At their root, breweries are in the business of crafting adult beverages — ones that happen to involve alcohol. But lately it’s become obvious that the market landscape is shifting. A new crop of consumers is springing up, increasingly drawn to alcohol-free alternatives. Wise brewers would do well to address that growing demand, perhaps by cultivating new kinds of beverages to complement their beers. 

Country Malt Group just announced that it is ready to help breweries sow the seeds of success in this new landscape. Long-known as a supplier of things like barley and hops, the company just announced a new partnership with Perfectly Dosed, a hemp emulsion specialist. Alongside traditional ingredients, Country Malt will now offer the brewing and distilling industry THC, CBD, and other hemp-derived products. Here is the full press release. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Country Malt Group Announces Partnership with Perfectly Dosed to Expand Functional Hemp Beverage Opportunities for Brewers and Distillers

VANCOUVER, WA — April 16, 2026 — Country Malt Group, a premier supplier of brewing and distilling ingredients across North America, is proud to announce a new partnership with Perfectly Dosed, a leader in hemp emulsions for consumer products. This collaboration introduces easy-to-use ingredients for craft producers looking to expand into non-alcoholic functional hemp beverages.

Country Malt Group serves thousands of breweries and distilleries through its extensive distribution network, offering a one-stop shop for essential, high-quality ingredients sourced from around the world. As part of Soufflet Malt, the world’s leading maltster, the company combines local relationships with global expertise to support beverage producers at every scale.

Through this new partnership with Perfectly Dosed, Country Malt Group customers gain access to THC and CBD hemp emulsions designed specifically for non-alcoholic beverage applications, providing a simple and scalable way to innovate beyond traditional beer and spirits. Powered by Perfectly Dosed’s industry-leading high-pressure homogenization technology, these flavor-neutral emulsions deliver consistent, stable performance with rapid absorption and seamless integration. Designed to support growth from small-batch development to full-scale production, the collaboration also provides valuable expertise, including formulation support and access to a trusted network that helps producers confidently navigate the emerging functional hemp category.

“We engineered our emulsions to fit cleanly into the beverage production process – no friction, no guesswork.” said Liam Rigney, Co-Founder and VP of Communications at Perfectly Dosed. “Our goal is to deliver consistent, scalable cannabinoid solutions that allow producers to focus on creating great products. We’re excited to partner with Country Malt Group to bring these capabilities to more breweries and distilleries across North America.”

“At Country Malt Group, our focus is always on helping our customers grow, adapt and be successful in a changing market,” said Alli Nimik, Commercial Sales Director at CMG. “This partnership with Perfectly Dosed gives brewers and distillers a clear path to expand their taproom offerings with non-alcoholic functional beverages, while also providing the expertise needed to navigate a complex and evolving category.”

Perfectly Dosed is actively driving industry education and advocacy efforts to help shape responsible regulatory frameworks for hemp-derived products. As the future of hemp continues to evolve, these efforts aim to support a sustainable path forward and create new opportunities for craft beverage producers to meet evolving consumer demand.

Customers interested in learning more can contact functional@countrymalt.com or visit Country Malt Group at the Craft Brewers Conference in Philadelphia, April 20–22, at Booth #937, where representatives from both CMG and Perfectly Dosed will be available.

Country Malt Group | A Soufflet Malt Brand

Country Malt Group (CMG) is a leading supplier of essential, high-quality ingredients for craft brewers and distillers across North America. With 12 warehouses across the U.S. and Canada, CMG combines local relationships with global expertise to support the brewing and distilling industries. CMG is proud to be part of the Soufflet Malt family of brands, the world’s largest maltster. Operating 40 malting plants across 20 countries with an annual production capacity of 3.7 million tonnes, Soufflet Malt delivers premium quality malt through well-established global brands including Canada Malting Co., Great Western Malting, Durst Malz, Bairds Malt, Castle Malting, Tchecomalt, and Barrett Burston. This global scale, paired with strong local presence, enables greater supply reliability, cost efficiency, and the ability to leverage strengths across the value chain to help build a more sustainable malt ecosystem from grain to glass.

Perfectly Dosed

Perfectly Dosed is a leader in hemp emulsions for consumer products, delivering precision and consistency in cannabinoid infusion through advanced nano-emulsification technology. Founded at the University of Chicago and backed by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the company provides scalable, high-quality solutions for both emerging and established brands. With a focus on stability, rapid absorption, and seamless integration, Perfectly Dosed delivers ingredients built to perform at every scale. From early formulation guidance to production scaling and testing, the company supports customers through every stage with in-house expertise and a trusted partner network. Driven by a mission to democratize access to premium cannabinoid ingredients, Perfectly Dosed empowers beverage producers to create innovative, reliable, and scalable functional products.

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When the FIFA World Cup comes to Seattle in the summer of 2026, it will bring many thirsty football fans to the city for the first time. Maybe you are one of those people. We created this guide to help you find the best beer while you’re here. We are in no way affiliated with FIFA. This is an independent guide created by local Seattle beer lovers for visitors to the city.

• Beer Festival, June 13th
• Breweries and Pubs Near the Stadium
• Downtown, Near Pike Place Market
• The Ballard Brewery District
• Getting Around Seattle, Transit
• All Seattle Breweries and Beer Destinations 

The Emerald City enjoys no shortage of great craft beer, brewed by more than 50 breweries and brewpubs that call Seattle home, not to mention the dozens of other breweries in nearby communities. Whether you like traditional English ales, German Lagers, or just want to enjoy the local styles and flavors, use this guide to discover Seattle’s best beer and the best places to drink it. Whether you call it soccer or football, our local breweries and pubs welcome you!  

Beer Festival in Seattle on June 13th

This year, the biggest beer fest in Seattle coincides with the World Cup. Almost. Just before the matches kick off, on Saturday, June 13th, Seattle Center hosts the annual Washington Brewers Festival. The event takes place in the shadow of the Space Needle and features beer from 75 different breweries. It is the largest annual beer festival in the state. Learn more about the event and purchase tickets here. If you’re visiting for the FIFA World Cup, why not get a taste of real, local beer culture?

Breweries, tap rooms, pubs, and bars near the stadium

The FIFA World Cup matches in Seattle will take place at Lumen Field, which organizers will rename Seattle Stadium for the tournament (per FIFA rules). Here is a list of destinations near the stadium that any beer lover should check out.

• Fast Fashion Brewing is located on 1st Avenue, just a couple of blocks south of the stadium. It’s a fun and eclectic taproom. The entrance is on 1st Avenue, but the bar is in the back, not visible from the street. The beers are excellent, with a strong focus on lagers and IPAs. Pizza available. Kids are welcome. 1723 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134.
• Hooverville Bar is a grungy, fun tavern with a great lineup of local craft beers on tap and cocktails if you need them. It’s located right next to Fast Fashion Brewing. There are two bars. Hot tip: head to the back bar when it’s busy. This is no place for children (21+). 1721 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134.
• Occidental Hall is located across the street from the northwest entrance to the stadium. This expansive beer hall offers a broad selection of beers from local and regional breweries. Also, what’s more American than a hamburger? The smash burgers here are legendary. 589 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134.
• Lowlander Brewing is about one block north of the stadium. It opened in December 2025. It’s beautiful and prominently positioned on a historic corner (the former home of FX McRory’s). The beer is great, and the food concept comes from one of Seattle’s celebrity chefs, Renee Ericson. 419 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104.
• Flatstick Pub, Pioneer Square is about .25 miles north of Lumen Field/Seattle Stadium in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. The beer selection is fabulous; 100 percent local, Washington-brewed beers only. It is essentially a craft beer bar built around an indoor, a miniature golf course. After 7 pm Flatstick Pub is for grownups only (21+). Golf, yes, but you are more than welcome to only drink. 240 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104.
• Farther afield – Ghostfish Brewing is one mile south of the stadium on 1st Avenue and offers tasty beers and good food at its all-ages brewpub. It’s all gluten-free. This is, perhaps, the nation’s top gluten-free brewery. 2942 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134.
• Farther afield – Seapine Brewing has a lovely all-ages taproom just off First Avenue. It’s about one mile south of the stadium, at 2959 Utah Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134. It’s really good beer.
• For more options for breweries and great beer bars in the city of Seattle, visit our map of Seattle breweries and beer spots. 

Breweries, taprooms, and pubs near Pike Place Market

The market is one of the most recognizable destinations in Seattle. Some people would say no visit to the city is complete without a trip to Pike Place Market. As a lifelong resident, I can assure you that those of us who live here think it is awesome, too. Lucky for you, there is great beer nearby.

• Reuben’s Brews Downtown Taproom is located on First Avenue, about four blocks south of Pike Place Market. The brewery itself is located across town in the Ballard neighborhood (discussed below). The downtown taproom offers a broad selection of the brewery’s award-winning beers. They also serve food in case you need nourishment. 1201 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101.
• Old Stove Brewing at Pike Place Market must be part of your visit to the market. The beer and food are great, but the view is what will take your breath away. Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and beyond. Sip on a beer and watch the ferry boats go back and forth across Elliott Bay. 1901 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98101.
• Cloudburst Brewing is about two blocks north of Pike Place Market on Western Avenue. This is one of the brewery’s two locations. The other one is in Ballard (discussed below). This brewery excels at everything it does, but many people consider it one of the best hop-focused breweries in the area, if not the entire world. If you want an IPA, this is your place, but know they offer more than that at this cozy taproom. 2116 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98121.

The Ballard Brewery District

The Ballard Brewery District is a neighborhood in Seattle with several breweries and taprooms very close to each other. The neighborhood is about 5 miles north of Pike Place Market and is easily accessible by public transit or rideshare. From downtown, use the D line on Rapid Ride (big red buses) or Metro’s route 28. See our section about getting around Seattle below.

When you get to Ballard, use our map to navigate. Few other places in the USA, or the world, have so many breweries that are so close to each other. We call it the Ballard Brewery District. The neighborhood is home to 12 breweries and taprooms, most within a block or two of each other. It might not be close to the stadium or downtown, but it is accessible via public transportation. If you want to dive into the Seattle beer scene’s deep end, go to Ballard. Learn more about the Ballard Brewery District here. 

Getting around Seattle (transit)

Visitors to Seattle can navigate the city using the Rapid Ride, Link light rail, Metro buses, and the Seattle Center Monorail. To pay for your ride, use a credit/debit card or other contactless payment method. You should pay/tap before boarding the bus or train at the station kiosk. Look for the card reader. There is also an app: Transit GO Ticket app.

Another option to pay for public transit around Seattle is to purchase an ORCA card. Use this pre-paid, reusable smart card to pay transit fares across multiple agencies in the region, including buses, light rail, ferries, and commuter trains. You can purchase and load your ORCA card at ORCA vending machines around the city.

Three of these ORCA vending machines are very near the stadium. Locate an ORCA vending machine to purchase and load the card ($3 for the card itself). Load the card with a value when you purchase your ORCA card. Typically, a ride will cost $3.

An overview of Seattle beer

Most of the beer brewed around the Seattle area is only available here. You won’t find it anywhere else. In many cases, this means you must visit the brewery itself and enjoy a beer at its taproom. Many of these tap rooms are actually attached to the brewery, while others are nearby. Either way, a brewery taproom serves its own house-made beer exclusively.

Craft beer is a tradition in Seattle. This was one of the first places in the country where it became popular. Today, we have dozens of world-class, award-winning breweries offering virtually any beer style you’re looking for. If you enjoy an IPA or maybe a pilsner, you are in luck. Those two beer styles are particularly popular amongst our local brewers these days. Rest assured that your options do not end there.  

Congratulations to all the medal-winning breweries!

Results are in from the 2026 Best of Craft Beer Awards. The judging panels convened last weekend in Central Oregon to evaluate nearly 1,500 beers. Although breweries from across the country submitted beers, West Coast breweries dominated the competition. I share the list of West Coast winners below.

The judges awarded a total of 153 medals, with 95 medals awarded to breweries in California (26), Oregon (35), and Washington (34). The level of dominance is not surprising, really. Given the competition’s location, it is much easier for Oregon, Washington, and California breweries to submit beer. It is likely that the region also submitted the most beer. That is not a knock on any of the winners; it’s just the reality of the situation.

• 1,498 beers submitted
• 270 breweries submitted beer
• 51 style categories

The usual caveat applies. We know who won, but we do not know who entered and who did not. If your favorite saison did not win a medal, perhaps it was not in the competition. Below, I share the lists of winners from Washington, Oregon, and California. To see the complete list of winners and learn more about the Best of Craft Beer Awards, visit the official website.

Washington Winners

Oregon Winners

California Winners

As is often the case, the bad news is in the headlines, the reasons for optimism hide in the details. Focusing on the former and ignoring the latter does not help craft beer move forward. Chin up, shoulders back, let’s move forward and accept that we are not going back to the way things once were. We are resetting and moving forward across a different landscape.

The Brewers Association just released its 2025 Industry Production Report. This includes the top 50 craft breweries by production. Not the list of best breweries, but the top-producing breweries. More importantly, the report provides an analysis of what all the numbers mean.

Craft Beer Outperforms Others and Even Gains Some Ground

The bottom line: Craft beer is contracting, but more slowly than the overall beer industry, and breweries leaning into the hospitality/taproom side of the business appear to be weathering the storm best. Some regions, including the Pacific region, are proving more resilient. Here are some key points from the Brewers Association report:

• The U.S. craft brewing industry had a tough 2025, but held its ground better than the broader beer market. Total craft production fell 5.1% to just under 22 million barrels — with 60% of breweries reporting declines — but craft still outperformed the overall beer category, which dropped 5.7%. That leads to the next point.
• Craft outperformed the rest of category. It follows that craft’s share of the total beer market nudged up slightly to 13.3%.
• Craft’s share of retail dollar sales held steady at 24.6%, benefiting from higher prices and a continued shift toward taprooms and brewpubs where margins are stronger. 
• Total retail dollar value came in at $27.8 billion, down 3.6% — a softer landing than volume numbers alone would suggest. 
• Employment dipped to 189,000 jobs, a loss of 8,000 jobs, though the workforce proved more resilient than production figures, thanks largely to the labor-intensive nature of taproom and brewpub models. 
• The number of operating U.S. craft breweries fell to 9,578 in 2025, a net decline of 2.9%, with every brewery category posting losses. Microbreweries were hit hardest at -4.4%. (Microbrewery = a brewery that produces less than 15k barrels per year and sells over 75% of its beer off-site.)
• New openings dropped sharply to just 300, roughly half the 2024 figure. Consider it a sign that the era of easy growth and leveraging untapped markets is over.
• Closures also slowed. This might suggest that the most vulnerable operations have already exited.
• Regionally, the East North Central and Pacific divisions held up best. Breweries with strong brand identity and hospitality-driven models continued to outperform.
• The clearest winners were operations offering something beyond the beer itself — distinctive experiences, clear positioning, and genuine community connection.

The Shakedown is Winding Down

Looking ahead, the industry’s tone is one of cautious optimism. The shakeout appears to be slowing. Consumer attitudes toward beverage alcohol may be stabilizing and settling to a new normal, which would be oddly comforting. Better to know than it is to wonder. Experience-driven breweries are well-positioned for what comes next. 

As Brewers Association economist Matt Gacioch put it, success going forward will belong to breweries that deliver quality, human connection, and memorable experiences — the ones giving people a reason to show up that goes beyond what’s in the glass.

We used to subscribe to the mantra, “It’s not about the beer, it’s about the beer.” Now, perhaps, it’s time to consider what else it’s about.

The Top 50

Four breweries in the Pacific Northwest are among the nation’s 50 largest craft beer producers. Deschutes Brewery ranked 10th, Georgetown Brewing ranked 15th, Great Frontier Holdings (Ninkasi, etc) ranked 30th, and pFriem Family Brewers ranked 43rd. 

Last year, five Northwest breweries were on the list. Among those that remain, there was little movement. Fremont Brewing was ranked 41st last year but did not crack the top 50 this year. Rogue Ales Brewery, ranked 50th last year, ceased operations in November 2025, and reportedly, things had not been going well leading up to the abrupt closure.  

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Roy Farms of Moxee, Washington, partnered with the National Black Brewers Association (NBBA) to launch the Velvet Cake Hop Blend — a hand-selected premium blend consisting of Cashmere, Azacca®, Chinook, and Amarillo® hops. The new blend delivers notes of sweet candy, citrus, and tropical fruit with hints of resin and spice. 

Master Brewers from the National Black Brewers Association visited Roy Farms during the 2025 harvest to personally select and craft the blend. The new hop blend and a beer brewed with it make their commercial debut at the 2026 Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America in Philadelphia, April 20-22. 

The partnership carries meaningful philanthropic intent — a portion of all sales will support the National Black Brewers Association’s mission to provide educational resources and capital access to Black-owned small businesses and brewers across the United States.

Here is the press release introducing the Velvet Cake Hop Blend.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 13, 2026 

Roy Farms of Moxee, Washington Launches Premium ‘Velvet Cake Hop Blend‘ in Partnership with the National Black Brewers Association 

Philadelphia, PA — Roy Farms, a multi-generational farm located in Moxee, WA, announces the launch of the Velvet Cake hop blend, a new premium hop blend created in partnership with the National Black Brewers Association nonprofit 501(c)(6), and members’ support network. With oversight from Roy Farms leadership, Master Brewers from the National Black Brewers Association hand-selected the blend to add to Roy Farms’ world-class portfolio of hops. The blend will be released for purchase from Roy Farms and partners for the first time at the 2026 Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America that will be hosted in the city of Philadelphia – April 20-22, 2026. 

Members of the National Black Brewers Association visited Roy Farms during [the] 2025 harvest to hand-select their favorite varieties and create the first-ever Velvet Cake Hop Blend. The group collectively agreed upon a blend consisting of 40% Cashmere, 30% Azacca®, 15% Chinook and 15% Amarillo®, imparting desirable notes of Sweet Candy-like, Citrus and Tropical with hints of Resin & Spice. 

Roy Farms has been at the forefront of agriculture and sustainability since the family’s first harvest in 1907. As a leader in both conventional and organic hop growing, Roy Farms is a fully integrated hop grower and processor, ensuring the highest quality from field to pellet. Additionally, Roy Farms serves as the managing partner of Latitude 46°, a Pacific Northwest breeding company dedicated to discovering innovative and sustainable hop varieties for future brewers. 

The partnership marks a historic philanthropic initiative that provides both access to educational resources and capital for underserved and underutilized small businesses and brewers within the Black diaspora in the United States. A portion of the sales of this specialty hop blend will benefit the efforts of the National Black Brewers Association. 

“This partnership is a vital example of leadership working together in the food and beverage sector to build and foster community. The Velvet Cake hop blend is a very phenomenal product that embodies the best attributes of collaboration, fellowship, and STEM research. We are enthusiastic about the opportunities this milestone occasion will bring forth.” – Jon Renthrope, President, National Black Brewers Association 

“Roy Farms is beyond grateful to collaborate with NB2A on this exciting new blend. Life is layered much like this blend with opportunities and surprises around every corner. We hope to be a partner for good alongside the enthusiastic and driven people associated with the NB2A, while adding a dash of fun as well. This blend has familiar, favorite notes with a unique twist.” – Michael Roy, Owner, Roy Farms

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Last year, I hatched a brilliant plan to propose a little side wager on the Vedder Cup, but then, in true Mariners fashion, I completely blew the timing and was late to the game. Swing and a miss. As any lifelong Mariners or Padres fan knows, “There’s always next year.” Well, this is next year. 

The Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres are about to face off in the second-ever Vedder Cup. The Washington Beer Blog and the San Diego Beer News put a little skin in the game this year. We are not talking about a bet involving money or even pride. Oh no, something much more precious is at stake. If the Mariners win the Vedder Cup this year, I’ll receive some can’t-get-it-here beer from San Diego. If the Padres win the Vedder Cup, I’ll send some can’t-get-it-there beer down south. (Above: Brandon Hernandez and I at Dogleg Brewing in Vista, CA.)

Sorry, San Diego. He’s ours

The Vedder Cup, and its guitar-themed trophy designed by Eddie Vedder himself, is awarded to the winner of the seasonal series between the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres. Eddie is a man claimed by two cities, and being the gracious rock god that he is, he reciprocates — designing a guitar-shaped trophy and letting both fan bases argue over who he really belongs to. (He’s ours, San Diego. Sorry.) There’s a charitable angle to the whole thing, so it’s a friendly rivalry. 

Last year, Seattle won the inaugural Vedder Cup. The 2026 Vedder Cup games kick off in San Diego on April 14th with a three-game series. It concludes when the Padres visit Seattle for the final three games, starting May 15th. In the event the two teams split the series, they’ve established rules to break the tie.  

Freaky similarities between the cities and the people

It ain’t the weather, so what is it? The most obvious similarity is that Seattle and San Diego boast amazing, world-renowned craft beer cultures, with dozens of breweries and a populace that enthusiastically supports them. The San Diego Beer News and the Washington Beer Blog kind of do the same thing in different places. 

The San Diego Beer News was founded and is operated by Brandon Hernandez. I flatter myself when I say that I am Seattle’s version of Brandon, and Brandon is San Diego’s version of me. The similarities are a bit freaky, actually. Our careers in beer writing have paralleled each other. And then there is the baseball thing.

Brandon is a hardcore Padres fan whose second-favorite team is the Mariners. I guess rooting for one team with a long history of coming up short isn’t enough. I get it. Me? I am a hardcore Mariners fan — with a tattoo to prove it, in case anyone doubted my commitment or questioned my judgment — who roots for the Padres when the Mariners aren’t involved. We are, in short, the same unhinged person, the same kind of long-suffering, self-flagellating baseball fan, living in different zip codes.

This year, whether you bleed Mariners blue or Padres brown and gold, you’ve got a little something extra to cheer for. There’s beer on the line. Delicious, out-of-market beer. No pressure, boys — but don’t f*** it up!

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Here’s one from the bright side. Portland’s Tiny Giants Brewing is about to celebrate two things at once: its first anniversary and the opening of a new taproom. Until now, Tiny Giants Brewing was, essentially, a production-only affair. The taproom is located in NE Portland, not far from Breakside Brewery’s DEKUM location.

Tiny Giants Brewing Taproom
6719 NE 18th Ave.
Portland, OR 97211 (MAP)
Wednesday–Thursday: 3 PM – 10 PM
Friday–Sunday: 12 PM – 10 PM. 

Here’s the press release announcing the anniversary and the opening.

PORTLAND, OREGON — Tiny Giants Brewing is celebrating its first anniversary and the grand opening of its new taproom in Portland’s Woodlawn neighborhood at 6719 NE 18th Ave. 

After launching as a production-focused brewery, Tiny Giants has expanded into a full taproom space, marking a significant step forward for the company. The new location features a 10-barrel brewing system, with a production goal of approximately 1,000 barrels annually. 

To celebrate the milestone, Tiny Giants Brewing will host a grand opening event on Saturday, April 25, from 12 PM to 10 PM. The event invites the community to experience the new space and enjoy a selection of the brewery’s beers. 

Located in the Woodlawn neighborhood, the brewery is surrounded by well-known local food options including Ranch Pizza, Tamale Boy, and Lil’ Barbecue. Guests are welcome to bring food from nearby establishments into the taproom. 

“We’re super stoked to welcome people into our new space and continue building community around Tiny Giants,” said Steve Beaudoin, Owner and Brewer. 

Tiny Giants Brewing is distributed throughout Oregon by Day One Distribution, with 16-ounce cans and draft beer currently available across the state. 

For updates and future events, follow Tiny Giants Brewing on Instagram: @TinyGiantsBrewing www.tinygiantsbrewing.com

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How to celebrate Earth Day with beer 

Earth Day is approaching, and that means it is time for Latona Pub’s Annual Earth Day Keg Walk and Earth Day celebration supporting Washington Wild. This year, you have an opportunity to get in on the action by sponsoring one of the keg walkers, pledging your support for the Washington Brewshed® Alliance. Sponsor donations start at just $25.

Alternatively, you can attend the annual Earth Day Bash at the pub on Saturday, April 25th, from 7-9 pm. The event features live music, an auction, and a chance to learn more about Washington Wild’s important work. Latona Pub will donate $1 per pint sold to Washington Wild. 

What is the Keg Walk? Seattle’s Most Unique Earth Day Tradition

What’s a keg walk? Each year, the pub receives and serves beer delivered solely by human power. Most kegs arrive by hand truck, some from several miles away, delivered by keg walkers. Others might arrive by bicycle or other non-motorized means. Pub patrons enjoy the beer knowing that transportation from the brewery to the pub involved no fossil fuels.  

“Every April, brewers rise to the challenge of transporting their kegs to Seattle’s Latona Pub, fossil fuel-free, to land a spot on tap for the pub’s Earth Day bash,” explained Latona Pub on social media. “It’s a fun way to celebrate our planet, while also supporting Washington Wild’s Brewshed® Alliance, which is all about local brewing industry partners teaming up with Washington Wild to protect watershed health—from peak to pint.”

Earth Day Bash
Where: Latona Pub, 6423 Latona Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115.
When: Saturday, April 25th, 7-9 pm.
Organizers: Latona Pub and Washington Brewshed Alliance.
More info: Event website

Washington Wild and the Brewshed® Alliance: Why It Matters for Beer Lovers

Formerly known as the Washington Wilderness Coalition, Washington Wild has played an important role in permanently protecting nearly 3 million acres of Wilderness throughout Washington State since 1979. It began with the Washington Wilderness Act of 1984, a critical piece of legislation that became federal law after five years of advocacy. More recent victories include initiatives that expanded the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, banned mining in the Methow Valley, halted mining in the Skagit River headwaters, and others.   

Washington Wild’s Brewshed Alliance is a confluence of 90 brewing industry partners committed to supporting Washington Wild’s efforts. The concept is simple: to make great beer, you need great water, and that requires protecting the state’s waterways, from snow-covered mountains to crystal-clear streams and lakes. From peaks to pints. 

How to Support Washington Wild Through Craft Beer

The Washington Beer Blog has long supported the efforts of the Washington Brewshed Alliance. This year, we stepped up to sponsor Seapine Brewing keg walking efforts. We encourage you to pick a brewery and make a pledge. Go here to learn more about the Washington Brewshed Alliance and see a list of the Brewshed partners. 

“By sponsoring a keg walker, your donation not only supports local conservation efforts but also gives your favorite brewery a shot at winning a month-long tap at Latona Pub and the ultimate bragging rights until next year. Let’s make this race one worth toasting to!”

Visit our events page and calendar to learn about all sorts of other upcoming beer events. To submit an event for inclusion on our events calendar, use our event submission form. Got more details to share, reach out to us.

Operation Warmheart plays a critical role at Fairchild AFB, stepping in where traditional military aid programs fall short. The organization provides grants, food vouchers, emergency financial assistance, and essential supplies to the personnel and families who need them most.

“Our community is eager to recognize and support our local Fairchild service members and families when given the opportunity,” said Jack Bryant, No-Li Brewhouse Brand Director. “Supporting and honoring the men and women at Fairchild — along with their families — who serve and sacrifice is part of who we are and what we stand for… This is No-Li doing what No-Li does — showing up for the Inland Northwest community in a meaningful way.”

The limited-edition shirt features a custom KC-135 refueler design, paying tribute to Fairchild’s legacy and the airmen who protect it. The shirts are available for purchase at the No-Li Bier Hall and online while supplies last, starting Friday, April 10th, starting at noon.

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Hey, wait a minute. I was just talking about this (see previous post). These days, it’s not enough that a beer fest is just about the beer. You gotta have something else going on too, like a summer evening aboard a ferry boat on Lake Union. They’re calling it Ferry and Friends – A Beer Fest on a Boat. Tickets go on sale April 9th, and there is only room for 275 guests. This ticket will be a hot item, so do not delay.

Today’s craft beer consumer wants an adventure that involves beer, because beer itself is not necessarily an adventure. So, how about a beer fest on a boat? A three-hour, floating beer fest with lagers and saisons. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?

Join Fair Isle Brewing and a select group of breweries for a summer evening cruise on Lake Union aboard an open-deck ferry boat. Enjoy lagers, saisons, and the golden hour as the sun goes down on the city. Along with beer, they’ll serve up food and DJ’d tunes. The ticket is all-inclusive. Just get on the boat and have a blast. Learn more about the event and secure your tickets here.

Even if it were only about the beer, this event would be worth it. Not just beers from local breweries like Fair Isle Brewing, Bizarre Brewing, and Holy Mountain Brewing, but also less familiar breweries like Sante Adairius (California), Fox Farm Brewery (Connecticut), Scratch Brewing (Illinois), and others. 

Visit our events page and calendar to learn about all sorts of other upcoming beer events. To submit an event for inclusion on our events calendar, use our event submission form. Got more details to share, reach out to us.