2011 June: Washington State Brewer's Festival

The summer solstice is approaching and their have been a few dynamic days here in Seattle.  This weekend is the W.S. Brewer's Festival.  Friday I had to work, Saturday it rained all day, so Sunday I found myself on the 2 hour bus ride to St. Edwards Park.  North of Lake Washington the festival was loacated out in the woods.  I found myself getting off the bus at the hiking trail to the park.  So off I went.

The path to true enlightenment

60+ BREWERIES  200+ BEERS 

Oh my!

Charlie from work gave me the ticket, which got me admission, a taster and  6 tokens for tasting.  It's gonna be tough to just choose 6 from all the selections.  But i'll manage somehow.

IRON HORSE BREWERY

NEW BELGIAN BREWERY

DOUBLE MOUNTAIN BREWERY

SNOQUALMIE FALLS BREWERY

FOGGY NOGGIN BREWERY

TWO BEERS BREWING COMPANY

PIKE BREWERY

SCHOONER EXACT BREWING CO.

GOLDEN HILLS BREWING CO.



HARMON BREWING




DESCHUTES BREWING CO.
BEND OREGON



I finally desided to start sampling.  Deschutes has always been a favorite and today would not change that opinion.  "Hop in the Dark" C.D.A.  A delicious Cascade style dark ale with a fantastic hoppy finish.  Carmel and chocolate depth made this a light but well developed experience.

REDHOOK BREWERY

ALASKAN BREWERY

FLYING BIKE "COOPERATIVE BREWERY"

SKOOKUM BREWERY





HALES ALES

BLACK RAVEN BREWERY

EMERALD CITY BREWERY

ODIN BREWING CO.

 IT was here that I tried 2 more beers.  "Thor's Equinox" is a Belgian style overhopped dark ale.  They added a bit of Belgian candy sugar and finished with fresh amarillo hops.  This gave it the typical slightly sweet malty characterisic that i am not fond of but the hops added a great backbone and balanced it out.  Nice job.  I late came back for their White Belgian ale.  They finished it with mace.  WOW!  Not to sweet with a light hop finish and subtle mace nots of spice to warm the belly.  A truly unique beer in all it's goodness.

MAC & JACK'S







THREE SKULLS

had the best taps...



As a Chef I am not a fan of the normal PETA, but this is a group I would surely love to join. mmm

I took many more pictures of many more booths, with lots more beer.  It was alot to take in.  and the weather was muggy, humid and stagnant all at once.  The trees kept the breeze at bay.  





Strawberries k-bobs.  chocolate dipped  $6
What a great idea...show me the money.

So now I am heading back up tha path to take the two hour bus ride home.  Although now I am a bit more tired, full and have started a little squinty buzz.  A Sunday well spent.  I still need to get the laundry done.