Seattle Beer Week 2018: From bucket list to Brewgrass, this is where we'll be.
‘Previously on this website.’
9 years ago, while the nation and the world celebrated the election of the United States’ first black president, a foursome of men comprised of bartenders, former brewers, and distributors duplicated an idea started in places like Philadelphia and San Francisco. With the name of the city in the title, Seattle Beer Week was born on May 7th, 2009 with the goal of promoting the burgeoning beer experience in the city.
During that formative week (number in 10 days), the number of events was closer to the century mark than bi-centennial. Today all that’s ancient history as this year’s Seattle Beer Week has over 200 different events including dinners, beer-themed competitions, and entertainment. Plus of course, this year’s Seattle Beer Week beer will be on draft in select bars and restaurants throughout the city.
Which means it’s time for our annual list of places you’re more than likely to find us.
But first a caveat to those who might think we’ve overlooked a beer festival, a tasting, or a dinner - this is our list. Ask anyone who’s either impacted by breweries and they will tell you, drinking isn’t free. This is mostly because it’s illegal and also because the host business needs to make some money. That doesn’t mean you’re not welcome to share your thoughts. But it doesn’t mean your right either.
If you’ve already read our dinner thoughts for Seattle Beer Week, then welcome. If on the other hand, this is your first time reading about Seattle Beer Week, then we highly suggest you read this.
Moving onto anything other than dinner, we have chosen some odds and ends that are both fun and hangover-inspiring. To that end, we can only hope that our bodies and minds materialize the next day slightly worn around the edges but capable of operating heavy machinery. Let’s begin.
Intellectual Participation Required.
Barleywood Square at Naked City Taphouse
May 12th, 12 pm - 3 pm.
If you grew up during the 60’s, 70’s or 80’s then you probably enjoyed this entertaining show which livened up the game of tic-tac-toe. A parody of the “Hollywood Squares” host Josh Russel (and brewery employee for Diamond Knot Brewing Company) hosts local beer celebrities. Plus, each winner who master tic-tac-toe will receive their choice of a prize from one of the brewery panelists.
Why we’re going and why you should go. Not gonna lie. We’re going to be panelists during the game. So if you ever wanted to come face to face with the writers of this website, this will be an opportunity not to be missed.
Barleywood Squares is a free event for those 21 and over. For more information visit their event page at http://www.seattlebeerweek.com/events/2178-Barleywood-Squares.
Brewgrass at Hale’s Brewery, benefitting Mary's Place
May 12th 6 pm to 10 pm.
Several local, out-of-state and import breweries bringing their best one off and collaboration beers to you. 4 great local bluegrass bands bringing you some banjo pickin' badness to the stage. It's all a fundraiser for Mary's Place Seattle! Celebrate all the goodness of Seattle Beer Week 10 with the badest event of them all. BrewGrass this year will feature the following bands:
- the Amber Lanterns
- Caleb Walter
- Dysfunction Junction
- the Tallboys
In addition to local bluegrass music, the following breweries are donating their time to serve you a beer:
- Oskar Blues
- Hale’s Ales
- Farmstrong Brewing
- Merchant du Vin
- Finn River Cidery
- Diamond Knot Brewing
- Black Raven Brewing/Old Schoolhouse Brewing (collaboration)
- Left Hand Brewing
- Seattle Cider Co.
- Pike Brewing
- Deschutes Brewing
- Jellyfish Brewing
- Iron Horse Brewing
- Hellbent Brewing
- Big Sky Brewing
- Icicle Brewing
- Airways Brewing
- White Wall Brewing
- Boundary Bay Brewery
Why we’re going. As someone that thoroughly enjoyed the heavy-handed bluegrass stereotypes in “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” we can’t resist the urge to drink beers, listen to local bluegrass bands as a conclusion to the first Saturday of Seattle Beer Week.
Why you should go. We’re gonna be honest here, this event has an ulterior motive of donating proceeds from ticket sales to Mary’s Place, an Emergency Homeless Shelter in Seattle www.marysplaceseattle.org. But if the idea of supporting a charity isn’t enough, then hopefully you’ll come for live music paired with a great beer.
Tickets are sale now, through Brown Paper Tickets, at https://brewgrass.brownpapertickets.com
Hoppy Drinks on the Tiny Links Interbay Golf Center
May 13th, 2018 1 pm - 3 pm.
Join Diamond Knot, Ninkasi, Fremont, Elysian, and others in a fierce tournament of mini golf. This year's theme: Yacht Rock! Think Hall and Oats, Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald. Event time 1-3. $10 per player.
Why we’re going. We’ve been regulars of the original beer & mini golf tournament. For a measly $10 you get a putter, a ball, oh and beers to drink while on the course. So yeah, we’re definitely signing up for this event.
Why you should go. Costumes in the springtime? Getting away from the in-laws? How about the chance to get in some exercises while (maybe) putting 18 holes of golf, with a beer in hand.
Contact Diamond Knot Brewery employee, Josh Russel, at josh.russell@diamondknot.com to reserve a spot. Oh and don’t forget that the theme is Yacht Rock.
The Beer Geek’s Bucket List
A Night with Holy Mountain at The Pine Box
May 11th, 2018 from 6 pm to 10 pm
Never static and always surprising, the brewery co-owned by Mike Murphy and Colin Lefesty is a destination for sure. Whether you’re a fan of turntable music, solid beers, or the minimalist interior decorating; you can’t go wrong with Holy Mountain.
Why we’re going. The Pine Box is one of those success stories that you don’t hear enough about. Co-owned by Dean Hudgins and Ian Roberts, this mortuary was the final departure point for Bruce Lee as well as countless other poor souls. Today the bar and restaurant features numerous hard to find taps and is one of the few breweries with a dedicate draft-beer, being filtered through a Randall.
Why we’re going. One, it’s a mortuary turned into a bar. Two, brewers like Colin Lefesty aren’t that common anymore, otherwise known as the journeyman brewer. From the beginning, their beers were unique and memorable and we can’t pass up an opportunity to stop in and share a toast with Colin or Mike.
Oh and here’s the draft list, with the descriptions on the Seattle Beer Week event page.
- Sunless Year Oak Fermented Baltic Porter
- 2016 Bourbon Barrel Aged Bonne Nuit
- 2016 Bourbon Barrel Aged King's Head
- Double Ron Hawaii Barrel Aged Brett Double IPA
- Demonteller Saison Fermented in Oak
- The Hart Barrel Fermented Saison
- The Seer Foudre-Aged Saison
- Three Fates Pilsner
- Five of Swords IPA
Why you should go. Did you not read why we’re going? If you didn’t then we can only hope that you will go on suggestion alone.
Burial Beer Night at Brouwer’s Cafe
May 15th, 2018
Starting at 3 pm and running through 9 pm, you’ll have an opportunity to meet up with a North Carolina brewery, one-half founded by the former assistant brewer at Lazy Boy Brewing Company, and one half founded by a homebrewing couple. Enter Burial Beer.
Why we’re going. Hey, we’re suckers for a hard to get brewery’s beers any day of the week. It’s not often that an entire night is dedicated to just their beers. Oh sure there will be other beer on draft, during this event, but that won’t stop us from drinking anything but Burial Beer.
Why you should go. If you never heard of Burial then you’ve probably never had their beer. If you’ve heard of them and haven’t head their beer, you should go. And if you’ve heard of their beer and had it, then you might want to stay home (kidding of course).
Brouwer’s Cafe is located at 400 N 35th Street in Seattle’s Fremont Neighborhood.
Sour Fest at Brouwer’s Cafe
March 17th from 11 am - 11 pm
After you’ve gotten your fill of big, gnarly stouts, it’s time for a palette cleanser or two. Once again, Brouwer’s Café is pleased to present Sour Fest. It’s our favorite event of the year and one we love to bring to the Seattle beer community. As is tradition, we’ll have 55 sour beers on draft, enough to quench the thirst of any who venture to sunny Fremont on May 17th. We’ll be tapping world-class beers from around the globe covering the entire gamut of sour varieties. From lightly tart to enamel ripping, you’ll find it all at Brouwer’s!
Why we’re going. Despite the absence of a draft list, we’ve attended this event every year since it started. With the exception of the first year’s stomach ache, from too many vinegar sours, the event has not disappointed unless of course, you’re talking about your pocketbook.
Why you should go. Sour beers. That’s right, from the vinegar to the lemon and everything in between, there’s something for everyone. But if you can’t decide yet, then you only need to bookmark Brouwer’s Cafe’s event page https://www.brouwerscafe.com/2018/03/thursday-may-17th-11am-sour-fest/ and check back often for updates.
4th Annual Naked City Old 48 Bus Ride
Friday, May 18th, from 4 pm - 9 pm
Since 2014, Toronado has collaborated with Naked City to brew a unique stout. This year’s edition was made with peanuts and chocolate, resulting in The Old 48 Peanut Butter Chocogasm Stout. The Old 48? Well, that’s a name given to the beer after the Metro transit retired the Number 48 bus route, often used by Don Webb. As it happens, the route stopped by Toronado on an infrequent basis.
Why we’re going. We dig the idea of walking a beer from Naked City before boarding a bus to Toronado. All the while, people will no doubt stare and wonder why someone brought an unopened beer on the bus. So yeah, we’re looking forward to it.
Why you should go. If you’ve never been to Naked City or Toronado, this is a great chance to try their beers and join the parade of Naked City/Toronado employees riding the bus to the Toronado.
For more information visit http://www.seattlebeerweek.com/events/2264-4th-Annual-Naked-City-Old-48-Bus-Ride.
That’s all that’s fit to print. We still have numerous events to list in our Events section, should you need other suggestions. Or if you like, visit http://www.seattlebeerweek.com for a complete breakdown of events occurring from May 10th - May 20th.
Cheers
