Looking for the best of local craft beer tasting? Look no further than the Olympia Brew Fest, happening August 3, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the gorgeous Port Plaza. This fun event is full of music, food and of course beer! Whether you like a sturdy stout or a passive pale ale, you will find beers and ciders of all kinds from your favorite local breweries, including new flavors for you to taste.
Even better, spending the day at the Brew Fest gives back to your community: Proceeds benefit the Thurston County Chamber Foundation Small Business Development (Incubator) Program. The mission of the Incubator is to “create jobs by helping entrepreneurs and small businesses access resources they need for growth and long term success.” The Incubator does this through services such as hands-on training, assistance with small business financing, education in business related subjects, consulting, and more, from their downtown Olympia facility.
The crew at Olympia Brew Fest hand selects the more than 30 breweries that attend, to give you the best selection and showcase the diversity of the Pacific Northwest craft brewery scene. They explain that this way, attendees can discover new flavors and styles they may not have otherwise encountered, and of course enjoying their favorites as well.
The 21-years-old and older event celebrates Olympia’s fine brewing heritage while looking into the future of the business of craft beers. The 30 breweries will be bringing over 60 different beers for you to taste and learn about. All of the breweries hail from Washington State or Oregon, with many coming from right here in Thurston County, including Well 80, Top Rung, Tart Cider, Nisqually Valley, Hoh River, Headless Mumby, Fish Brewing and Axis Meads. Axis Meads will be bringing some unique mead, including blood orange, raspberry habanero and lavender. For IPA lovers, Dick’s Brewing Company from Lewis County is bringing a grapefruit IPA, which is very refreshing on a hot summer day.
The great thing about Olympia Brew Fest is you get to sample beers from outside our county, that you might not have a chance to otherwise. It’s like visiting their tasting room without the cost of travel! From Leavenworth, you can try Icicle Brewing’s Dark Persuasion, or an apricot peach cider from Mill Haus Cider Company out of Eatonville. And coming all the way from Redmond, Oregon, Wild Ride Brewing will have a cherry lemon sour ale and a peanut butter porter to whet your whistle. There are too many other great breweries to list – you are just going to have to go to Olympia Brew Fest and see for yourself!
Of course, you can’t have all that beer and cider without great food. Olympia Brew Fest will have plenty of that too, with food from Hawk’s Prairie Casino, Chelsea Farms, Marv’s Mavlus Pit BBQ, Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel, and O’Blarney’s Irish Pub. While you eat and drink your fill, you will be entertained by the music of Edgewater Trio, Purple Mane and The Psychedelic Shadow.
General admission is $25 if purchased in advance on the Olympia Brew Fest website. At the gate its $30. Tickets include admission to Olympia Brew Fest, a commemorative mug, six tastings of your choice and live music. Food is extra. Extra drink tickets are available at the festival and provide six additional tastes. Cash or credit card will be taken. Advanced tickets must be printed out, they cannot be scanned from a smartphone. This even is 21-years-old and over only. Only documented service animals allowed, no other pets.
Get your tickets now and be ready for a day of no-stop fun as you learn about what makes the Pacific Northwest a Mecca for craft brewing, while enjoying the result of these brewers and distillers years of hard work, dedication and research.
