News

- by Kendall Jones, Washington Beer Blog -

We are now just one month away from the 3rd Annual Belgianfest. The event organizer, the Washington Beer Commission, has now released a list of participating breweries (below). Belgianfest is an increasingly popular celebration of Washington-brewed, Belgian-style beers.

To accommodate the need for a bigger venue, this year Belgianfest moves to the Bell Harbor International Conference Center on Seattle’s waterfront (Map, directions and transit information). The event takes place on Saturday, February 4th. Advance tickets (recommended) are now on sale.

Belgianfest continues to grow in popularity in conjunction with the public’s appetite for Belgian-style beers. Since its inception in 2010, Belgianfest has landed at the top of the “must do” list for many local beer lovers.

In its first year Belgianfest was a comparatively petite event that took place in a crowded event space in the historic Seattle Brewing and Malting Company building in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. The event quickly sold out and the need for a larger venue was recognized immediately. Last year, the event moved to a larger event space at Seattle’s Magnuson Park. Again, the building was bursting at the seams. The event space at Bell Harbor offers more room for this year’s event and extra space for future growth if needed. Hopefully Belgianfest has found a home for years to come.

Year one of Belgianfest.

Belgianfest takes place on Saturday, February 4th. There are two sessions: 12:00 - 400 and 5:30 - 9:30.

Tickets are available online via Brown Paper Tickets.

Belgianfest is organized and operated by the Washington Beer Commission-the first commodity commission of its kind in the United States. The Washington Beer Commission was formed in 2006 when the Washington State Legislature authorized the creation of a Beer Commission to promote the state’s microbreweries.

The event is expected to feature more than 50 beers from no less than 24 breweries (listed below).

ADMISSION AND ADVANCE TICKETS

• $30 advance tickets or $35 at the door.
• Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass & ten 4 oz. tastes.
• Designated driver admission is $5 and available at the door only (includes free water/soda).
• Must be 21 years old or older and have a valid ID.
• Bell Harbor International Conference Center (Map, directions and transit information)

BREWERIES EXPECTED TO ATTEND (as of 1/4/12):

• American Brewing Company
• Black Raven Brewing
• Boundary Bay Brewery
• Diamond Knot Brewing Co.
• Elliott Bay Brewing Co.
• Elysian Brewing Company
• Fish Brewing Company
• Fremont Brewing Co.
• Gallaghers Where U Brew
• Hale’s Ales
• Hilliard’s Beer
• Issaquah Brewery
• Lazy Boy Brewing Co.
• McMenamins Pubs
• New Belgium
• Odin Brewing Co.
• Paradise Creek Brewery
• Ram Restaurant & Brewery
• Redhook Brewery
• Silver City Brewery
• Snipes Mountain Brewing
• Sound Brewery
• Valholl Brewing Company
• Wingman Brewers