Available at most Skagit Valley brewery taprooms, Farmstrong Brewing releases 2020 Skagit Valley Spring Lager.

image courtesy Farmstrong Brewing Company

Owing to the spirit of collaboration in the face of a global pandemic, the brewers of Skagit Valley have converged at Farmstrong Brewing Company, to commemorate the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival and Skagit Beer Week. With some 14 members spread out from Mount Vernon to Anacortes and from Concrete to La Conner, Skagit county is blessed with innovative and trailblazing brewers and owners. Recognizing each other, the brewers unified around a simple style, the Lager. 

“Craft beer is a huge part of the Skagit Valley’s agriculture heritage,” said Julie Burgmeier, Director of SBW and Skagit Farm to Pint. “To create a collaboration beer with local barley, made by our very own independent craft breweries, is such a great way to represent our entire community. This annual release is something exciting that fans can look forward to when they think of Skagit Beer Week each year.”

Dubbed the 2020 Skagit Valley Spring Lager, this beer celebrates the grassroots spirits developed by local breweries but also local ingredients.

Starting with Farmstrong Brewing’s brewery and fermenters, Skagit Valley Spring Lager begins with Bow Pilsner Malt harvested from the Knutzen Family farm in Bow, before being donated by  Skagit Valley Malting, and milled into the brewery kettle. A new varietal, akin to Copeland malt, the intent is to create a beer with a refreshing foundation. Along the way, the beer receives its hop blessing using Saaz and Tettanger hops from Oregon. The result is a beer that arrives at 5.8% ABV (alcohol by volume) and no doubt features well in your hand either in a glass or limited-edition can. 

In anticipation for 2021’s Skagit Beer Week, Garden Path Fermentation, has taken a barrels-worth of wort produced during the brewing of this beer, to be naturally fermented at their brewery in Burlington.

Finally, a portion of the proceeds from Skagit Valley Lager will be donated to the YMCA Oasis Teen Shelter.

Available now, in cans at Farmstrong Brewing’s taproom, or at collaborating brewery taprooms, and local merchants, get your hands on a glass of 2020 Skagit Valley Spring Lager.