– by North Seattle Sarah, North Seattle Bureau Chief –
So far this year I’ve attended Strange Brew, the Washington Brewer’s Festival, Craft Beer + Food, the Black Raven Flock Party, Elysian’s Great Pumpkin Beer Festival, and Yakima’s Fresh Hop Ale Fest. I’m sure there have been other events, and that my memory escapes me. Every single one of them was a blast. But for some reason, the event I get most excited about each year is the Phinney Neighborhood Association’s Winter Beer Taste.
Weird, right? It’s a smaller festival, with less food options, and many of the beers that are poured are beers I’ve had before. But it has a special something – that neighborhood feel.
The Winter Beer Taste is held each year at the Phinney Center – 6532 Phinney Ave N. Tickets are only $25 for PNA members and $35 for non-members, and include ten tastes plus pub-style snacks. 30 Breweries pour at this event (view the full list here – www.phinneycenter.org/beer), and there’s also a silent auction where you can bid on fun swag from local breweries, bars and restaurants to benefit the Center.
I love this event because something about bundling up in your cold weather gear and going to a local community center seems to bring out the best in people. The event space is smaller and often a little crowded, and that brings people together. I also appreciate that this event is dependable. Some of my favorite breweries show up each year – Big Al, Silver City, Diamond Knot – and often pour something I remember being amazing from the previous year, and the year before that. Finally, I feel good about my ticket fee going to an organization that provides a hot meal program for the neighborhood, and that provides programs at the senior center, and childcare for those who need it.
This year, the PNA Winter Beer Taste is November 9th from 7pm to 10pm. I hope to see friendly and familiar faces there!