With more than 200 events to choose from during Seattle Beer Week, where should you drink first? Reporter Tan Vinh has the scoop on the best spots and great deals.
The city’s biggest beer festival is here: 11 days and more than 200 beer events and counting. Overwhelmed? We’ve got you covered. Here are some suggested tastings, beer-pairing dinners and brewers’ events. For the full, ever-expanding list of events, visit seattlebeerweek.com. (Always check online or call the venue before you show up; many ticketed events and beer-pairing dinners have already sold out.)
May 4
How else to kick off beer week but with a pub-crawl? The shuttle is full, so Uber or get a designated driver. The festivities start at 4:30 p.m. at Flatstick Pub in Pioneer Square, where organizers will tap a keg of Bale Breaker’s “Fresh off the Farm IPA,” the official brew of this year’s beer week. The drinking continues with a second stop at West Seattle’s Beveridge Place Pub, at 6:30 p.m., where 16 special casks will be tapped. Drink fast. Stop three is at Brouwer’s Cafe at 7:45 p.m. in Fremont, then it’s on to stop four, Naked City Taphouse at 9 p.m. in Greenwood. The night concludes at stop five, (you still standing?) The Pine Box on Capitol Hill at 10:30 p.m. Just think. You still have 10 more days of this.
May 5
STOUT FEST
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One of the top venues during Beer Week, Brouwer’s Café features more than 40 stouts from around the world, including Evil Twin, Lost Abbey and local favorites such as Reuben’s Brews and Cloudburst Brewing.
Brouwer’s Cafe; 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; 400 N. 35th St., Seattle; 206-267-2437, brouwerscafe.blogspot.com
CINCO DE MELVIN
They always make quite the entrance, the boys behind the cult Melvin Brewing. This time they’re rolling in with a mariachi band that will play Wu Tang Clan to introduce their new Mexi lager. Melvin Brewing, which plans to expand in Bellingham later this year, is always a favorite with the hop heads.
The Hop and Hound; 4-11 p.m.; 18116 101st Ave. N.E., Bothell; 425-486-2337, thehopandhound.com
May 6
FLOCK PARTY
The best brewery on the Eastside throws a party. Expect live entertainment and more than 20 taps, including some special brews, at this dog-friendly event.
Black Raven Brewing Co.; noon to 7 p.m.; 14679 N.E. 95th St., Redmond; 425-881-3020, blackravenbrewing.com
A PIG OUT
Ravenna Brewing Co. smokes a 150-pound pig in the beer garden. This may be the best food deal during beer week: $7 a plate. The malt used to smoke the swine will also be used to brew the “Hog Strong” beer a week later.
Ravenna Brewing Co.; noon-9 p.m., though pig should be ready by 3 p.m.; 5408 26th Ave. N.E., Seattle; 206-743-8450, ravennabrewing.com
May 7
YOGA AND BEER
This sounds like something out of Portlandia. Are we supposed to balance a tallboy on our heads during tree pose? The first hour is yoga and after namaste it’s time to grab a cold one or three. The beer-and-yoga session costs $25. Buy tickets online at www.justaddyogaevents.com/schedule/beerplusyogaqabeerhallmay.
Queen Anne Beerhall; 10 a.m.-noon; 203 W. Thomas St., Seattle; 206-659-4043, queenannebeerhall.com
BBQ PAIRING
Jack’s BBQ, one of the area’s best with the smoker, teams up with Portland’s Breakside Brewery for a lip-smacking, four-napkin affair. Expect stout with “Halved Smoked Drunken Duck,” pilsner with St. Louis-style Pork Ribs, among other food pairings.
Jack’s BBQ; 6:30-9:30 p.m.; 3924 Airport Way S., Seattle; 206-467-4038, jacksbbq.com
DONUT PAIRING
A breakfast of champions: coffee stout with a chocolate doughnut, and a strawberry wheat beer with a raspberry-jelly doughnut are among the pairings.
The Hop and Hound; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; 18116 101st Ave. N.E., Bothell; 425-486-2337 or thehopandhound.com
PUPPET SHOW
So you can’t break away because you have the kids. The folks at beer week think of everything. This Capitol Hill beer hall brings in Bellingham-based German Puppeteer Max Eberheard to do two shows based on The Brothers Grimm tale “Hans in Luc.” Each show runs about an hour at this free event.
Rhein Haus; noon and 1:30 p.m. showtimes; 912 12th Ave., Seattle; 206-325-5409, rheinhausseattle.com
SUNDAY BBQ
For those who complain the beer pairing dinners are too expensive — many cost you a Benjamin and change — this one is for you. And for a good cause. The Brewmaster’s Taproom in Renton hosts a barbecue fundraiser — a $17 plate includes brisket, pork belly and all the fixings, along with stellar beer from Bale Breaker Brewing. Organizers say all proceeds go to the Rez Dog Rescue in Yakima. Purchase tickets at the taproom or online: brownpapertickets.com/event/2938763
The Brewmaster’s Taproom; 12:30 p.m. until food runs out; 2000 Benson Rd. S., Renton; 425-264-6391, thebrewmasterstaproom.com
May 8
THIS IS WASHINGTON DAMMIT!
Beer week features many out-of-town beers and macro brews, a sore point with Seattle brewers. As this event’s name states (or should we say shouts!), their salvo: 35 different Washington state beers on tap throughout the day, $4 a pint. One of the best deals during beer week.
Beveridge Place Pub; 2 p.m.-2 a.m.; 6413 California Ave. S.W., Seattle; 206-932-9906, beveridgeplacepub.com
NANO NIGHT
And since we’re on the subject of rooting for the home team, come check out all the garage-sized and mom-and-pop breweries. This is one of their few events during beer week. Support the underdogs and the future brew stars of tomorrow and you’ll be able to say you knew them when.
Latona Pub; 7-10 p.m.; 6423 Latona Ave. N.E., Seattle; latonapub.com
May 9
CAN YOU HANDLE MY RANDALL?!
All sorts of wacky and weird ingredients get infused in these beers. In years past, that included Skittles, bacon, ham bits and whiskey-soaked oak chips. Some were tasty. Others? Eh, not so much.
The Pine Box; 5-9 p.m.; 1600 Melrose Ave., Seattle; 206-588-0375, pineboxbar.com
WOOD AGED WASHINGTON NIGHT
This Greenwood brewery devotes an evening just to wood-barrel-aged beers. Expect at least two dozen offerings, including 12 String’s Double Chocolate Double Stout, which was put in a Woodford Bourbon barrel. With beer aged in wood barrels, you can expect to pick up a lot of oak or vanilla notes.
Naked City Taphouse; 6-9 p.m.; 8564 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle; 206-838-6299, drink.nakedcity.beer
May 10
BELLINGHAM BEERS
Bellingham has been making a lot of noise in the craft-brewing scene. See what all the fuss is about. Latona Pub devotes a night just to Bellingham brews from Kulshan Brewing Co. to Wander Brewing. Our neighbors to the north will bring some special casks to this party.
Latona Pub; 5-9 p.m.; 6423 Latona Ave. N.E., Seattle; latonapub.com
R AND R PILSNER RELEASE
Seattle institution Rainier beer joins forces with fan favorite Reuben’s Brews. They’re partnering to make a limited-release pilsner — a beer with melon notes from the two hops and a spicy finish from rye. This collaborative brew will also be on sale in 22-ounce bottles in Washington and Oregon for a limited time. Deep Sea Divers will perform at this release party.
Reuben’s Brews; 6-8 p.m.; 5010 14th Ave. N.W., Seattle; 206-784-2859, reubensbrews.com
BONEYARD-TORONADO COLLAB NIGHT
Because apparently our beers aren’t hoppy enough, Boneyard Beer in Bend, Ore., brewed this monster, a quadruple IPA for Toronado.
Toronado; 6-11 p.m.; 1205 N.E. 65th St., Seattle; 206-525-0654, toronadoseattle.com
May 11
SOURFEST
Always a crowd pleaser, this sour-beer event usually has long lines. Come early. Brouwer’s Cafe brought in 60 sour beers from around the world for the event last year. Expect the same again. This beer mecca squirreled away some dandies, such as sours from Goose Island, The Lost Abbey and Trois Dames, among others.
Brouwer’s Cafe; 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; 400 N. 35th St., Seattle; 206-267-2437 or brouwerscafe.blogspot.com
BALE BREAKER TAP TAKEOVER IN BELLEVUE
One of the big events on the Eastside, Tavern Hall features Bale Breaker Brewing Company beers, prize giveaways, and some special small batches brewed out of this Yakima brewery.
Tavern Hall; 3-6 p.m.; 505 Bellevue Square, Bellevue; 425-454-7500, tavern-hall.com
May 12
LAGUNITAS CRASHES BOTTLEWORKS
The folks behind the popular Lagunitas brewery drop by this Wallingford haunt to geek out with the beer geeks. Expect Gnarleywine and some special Lagunitas pours.
Bottleworks, 4:30-8 p.m.; 1710 N. 45th St., Seattle; 206-633-2437, bottleworks.com
NITROFEST
Exhibit A that Seattle Beer Week does have everything. There’s now an event devoted just to nitro beers, 40 different pours at this South Lake Union beer hall.
TeKu Tavern; noon-11:30 p.m.; 522 Denny Way, Seattle; 206-466-1764, tekutavern.beer
May 13
REUBEN AND FRIENDS INVITATIONAL
Reuben’s invites 14 acclaimed breweries in for a neighborhood party. All the big players will be there. Expect Cloudburst Brewing, Melvin Brewing, Fort George Brewery along with many stellar breweries from Bellingham. Reuben’s will expand the brewery to the back parking lot and bring in a live band. It’s the biggest beer-week event in Ballard.
Reuben’s Brews; noon-5 p.m.; 5010 14th Ave. N.W., Seattle; 206-784-2859, reubensbrews.com
HOLY MOUNTAIN AND ENGINE HOUSE NO. 9 TAKEOVER
This Lower Queen Anne beer-and-pizza joint devotes a day just for the beers from the stellar Holy Mountain Brewing and Tacoma’s Engine House No. 9. Expect some sought-after beers and rare bottles to be poured.
Masonry; 11:30 a.m.-midnight; 20 Roy St., Seattle; 206-453-4375, themasonryseattle.com
May 14
SEVENTH ANNUAL MY LIVER HURTS BBQ
The best way to close out beer week? More beer, of course. Plus free barbecue. This event is always popular because, well, the price is right for the food.
Fremont Brewing Company; noon-2 p.m.; 3409 Woodland Park Ave. N., Seattle; 206-420-2407, fremontbrewing.com
EASTSIDE HANGOVER
Just like above, only on the other side of the bridge, and with “Vitamin R,” Rainier mimosas.
Malt & Vine; noon.-11:45 p.m.; 16851 Redmond Way, Redmond; 425-881-6461, maltandvine.com