UPDATE: For more information, including more updates from the breweries, please see the original post on the Washington Beer Blog, where information is being updated and breweries are leaving comments.

This Saturday, February 25^th, the Washington Beer Commission presents Washington Beer Open House.  Knowing that people want details, I have scoured the web, searched the inbox and done my best to discover what each brewery is planning for Open House. Below I share what I learned from websites, newsletters, Facebook and Twitter.

THIS IS NOT the complete list of breweries involved. This is just a list of breweries that announced what they have planned. It is a list of what I was able to discover. For the complete list of participating breweries, see the official Open House website. For advice and suggested itineraries, see our previous post.

Breweries arranged alphabetically. Again, this is not the complete list of participating breweries.

7 Seas Brewing
Brewmaster Travis will be guiding a brewery tour @ 4pm. We will sample a few stashed away aged brews. We’ll have a little fun too…

American Brewing
American Brewing Company releases Skip’s newest brew…a SCOTCH ALE! “A smooth, malty sweet treat! A beautiful, clear, coppery red color.  You will enjoy the rich mouthfeel of this ale which allows the malty flavors to linger on your tongue.  A subtle hint of the Peat Malt and Roasted Barley add some deeper complexities to its flavor.  The overall hop characters are very low, which highlights its malty sweetness.” ABV: 6.0%, IBU:32.
NEW MERCHANDISE…going on sale this Saturday!  Be the first to buy the American Brewing Company black, pullover hoodie sweatshirt  $40.00.

Big Time Brewery
Big Time Tours and Cask Conditioned Icculus IPA. 12-2pm. Remember, only until 2:00.

Birdsview Brewing
Brewmaster Bill will be on hand giving tours and answering questions. Come on by and check us out!!

Black Raven Brewing
Special beers on tap and brewery tours. Join us.

Boundary Bay Brewery
Our Head Brewer, Aaron Jacob Smith, will be here to provide tours and stories for guests. We will provide snacks and will have a jockey box downstairs pouring some special beers! Imperial IPA will be on tap and will be available in 22oz bottles at the brewery only until they sell out (limit per person). And we are bringing back the Imperial IPA hoodie!

Chuckanut Brewery and Kitchen
We will be hosting an open house in the brewery with the brewers. Learn about Chuckanut’s hi tec computer system, our green sustainable practices, and taste some Keller Bier straight from the fermentation tanks (over 21yrs old).

Diamond Knot Brewing
We are opening up our Productions Brewery for the WA Beer Open House. Join us this Saturday, Feb 25, 2012 from 12-8pm, for tours, beer, free food (while it lasts) and a special cask beer, made specifically for the event.

Elliott Bay Brewing
Showing off their digs on Lake City Way and pouring unique beers (and more).

Epic Ales
Washington Open House: Oyster-madness! Enough said.

McMenamins Six Arms
Stop in and say hello to Six Arm’s own Kyle Jungck who will pour you some fine samples and show you the innermost secrets of this small but mighty brewery. Also note that from 12 noon until 5pm at Six Arms you can purchase an empty McMenamins logo growler for $2.00. This is a one day deal, and you must fill your $2.00 growler up with any Six Arms beer that day to get the deal!

Kyle’s featured ale: Juniper Infused Firkin of Hammerhead
This rich chestnut colored gem is a model of harmony between hops and malted barley. Hammerhead’s signature Cascade hop nose and intense hopped flavor blend nicely with the caramel tones from the crystal malt. This special firkin has been cask-conditioned and dosed with Juniper Berries.
OG: 1.056
TG: 1.010
ABV: 5.93%
Malts: Great Western Two Row, Great Western C75
Hops: Cascade
Special Adjuncts: Juniper Berries

McMenamins Mill Creek
Stop in and say hello to Mill Creek’s own Tannar Brewer (yes that is his real name) who will pour you some fine samples and show you the innermost secrets of his brewery. Also note that from 12 noon until 5pm at Mill Creek you can purchase an empty McMenamins logo growler for $2.00. This is a one day deal, and you must fill your $2.00 growler up with any Mill Creek beer that day to get the deal!

Tannar’s featured ale: Martian Pepper Ale.
In the tradition of Ancient Martian ales, relying on hot seeded green peppers instead of hops for their preservative qualities, this ale celebrates the original migration of brewers from our red neighbor in the year 85,432 b.c.e. by blending an English-style pale with the proto-alien original. Or, it’s an english style pale ‘dry-hoppped’ with de-seeded Jalapeno and Serano fillets, imparting a fresh pepper flavor with an extremely mild degree of heat and with out the sharp spiciness that one might expect. Frankly, in all the confusion, I kinda lost track.
OG: 1.056
TG: 1.010
ABV: 5.93%
Malts: Great Western Two Row, Great Western C75
Hops: Cascade
Special Adjuncts: Jalapeno, Serano peppers

Mt. Tabor Brewing
Open from 11-3 for samplings, beer geekery and good times.

Redhook Ale Brewery
Join us at the Forecasters Pub for beer sampling, brewery touring, and meet and greets with the brewers!

Schooner Exact Brewing
We have finalized our plans for the upcoming open-house… brewery tours with barrel tastings from our sour program and in the tasting room flights of ’09, ’10 and ’11 Woodsman with a Bourbon-Barrel aged Imperial Porter sidecar for $10.

Silver City Brewery
The brewery in Bremerton will host tours on the hour (1, 2, 3, and 4:00). 12 ounce pours available for purchase. Screaming deals on bottled beer.

White Bluffs Brewing
Cajun food, new beers and more. We’ll be serving Cajun themed foods in celebration of Mardi Gras, so come hungry!

Yakima Craft Brewing
Offering $1 off pints and an opportunity to yap with the brewers in the brewery.

Wednesday, February 22nd marks the kickoff of Tacoma Drinks Washington Beer Week. Details below. The event runs through February 29th. I freely admit that I am a Washington beer homer, not to mention a child of the City of Destiny, but just when you think Tacoma cannot possibly get any cooler they step up and dedicate a week to Washington beer. Tacoma rocks.

Remember that kid in Junior High School. You know the one: the coolest kid in school. Even though he could have, he never hung out with the “in crowd” because he was above that crap. He was quiet and independent. Maybe he was kind of a greaser, a loser, or some other form of wrong side of the tracks tough guy. Girls thought he was dangerous in all the right ways. Guys wanted to be him.

That’s Tacoma.

Remember that guy? There were bigger kids, but nobody messed with him. He was tough but not a bully. You didn’t really know him, and you were a bit afraid of him, but then he stepped in and broke up a fight when you were about to get your butt kicked or performed some other heroic act of kindness that made him even cooler. He had an insufferably hot girlfriend who looked like she was 18 and went to a different school. He was a man’s man at age 14. There were rumors of him having a tattoo.

That’s Tacoma.

As if The Red Hot and the Parkway Tavern are not cool enough already, tomorrow they kick off Tacoma Drinks Washington Beer Week. Both of these esteemed beer destinations already do a great job of supporting the local brewing community but for one week they will focus on Washington-brewed beers. Also, the Red Hot and the Parkway will host brewers nights and new beer debuts showcasing Washington breweries. But wait; there’s more. Complete the Tacoma Drinks Washington Beer Week stamp card and you’ll get a commemorative growler.

Keep an eye on the tap lists to see what’s pouring:

The Red Hot Taplist

The Parkway Tavern on Taplister

The Events

• Wednesday, February 22 at The Red Hot: Tacoma debut of Wingman Brewers/Airways Brewing collaboration brew, Chocolate Rye Stout. And more.
• Wednesday, February 22 at the Parkway Tavern: Brewers Night with American Brewing Company.
• Thursday, February 23 at The Red Hot: Hilliard’s Beer Night featuring Hilliard’s Extra Special Belgian and more.
• Monday, February 27 at the Parkway Tavern: Randall Wrecker Night with Harmon Brewing. Enjoy Harmon’s beer poured through the Randall.

The Stamp Card

Pictured below is the Tacoma Drinks Washington Beer Week stamp card. At first glance, it looks daunting. That’s a lot of beer. Remember, you have an entire week. Let’s face it, 20 beers in a week is a cinch. After all, you are the coolest kid in school.

Gird thy liver! You must be this tall to enjoy this ride. Lace up your best pair of drinking shoes and tie them tight. You will need a belt and suspenders for this one. Amateurs need not apply. Keep you hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times. This is no place for children.

It’s time to drink some serious beer. Very serious beer. Two of the year’s most-anticipated events approach: Barleywine Bachhanal and Hard Liver Barleywine Festival. Both events are celebrating their 10th year.

Barleywine Bachhanal

bacchanal (n) - a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity.

Each year the Beveridge Place Pub  assembles an outrageous array of the most bodacious brews available. This year Barleywine Bachhanal runs from Saturday, February 25 through Saturday, March 3. Barleywine Bachhanal features 24 taps dedicated to “The biggest, boldest brews born between Bellingham and Boulder (and elsewhere, too)!”

At the Barleywine Bachhanal, sample-sized glasses are served on trays in sets of six, allowing you to enjoy the widest possible selection of Barleywine before the foggy veil of intoxication envelopes your skull. If there is one beer  in particular that you like, you are welcome to order it by the glass.

In addition to Barleywine, the Beveridge Place Pub maintains its selection of “house regulars.” You will still be able to get Lucille IPA, Immersion Amber, Freya’s Gold Kolsch, and the rest of the stuff on the Bev’s regular, non-rotating list.

Among the barleywines pouring at the Barleywine Bachhanal this year:

Alaskan Barleywine ‘08, ’09, ‘10
Anacortes Old Sebastes ’08, ’09, ‘10
Anchor Old Foghorn ‘11
Anderson Valley ’11
Avery Hog Heaven ’11
Beer Valley ’11
Big Al ’10, ‘11
Big Sky Old Blue Hair ’11
Black Raven Old Birdbrain ’11
Boulder Killer Penguin ’09, ‘11
Boundary Bay Old Bounder ’10
Deschutes Mirror Mirror ’09
Diamond Knot Icebreaker ’10
Dick’s Barleywine ’11
Elliott Bay Old Portside ’09
Elysian Cyclops ’11
Firestone Walker Abacus ‘11
Fish 10 Squared ’11
Fremont Barleywine ’11
Full Sail Old Boardhead ’08
Full Sail Old Boilermaker ‘09
Great Divide Old Ruffian ’10, ’11
Hale’s Rudyard’s Rare ‘11
Hopworks Urban Brewery Noggin Floggin ’09, ‘11
Hood Canal Breidablik ‘10
Left Hand Oak Aged Widdershins ’10
Mad River John Barleycorn ’07
North Coast Old Stock ’10, ‘11
Pike Old Bawdy ’08, ’09, ’10, ‘11
Port Townsend ’10
Scuttlebutt Old #1 ’09
Seven Seas Wheelchair ’11
Sierra Nevada Black Barleywine ’10
Snipes Mountain Roza ’10
Speakeasy Old Godfather ’09
Stone Old Guardian ’08, ’09, ‘10
Wingman Barleywing ‘11

Hard Liver X

Not to be outdone, Brouwer’s Cafe in Fremont hosts Hard Liver X on Saturday, March 3rd. The beers go on tap when the doors open on Saturday and pour until they’re gone. Likely, a line will form outside the door a couple hours before opening time.  Expect the Angel’s Share from Lost Abbey Brewing, along with some of the other premium selections, to disappear quickly.

Hard Liver X features a number of outstanding beers. The list includes:

Alaskan Big Nugget ’09 and ’10
Anacortes
Anchor Old Foghorn ’10
Big Sky Old Blue Hair’11
Deschutes Mirror Mirror ’09 and ’10
Dogfish Head Old School
Emelisse Jack Daniels Barrel Aged
Firestone Walker(beer formerly know as Abucus) ’11
Great Divide Old Ruffian ’10
Lagunitas too many years to list -we will pick one or two for the festival
Lost Abbey Angel’s Share
Pike Old Bawdy ’11
Rogue Old Crustacean’11
Speakeasy Old Godfather’09
Stone Old Guardian (too many years to list; they will pick one or two for the festival)

On Saturday, from noon until 5:00 p.m., breweries across the state will open their doors to the public as the Washington Beer Commission presents the second annual Washington Beer Open House. Below, we provide a regional breakdown of participating breweries as well as some advice on how to approach Open House.

Some breweries will offer special releases others will do barrel tastings. Some will provide food/beer pairings, others will offer vertical tastings of beers from the cellar. It’s up to each brewery to decide what Open House means.

On Twitter, use the official Open House hashtag: #WaBeerOH.

There’s a mAP for that

Currently there are 42 breweries signed up for Open House. I would suspect more breweries will sign-on this week so be sure to keep an eye on the Open House map, which you can find at the official Washington Beer Open House website. It is a Google map and the Commission provides a QR code (tag) on the website and the posters which are displayed at all participating breweries. We have included it here for your convenience. You can snap the tag and have the map on your phone. Or you can simply click here to view the map.

Advice

• Look at the map and devise an itinerary that moves you from far to near. Start the day away. End the day closer to home.
• Big breakfast; carbohydrates and proteins.
• Work out, go for a walk, or otherwise get some exercise after breakfast. That will get your metabolism cooking.
• Start early. Be at your first destination when the doors open at 12:00.
• Bring water and stay hydrated between stops. Drink water between stops, not beer.
• Snacks. Lots of snacks. Enough said.
• Growlers. You never know what you might run into so it is always a good idea to have a growler or two with you, especially considering the next piece of advice.
• Designate a driver. Buy your DD dinner at the end of the night. Fill a couple of growlers for them along the way. Incentivize the adventure for your driver.

Be safe. Have fun.

Itineraries, Geographic Listings

West Sound:
Highway 16 and Highway 3 make this an easy adventure. If you’re coming from Seattle, consider driving across the Narrows Bridge and working your way north, then take the ferry home from Winslow. Enjoy having dinner at the Harbour Public House in Winslow before you head back across the Sound (nice tap selection and not far from the ferry terminal in Winslow).

7 Seas Brewing, Gig Harbor
Silver City Brewing, Bremerton
Valholl Brewing, Poulsbo
Slippery Pig, Pouslbo
Sound Brewery, Poulsbo

Tacoma Area:
Breweries, yes, but mix in a stop at the Red Hot (blog sponsor) and/or the Parkway Tavern to make this a real Tacoma beer adventure.

Wingman Brewers, Tacoma
Harmon Brewing, Tacoma
7 Seas Brewing, Gig Harbor (also on the W Sound tour)

South Seattle:
(South of the stadiums.) I expect this to be a busy one. Why not? Great breweries. Comparatively close together.

Odin Brewing, Seattle
Two Beers Brewing, Seattle
Schooner Exact Brewing, Seattle
Epic Ales, Seattle

Seattle, Downtown – The Pike Street Brew Tour:
You can easily walk this one. All three stops are on Pike Street (essentially) and if you start at Elysian it’s downhill all the way. Consider parking downtown, taking the bus up to Capitol Hill (route 2, 10, 25, and others), and then walking back downtown. You should have plenty of time if you do not dawdle.

Elysian Brewing
McMenamins Six Arms
Pike Brewing

Seattle, North of the Ship Canal:
This one is prolific. If you can make it to all the stops on this itinerary, I’ll buy you a beer. Don’t even try. Choose three, maybe four of these destinations and enjoy. Don’t rush.

Big Time Brewery
Fremont Brewing
Maritime Pacific
Hillard’s Beer
Naked City Brewing
Elliott Bay Public House and Brewery (Lake City)

Everett and the North End:
Another prolific tour. Same advice applies.

Scuttlebutt Brewing, Everett
Lazy Boy Brewing, Everett
Diamond Knot Brewing, Mukilteo
McMenamins, Mill Creek
American Brewing, Edmonds

East of Lake Washington:
Those of you on the Eastside need not cross the lake this year. I don’t know what, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Redhook had something interesting up their sleeve. You should never overlook Washington’s oldest craft brewery.

Black Raven Brewing, Redmond
Redhook Brewing, Woodinville
Foggy Noggin Brewing, Woodinville

Extra North Brew Tour:
Consider this a challenge. It is possible to make it to all of these if you are determined. You will probably want to start at Birdsview at exactly 12:00. If you start in Bellingham, you might not make it out of Bellingham. That would not be a disaster. If you try to do it all, be vigilant.

Birdsview Brewing, Concrete
Anacortes Brewing, Anacortes
Chuckanut Brewery, Bellingham
Boundary Bay Brewing, Bellingham

East of the Mountains:
This is more like a listing than a suggested itinerary. Many miles between each.

Icicle Brewing, Leavenworth
Iron Horse Brewing, Ellensburg
Yakima Craft Brewing, Yakima
Snipes Mountain Brewing, Sunnyside
White Bluffs Brewing, Richland

The Extreme East:
Again, more of a listing and less of an itinerary. It’s just the nature of the expansive eastern half of our state. Divided into two, it is much more manageable.

Paradise Creek Brewing, Pullman
Pallouse Falls Brewing, Pullman
Twelve String Brewing, Spokane Falls
Norther Lights Brewing, Spokane

Honorable Mention:
A little something for the extreme south end. Our beer loving brothers and sisters can get involved in Open House with a quick trip across the river.

Mt. Tabor Brewing, Vancouver

This weekend (February 17 -19) marks the first-ever Great Washington Porter Festival. Details below. The event takes place at Columbia Valley Brewing in Wenatchee and features a selection of Washington-brewed Porters.

Alan Moen is the editor of the Northwest Brewing News and also the mastermind behind the Great Washington Porter Festival. Alan approached me about the idea a few months ago. At first, I did not completely understand the concept. Washington… Porter… Presidents Day. It took me a moment to connect the dots (big, huge, super-obvious dots) and then I realized it was a brilliant idea.

George Washington and the other Founding Fathers were fueled by ale when they fought for our nation’s independence. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison and quite likely many more of our nation’s earliest patriots were home brewers. In colonial America it was common for men of certain means to brew their own beer. More likely, they had the women brew the beer, but I digress.

Historians note that George Washington’s favorite style of beer was Porter, or at least something brewed in those days resembling what we now refer to as Porter. During the 18th century Porter was the mainstay beer in the Mother Land and presumably in her colonies as well. At this weekend’s event they’ll even be serving up samples of a beer brewed by a local home brewer based (loosely, I’m sure) on George Washington’s recently discovered, historic recipe for “Small Beer.”

The Great Washington Porter Festival is a great idea. We hope it becomes a President’s Day tradition. Lord knows our Washington breweries produce some damn fine Porter. George Washington would be proud.

Here is the press release about the event:

GREAT WASHINGTON PORTER FESTIVAL IN WENATCHEE PRESIDENTS’ DAY WEEKEND

The Great Washington Porter Festival will take place at Columbia Valley Brewing Company in Wenatchee on Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 17-19, 2012.

In honor of George Washington, our state’s namesake and the nation’s first brewer/president, the festival will showcase porter-style ales from different Washington breweries.

Porter, a dark ale with a rich malty favor but without the strong roasted bitterness of a stout, was Washington’s favorite beer. He brewed it at Mount Vernon, and his 1757 small beer/porter recipe is preserved in the archives of his estate today. A variation of Washington’s recipe made by a local brewer will be poured at the festival on both Friday and Saturday.

George Washington was patriotic about American porter, a style first developed in England and probably named because of its popularity with the working class. “We have already been too long subject to British Prejudices,” Washington wrote. “I use no porter or cheese in my family, but that which is made in America: both these articles may now be purchased of an excellent quality.”

Participating breweries include Columbia Valley Brewing, Icicle Brewing (Leavenworth), Elysian Brewing (Seattle), Old Schoolhouse Brewing (Winthrop), Methow Valley Brewing/Twisp River Pub (Twisp), Ancient Lakes Brewing (Quincy) and Flyers Brewery (Oak Harbor).

The festival is for those age 21 and older, with no admission charge. Beers will be sold as samples, by the glass or pitcher. Live music is planned, and food will also be available.

Hours for the festival are: Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18, noon to midnight, and Sunday, February 19, from 2 until 10 p.m.

Columbia River Brewing Company is located at 538 Riverside Drive in Wenatchee. For more information, contact organizer Alan Moen at 509-784-5101, the brewery at 888- 9993, or visit www.columbiariverbrewing.com or the brewery’s Facebook page.

Seattle’s Venerable Latona Pub Celebrates 25 Years with a Series of Special Beers

This year marks the 25th anniversary for the Latona Pub. In the coming weeks I will tell you more about the Latona Pub’s place in Seattle beer history. One of Seattle’s first truly great beer-focused pubs, the Latona Pub is celebrating its silver anniversary with a series of special beers produced exclusively for the pub. These Latona-only brews debut on select Monday nights from January through August. A week-long celebration takes place August 13th – 18th, more precisely marking the pub’s actual birthday. The complete schedule is below.

The first beer in the series, introduced in January, was produced by Mount Vernon’s North Sound Brewing. This month’s beer is a special creation from John Maier of Rogue Brewing. Thus far all we know is that it is a single-hop, single-malt ale. Maier has a long relationship with the pub, so we expect something spectacular. The beer will be introduced at the second in the series of anniversary celebrations at the pub next Monday, February 20th. Festivities begin at 8:00 p.m.

The mastermind behind countless creative and amazing beers from Rogue Brewing, Brewmaster John Maier began brewing at Rogue in 1989 when the brewery first opened. This will mark the 20th year that John visits the Latona Pub. Seattle rarely catches a glimpse of the legendary John “more hops” Maier, who rarely makes appearances away from the brewery in Newport, Oregon, but the Latona sees him once a year. This time he is bringing a special treat: a 25th Anniversary beer brewed exclusively for the Latona Pub.

Other breweries contributing to the ongoing celebration include Black Raven Brewing, Sound Brewery, Anacortes Brewing, Schooner Exact Brewing, Naked City Brewing and Double Mountain Brewing.

Here is the complete schedule of upcoming release events at the Latona Pub:

February 20th
ROGUE BREWING
The RETURN OF JOHN MAIER & ROGUE. A beer designed by one of the world’s best brewers. The 20th year John has made it back to the Latona!

March 19th
BLACK RAVEN BREWING
A bright spot on the Eastside brewing scene. Beaux Bowman & Crew are an adventuresome and talented bunch!

April 9th
SOUND BREWERY
These beer enthusiasts are taking Poulsbo by storm and brewing such amazing beer in such a short history!

May 14th
ANACORTES BREWING
These reputable brewers return to brew a spring beer for us! They have a special place in our IPA drinker’s hearts.

June 11th
SCHOONER EXACT BREWING
When summer returns this June, Matt & Heather will share something special and new from Sodo.

July 16th
NAKED CITY BREWING & DOUBLE MOUNTAIN BREWING
As we approach our 25th year in August we are lucky enough to have Donn & Charlie celebrate summer with us. There will be some amazing beer showcased.

August 13th – 18th
Latona’s 25th Anniversary Week! Details coming.

American Brewing Company is getting ready to celebrate its one year anniversary. The brewery and tasting room in Edmonds will host a party on Saturday, March 3rd. Festivities get underway at 1:00 and continue until 11:00.

The event (a 21+ affair) will be a food drive and fundraiser for the local food bank and will feature food, live music, new merchandise and great beer, including the release of a new beer from Brewmaster Skip Madsen: a hearty Scotch Ale. Here is the official press release from American Brewing:

One Year Anniversary Celebration

Open House & Fundraising Event

Saturday, March 3, 2012 · 1 pm – 11 pm

Live Music · Snacks & Finger Foods · New Merchandise · Beer!

American Brewing Company is proud to announce that it will be celebrating its one-year anniversary by hosting an open house (21 and older) Saturday, March 3 from 1 pm – 11 pm at their brewery, located at 180 W. Dayton St., Warehouse 102 in Edmonds, WA.

The tasting room will feature live music by local artists Steve Stefanowicz, a rock and blues acoustic performer from 2 pm – 5pm, and Third Train Running, an acoustic blues and folk band from 7 pm – 10 pm, as well as snacks and finger foods.

Along with their great flagship beers, American Brewing Company will proudly present brewer Skip Madsen’s newest, a hearty Scotch Ale!

In conjunction with this celebration, they are incorporating a fundraising event for the Edmonds Food Bank. Bring a donation of canned goods and receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win American Brewing Company swag, while helping to fill the shelves of the local food bank. “We are currently feeding 1,800 to 2,000 people each week,” says Peggy Kennedy, Director of the Edmonds Food Bank. According to Ms. Kennedy, any donation will be greatly appreciated.

“We’ve accomplished so much in our first year of business” says owner, Neil Fallon. “I want to make this day a way to thank everyone who has contributed to our success.”

In its first year of operations, the American Brewing Company:

• Began bottling three styles of beer after just six months of operation.

• Was featured as one of the “buzz-worthy” up-and-coming breweries in the October, 2011 issue of Seattle Magazine.

• Took on three distributors in the Western Washington region, and is about to add it’s fourth.

• Collaborated with local celebrity chef Tom Douglas’s Brave Horse Tavern to craft an American Style Brown Ale, The Brave American, which won a Bronze Medal at the 2011 Great American Beer Festival.

• American Brewing Company 22 oz bottle labels, designed by Taphandles in Seattle, received an American Package Design Award presented by Graphic Design USA.

• Was chosen as one of only 15 breweries from across the country to pour their beer in Washington, D.C. for more than 500 members of Congress and their staff at the Tenth Annual Autumn Capitol Hill Beer Tasting.

• Expanded their brewing capacity-twice-to keep up with demand.

• Began offering their beer at eight major chain stores in the Pacific Northwest.

• Was chosen to be a part of the first on-line Craft Beer Store, Beerjobber.com.

For an in-depth look at what has occurred over the past year at American Brewing Company, please visit their blog site

Last year’s grand opening event was such a blow out success that they are hoping the extended hours will allow for everyone to stop by and join in the celebration.

Boundary Bay Expands and Bellingham Gets Another Brewery

Good craft beer is nothing new in Bellingham, WA — the other City by the Bay. Ed Bennett founded Boundary Bay Brewery in 1995 and started producing award-winning beers shortly thereafter. Down the street, Will and Mari Kemper opened Chuckanut Brewery and Kitchen in 2008 and started winning medals almost instantly. The news today is about the planned expansion at Boundary Bay as well as the introduction of a new player on the Bellingham beer scene: Kulshan Brewing.

At Boundary Bay Brewing, plans have been drawn up to expand into the building to the immediate south of the existing location, adding another 2,000 square feet of much needed retail, office and production space. I originally reported on Boundary Bay’s pending expansion back in September when the plan was first announced, but I wanted to touch on the story once again in light of the other big news from Bellingham.

Just north of downtown, a new brewery nears opening. According to a report in the Bellingham Herald, David Vitt is busily constructing his dream brewery in a building on James Street in Bellingham’s Sunnyland neighborhood. Vitt worked for Fish Brewing in Olympia for six years but originally developed a passion for brewing as a home brewer in Bellingham.  Kulshan Brewing hopes to produce 400-500 barrels of beer per year. Vitt does not intend to serve food at Kulshan Brewing. Instead, he’ll invite local food trucks to park nearby and allow patrons to bring food into the tasting room.

The brewery seems to be coming together quite nicely. No opening date has been announced but it looks like its at least a month or two away. I will have more details about Kulshan Brewing in the coming weeks. For now, see the article published yesterday in the Bellingham Herald or check out the Kulshan Brewing Facebook Page.

If you are wondering about the name, Kulshan is the native word for Mount Baker.

It is one of the most highly anticipated beer events of the year. It sells out without fail. It features some of the most creative and innovative beers on earth. It attracts only the most-ardent beer geeks. It is an event irresistible to any serious craft beer commando. The event showcases 70-something Washington-brewed, handcrafted, cask-conditioned ales. I’m talking about the annual Washington Cask Beer Festival.

This year the Washington Cask Beer Festival (Cask Fest) takes place on Saturday, March 31st at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion. There are two sessions: an afternoon session and an evening session. Separate tickets are required for each. Tickets for both sessions are now on sale. More details about the event can be found below in the official press release. 

The Change

There is only one real big change this year: the Washington Brewers Guild returns as the presenting sponsor and all proceeds will benefit that organization. For the past few years the Washington Beer Commission presented Cask Fest and the proceeds benefited that organization. Now the festival returns to its roots. The Guild founded the event and for years hosted, and benefited from, the event.

Without going into excruciatingly boring detail, the Brewers Guild and the Beer Commission are separate organizations with different missions. They are both non-profit entities. The Guild represents its member breweries in matters of politics and policy, whereas the Commission serves to market and promote Washington-brewed beer as a commodity. They are undoubtedly joined at the hip, but each operates independently.

Here’s the press release with more details:

(Seattle, WA) February 8, 2012- After several years of hiatus the Washington Brewers Guild is pleased to return as the presenting sponsor of the Washington Cask Beer Festival on Saturday, March 31st at the Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion.

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. As the major fundraiser of the Guild the Cask Festival will raise much-needed funds for the organization to support its mission to support the brewing community in Washington State.

This year’s Cask Festival will continue its tradition as one of the region’s premier beer festivals and showcase Washington brewers’ exceptional talent in the form of cask-conditioned beer. The event started out over a decade ago as a small cask beer tasting organized by a handful of Guild member breweries in an attempt to introduce the artistry of the traditional brewing method that originated in England. Today the sold-out event attracts more than 1,500 cask aficionados from all over the region every year and its success is a powerful indication that more and more consumers are learning to appreciate craft beer, and cask-conditioned beer in particular. In addition to the impressive lineup of more than 70 fine cask-conditioned beers masterfully brewed by Washington breweries the Cask Fest will also return with a fan favorite, the Herbert’s Legendary Cask Festival Ale which will get a slight facelift this year. The Herbert’s is a special collaboration beer brewed in honor of late Bert Grant, a legendary Washington beer icon. Each year a different host brewery invites fellow Washington brewers to brew the beer based on the recipe that has been passed on from one host brewery to the next and it has been a must try among the devoted Cask Fest fans for many years.

The Cask Festival will host two sessions, one from noon to 4pm and a second session from 5:30pm to 9:30pm on Saturday, March 31st. Admission is $35 in advance or $40 at the door if tickets are still available. Separate tickets are required for each session. Admission includes a commemorative tasting cup and up to 25 sample tastes. Tickets are available online at www.washingtonbrewersguild.org and at select ticket outlets. The event is expected to sell out so advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended. This is a 21 and over only event.

WASHINGTON CASK BEER FESTIVAL

DATE: Saturday, March 31, 2012

HOURS:

Session 1- 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Session 2- 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Separate ticket required for each session

LOCATION

Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion
305 Harrison St.
Seattle, WA 98109

ADMISSION

$35 advance tickets or $40 at the door if still available. Admission includes a commemorative tasting cup 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

BEERS

Washington Cask Beer Festival is a major highlight of the Pacific Northwest beer festival scene. The event features more than 70 one-of-a-kind cask-conditioned beers from the region’s most innovative microbreweries. 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 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 get a slight facelift and will be brewed at Diamond Knot Brewing in collaboration with other participating Washington brewers. Herbert’s will be available at the Cask Festival as well as select pubs prior to the event.

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.

 

 

]]> http://www.washingtonbeer.com/washington-cask-beer-festival-tickets-now-on-sale/feed/ 0 http://www.washingtonbeer.com/introducing-whiny-the-complainer-by-big-time-brewery/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=introducing-whiny-the-complainer-by-big-time-brewery http://www.washingtonbeer.com/introducing-whiny-the-complainer-by-big-time-brewery/#comments Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:02:51 +0000 blogger http://www.washingtonbeer.com/?p=2423

– by Kendall Jones, Washington Beer Blog –

If the introduction of this beer is anything like the release of Pliny the Younger, then there is probably a line outside the Big Time’s front door as I write this. Consider Whiny the Complainer a tribute beer that pays homage to the great beer from Russian River Brewing and all the people who are hopelessly obsessed with it. Here’s the press release from Big Time.

The Big Time Brewing Company is pleased to announce the release of Whiny the Complainer on February 7th 2012 when the doors open at 11:30 am. Brewed on 12/28/2011, Whiny is a delicious triple India Pale Ale that features an abundant amount of bitterness, hop flavor and aroma from over 3 lbs of hops per barrel. Hops include, Cascade; Centennial, Chinook; Columbus; Magnum; Amarillo; and Simcoe. It was dry hopped with Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand. Original gravity 1.088; Terminal gravity 1.019; 9.1% abv.

The name Whiny the Complainer was thought up by former head brewer Bill Jenkins – it is in homage to Russian River’s Pliny the Younger – and the patrons who whine because they missed out on their coveted few ounces of PtY.

Whiny the Complainer is the 2,300th batch brewed at the Big Time since batch #1 was brewed on November 10th 1988. Whiny will be available on draft at the Big Time through the month of February. It will be served in 10 ounce snifters only. Seven quarter barrels have been released to the following accounts for release at their discretion: Beveridge Place Pub; Brouwers Café; Fiddlers Inn; The Hopvine, Naked City Brewery and Taphouse; Wedgewood Alehouse; The Yard Café.

The Big Time is the oldest brewpub in Washington State having opened its doors on December 7th 1988. Big Time is celebrating its 24th year of serving quality craft beer to beer aficionados in the University District of Seattle. 4133 University Way, Seattle 98105