Temperatures are (slowly) dropping. The days are growing shorter. Kids are putting a foot through your Jack O-lanterns. And you have been working your way through the flood of autumnal colors on the shelves of your favorite beer shop. The orange and rust-colored packaging is synonymous with falling leaves and gourd-filled cornucopias. Fall beers have all the attention. Therefore, the Washington Beer Commission would like to remind you craft beer is synonymous with terms such as “hoppy” and “top fermentation mouthfeel.” Saturday, Nov. 5, the WA Beer Commish will host its 3rd annual South Sound Craft Beer Festival at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall — and its bigger and better than ever. Tickets are on sale now.
The WBC — which produces six other craft beer festivals around the state as a means for funding the marketing, education and public relations efforts of its mission and its more than 330-member breweries — knows there’s one style that continues to hook South Sounders, even while we dabble with farmhouse ales and sours on the side: India Pale Ale. The hoppy beers that first grabbed our hearts, shocked our tastebuds and kept us coming back for more still offers a lot to love year round. An IPA may not seem like a common choice for cool autumn nights, but this beer is all about the fall with the influx of fresh hop IPAs making their way from farm to shelf in lighting–fast speed.
Eric Radovich, executive director of the Washington Beer Commission, has said in the past the reason why the South Sound Craft Beer Festival, previously known as the South Sound IPA Festival, is IPA forward is because the beer style is the most popular and best-selling beer in the Northwest, and it’s the time of year when Washington state brewers crank out outstanding fresh hop beers.
How will this year’s South Sound Craft Beer Festival differ from last year’s version at the Tacoma Dome?
“For the third annual South Sound Craft Beer Festival we will be upping the beer ante hosting 40 breweries in attendance,” says Hayden Campbell, Washington Beer Commission’s marketing manager. “We are also working hard to improve the ambience of the event with enhancements to lighting and background music.”
The WBC will move away from live music this year as it thought it diverted attention from the beer.
“Last year we had intended on having live music outside, but due to the stormy weather we made a last-minute decision to movie it inside,” continues Campbell. “It was too loud.”
The WBC nixed the idea of having an outdoor component to the South Sound Craft Beer Festival at the Tacoma Dome. November weather is too unpredictable.
“Ultimately, we are always proud to produce incident free events where attendees can come and sample unique craft beers with their family and friends,” adds Campbell. “The fun comes with the atmosphere we create with lighting, music and food to transform a space and building excitement around the beer.”
During Washington Beer Commission festivals Campbell runs the Washington Beer Lovers, or WaBL, booth, promoting the official Washington Beer Fan Club and its mission is to “build a community of local craft beer enthusiasts who are pursuing an active, responsible, and social lifestyle built around Washington beer.” Besides soliciting memberships, handing out passports and selling T-shirts, hats and other Washington Beer goods, the WaBL booth pours a special WaBL-only craft beer. Rumor is Wingman Brewers will brew a special WaBL beer for the festival.
The South Sound Craft Beer Festival will take place from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5. Admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the door (if available) — and includes a commemorative tasting glass along with six, 5-ounce sample tastes. Additional tastes will be available for purchase at $2 each, or three for $5. Designated driver admission is $5 and available at the door only. Complete ticket and event information is available at washingtonbeer.com. This is a 21 and over only event.
There will be 40 Washington breweries showcasing 150 IPAs, fresh hop beers and other delicious seasonal creations. Here is a list of participating Washington breweries:
7 Seas Brewing
Backwoods Brewing
Badass Backyard Brewing
Bainbridge Brewing
Bale Breaker Brewing
Cash Brewing Company
Counterbalance Brewing Co
Diamond Knot Craft Brewing
Dirty Bucket Brewing
Elysian Brewing -Georgetown
Everybodys Brewing
Fish Brewing
Flying Lion Brewing
Fortside Brewing Company
Fremont Brewing
Georgetown Brewing
Ghostfish Brewing
Gig Harbor Brewing
Harmon Brewery and Eatery
Hellbent Brewing Company
Maritime Pacific Brewing
McMenamins Anderson School
North 47 Brewing Co.
Northwest Brewing Company
Odd Otter Brewing
Paradise Creek Brewery
Pike Brewing
Rainier Brewing Company
Rainy Daze Brewing
Rooftop Brewing
Schooner Exact Brewing
Silver City Brewery and Taproom
Slaughter County Brewing
Top Rung Brewing
Twelve Bar Brews
Two Beers Brewing
Wet Coast Brewery
Wingman Brewers
For a complete line-up of beers, click here.
