Washington Brewers Festival - tickets and other information
-by Kendall Jones, Washington Beer Blog-
Tickets are now on sale for the Washington Brewers Festival. Tickets are available online right now and will be available at select retail outlets soon (details coming). The Washington Brewers Festival takes place on Father’s Day weekend (June 17 - 19) at Saint Edward State Park in Kenmore. Go to the event page for details.
The Washington Brewers Festival is the big daddy when it comes to beer events around here. Often referred to as the Father’s Day beer festival, this annual event attracts as many as 16,000 people over the course of three days.
Like last year, the Washington Beer Blog will be there all weekend, posting and tweeting live from the event. We will be easy to find. Stop by the booth to say hello, give us tips, or ask for advice. Follow our tweets: @BeerBlog and @WashingtonBeer. Use #WABF11 when tweeting about the festival. See our posts from last year’s festival.
Event organizers have put together some transportation options for you, largely because parking is very limited at the park-an unfortunate reality that must be accepted and managed. We encourage you to plan ahead, to carpool, and to take advantage of the shuttle buses. If you must come by car, the cost of a parking pass is nothing if you split it between a few people. Designate a driver. Be safe. Don’t drive drunk.
Also, we know that the Elliott Bay Brewery and Pub in West Seattle has chartered a bus. In the past I have done the Brewers Festival this way. It cannot be beat. If you live in West Seattle, contact the pub. If you don’t live in West Seattle, talk to your local publican about doing something similar. If you know of any other establishments running a bus to the festival, please share that information by leaving a comment.
FESTIVAL FACTS
Tickets
Friday: Tickets for Friday are $15 advance or at the door. Advance tickets available online only. Over 35 breweries are scheduled to pour on Friday. There will be some “Friday only” beers this year. Friday is for grown-ups only.
Saturday and Sunday: Tickets are $20 advance or $25 at the door. Advance tickets available online or at select retail outlets. We’ll have information soon regarding offline advance ticket sales. Go to the festival website for ticket information.
Parking
There is limited parking available and passes must be purchased in advance. Free shuttle bus service is available. Visit the festival website for details. Parking passes are $15.
WABL
WABL (WA Beer Lovers) members receive an additional tasting token and a special WABL glass. Also, there will be a special WABL beer available for members only. If you are not a WABL, you can join WABL here.
Volunteer
Looking for a volunteer opportunity? Put in your time and save the cost of admission. Check with the festival website for details.
Festival Hours
Friday 4:00 - 9:00
Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Other stuff to know:
- No dogs allows. Sorry.
- Friday is for grown-ups only. Kids of all ages welcome on Saturday and Sunday.
- Admission for designated drivers in $8, available at the door.
- Saturday and Sunday, expect to find nearly 200 beers on tap.
- Live music all weekend.
- Brewers Keg Toss competition on Saturday afternoon. (Always a hoot.)
- Cider and Wine tasting, plus a rootbeer garden for the kids.
- Festival food and craft market.
- Security will not allow you to set up pop-up tents or umbrellas.
- Security had no problem with folding, camp-style chairs last year.
Last year: Looking out across the Saturday afternoon crowd from the Washington Beer Blog booth. Even though the weather was unfavorable, everyone had a great time.
Unlike some other large beer festivals in the Seattle area, the Washington Brewers Festival is a not-for-profit venture. The event is a fundraiser for the Washington Beer Commission-click here to learn more about the Washington Beer Commission. It is the only commodity commission of its kind in the United States.
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