We first told you about Vancouver, Washington’s Fortside Brewing back in February. They’ve been selling beer for months but are now finally ready to open the tasting room. The Grand Opening celebration takes place this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. To be honest, the tasting room has been quietly open for some time, but they are just now ready to call it a Grand Opening.
“Fortside Brewing is a production brewery with an attached tasting room,” explains Mike DiFabio, co-owner/brewer at Fortside. “We are not situated on the west side, nor are we situated on the east side; rather, we are smack-dab in the middle of the city of Vancouver. It is from here that we aspire to do our part to strengthen craft beer culture in Southwest Washington.”
It’s a Vancouver thing. Michael Difabio and Mark Doleski, both graduates of Vancouver’s Prairie High School, are the owners of the 3,900 square-foot brewery and tasting room. Fortside Brewing Company is named after Fort Vancouver, a historic landmark with which many northern Washingtonians may not be familiar. Like many other breweries, they focus on making the beer but leave the food to local vendors (food trucks).
The Grand Opening serves as Fortside Brewing’s first-ever Couve-toberfest. They have plans to make it an annual shindig. They will give away prizes, have food available all weekend, offer guided brewery tours. Also, live music on Saturday.
Grand Opening
Thursday, September 17 thru Saturday, September 19.
Thursday & Friday 4:00 – 10:00: The Nomad (a local hot dog vendor) will be cooking up something new and special for the occasion. Also, fresh hop Randall IPA, beer floats, pretzels, brewery tours and prize giveaways all night.
Saturday 4:00 – 10:00: Fresh hop Randall IPA, Brats, beer floats, pretzels, brewery tours and prize giveaways all night. Homesick, a roots/Americana duo, performs at the tasting room Saturday night.
During the event they will be collecting donations for Share Vancouver, an organization that helps Vancouver’s hungry and homeless population. You’re encouraged to bring non-perishable food items.
Fortside Brewing Company
2200 NE Andresen Rd
Vancouver, WA 98661
(360) 524-4692