Who is up for some camping with a bunch of good beers? I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a long time now, and I figured it’s about time I get off my lazy butt and plan something. Hopefully some of you will join. Feel free to invite other beer loving friends, homebrewers, etc…

http://beergeekcampout09.eventbrite.com/
The event website format might be a bit different, but it works well for limiting to a certain amount of invitees and opening it up to anyone rather than just a list of invited emails. If you do intend to go, please go ahead and register on the site in addition to emailing me or just posting here.

What?: An excuse to get together with a bunch of other beer drinkers in the great outdoors. Most of us have participated in indoor tastings; why not move things to a large group campsite with a picnic shelter and fire circle? Instead of having to get home after the tasting, you can just crawl into your sleeping bag.

Where?: Deception Pass State Park

http://www.visitwhidbey.com/camp-grounds/Deception-Pass-State- Park.html

This is one of Washington’s most popular state parks. Plenty of hiking trails, beaches, kayaking, boat tours, fishing, old growth forest and scenery to keep you busy during the day. Anacortes Brewery, Flyers Brewery, La Conner Brewery, Skagit River Brewing and Diamond Knot are all easy visits on a trip up to Deception Pass as well.

When?: Saturday, September 19, 2009. We could also rent the group site for Friday night if people are interested in going up a day early.

What to Bring?: Whatever you want. I’ll reserve the campsite, but after that everyone is on their own as to what gear, food and beer they bring. Please bring some bottles/growlers to share (kegs aren’t allowed…but if you bring one I’m sure no one will tell). Everyone obviously won’t be able to taste every beer that is opened if we have a good amount of people. Bring your favorite beers, great camping beers, something special, or some good homebrew. Lanterns, coolers, cups and firewood would also be useful. If you play a campfire instrument, feel free to bring it along and play for us all. I’ll be bringing my set of bocce balls. Any other drinking sports (horse shoes, bags, washers, etc…) are encouraged.

What Will the Weather Be Like?: Average high of 64 degrees and low of 47 degrees that time of year. Great camping weather, if it stays dry. If it rains, we will have the picnic shelter to use. I’ll also have a canopy tent, and I’m guessing others might as well.

Who Will Be There?: Whoever enjoys good beer. It might be 5 of us, or it might be 50 of us. First come, first serve basis. Feel free to invite friends, family, beer geeks and significant others. So far, there are about 12 people attending.

Campsite Details: I have Group Campsite #1 reserved.
Max of 50 people.
At least one fire pit
2 barbeques for charcoal use
Picnic shelter and tables
5 tent pads
2 adirondacks – three sided sleeping shelters that sleep 16 people total
15 car parking spots
Vault toilet (full service toilet in general campgrounds)
No amplified music (probably fine if someone brings a small battery powered radio and cds/IPOD etc…)
Pets allowed, but must remain on leash.
+21 only

How Much Will It Cost?: The cost to reserve the campsite was $133. We will split the cost evenly between those of us that attend.

How to Reserve a Spot?: Register at http://beergeekcampout09.eventbrite.com and email me at mailto: geoff.kaiser@brewingnews.com with the number of spots you’d like to reserve and names of people. Max 50 people.

I also just found out that WABL might be organizing a trip to Deception Pass over Labor Day weekend if that date works better for you. I’m still going to do this one though as I’ve paid for the campsite…