This Saturday, August 29 in Tacoma, the Washington Beer Commission present the 2nd annual South Sound Craft Beer Festival. The event features 30 breweries pouring over 100 beers, with a focus on IPA and other hoppy beers. This is a 21+ event.
The event runs from noon until 6:00 at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall and Plaza. Tickets are available online now ($20) or at the door ($25). For military with valid ID, $15 at the gate. Designated driver admission is $5 and available at the door only (includes water and soda). Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass and six 5-ounce tastes. Additional tokens may be purchased at $2 each or three for $5.
Washington Beer Lover (WABL) members receive two bonus tokens when they present their member passports. Not a member of WABL yet? Why not? Check it out here.
Among all the breweries and beers, here are a few that caught my eye. These are just a few highlights but you can see the complete list here.
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- Fremont Brewing – The Brother. Totally out of balance and unapologetically over-hopped. I get this one whenever I can.
- Counterbalance Brewing – Pogo Duck ISA. One of my new favorites. From a new (opened last winter) Seattle brewery.
- Ghost Fish Brewing – Grapefruit IPA. How good could can a gluten-free IPA be? Find out. Brewed with Cascade, Horizon and “experimental grapefruit” hops, as well as grapefruit peel. A citrus bomb. Leave your preconceptions about gluten-free beers at the door and just taste it.
- Lumberjack Brewing – Tree Spike IPA. I’ve never had anything from this Maple Valley brewery, which means you probably haven’t either.
- Wet Coast Brewing – Line Jumper IPA. Another new Washington brewery (Gig Harbor) pouring beer I’ve yet to taste.
- Narrows Brewing – Lead the Way IPA. Last spring Mike Davis (formerly of Harmon Brewing and others) took over the brewhouse at Narrows. I haven’t had any of his new beers yet.
- McMenamins – Dankaliicious Double IPA. Beyond liking the name, I like the stats. Brewed with Horizon, Centennial, Chinook and Brewers Gold hops, it clocks in at 8.3 percent ABV and 91 IBUs. Sound like a big, hoppy beer that maybe is a bit out of McMenamins’ comfort zone. I like that.
- Kulshan Brewing – Bastard Kat IPA. Not much of Kulshan’s award-winning beer makes it too far out of Bellingham. This one is a wicked-good IPA that I too rarely get to drink.
- Georgetown Brewing – Johnny Utah Citra Pale Ale. It’s not a new beer from Georgetown, but it is a new addition to the regular lineup. Super dry and citrusy, you’ll have trouble believing this one is only 50 IBUs.
See the complete beer list here.
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