If you’re sticking around Seattle for the 4th of July weekend, don’t forget to head over to Seattle Center for this year’s Seattle International Beer Festival. Things kick off this Friday, July 3rd and run through Sunday, July 5th.
As always, the lineup is more than interesting enough to keep any beer geek happy. Over 150 beers that spread across a full spectrum of styles. One of my favorite things about this fest is the ability to try some pretty darned expensive bottles for just a few tickets. You can check out the full list here, and these are just a few that stick out to me:
Aecht Schlenkerla Helles – I am a sucker for this slightly smoky lager. Manages to be smoky and light at the same time. Perfect warm weather beer.
New Old Lompoc Bourbon Barrel Aged LSD (Lompoc Strong Draft) – I enjoy the regular version of the LSD, and this would be an interesting one to try. I don’t even see this one on Ratebeer.com; eat it up, beer geeks.
Rogue John John Hazlenut (Rum Barrel) – “A radical new beer which is barrel-aged in Rogue Hazelnut Rum barrels. One of the more interesting points is that this is probably the lowest alcohol beer we have ever seen that has been aged in a “wet” distilled spirit barrel, which typically turn out quite strong. This is not a bad thing. Should be very interesting. ”
Bosteels Deus – This bottle-conditioned Belgian triple goes through the traditional “Methode Champagnoise” to create a very unique offering. This usually costs $30 to $40 per bottle in stores, so don’t hesitate to throw a few $1 tickets at it.
In other news, rather than holding their own Oktoberfest as they have in the past, the Washington Beer Commission will be partnering with the City of Enumclaw for the Enumclaw Oktoberfest on 10/9-10 at the Enumclaw Expo Center (formerly the King County Fairgrounds). The Washington Beer Commission will run the beer garden and invite breweries, while the city of Enumclaw will run other aspects of the festival. Visit www.enumclawoktoberfest.com for more information. I’m sure it’s a good move on the part of the Washington Beer Commission, but I for one really enjoyed the festival down at Pyramid last year and will miss the convenience.
I agree with your thoughts and comments on the change of venue for this years Octoberfest. It certainly rules out the use of public transportation for most of us and increases the cost of the festival by having to drive your own car.
Perhaps someone will offer an alternative Octoberfest.
I’m sure some of the southenders will appreciate a beerfest in their neck of the woods, but for most people Enumclaw is even more remote than Juanita. Maybe we need to recruit a cadre of designated drivers.
Moving the Octoberfest out of Seattle really is going to do two things. Reduce the number of Seattleites attending, or maintain the number but increase the drunk driving.
I for one will have to pass for this reason