Here’s what’s pouring:

BAINBRIDGE IS. BOURBON BARREL GIANT HOPTOPUS
BONEYARD HOP VENOM
BOUNDARY BAY IMPERIAL IPA
DOUBLE MT. PROJECT 48
EEL RIVER EARTH THIRST
ELYSIAN KONISHIKI
EPIC IMPERIAL IPA
EVIL TWIN FALCO
FIRESTONE WALKER DOUBLE JACK
HALE’S AFTERMATH
HUB ACE OF SPADES
LAURELWOOD MEGAFAUNA
NINKASI BABYLON
NORTH SOUND 101 BOURBON BARREL IMPERIAL IPA
OSCAR BLUES GUBNA
PORT 7TH ANNIVERSARY
REUBEN’S BREWS IMPERIAL RYE IPA
SCHOONER EXACT EVERGREEN
SOUND BREWERY HUMULO NIMBUS
STONE ENJOY BY 07.04.13
STONE RUINTEN
TWO BEERS DOUBLE DRY HOPPED FORRESTER

Black Raven Brewing took home the Large Brewery of the Year award after winning 5 medals. Their Grandfather Raven took home a gold medal for American-style Imperial Stout, Nothing But Flowers won a silver medal for American-style Pale Ale, Great Grandfather Raven took bronze in Wood Aged Beers, and they won silver and bronze in the Specialty Beers category for Feral Saison and Possum Claus respectively.

Old Schoolhouse received Small Brewery of the Year honors for winning 4 medals. Hooligan Stout won silver in the Stouts category, their Imperial Stout took bronze in the American-Style Imperial Stout category, their Imperial IPA won bronze in the Imperial or Double India Pale Ale category and their Ruud Awakening IPA took the top spot in what was surely a hotly contested American India Pale Ales category. Note to self: make the trip to Winthrop to visit these guys sometime soon.

Newcomer Reuben’s Brews has been one of the most talked about Seattle brewery openings in some time, and they showed why by winning 5 medals and being named the runner up for the Small Brewery of the Year award. They took home hardware for their Balsch, Robust Porter, Belgian Imperial Rye IPA, American Brown and Imperial Rye IPA. 

 No stranger to taking home medals from competitions like the Great American Beer Festival, Chuckanut Brewery was also a big winner, taking home 4 medals for their Helles, Pilsner, Dunkel and Golden Ale. Elysian Brewing and Icicle Brewing both took home 4 medalsl, with Elysian winning for their Space Dust IPA, Hombre, Men’s Room Original Red and Superfuzz, while Icicle was honored for their Bavarian Cowboy, Khaos Kolsch, Priebe Porter and Real Snow.

Big Al Brewing took home 4 medals as well, including the top 2 spots in the Sour Beer category for NW by SE and Jupiter’s Blood. I really enjoy their sour beers any time I get to taste them, so a big cheers to Alejandro and crew. Their Hop Villain and Irish Red also took home medals.

Last, but certainly not least, Ice Harbor Brewing took home 4 medals for their Sternwheeler Stout, Runaway Red Ale, IPA and Tangerine “ExBEERience” Hefeweizen.

A big congratulations to all of the winning breweries!

You can see the full list of winners here.

Thanks to +Russ for the image.

The time has come for the biggest Washington beer festival of the year. The Washington Brewers Festival kicks off tonight at Marymoor Park with a 21+ session from 4pm to 9pm, and then it continues with family-friendly sessions on Saturday from 11am to 9pm and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. The weather is looking quite nice for the weekend with temperatures in the 70s and just a slight chance of rain.

Tickets will be available at the door, but be warned that if you show up during peak times (Saturday from 2pm to 4pm) that the walk-up line may be briefly held up to allow for advance purchasers to enter first.

All of the relevant information can be found at the event website, along with a full beer list. With so many beers available, it can surely be a bit overwhelming to choose what to drink. Following are just a few of the beers that will be worth your tokens. Have fun, everyone.

For myself, I will be looking to mix in some sessionable summer beers along with some of the special releases that could be hard to find anywhere else. It’s almost a guarantee that I’ll be buying some extra tokens…

My Beer Picks (F = Friday Only)

Alpine Hefeweizen – Nothing exotic here, just one of the best examples of a traditional German hefeweizen that you’ll find in the NW. I don’t see this one on tap around Seattle very often, so if the sun is shining chances are I will have one of these. Offers plenty of flavor while staying refreshing.

Iron Goat Cap’n Kidd Scotch Ale Bourbon Barrel Aged (F) - This Spokane brewery opened last summer, and I have not had the pleasure of trying anything from them, yet. I’m a big fan of bourbon barrel brews, and I like that this one is “just” 7.5% ABV. We’ll see how it holds up.

Redhook Double Black Mocha – Last weekend I had a taste of their regular Double Black Stout, made with coffee from Caffe Vita, for the first time in a while. It was pretty fantastic. For this version, they added cocoa nibs. Sounds like a solid plan to me.

Roslyn India Pale Lager (F) – It’s quite rare to see anything other than Roslyn’s typical dark and pale lagers, so it’s a treat to try special releases from them when you see them. I love hoppy session beers, so I’ll give this 5% ABV IPL a chance. They will also have a “belgian-style ale” on Sat/Sun.

Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale, Topcutter IPA, and Bubba’s Brew – This new brewery is located in the middle of a Yakima hop field. No, seriously. It’s owned by the same family that has owned and operated the B.T. Loftus Ranches hop farms for 4 generations since 1932. They just opened their 30bbl production brewery in April, and I’ve been itching to try their beers. I hope to make a trip out to the brewery soon, but these samples will work for now.

Big Al Five Star Chili IPA – Pepper beers can often be perceived as gimmicky, but I remember loving this one a couple of years ago at the WA Brewers Fest. Sounds like this has continued to be a popular offering. Or, try their Sunshine Slowdown Session IPA. I just had a couple pints and brought home a growler of this 4.8% ABV IPA earlier this week. Great stuff.

Hale’s Toasted Coconut Bourbon Nitro Porter – I have really enjoyed what Hale’s has done with their barrel-aging over the past couple of years. I don’t plan to miss this one.

Airways Summer Rustic Saison – We don’t see nearly as many good saisons here in WA as I’d like to see on a regular basis, so I’m always willing to try new ones (new to me, at least). At 5.2% ABV, this is hopefully right in my wheelhouse.

Press release:

Airways Brewing Company Introduces Loud Lady Imperial IPA™

“When it’s been a long flight…”

Kent-based microbrewery releases limited-edition Northwest-style
Imperial IPA in 22-ounce bottles and on draft.

KENT, Wash. (June 12, 2013) – Say hello to Loud Lady Imperial IPA™, a new, limited-edition beer from the Kent-based brewery’s expanding line of delicious handcrafted beers. With a special run just in time for summer festivals, this delicious, Northwest-style IPA will be released in small batches only once a year.

“We’ve been planning to brew a true, Imperial IPA for a while – one that was very different from our flagship Sky Hag IPA®,” said Alex Dittmar, owner and head brewer at Airways Brewing Company. “We added tons of citrusy Northwest hops to this beer. It’s a big, tasty, aromatic IPA, but not so over-the-top that you can’t have a full pint.”

Loud Lady IPA is brewed with more than 52 pounds of Cascade, Centennial, and Simcoe hops added to each 10-barrel batch, giving it more than 200 IBUs. Deep gold in color with a strong hop aroma, Loud Lady is a big beer, but also an easy-drinking one.

Beginning Friday, June 14, Loud Lady Imperial IPA will be available in 22-ounce bottles at both Airways locations for $7.50. Bottles will be available starting June 17 at select specialty bottle shops throughout the Seattle and Tacoma area. The beer will also be available on draft at both the Airways Brewing Tap Room in the Kent industrial area and the Airways Beer & Bistro in Downtown Kent on June 14.

Dittmar says for the label artwork, Airways once again turned to artist Brett Nilsson to do a custom illustration. “Brett is an enormously talented illustrator and was the mastermind behind the look of our popular Sky Hag character. We think he’s done an equally impressive job creating the Loud Lady.”

In addition to Loud Lady IPA, craft beer enthusiasts can pick up the brewery’s flagship Sky Hag IPA and Chocolate Stout in 22-ounce bottles. Pre Flight Pilsner and Oatmeal PSA (Pale Session Ale) are available in 16-oz cans. Pints, tasters and growlers of all of these beers and more can also be found at the Airways Brewing Tap Room or Airways Brewing Beer & Bistro in historic downtown Kent.

For more information about Airways Brewing and its selection of handcrafted brews, be sure to follow Airways Brewing Company on Facebook and Twitter, or visit www.airwaysbrewing.com.

About Airways Brewing Company
Founded in Spring 2010, Airways Brewing Company is a growing microbrewery located in Kent, Washington. Currently producing several year-round and seasonal offerings – including Sky Hag IPA®, Chocolate Stout, Pre-Flight Pilsner™ and Oatmeal PSA™ (Pale Session Ale) – Airways Brewing also features limited edition and cask beers throughout the year.  Pints, tasters and growler fills are available at the brewery’s Kent taproom, openTuesday-Wednesday from 3-8 pm, Thursday-Friday from 3-9pm, and Saturdays from 3-7 pm (6644 S 196th Street, #T-100). Pints and delicious Northwest-style food can be found at the Airways Beer & Bistro in downtown Kent, Monday-Thursday from noon-9 pm, and Friday-Saturday from noon-10 pm (320 W Harrison). Offerings from Airways Brewing can also be found in specialty bars, bottle shops and restaurants throughout the greater Seattle/Tacoma area. For more information about the brewery or Bistro, visit www.airwaysbrewing.com.

Press release:

SEATTLE, June 10, 2013—Von Trapp’s is excited to present their namesake Helles Lager, brewed by Juergen Knoller, Master Brewmeister and owner of Bayern Brewing, with a launch party on Saturday, June 15, from 2 to 6 pm. It seems only right that Seattle’s biggest bier hall would have its very own authentic German Lager, brewed by “the only German brewery in the Rockies.”

Knoller, a German beer purist and former brewer for Spaten, will be coming down from the mountains of Montana with a couple barrels of the Von Trapp’s Helles Lager. The barrels will go up on the bar, old-school bier hall style, and they’ll be pouring half-liters for $3—usually $5. The beer is brewed especially for Von Trapp’s at Knoller’s Missoula brewery, with traditional German recipes and techniques, on German equipment, following the Reinheitsgebot, the 1516 German Beer Purity Law.

The Happy Hans, a local Bavarian-style band, will be setting the scene with yodeling and lederhosen from 2pm to 4 pm. They’re the same band that kicked things off at the opening party, and Von Trapp’s is looking forward to filling the hall with the sound of (Austrian) music once again.

Opened in February of 2013 Von Trapp’s is Capitol Hill’s very own 10,000 square-foot slice of Bavaria. Owners Deming Maclise and James Weimann filled the renovated 1940’s candy factory with burly bier hall antiques from across Europe to create a genuine feel and an outstanding space. Authentic Bavarian fare—house-made sausages and pretzels—are accompanied by 24 drafts featuring both European and Northwestern beers. In addition to the main dining room, an 80-seat bier hall, 53 bar seats, an intimate fire den, and two mezzanines encircle the five indoor bocce ball courts.

Von Trapp’s is open weekdays from 4pm to 2am and weekends from 12pm to 2am. Dinner is served from 4pm to 11pm, and a late night menu is offered from 11pm to 1am. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4pm to 6pm and weekends from 12pm to 4pm. Bocce ball courts are available to rent by the hour and in conjunction with event space rentals. For more information, photos, menus, events, and reservation information, visit www.vontrapps.com.

Von Trapp’s is located at 912 12th Avenue in Seattle, Washington.

Intro: Summer seasonals vary greatly in style, but many focus on various types of fruit. Alaska has more than its share of local berries, and Alaskan Brewing incorporated more than 3,000 pounds of raspberries into this limited release Pilot Series brew.

Description: The cloudy pour is a color similar to ruby red grapefruit. Fresh raspberries come through big in the aroma, and the taste follows suit. The fruit mixes nicely with a light bitterness and solid bready malt base. The sweetness is kept in check, and overall it is refreshing and interesting at the same time. Alaskan did a fantastic job of showcasing the raspberries. Many fruit beers taste “fake”, or resemble a fruity soda more than beer; this one does not have that problem. I’ll gladly drink more while relaxing in the sun this summer.

Verdict: Buy It
Click here to see a list of select local bottle shops.
Brewery Website
Ratebeer Info
BeerAdvocate Info

Commercial Description/Press Release:

With nearly one pound of real fruit per gallon, Alaskan Raspberry Wheat has the inviting aroma of fresh-picked raspberries and an enticing red hue. The flavor of the raspberries lends a tartness that balances the full-bodied wheat profile and malt sweetness. Bigger than most traditional fruit beers, Alaskan Raspberry Wheat adds an extra kick to its dry and effervescent finish.

In the interest of full disclosure to satisfy the FTC’s law, this review was of a sample bottle received from the brewery.

Mike’s experience from Harmon will be an assett as Hi-Fi finishes building out their new 15bbl brewing system. The system was delivered just a week ago, and according to co-owner Ryan McGee things are coming along nicely. “We are just weeks away from brewing the inaugural batch of Hi-Fi beer now,” said McGee, “and we couldn’t be more excited about having Mike here to do it.”

Hi-Fi Brewing will be a 15bbl production brewery with a taproom located at  14950 NE 95th St. in Redmond, very near Black Raven Brewing. You can check out this previous post for more information.

Press Release:

Hi-Fi Brewing Names Head Brewer

Redmond, Wash., June 6, 2013 — Hi-Fi Brewing, Redmond’s newest production craft brewery and tap room, announced today that it has selected Mike Davis as its head brewer. Davis is best known for his 15-year stint as head brewer Harmon Brewing in Tacoma, Wash. With this important addition to the leadership team, Hi-Fi Brewing is poised to begin production.

“We are thrilled to have Mike Davis joining the team as our head brewer,” said Ryan McGee, Vice President of Marketing. “At Harmon, Mike’s beers garnered several medals at the Great American Beer Festival as well as multiple regional and local awards. His passion, dedication to high quality, and professional achievements make him a perfect fit for us here at Hi-Fi.”

Davis began home brewing in 1989. After graduating from the American Brewers Guild, he left a career in aquatic biology and a home in Hawaii to begin his career as a professional brewer. A well-respected member of the brewing community in the Pacific Northwest, Davis is one of the founding members of the Washington Brewers Guild. When he is not in the brewery, he is either playing tennis (at a level that has earned him three trips to the United States Tennis Association national championship), walking his dog Iz, or playing his ukulele.

Davis joins the Hi-Fi team at the perfect time – as Hi-Fi is putting the finishing touches on its new 15-barrel brewing system.

“We are just weeks away from brewing the inaugural batch of Hi-Fi beer now,” said McGee, “and we couldn’t be more excited about having Mike here to do it.”

For more information contact:
Ryan McGee
Hi-Fi Brewing

pr@hifibrewing.com
www.hifibrewing.com

Hi-Fi Brewing is Redmond’s newest craft brewery. Its high-quality beers will be available later this year in the brewery’s on-site tasting room at 14950 NE 95^th St., Redmond, Wash.

Included in the lineup of beers will be two collaboration brews created especially for the festival. Tacoma Brewing and Wingman Brewers will team up to brew a session IPA, while Harmon Brewing and E-9 Brewery will collaborate on
crafting an imperial IPA. Tacoma Brewing posted this on Facebook yesterday about their collaboration beer:

We’re looking forward to brewing a collaboration beer – a session IPA – with Wingman Brewers Tacoma this week. We will be adding Belma hops which are noted for having subtle strawberry notes and Wingman will be adding Nelson Sauvin hops, noted for having a white wine quality. It should be fun – and delicious. See you there!

The full press release with details about the event follows. One thing to note is that there will be a “dinner break” from 5pm to 6pm when no alcohol will be served, but food will still be available during that period.

First Annual Brew-Five-Three: Tacoma’s Beer & Blues Festival
Brews, Blues, and Food Trucks Take Over Broadway for Block Party on June 22

Sponsor: The Beer Essentials

Commniuty Partners: The Red Hot, Immanuel Presbyterian Church

Tacoma, WA – Broadway Center and The Beer Essentials present Brew-Five-Three: Tacoma’s Beer & Blues Festival on Saturday, June 22, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. as a Block Party on Broadway between 9^th and 11^th in downtown Tacoma. The festival includes 35+ Washington breweries and cider makers pouring their most prized libations, live music from great bands including Northwest Blues bands T-Town Aces, Chris Stevens’ Surf Monkeys with Jay Mabin, Snake Oil Blues Elixir All Stars, and Little Bill and the Blue Notes.  A variety of local food trucks will be serving great eats all day. Don’t miss the block party of the summer—Brew-Five-Three offers Washington’s best brews, blues, and food around. From 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. there will be a dinner break when no alcohol is served; food trucks will remain open.

Two collaboration brews will be created especially for Brew-Five-Three by four mainstays of the Tacoma brewing scene. Tacoma Brewingand Wingman Brewerswill team up to brew a session IPA, while Harmon Brewing and E-9 Brewery will collaborate on crafting an imperial IPA.

Brew-Five-Three will have quite the lineup of Washington breweries and cider makers, including: 7 Seas Brewing, Airways Brewing Company, Alpine Brewing Company, American Brewing Company, Big Al Brewing, Diamond Knot Craft Brewing, Dick’s Brewing Company, Duo Brewing, E-9 Brewery, Epic Ales, Fish Brewing Company, Flyer’s Brewery, Fremont Brewing Company, Hale’s Ales,Harmon Brewing, Iron Horse Brewery, Lazy Boy Brewing, Mac & Jack’s Brewery, Maritime Pacific Brewing Company, M.T. Head Brewing, Naked City Brewing, No-Li Brewhouse, Pike Brewing, Puyallup River Brewing, Pyramid Breweries, Schilling Cider Schooner Exact Brewing Company, Silver City Brewery, Snipes Mountain Brewing Inc., Tacoma Brewing, Tieton Cider Works, Triplehorn Brewing, Two Beers Brewing Co., Wingman Brewers, and Yakima Craft Brewing.

This is a 21+ event; valid photo ID required; no exceptions. Failure to present proper, valid photo identification (driver’s license or passport) will result in denial of entry without refund. Brew-Five-Three will take place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, tents will be constructed and the festival will move under cover.

Advance tickets for Brew-Five-Three are on sale now.  Tickets are $25 if purchased through June 15, and $30 from June 16 to the day of the festival.  Designated drivers can purchase tickets for $5. Tickets include admission to the festival, 8 tasting tokens, and a 2.5 ounce collectible pilsner glass.

To purchase tickets call the Broadway Center Box Office at 253.591.5894, toll-free 1.800.291.7593, visit in person at 901 Broadway in Tacoma’s Theater District or online at www.BroadwayCenter.org.

# # #

The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges the following for support of the 2012-13 Season: ArtsFund,

Ben B. Cheney Foundation, The Boeing Company, City of Tacoma, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, The News Tribune, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, and Pierce County Arts Commission.

Awards were given in 82 different style categories. Breweries from around the country entered beers in the competition, but the western US states seem to be particularly well represented. As often is the case at judging competitions, Chuckanut Brewery was the big winner from Washington with 5 total medals in different categories.

The full list of winners can be found here, but following are the winning WA breweries. Congrats to all of the winners.

Reuben’s Brews LLC Seattle, WA
Silver Dry Stout Reuben’s Brews LLC Seattle, WA, United States
Bronze Belgian Pale Ale Reuben’s Brews LLC Seattle, WA, United States

Black Raven Brewing Company Redmond, WA
Bronze Corvus Kriekus Black Raven Brewing Company Redmond, WA, United States
Gold Tri Berry Pie Black Raven Brewing Company Redmond, WA, United States

Icicle Brewing Company Leavenworth, WA
Bronze Priebe Porter Icicle Brewing Company Leavenworth, WA, United States
Gold Lifeguard Icicle Brewing Company Leavenworth, WA, United States

Chuckanut Brewery Bellingham, WA
Silver Chuckanut Dunkel Chuckanut Brewery Bellingham, WA, United States
Silver Chuckanut Vienna Lager Chuckanut Brewery Bellingham, WA, United States
Gold Chuckanut Alt Chuckanut Brewery Bellingham, WA, United States
Gold Chuckanut Golden Ale Chuckanut Brewery Bellingham, WA, United States
Gold Chuckanut Helles Chuckanut Brewery Bellingham, WA, United States

Silver City Brewery Bremerton, WA
Gold Beautimus Silver City Brewery Bremerton, WA, United States
Silver Fat Scotch Ale Silver City Brewery Bremerton, WA, United States
Silver Imperial Stout Silver City Brewery Bremerton, WA, United States

Sound Brewery Poulsbo, WA
Bronze Sommerweizen Sound Brewery Poulsbo, WA, United States
Bronze Monk’s Indiscretion Sound Brewery Poulsbo, WA, United States

RAM Restaurant and Brewery (Seattle) Seattle, WA
Bronze Total Disorder Porter RAM Restaurant and BrewerySeattle Seattle, WA, United States
Silver Lady Wood RAM Restaurant and BrewerySeattle Seattle, WA, United States

RAM Restaurant and Brewery (Tacoma) Tacoma, WA
Bronze Barefoot Wit RAM Restaurant and BreweryTacoma Tacoma, WA, United States

Ice Harbor Brewing Kennewick, WA
Gold Ice Harbor Sternwheeler Stout Ice Harbor Brewing Kennewick, WA, United States

Flyers Restaurant and Brewery Oak Harbor, WA
Silver Barnstormer Brown Ale Flyers Restaurant and Brewery Oak Harbor, WA, United States

Valholl Brewing Company Poulsbo, WA
Bronze Poulsbo Abbey Golden Strong Ale Valholl Brewing Company Poulsbo, WA, United States

Boundary Bay Brewery Bellingham, WA
Silver Tripel Boundary Bay Brewery Bellingham, WA, United States

I had the pleasure of being a part of the judging, along with about 40 other trained beer judges who volunteered their time. All of the beers were judged over the course of a day up at Elliott Bay Brewing on Lake City Way. I’d like to give a big shout out to organizers Mark Emiley and Peter Twigg, as well as all of the other stewards and volunteers that helped the judging go as smoothly as possible.

Here is a press release that came out today about the awards:

State Brewers Compete in First Washington Beer Awards®
Washington’s first state-wide professional beer competition

Seattle, WA, June 3, 2013:  On May 18^th Specialty Competitions LLC. held the state’s first Washington Beer Awards, a professional beer competition open to all of Washington’s breweries.  This inaugural competition drew over 400 entries from nearly 70 breweries spread all over the state.  The competition was held at Elliott Bay Public House & Brewery with around 40 trained beer judges evaluating beers spanning over 90 styles from the Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines.

The competition was held with the endorsement of the Washington Beer Commission as a way to celebrate Washington’s growing brewing culture and recognize excellence in the craft.  All of Washington’s craft breweries were invited to submit entries to the competition held in a similar format to other craft beer competitions like the Great American Beer Festival® and World Beer Cup®.

The results of the competition will be announced at the Washington Brewers Festival on Saturday, June 15^th at Marymoor Park in Redmond.  Medals will be awarded in 26 categories along with special recognition for small and large breweries of the year.  The Washington Agricultural Commission will also recognize the Best Washington Agricultural Product Inspired Beer at the awards announcements.  Beer lovers are encouraged to attend the festival to celebrate the best of Washington’s fine craft breweries.

More information on the competition can be found at wabeerawards.com.  Results from the competition will be posted on the website shortly after the festival announcement.  Watch for Washington’s award winning beers at your local craft beer bars and beer stores.

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