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Early Distant Warning: Tacoma Craft Beer Festival 2012

- by Kendall Jones, Washington Beer Blog -

NOTE/UPDATE: the date of this festival changed. It is happening on September 1st, which is different than we originally reported.

It is still a few months away, but it’s never too early to tell you about another great beer festival. Mark your calendars. This September 1st the Tacoma Craft Beer Festival returns to the shores of the Foss Waterway near downtown Tacoma. Event organizers learned a few things over the event’s first three years and the fourth annual Tacoma Craft Beer Fest promises to be the best yet. To begin with, for 2012 the event will feature more breweries and more beer. Also, we understand the event organizers made some changes behind the scenes to help insure that there are no beer shortages. You will find more details about the event below. We will be certain to announce when advance tickets are available online.

A New Beneficiary

This year the Tacoma Craft Beer Festival welcomes a new beneficiary: the Tacoma Historical Society. Tacoma boasts a proud, robust, but oft-forgotten brewing tradition that dates back to 1888 (as far as I can tell without researching too deeply). Today’s T-town breweries -Harmon Brewing, Engine House 9, RAM Brewery, and Wingman Brewers- are carrying on a proud tradition.

A Bit of History

Puget Sound Brewery was founded in 1888 and eventually transformed into Pacific Brewing and Malting Company in 1897. Sadly, it did not survive Prohibition, closing its doors forever in 1915. Silver Springs Brewing opened in 1934 in Port Orchard and then moved to Tacoma in 1950 where it operated until 1967. And then there’s the big dog, Columbia Breweries, Inc. (1933 - 1953), which later became Heidelberg Brewing Company (1953 -1979). That’s just skimming the surface of Tacoma’s beer history. It is fitting that the Historical Society benefit from Tacoma’s ongoing love affair with beer.

If there is anyone out there with first-hand, or second-hand familiarity with Tacoma’s brewing history, please contact us. For example, if your Grandfather worked at one of the breweries. We’ve been in contact with the Tacoma Historical Society and are working with them to dig up some real-life accounts while they are still available. Send us an email.

Festival Details

Here are some of the initial details about the Tacoma Craft Beer Festival direct from the event organizers.

Saturday, September 1st
11:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m.
OVER 50 Craft Breweries
At the 21st Street Park on the Foss Waterway
2101 Dock Street, Tacoma WA 98402
Map
21+ only
www.tacomacraftbeerfest.com

Tickets $25 pre-sale (available online July 15th, 2012), $30 at the door.
$10 Active Duty Military discount at the door only.

Admission includes 5.5 oz commemorative taster glass & 10 tasting tokens.
Additional 5.5 oz pours: $1.50
Games, Great Food, Live Entertainment

The 4th Annual Tacoma Craft Beer Festival will be held Saturday September 1st, from 11am to 8pm at 21st Street Park located at 2101 Dock St in Downtown Tacoma, with all profits benefiting Tacoma Historical Society. This event is being held to bring together those that are passionate about craft beer, and to further build community while promoting this amazing beverage in the South Sound. Please hop on board for our 4th year! This event will surely be one to look forward to annually.

MORE BEER! Last year ticket sales shut down at 4:30pm due to the availability of beer on hand. This year, we’re increasing our brewers from 41 to over 50. But plan ahead and buy your tickets online!

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Filed under: Washington Beer News