Washington Cask Beer Festival, March 22nd

Last year the Washington Cask Beer Festival moved into a new and larger venue – the Exhibition Hall at Seattle Center. This year the event continues to grow as it returns for a second year at the Exhibition Hall. The 2014 version will feature the largest contingency of Washington brewers to ever pour at Cask Fest. In all, 41 breweries will pour what I expect to be well over 100 cask-conditioned beers. The list of breweries is provided in the press release below. The event takes place on Saturday, March 22 and there are two sessions – afternoon and evening. Tickets are available online.

This year the Washington Cask Beer Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary. The event benefits the Washington Brewers Guild, a non-profit trade organization that builds community amongst breweries and works on behalf of the industry in matters policy and politics. Complete event details are in the press release below.

Keeping the Tradition of Cask Ale Alive

2014 WASHINGTON CASK BEER FESTIVAL


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Saturday March 22, 2014
12-4pm & 6-10pm
Seattle Center Exhibition Hall

(Seattle, WA) February 17, 2014- The largest showing of cask-conditioned beer in the Pacific Northwest will take place on Saturday, March 22 when the Washington Brewers Guild presents its annual Washington Cask Beer Festival at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. After successfully moving into a new, much larger venue in 2013 the event is expected to continue its stride this year with more breweries, more beer and more attendees.

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Washington_Cask_Beer_Festival_2013 (14)
Cask Fest 2013.

 

This year’s Cask Festival will feature the largest brewery lineup in its 15 year history with 41 Guild member breweries serving cask-conditioned beer. Although cask beer has become more easily accessible in recent years especially at weekly cask nights at various establishments, it is still considered a novelty. Therefore the Cask Festival is a can’t miss event for many cask enthusiasts where they can sample from over 100 cask ales, most of which are brewed specially for this event.

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Cask-conditioning is a traditional way of brewing and serving beer that has been practiced in England for centuries. After primary fermentation in the tank unfiltered, unpasteurized beer that still contains live yeast is transferred to a “cask” where it finishes secondary fermentation that naturally carbonates the beer. Then the beer is traditionally served at cellar temperature (50-55F) pumped by a beer engine. This process results in smoother mouthfeel and a more complex flavor profile that allows subtle nuances to come through- a quality that many cask devotees seek in their perfectly poured pint of cask ale.

Washington_Cask_Beer_Festival_2013 (13)
Cask Fest 2013.

 

Cask Festival is pleased to continue its effort to raise awareness of this centuries old beer tradition and introduce it to a new audience. It is also an opportunity for Washington brewers to expand their technical skills and creative expressions in the form of cask-conditioned beer. Cask Festival has long been a favorite beer festival among many local beer aficionados where participating brewers are expected to put their best foot forward and impress their toughest critics with their finest creations. Their efforts are rewarded with People’s Choices Awards that are given out at the end of each session. Last year Silver City Brewery (first session) and Diamond Knot Brewing (second session) took home the top honors and both of them will return this year to defend their titles.

Washington_Cask_Beer_Festival_2013 (5)
Cask Fest 2013.

 

The Cask Festival will host two sessions; from noon to 4pm and 6pm to 10pm on Saturday, March 22. Admission is $40 in advance or $45 at the door, if tickets are still available. Separate tickets are required for each session. Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass and up to 25 sample tastes. Tickets are available online at www.washingtonbrewersguild.org and at select ticket outlets. This is a 21-and-over-only event.

Participating breweries:

7 Seas Brewing, Gig Harbor

American Brewing, Edmonds

Amnesia Brewing, Washougal

Anacortes Brewery, Anacortes

Bainbridge Island Brewing, Bainbridge

Big Al Brewing, Seattle

Big Time Brewery, Seattle

Black Raven Brewing, Redmond

Boundary Bay Brewery, Bellingham

Diamond Knot Brewing, Mukilteo

Elliott Bay Brewing, Seattle & Burien

Elysian Brewing, Seattle

Fremont Brewing, Seattle

Georgetown Brewing, Seattle

Hale’s Ales Brewery, Seattle

Harmon Brewing, Tacoma

Hi-Fi Brewing, Redmond

Ice Harbor Brewing, Kennewick

Iron Horse Brewery, Ellensburg

Issaquah Brewhouse, Issaquah

Mac & Jack’s Brewing, Redmon

Machine House Brewery, Seattle

Maritime Pacific Brewing, Seattle

McMenamin’s Brewery, Seattle

Naked City Brewery, Seattle

New Belgium Brewing, Seattle

North Sound Brewing, Mt. Vernon

NW Peaks Brewery, Seattle

Odin Brewing, Seattle

Pike Brewing, Seattle

Populuxe Brewing, Seattle

Port Townsend Brewing, Port Townsend

Rainy Daze Brewing, Silverdale

Ram Restaurant & Brewery, Seattle

Redhook Brewery, Woodinville

Schooner Exact Brewing, Seattle

Scuttlebutt Brewing, Everett

Silver City Brewery, Bremerton & Silverdale

Snipes Mountain Brewing, Sunnyside

Sound Brewery, Poulsbo

Two Beers Brewing, Seattle

WASHINGTON CASK BEER FESTIVAL

Saturday, March 22, 2014 Ÿ 12-4pm & 6-10pm Ÿ Seattle Center Exhibition Hall

DATE

Saturday, March 22, 2014

HOURS

Session 1: 12-4 pm

Session 2: 6-10 pm

Doors open 15 minutes before each session begins. Taps close 30 minutes before closing each session.

Separate tickets required for each session

LOCATION

Seattle Center Exhibition Hall

305 Harrison St., Seattle, WA 98109

ADMISSION

$40 advance tickets or $45 at the door, if still available. Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass and up to 25 sample tastes.

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

Designated driver admission is $5 and available at the door only.

Tickets are on sale online at www.washingtonbrewersguild.org and at select outlets; 99 Bottles (Federal Way), Bottleworks (Seattle), Full Throttle Bottles (Seattle), and Malt & Vine (Redmond)

BEERS

Washington Cask Beer Festival is a major highlight of the Pacific Northwest beer festival scene. The event features one-of-a-kind handcrafted cask-conditioned beers from over 40 Washington breweries. To stay true to the tradition of cask-conditioned beer the Festival requires brewers to naturally condition the beer in a firkin or other vessels without artificially introducing CO2. Poured via a beer engine or by gravity the result is smooth ale with a thick creamy head that brings out subtle, nuanced flavors.

HERBERT’S LEGENDARY CASK FEST ALE

Also serving is Herbert’s Legendary Cask Festival Ale, a special cask beer brewed collectively by the Washington brewers in memory of Bert Grant, a legendary Washington beer icon. This year’s Herbert’s will be brewed at American Brewing Co in Edmonds in collaboration with other Guild member breweries. Herbert’s will be available at the Cask Festival as well as select pubs prior to the event.

FOOD

There will be a few snack options available for purchase that are perfect accompaniments to a wide array of cask-conditioned beers; Dante’s Inferno Dogs (assortment of hot dogs), Brave Horse Tavern (house-made pretzels and accompanying sauces), and Mt. Townsend Creamery (assortment of artisan cheeses).

BENEFICIARY

Washington Brewers Guild is a non-profit organization whose mission is to build a community of Washington State brewers, advance their common interests through the legislative process and promote the quality and value of their beers.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Web site: www.washingtonbrewersguild.org

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