Yes, this blog usually focuses on independent small breweries and the beers they produce. No, I did not get paid to post this story. I just think it’s a fun event and, like it or not, it is beer-related. Nobody is forcing you to read further.
This Saturday, October 5th is R Day in Seattle. What’s that?
R Day is a celebration of Rainier Beer and the Georgetown community. The giant old brewery building along Airport Way South, once the home of Seattle Brewing and Malting Company, is the birthplace of Rainier beer. Though the company and the brand have changed over the years, Georgetown is still Rainier Beer’s hometown.
The R Day celebration sees several blocks of Airport Way closed to traffic and transformed into a big party. Yes, there will be lots of Rainier tallboys available out in the street, but all the local bars and merchants invite you come on down for the party as well. Full Throttle Bottles, Jules Maes Saloon, 9 Lb Hammer, and all the rest will pour a wider selection of beers (and cocktails). In short, it’s just a big ole party in Georgetown, with beer and music in the streets.
Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2436905003260740/
Here’s the press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2, 2019 Rainier’s “R Day” Celebration Returns to Georgetown The annual celebration of Northwest culture comes back bigger and better than ever in 2019
SEATTLE, Wash. (October 2, 2019) – Fall has returned to the great Pacific Northwest, bringing along all that comes with it. Cool, misty mornings. Football filled weekends. Pumpkin flavored everything. And for the last six years now, Rainier’s annual “R Day”, a benefit for the Georgetown Merchants Association.
This Saturday, friends and beer lovers throughout the Pacific Northwest are invited to come together in Seattle’s historic Georgetown neighborhood for “R Day”, the annual celebration of community, music and Rainier’s rich heritage in the region. The event takes place from 4p to 11p along Airport Way South in the shadow of the original Rainier Brewery.
“For us, there’s no better way to celebrate what makes this region so great than hosting “R Day” in the heart of the vibrant Georgetown neighborhood, right where Rainier started,” said Rainier spokesman Kurt Stream. “Last year was the biggest R-Day yet, with 5,000 attending, and we hope to continue to build on that momentum this year.”
While Rainier tallboys will be a common sight on Saturday, the event will also showcase some of Rainier’s valued partners including exclusive Rainier branded apparel from Casual Industries (casualindustrees.com) and The Great PNW (thegreatpnw.com), a Rainier branded debit/credit card offering from OBEE Credit Union (obee.com), and a chance to get involved with Rainier’s non-profit partners Conservation Northwest (conservationnw.org), Protect Our Winters (protectourwinters.org), and Pacific Northwest Trail Association (pnt.org).
Attendees will also want to visit the Rainier history booth where 50+ rare artifacts, photos and prints, celebrating Rainier’s Pre-prohibition rise in Georgetown, will be on display for the first time. “Rainier’s Seattle Brewing and Malting Company was the 6th largest brewery in the world before prohibition crashed the party more than 100 years ago.” said Rainier spokesman Kurt Stream. “To take in some of this history with a Rainier in hand, only feet from the original brewery, will be a pretty unique experience.”
Topping it all off, Seattle’s Artist Home (artisthome.org) has curated an exciting musical lineup which features live performances by some of the top and up-and-coming Pacific Northwest bands including Red Fang, Wild Powwers, and Chong The Nomad.
For many residents of the PNW, it is not truly fall until “R Day” arrives, so Rainier invites you to come down to their birthplace in Georgetown for some fun with friends this weekend and celebrate everything that makes living in this corner of the country great. The event, which benefits the Georgetown Merchants Association, is free and open to everyone 21 and older.
Event Details
- Who: Rainier Beer & Georgetown Merchants Association
- What: Sixth Annual “R Day” Celebration. Free and open to everyone 21+
- When: Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 4p – 11p
- Where: Historic Georgetown neighborhood, Airport Way South, Seattle, WA 98134
About Rainier Beer
Rainier is a symbol of home and happiness for millions of people living the Pacific Northwest lifestyle. Whether you are a life-long resident of the region, or new to the region, Rainier is a symbol of the pioneering, outdoor-loving and fun Northwest spirit that lives on stronger than ever today. First brewed in Seattle in 1878, Rainier Brewing Company (originally Seattle Brewing and Malting Company) is known for its partnerships with local non-profit organizations that share its passion for preserving the outdoors and the traditions of the Northwest and its iconic “R” which was raised on top of the company’s brewery in Seattle in 1954, cementing it as a Seattle staple. But it was the light-hearted and fun commercials of the 1970’s and 80’s that made the brand into the Pacific Northwest icon that it is today. Rainier can be found in stores, restaurants and bars throughout the West.
For more information about Rainier Brewing Company, visit: http://rainierbeer.com