coming.

American Brewing Company is getting ready to celebrate its one year anniversary. The brewery and tasting room in Edmonds will host a party on Saturday, March 3rd. Festivities get underway at 1:00 and continue until 11:00.

The event (a 21+ affair) will be a food drive and fundraiser for the local food bank and will feature food, live music, new merchandise and great beer, including the release of a new beer from Brewmaster Skip Madsen: a hearty Scotch Ale. Here is the official press release from American Brewing:

One Year Anniversary Celebration

Open House & Fundraising Event

Saturday, March 3, 2012 · 1 pm – 11 pm

Live Music · Snacks & Finger Foods · New Merchandise · Beer!

American Brewing Company is proud to announce that it will be celebrating its one-year anniversary by hosting an open house (21 and older) Saturday, March 3 from 1 pm – 11 pm at their brewery, located at 180 W. Dayton St., Warehouse 102 in Edmonds, WA.

The tasting room will feature live music by local artists Steve Stefanowicz, a rock and blues acoustic performer from 2 pm – 5pm, and Third Train Running, an acoustic blues and folk band from 7 pm – 10 pm, as well as snacks and finger foods.

Along with their great flagship beers, American Brewing Company will proudly present brewer Skip Madsen’s newest, a hearty Scotch Ale!

In conjunction with this celebration, they are incorporating a fundraising event for the Edmonds Food Bank. Bring a donation of canned goods and receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win American Brewing Company swag, while helping to fill the shelves of the local food bank. “We are currently feeding 1,800 to 2,000 people each week,” says Peggy Kennedy, Director of the Edmonds Food Bank. According to Ms. Kennedy, any donation will be greatly appreciated.

“We’ve accomplished so much in our first year of business” says owner, Neil Fallon. “I want to make this day a way to thank everyone who has contributed to our success.”

In its first year of operations, the American Brewing Company:

• Began bottling three styles of beer after just six months of operation.

• Was featured as one of the “buzz-worthy” up-and-coming breweries in the October, 2011 issue of Seattle Magazine.

• Took on three distributors in the Western Washington region, and is about to add it’s fourth.

• Collaborated with local celebrity chef Tom Douglas’s Brave Horse Tavern to craft an American Style Brown Ale, The Brave American, which won a Bronze Medal at the 2011 Great American Beer Festival.

• American Brewing Company 22 oz bottle labels, designed by Taphandles in Seattle, received an American Package Design Award presented by Graphic Design USA.

• Was chosen as one of only 15 breweries from across the country to pour their beer in Washington, D.C. for more than 500 members of Congress and their staff at the Tenth Annual Autumn Capitol Hill Beer Tasting.

• Expanded their brewing capacity-twice-to keep up with demand.

• Began offering their beer at eight major chain stores in the Pacific Northwest.

• Was chosen to be a part of the first on-line Craft Beer Store, Beerjobber.com.

For an in-depth look at what has occurred over the past year at American Brewing Company, please visit their blog site

Last year’s grand opening event was such a blow out success that they are hoping the extended hours will allow for everyone to stop by and join in the celebration.

Hop Scotch Spring Beer and Scotch Festival (March 30th – 31st) features beers poured by nearly 30 craft breweries. Advance tickets are now on sale. As a beer lover, you will certainly find enough tasty beer to tickle your fancy; however, what really sets this event apart from other beer festivals is that they also serve top-shelf scotch and tequila along with boutique Washington wines.

In addition to loving beer, I know that many of you Washington Beer Blog readers also fancy a nice glass of liquor or wine on occasion. Hop Scotch has you covered. I’m not talking about run-of-the-mill tequila and scotch, I’m talking about the really good stuff.

This event is slick.  Many beer festivals are utilitarian by nature and offer little in the way of ambiance or style. That’s fine for most beer festivals where the focus is purely on the beer. I would describe Hop Scotch as being beautiful. Actually, for a beer festival, I’d say it’s sexy. And that brings me to my point. It’s Valentine’s Day, advance tickets are now on sale, and maybe you have yet to get a gift for your special somebody. I’m just trying to help.

Want to know a bit more about the event? Read our story about last year’s Hop Scotch Spring Beer and Scotch Festival. Visit the official Hop Scotch website for details. The event is a benefit for the Seattle International Film Festival.

Click Here to purchase tickets