Washington Winter Beer Fest takes place this Friday and Saturday in Seattle. In previous posts, we’ve shared details about the event, including the list of participating breweries. The Washington Brewers Guild has now released the list of beers you can expect to find waiting for you at the event. Below, I provide my picks, a list of the beers that grabbed my attention. There are many more worthwhile beers on the list.
Seattle’s annual celebration of the season returns to Victory Hall on December 19th and 20th. Friday is an evening session, while Saturday offers an afternoon session. Both sessions feature lots of beer and lots of holiday fun. Don your favorite holiday outfit, Santa hat, or just come dressed in regular street clothes. Get all the details, including ticket information, here.
But first, here are some pictures from past Winter Beer Fests to get you in the mood.
Kendall’s Winter Beer Fest beer picks
Anacortes Brewery Broadsword Scotch Ale. You don’t see enough of this style these days, and this one’s been around for a few years, if you know what I’m sayin’. It always makes me think of the legendary Bert Grant, who always kept a broadsword behind the bar at his brewpub, but that’s another story. Find me at the event and ask. 8.3% ABV.
Burke-Gilman Brewing. Archangel, Double Bourbon Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout, 15% ABV. A stout that’s bigger than the barrel-aged barleywine they’ll be serving next to it.
Dru Bru. Anniversary Ale, German-Style Sticke Alt. 6.6% ABV. Another style you don’t come across too often. Sticke Alt is a more intense, robust version of an altbier, which you also don’t see much these days.
Fremont Brewing. 2021 Rusty Nail, Barrel-Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout. After four years, I’m sure that nail is very rusty. IYKYK. 14.2% ABV. Beyond the Nail, Fremont is bringing some other barrel-aged gems.
Georgetown Brewing. Barrel-Aged 18lb Porter. Because sometimes 9 lbs. isn’t enough and you need twice as much hammer to hit twice as hard. 9.7% ABV.
Ghostfish Brewing. Little Redhead Chocolate Raspberry Stout. Which part don’t you understand? The chocolate, the raspberry, or the stout? 6.6% ABV. People who don’t deal with gluten intolerance might not be familiar with this brewery, but check it out and tell me if you can taste the absence of gluten. I bet not.
Icicle Brewing. All of them. I mean all of them. I’m gonna start with the Darker Persuasion Caramel Machiato Stout (9%), but all of the beers in their lineup sound fabulous.
Kulshan Brewing. Barrel-Aged Kitten Mittens. Because even without the barrel, Kitten Mittens is a great seasonal beer with an adorable name. 12% ABV.
Old Stove Brewing. Polar-Rye’zd Winter IPA. For me, this hits on two of beer’s most valuable attributes: IPA and Rye. 7.5% ABV.
Postdoc Brewing. Bourbon Barrel Aged Demon Star Russian Imperial Stout. Two versions: 2024 cinnamon (10.7% ABV) and 2025 blueberry (11.5% ABV). You decide. Pro tip: Postdoc is really good at big beers.
Reuben’s Brews. Pecan Pie Three Ryes Men Barrel Aged Barleywine. Because Three Ryes Men is one of the best beers I’ve ever had, and any of the variants get my attention. 13.7% ABV.
Rooftop Brewing. Jolly Roger Holiday Ale. Yes, the spirit of Maritime Pacific Brewing is alive! I’ve already had this year’s version, now brewed by Rooftop, but by the same people who brewed it before and at the same place it was brewed before, and it is damned good. 9.5% ABV.
Single Hill Brewing. Truth Watcher West Coast Pils. Because at some point, I’m going to need a palate cleanser to wash down all these big flavors. 5.3% ABV.
Terramar Brewstillery. Frigid Zest Cold IPA. Because at some other point in the evening, I will need another palate cleanser. 6.8% ABV.
Varietal Beer Co. Chocolate Cherry Stout. What part don’t you understand? The chocolate, the cherry, or the stout? 5.8% ABV.
Visit our events page and calendar to learn about all sorts of other upcoming beer events. To submit an event for inclusion on our events calendar, use our event submission form. Got more details to share, reach out to us.
