At the recently concluded World Beer Cup, Rice Lager made its debut as an official category. Brewers from around the world submitted entries, but the Pacific Northwest wasted no time making itself at home on the podium. Cloudburst Brewing (Seattle, WA) secured the inaugural gold medal for Exquisite Taste, its rice lager, while pFriem Family Brewers (Hood River, OR) earned the bronze for its Japanese Lager. California’s Brewyard Beer Co. sandwiched itself between them for the silver.

Rice lager is having a moment. Back in 2024, I published a story about what was then an emerging trend. Cloudburst and pFriem are far from alone — craft breweries across the Pacific Northwest and beyond have embraced the style enthusiastically, and what once hid in a rather obscure corner of the beer world has become much more visible in just a few years. Around Seattle, for instance, publicans tell me that beer drinkers, especially younger ones, are clamoring for it.

So why rice lager?

One of craft beer’s greatest superpowers is agility. Compared to the big beer companies, small breweries can pivot quickly and respond to consumer trends. The surge in rice lager is a perfect example—and it fits neatly into the broader health and wellness conversation reverberating across the beverage industry.

• It’s hip to be light and crisp. The past few years have seen a surge in demand for light-bodied, lower-ABV beers. Rice lager checks all those boxes.
• The Budweiser stigma is dead. For older consumers, “rice beer” once meant Bud — a shortcut, a cheat, a sin against barley. Rice beer is no longer the butt of a joke. Thankfully!
• Lower carbs and gluten. Rice lager can be lower in both than an all-barley beer. The difference isn’t dramatic, but in some cases it’s real.
• Fewer calories. Same story — modest but measurable.
• Easier on the uric acid. This is a newer finding, but rice lagers are generally lower in purines than traditional beers, which is good news for anyone keeping an eye on that particular number. IYKYK.
• Potential digestive benefits. Fermented rice beverages, especially those made with a lot of rice, can contain probiotics and other beneficial microorganisms. Of course, they’re also alcoholic, so let’s not oversell it.

Why all the buts?

Maybe the sudden spike in popularity is just because people like the way rice lagers taste, but I suspect there’s a bit more to it. There’s an old adage that perception is reality, and rice lagers dwell in that realm. If people perceive them as a healthier choice, huzzah! If they think that’s because rice replaces the barley, huzzah huzzah! In practice, rice replaces only a portion of the malted barley in the grain bill — typically somewhere between 15 and 25 percent, though it can range from as little as 10 to as much as 40. (Those figures come from conversations with brewers rather than published data, for full transparency.)

In terms of measurable wellness benefits, a lot depends on the process, which varies from brewery to brewery. Some brewers use Minute Rice or a pre-cooked equivalent. Others use rice syrup solids. Some brewers use rice malt, flaked rice, and other rice products. Some opt to take the long way around, starting with raw rice, which undergoes a complete cereal cook before being combined with the main mash. 

For its gold medal winner, Cloudburst Brewing used rice syrup solids alongside the lightest pilsner malt it could find. pFriem Family Brewers’ bronze medal winner is made using raw rice converted through a traditional cereal-cook process in the brewhouse, with the rice then being used alongside a light pilsner malt as well as a darker malt variety. 

The point is, there is no wrong way to do it if you do it well. At the same time, the range of approaches makes broad dietary claims tricky. That’s why it is reasonable to pad any such claims with qualifiers and buts.

Here’s the bottom line: the most meaningful thing that separates rice lagers from other craft beers is that they are almost always light, crisp, sessionable, and less filling. Fewer calories? Probably. Fewer carbs? Perhaps. But the most compelling reason to drink one is simple — you enjoy it. If it also feels like a better fit for a health-conscious lifestyle, great. As long as you’re reaching for a craft beer, that’s a win.

Want to know more about this style of beer, including its history? See this story.

Seattle Beer Week is here! Almost. I suppose it depends on when you read this. The fun starts on Thursday, May 7th, and wraps up on Sunday, May 17th. It’s actually a bit more than a week, but you get the point. There’s a lot happening, so I advise you to keep an eye on the official SBW events calendar.

Also, keep an eye out for the official SBW beer, Family Style IPA. For certain, you’ll find it at Fast Fashion Brewing, but look for it elsewhere around town. It’s a West Coast IPA brewed collaboratively by several Seattle breweries.

First Weekend Highlights

Let me pique your interest a bit. Heading into this weekend, the first weekend of Seattle Beer Week, consider these options: 

Thursday, May 7th, 6-9 pm– The official kickoff event in SoDo at Fast Fashion Brewing. That’s where/when they’ll introduce this year’s SBW beer. The event is dubbed Alter Ego Karaoke. Dress as your alter ego, getting as wacky as you like, and let your inner star shine on the Karaoke stage. All the while, enjoying Family Style IPA, this year’s SBW beer.

All Weekend – May 8th through 11th, Burke-Gilman Brewing celebrates its annual Frühlingsfest. It’s the springtime version of Oktoberfest, celebrating the season with German-style beers, lively music, and other Bavarian-inspired festivities. Lederhosen welcome but not required.

Friday, May 8th, 5-10 pm– Join Beveridge Place Pub in West Seattle for the annual Seattle Cask-O-Rama event. Marvel at all the lovely firkins lined up on the bar. Delve into the deliciousness of cask-conditioned treats from nine of Seattle’s breweries. Taster trays are optional; delight is mandatory.

Friday, May 8th – Kill the Keg at Ounce Taproom in West Seattle. They’ll be among the very first to tap into a keg of the Official Beer of Seattle Beer Week, and they’re determined to be the first location to kill a keg. How do $5 pints sound? Yeah, that’s a damn good way to kill a keg! Kids & Dogs welcome!

Saturday, May 9th, starting at 11:00 – Tour de Pints starts at Lucky Envelope Brewing in Ballard. Join a peloton of about 100 riders and cruise the approx 20-mile route around North Seattle neighborhoods. Where, exactly, the tour will stop is still a secret, but all will be revealed. Bike responsibly, but enjoy.

Saturday, May 9th, 3:00 – Pine Box Beer Can Derby. Try your hand at building and racing your own beer can derby flyer! Get a kit at the event, channel your inner Cub Scout, put your car together, and see how you stack up against the competition.

Sunday, May 9th, 1-4 pm – Ounces Taproom partners with CraftLab Seattle to present Crafting With Mom. It’ll keep the kids busy, too, so mom can enjoy her beer while she crafts. Coloring & activities are FREE! Crafting projects available for a small fee. Kids & Dogs Welcome!

But wait… There’s More!

SBW events continue all next week. So don’t make excuses; make plans. These are not the only Seattle Beer Week events happening. Just a select few. I strongly encourage you to visit the official Seattle Beer Week events calendar to learn about additional events. 

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.

A few years back, Seattle’s Burke-Gilman Brewing earned top honors as the winner of the Alpha King Challenge. (See that story.) It is a HUGE honor, especially for the person who devised and brewed the beers. Since 1999, the annual challenge recognizes “the most well-balanced and drinkable beers with 60 IBUs or more.” IPAs, double IPAs, and such. The award is very highly regarded across the industry. 

In 2020, when Burke-Gilman Brewing was named Alpha King champ, the person creating the beers was Phil Pesheck, a Seattle-born Pacific Northwest native with an impressive brewing pedigree, including an Alpha King championship. A couple of years ago, Phil moved to Hawaii, but now he’s coming home to the PNW to join the team at Vice Beer in Vancouver, Washington.

The King’s Return

“Vice Beer will be welcoming Phil Pesheck back to the Pacific Northwest,” said Michael Perozzo, one of the founders/owners of Vice Beer. “Phil previously brewed at Mac and Jack’s, Georgetown, and Burke Gilman – where he was named the Alpha king in 2020. He spent the last couple of years on Oahu, where he helped start Howzit Brewing.”

“I brewed in PDX back in 2006 and love the area,” Phil told us. “I’m really stoked to work with Michael at Vice and get back into competition brewing, which really hones your craft. Win or lose, you can really see the impact it has on each individual beer year after year.”

Phil adds, “Vancouver has been really up and coming in the medal count in the last few years, which to me means there’s a consumer base that will enthusiastically support quality craft beer. Additionally, the area is abundant with wineries, distilleries, and fruit farms. Michael and I have discussed adding a barrel-aged program. So I think we have a lot of potential to make a really great team together.”

Essential Details

Vice Beer opened in Vancouver in 2022. As the brewery’s logo and other imagery might suggest, there is a throwback vibe at Vice Beer, with plenty of references to 80s and 90s pop culture. Rest assured that the beers are completely modern. The company operates two locations. The brewery and taproom is located at 705 SE Park Crest Ave D430, Vancouver, WA 98683. The second location, a downtown taproom called Little Vice, is located at 701 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98660.

Cultures around the world celebrate spring in many unique ways. In Germany, the springtime celebration, Frühlingsfest, involves beer. The tradition comes to Seattle from May 8th through 11th with the annual Frühlingsfest at Burke-Gilman Brewing, celebrating the season with German-style beers, lively music, and other Bavarian-inspired festivities. Lederhosen welcome but not required. Here’s the information straight from the brewery.

Burke-Gilman Brewing Celebrates Frühlingsfest, May 8–11

Four Days of German-Style Beers, Bratwurst, Music, and Festive Competition

Seattle, WA — Let’s raise a stein and welcome spring at Burke-Gilman’s annual Frühlingsfest, May 8 through May 11. Inspired by traditional German spring festivals, this four-day celebration will feature a lively mix of authentic beers, spirited music, and classic Bavarian-style festivities. Bring your lederhosen!

We’re showcasing crisp lagers and a few German ales. A Munich Helles, a Munich Dunkel, a German Pilsner, and a 10 Degree Czech Pale. Rauchbier and Schwarzbier. Even a Maibock! And a Hefewiezen and a Kölsch for the ale fans. Head brewer Chaz Lakip brings deep respect for continental brewing traditions, with an emphasis on drinkability.

Pair them with bratwurst, landjaeger and soft pretzels. It’s going to be warm – ride your bike, get a radler made with of any of the lagers.

We’ll have Stein Hoisting Contests (Masskrugstemmen) throughout the weekend.

On Monday, the brewery will host a special Kölsch service, a traditional experience from Cologne. Servers will keep putting fresh 200ml tubes of Kölsch in front of you until you tell them you’ve had enough!

We’ve got Happy Smacks ice cream truck on site Saturday and Sunday, we’ve got brats every evening. Come thirsty!

Event Details:

What: Frühlingsfest at Burke-Gilman Brewing
When: May 8–11
Where: Burke-Gilman Brewing, 3626 NE 45th St #102, Seattle, WA 98105  

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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Von Ebert Brewing brewed a ‘From Dusk till Dawn’ series featuring both a Dark Mexican Lager and Pale Mexican Lager just in time for May 5

PORTLAND, Ore. — Today, Von Ebert Brewing announced the release of two Mexican Lagers just in time for Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Swing by the N. Mississippi. location to enjoy these new seasonal beers and dine on delicious tacos, nachos and burritos from our partner food cart Tehuana Mexican Cuisine.

“Mexican-Style Lagers – pale or dark – are traditional beers we wanted to evolve with our own Von Ebert Brewing flare,” said Sam Pecoraro, brewmaster of Von Ebert Brewing. “We hope you come out and join us ‘From Dusk till Dawn’ on Cinco de Mayo or pick up a four-pack as we welcome warmer weather with these light, quaffable beers.”

Both beers are 5.3% ABV, with Dusk Mexican-Style Dark Lager offering lightly toasted and subtle caramel sweetness and Dawn Mexican-Style Pale Lager has crisp, quaffable notes of orange blossom, light corn sweetness and cracker malt. These seasonal series lagers will be available at all Von Ebert Brewing locations in draft and 16 oz cans, as well as in some Northwest retailers, restaurants and bars while they last.

If you’re not celebrating Cinco de Mayo at home, Von Ebert Brewing’s N. Mississippi location (825 N. Cook St., Portland) is home to food truck Tehuana Mexican Cuisine every day of the week, with tacos, nachos and burritos that pair perfectly with the new lagers.

Beer drinking visitors at all three Von Ebert Brewing locations can also purchase 20-ounce mugs of gold medal winning Clubhaus Lager for $3 all day, every day. And at the N. Mississippi location, Volatile Substance NW IPA is available for just $5 between noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Von Ebert Brewing also now offers non-alcohol hop sparkling waters, hard seltzers with plans for hard teas and hard punches later this year for those who don’t drink beer.

The new brewing facility at N. Mississippi allows Von Ebert Brewing production and distribution to go from 4,000 barrels per year to as much as 20,000 barrels per year and it’s more than halfway there adding new offerings. Von Ebert Brewing now sells more of its products in 12-ounce and 16-ounce cans and expanded its distribution throughout Oregon, Washington, Colorado, California and Japan.

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Von Ebert Brewing Was founded in 2018 by Tom M. Cook and Tom S. Cook in Portland, Oregon. Von Ebert Brewing is named after the family matriarch lovingly referred to as “Grandma Ebert.” The quintessential immigrant story, Grandma Ebert came to America from Germany via Ellis Island and relied on her grit and determination to create a successful life for her family here in the states. In that vein, the brewery has displayed those same traits and gained success through numerous World Beer Cup medals: 2025 Gold American Light Lager with Clubhaus, 2023 Gold German-Style Pilsner with Pils and 2024 Bronze Vienna Lager. Our moniker celebrates Grandma’s tenacity and honors our heritage. Von Ebert translates loosely to “House of Ebert” or in full English, “House of the Boar.”

To learn about other recent beer releases, visit our New Beer Releases page. To let us know about your brewery’s new releases, here’s how to reach out to us.

Widmer Brothers Brewing is a Northwest original, born in Portland’s burgeoning beer scene back in the 1980s. The winds of time took the brewery on a few detours — some further from Oregon’s beery shores than others — but today, Widmer is back and working to reclaim its spot in the PNW craft beer conversation. This newly announced brand refresh hopes to accomplish that. Winning back old-school beer geeks is a tall order, so the smarter play is probably charming a fresh, younger crowd eager to discover what the fuss was about.

The brand has shed some baggage in recent years: no more Craft Brew Alliance (now defunct), no more Anheuser-Busch oversight. Widmer now calls the Tilray family of brands home, which means it officially qualifies as a craft brewery again, at least according to the Brewers Association’s definition.

They say you can never go home, but Widmer is giving it a shot anyway. After all, they never really went anywhere. Armed with a brand refresh and a back-to-its-roots mindset, the brewery is optimistic that the Pacific Northwest is ready to welcome it back with open arms. Here’s what Widmer had to say in the announcement introducing the Stay Sunny plan:

“Stay Sunny is a mindset grounded in Widmer’s history, Portland culture, and the idea that optimism is something you choose. From the founders’ early days of pouring Hefe in the sunniest corner of the bar to today’s emphasis on community, parks, patios, and shared moments, the refresh is about embedding Widmer back into the fabric of the city.” 

The launch is backed by a major, multi‑channel investment that includes:

• Refreshed packaging across the portfolio
• New four‑pack, 16‑ounce cans under $10
• A sustained Portland billboard presence
• Geo‑targeted creative across Oregon
• Expanded digital and social support
• Local activations, pop‑ups, and presence at community events, including an on-site celebration of Hefe Day on May 15

The refresh also introduces Hefe Light (4% ABV) and Timbers Pils, reinforcing Widmer’s commitment to accessibility, regional pride, and everyday drinkability.

• Hefe Light is a bright, low‑calorie, 4% ABV twist on Widmer’s iconic American Hefeweizen, brewed with yuzu and grapefruit. Designed for easy, everyday drinking, Hefe Light embodies the Stay Sunny mindset — approachable, refreshing, and full of flavor.
• Timbers Pils builds on Widmer Brothers’ longstanding partnership as the official craft beer of the Portland Timbers. This Northwest‑style Pilsner delivers a crisp, floral, all‑day‑drinking experience, created with game days, backyard BBQs, and communal moments in mind. This brew is available on tap in Providence Park and in cans in your local Oregon beer aisle.

We haven’t forgotten about Hefe Day — on May 15th, we’re paying homage to Widmer’s 40-year legacy by bringing it back to the birthplace of the original American Hefeweizen: the iconic Dublin pub. More details to follow, just make sure to leave happy hour open on May 15th.

Want us to share your news here on the Washington Beer Blog? Click here to learn how to reach us.

Last August, the grapevine told me that one of the owners (Katie King) of Temperate Habits had already taken over the business, so North Sound Brewing, which is a great little brewery with a loyal local following, would carry on. Now, we have an official announcement to share, made on May 3rd, 2026. 

From Temperate Habits Brewing’s social media channels: “Great news, Skagit Valley! Temperate Habits Brewing is now operating North Sound Brewing as well! Come visit North Sound if you haven’t yet and stay tuned for new events coming soon!”

“Keep in mind that North Sound Brewing is 21 and over, but if you have kiddos bring them over to our brewpub downtown Mount Vernon! Cheers!”

In case you are unfamiliar with Temperate Habits Brewing, it is a brewery and pub located in downtown Mount Vernon that opened in 2021. Katie King and Brooke Bosserman (below) are cousins and pharmacists. The two teamed up to open the brewery in downtown Mount Vernon, naming it after an adage that suggests a pharmacist should be a person of good moral character and temperate habits. 

The string of comments to that announcement suggests that the community is happy about this development, especially the news that they’ll retain the current staff. They are not offering food yet, but are considering their options. We will share any additional information about this development as it becomes available. 

Want us to share your news here on the Washington Beer Blog? Click here to learn how to reach us.

They are an essential, vital part of the craft beer industry: the skilled workers who cultivate and harvest the Pacific Northwest’s annual hop crop. It is difficult work. It is physically demanding and involves particular skills that must be learned and, like the hops themselves, cultivated. Nobody knows this better than Bale Breaker Brewing, which is closely related to one of the hop farms that relies on this invaluable workforce. (Learn more about this workforce here.)

“For the last 9 years, we’ve brewed a beer and had a party at our Yakima taproom to celebrate WHO is behind beer: migrant farm workers,” said Bale Breaker Brewing on social media. “The long hours and physical labor that is required to cultivate quality hops is not for the faint of heart, to say the least. It’s a job that not many people are willing to do, a job that deserves to be honored, and that is what our annual Mango Fiesta is all about.”

The party and the beer (Mango Tropical IPA) are part of Sesiones Del Migrante—a collaboration of Bale Breaker, Yakima Chief Hops, Cervecería de Colima, Cerveza Loba Artesanal, Ronin Fermentation Project, and South Norte who brew a beer every year to celebrate the Mexican migrant workers who travel to Yakima to harvest hops for breweries across the globe. Made with REAL mango pureé, a portion of the proceeds from the party and the beer benefit local non-profits in the Yakima Valley that support migrant farm workers. 

“Without the grueling work done by migrant farm workers and workers who have immigrated to our valley who have been loyally working Loftus Ranches for years, we would not have high-quality hops to make high-quality beer. Next Saturday, May 9th, please join us at our Yakima taproom from 12-9 pm to celebrate who is behind every beer we get to brew, and every beer you get to drink.” 

Mango Fiesta Event Info

• Date: May 9, 2026
• Location: Bale Breaker’s Yakima Taproom 1801 Birchfield Rd, Yakima, WA 98901 
• Saturday, May 9th. Noon-9 PM
• Join Bale Breaker and Yakima Chief Hops for an all-ages celebration at our Yakima brewery and taproom as we celebrate the return of our annual summer favorite — Mango Fiesta — and honor the migrant workers who travel to Yakima each year to harvest hops for breweries across the globe.
• Food from  JJ’s Birria, Taqueria Xochitl, Los Hernàndez Tamales, and Sendy’s Fruta y Aguas 
• Live music with DJ Ricky Frezko from 12-3 pm and Alvaro Valencia Y Su Elegancia from 4-7 pm
• Michelada bar
• Event page on Facebook.

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.

Westies With Our Besties Returns for 2026

On May 15th, breweries across Washington will release the 2026 version of Westies With Our Besties. The seven versions of this West Coast IPA are identical yet unique. The collaborative brew days happened at seven different host breweries across the region, so each version of the beer takes on its own regional flair. This year, the Washington Brewers Guild’s collaboration project involved over 60 breweries.

Starting on May 15th, you are invited to enjoy a pint at one of the breweries’ taprooms or grab some cans to take home. See the list of participating breweries below. Like the beers themselves, the label artwork for each version will vary slightly—variations on a theme, as it were. The label artwork was created by Blind Tiger Design.

The collaboration project is a friendly competition, with each of the seven regional versions competing for the title of best collaboration beer. All of the beers benefit the Washington Brewers Guild, a non-profit trade organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the interests of the state’s craft brewers while strengthening the Washington craft brewing community. 

The involvement of a long list of supporting partners enables the Washington Brewers Guild to benefit from the project. Those partners provide the ingredients and product support needed to create a successful project. The goal of the Guild is to protect, support, and unite Washington craft brewers through legislative advocacy, education, and community-building among brewers. Find all versions throughout the state!

Host Breweries (Where they were brewed)

• Central WA: Dru Bru  
• Eastern WA: Whistle Punk Brewing  
• Northwest WA: Aslan Brewing 
• North Seattle Metro: Stoup Brewing 
• South Seattle Metro: Georgetown Brewing Co 
• Southwest WA: Brother’s Cascadia Brewing 

Participating Breweries

Central Washington

• Bale Breaker
• DruBru
• Icicle Brewing
• Single Hill Brewing
• The Outskirts Brewing Co.
• Varietal Beer Co.

Eastern WA

• Badass Backyard Brewing
• Brick West Brewing Co
• Garland Brew Werks
• Humble Abode Brewing
• Iron Goat Brewing
• Lumberbeard Brewing
• Precious Things Fermentation Project
• Uprise Brewing Co

North Sound

• Anacortes Brewing
• Aslan Brewing Co
• Barley POP! Brewing
• Beach Cat Brewing
• El Sueñito Brewing Company
• Garden Path Fermentation
• Gruff Brewing Co.
• Haywire Brewing Co.
• Kulshan Brewing Co
• Lake Stevens Brewing Company
• North Fork Brewery
• Rivertime Brewing
• Skookum Brewery
• Stemma Brewing
• Terramar Brewing
• U-Neek Brewing Company
• Wander Brewing

North Seattle Metro

• Beardslee Public House
• Burke-Gilman Brewing Company
• Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery
• Fremont Brewing
• Postdoc Brewing
• Project 9 Brewing
• Remlinger Brewing
• Stoup Brewing
• Urban Family Brewing

South Seattle Metro

• Bickerson’s Brewhouse
• Georgetown Brewing Co
• The Good Society Brewery & Public House
• Flying Lion Brewing
• Formula Brewing
• Future Primitive Brewing
• Halcyon Brewing Co
• Logan Brewing Co
• No Boat Brewing Company
• Powerhouse Restaurant and Brewery
• Volition Brewing

Western WA

• Bainbridge Brewing
• Echoes Brewing
• Ram Restaurant and Brewery
• Silver City Brewery

Southwest

• Brothers Cascadia Brewing
• Everybody’s Brewing
• Ghost Runners Brewery
• Irrelevant Beer
• Loowit Brewing
• Trap Door Brewing
• Vice Beer

To learn about other recent beer releases, visit our New Beer Releases page. To let us know about your brewery’s new releases, here’s how to reach out to us.

When the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to Seattle this summer, it will include what they’re calling activations or activation sites across the state. These public party zones will feature things like street closures, park takeovers, live music, watch parties, and, in some cases, local beer. Some are happening in expanded alcohol service areas, which are now allowed under recently enacted/okayed temporary changes to the state’s liquor laws. Some, but not all, are official functions of the SeattleFWC26.

Stoup Brewing and Métier Brewing Anchoring SeaTac’s World Cup Activations

The broader effort by the City of SeaTac involves activating public spaces, supporting local businesses, and welcoming international World Cup fans to the city with food, entertainment, community events, and local beer. The City of SeaTac will host a couple of party zones, or activation sites. One involves Stoup Brewing. The other, at a different location, involves Métier Brewing. 

In a press release, Stoup Brewing said, “As the Seattle region prepares to host matches beginning June 15, SeaTac is emerging as a vibrant hub for fans, residents, and visitors—and Stoup is excited to help bring that vision to life.”

The site of the first of two City of SeaTac beer-involved activations is at 18400 International Boulevard and will take place in what they refer to as the Old Bank Building. It’s right across the street from the airport, very near the light rail station, and just north of the DoubleTree Hotel. The site will officially open on June 1st and operate daily through at least July 19, with the potential to extend operations through the end of 2026.

Stoup SeaTac City will be open every day and serve as SeaTac’s Friday and Saturday hub during the World Cup period. In partnership with Stoup Brewing and Por Vida NW, the site will offer food, Stoup beers and other beverages, entertainment, and community programming with a capacity of about 250 people. All of the games will be shown on the big screen. Hours of operation: 9 am to 9 pm.  

“Being part of this moment for SeaTac—and for the broader region—is incredibly meaningful to us,” said Co-Owners Brad Benson, Lara Zahaba, and Robyn Schumacher. “We’re honored to create a space where community, culture, and soccer intersect in a way that reflects the spirit of this global event.”

Métier Brewing and the Bullpen at Angle Lake

SeaTac’s World Cup activations include at least one more beer-focused location: The Bullpen at Angle Lake, which will partner with Métier Brewing Company. That second fan zone will take over the corner of S. 200th Street and International Boulevard, just steps away from the Angle Lake light rail station.

Why the name? For a long time, The Bullpen was an infamous dive bar at the location. It was recently demolished; otherwise, it will be very soon. Either way, that’s the activation site. We will have more details about these activations, especially those involving local breweries, as the information becomes available.

What is an Activation?

To be honest, it’s all a little confusing. Some of the fan zones and activation sites are more official than others. No doubt, being officially partnered with FIFA is not cheap. In Seattle, the initial plan was to have one big central FIFA Fan Fest with substantial funds going to FIFA, but it has evolved into something different, with numerous experiences and locations. Whatever you call these fan experiences, however they are licensed, and however they end up looking, there’s going to be a lot of stuff happening around Seattle because of the World Cup. If those things involve local beer and breweries, you’ll read about it on the Washington Beer Blog.

Loosening the Regulations

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) calls them Fan Zones and defines them as expanded indoor and/or outdoor areas that allow alcohol sales and services during a single or multiday event in June and/or July of 2026. Recent legislation loosened the rules, allowing for expanded alcohol service in certain places. Again, some of these party zones fall into that realm while others do not.

Official WA LCB Fan Zones

FIFA World Cup 2026: Fan Zones and Host Cities

These cities MAY request expanded indoor and/or outdoor alcohol sales and services for a single or multiple-day event in June and/or July of 2026.  The fee for a fan zone event is $3,900. World Cup Local Organizing Committee (SeattleFWC26) designated fan zone locations include:

• Bellingham
• Bremerton
• Everett
• Olympia/Lacey
• Tri-Cities (Pasco/Richland/Kennewick) 
• Spokane
• Tacoma
• Vancouver
• Yakima
• Seattle (Host City)

Visiting Seattle for the World Cup matches? See our Guide to Seattle Beer and Breweries for FIFA World Cup Fans.