Submitted by PCSGA
There’ll be something for just about everyone at the 17th annual Shellfish SLURP on Sunday, May 3 from 4:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. This popular event, which takes place at the Fish Brewing Company, 514 Jefferson Street, in Olympia, highlights our region’s best oysters, clams, mussels and geoducks as well as some of the area’s best brews, wines, and restaurants.
Shellfish lovers will enjoy visiting the Grand Oyster Bar which will offer up fresh local oysters, produced and shucked on-site by the oyster farmers of National Fish and Oyster, Chelsea Farms, Hama Hama Oyster Co, Taylor Shellfish and Brenner’s Oysters. Those who prefer their shellfish cooked will enjoy the creations of local restaurants and can vote for the coveted “Best Shellfish Dish” prize. This year’s restaurants include: Anthony’s HomePort, Beau Legs Fish ‘N’ Chips, Copperleaf Restaurant, Staple & Fancy Mercantile, Fish Tale Brew Pub, Henderson Inlet Community Shellfish Farm, Olympia Golf & Country Club, Oly Rockfish Grill, Smoke & Cedar, Urban Farmer, and Xinh’s Clam and Oyster House. Olympia Mountain Ice Cream and coffee from Olympia Coffee Roasters will be served near the end of the evening.
For the first time, Fish Brewing will unveil their Roister Oyster Stout, made especially for SLURP. The Roister Oyster Stout will be a big beer with 7% alcohol that is characterized by being dark, rich, and creamy. To obtain this brew, whole oysters in the shell are boiled with the beer (note: they are pretty tasty afterwards). The end result is a beer that has a hint of brine and oyster flavor and pairs well with oysters and other seafood. The new stout will be served alongside the restaurant shellfish dishes, along with other Fish Tale Ales, Leavenworth Biers, Spire Mountain Ciders, and wines from around the state. Washington wines from Chateau Ste. Michelle, Hoodsport Winery, Marchetti Wines, Lopez Island Vineyard & Winery, and Terra Blanca will compete for the People’s Choice Best Wine award.
The event also features a no-hands oyster speed-eating SLURP-OFF, a live auction featuring unique Pacific Northwest and international experiences, winery tours, hotel packages, and original art, and the live music of Blues County Sherriff, a local old-school blues band.
Proceeds from the event go to the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association’s Shellfish Habitat Rejuvenation Fund. The fund is used to support organizations that work on shellfish education and habitat restoration efforts. A partial list of beneficiaries from this year’s SLURP include Northwest Straits Foundation, Pacific Education Institute, Pacific County Museum, Willapa Watershed Restoration Management, and Grassroots Garbage Gang.
Tickets are $60 in advance and can be purchased on-line at slurp.brownpapertickets.com, or in person at Ralph’s Thriftway, Bayview Thriftway or the Fish Tale Brew Pub. Tickets are $70 at the door the day of the event. The price of admission covers all food and beverages. For more information call 360-754-2744.
