At Belgianfest in 2010

Belgianfest is a chance for Washington breweries to experiment a bit and show off their skills with Belgian-style beers. That general heading might include wood-aged sour beers, dubbels, tripels, strong ales, and more. This festival is quite unique, as some of these breweries don’t typically make Belgian-style beers for their regular lineup. It’s a great opportunity to try some beers you might not see anywhere else.

Belgianfest will take place Saturday, February 4 at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center on the Seattle waterfront. Tickets are on sale now, and you should get them while you can. You can find more details about the event here. Following is just a sampling of what a few breweries plan to bring:

American Brewing Big Pucker – Skip has been nurturing a barrel-aged sour beer for Belgianfest. It’s a double Flanders sour ale aged in an oak Cabernet Franc wine barrel.

Big Time Brewing Jack Candy – The Jack Candy Grand Cru is a Belgian-style strong pale ale fermented with two yeast strains, Westmalle and Achouff. Sixtly pounds of amber candy sugar was added to the last 30 minutes of the boil. It features Saaz hops, which lend a nice spicy character to the beer. 9.3% ABV.

Big Time Brewing Black Jack Candy – Drew and Bradley took the Jack Candy Grand Cru and added Northwest blackberry puree post fermentation.

Boundary Bay Tripel – Boundary Bay does not typically brew Belgian-style beers, but they created this Tripel for the first Belgianfest three years ago and it is back for a return appearance. Their tripel is golden in color, medium bodied and moderately hopped. The flavor and aroma are both dominated by alcohol and Belgian yeast. The beer has a nice malt backbone, is slightly earthy and has a dry finish .9.5% ABV.

Paradise Creek Brewery Paradise Hoe – A Belgian-style witbier

Paradise Creek Brewery Tien A – A Belgian-style amber.

Snipes Mountain Brewing Golden Ale – Belgian-style Golden Strong made with Belgian pilsner malt, clear candi syrup and NW beet sugar. Fermented with an authentic Belgian golden strain. 9.5% – 27 BU

Snipes Mountain Brewing Darkstrong – Belgian-style Dark Strong made with three types of rye malt, dark candi syrup and aged for a year with Lactobacillus. 8.5% – 28 BU

Here is the full list of breweries expected to attend:
American Brewing Company
Big Time Brewery
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
Georgtown Brewing
Hale’s Ales
Hilliard’s Beer
Issaquah Brewery
Lazy Boy Brewing Co.
McMenamins Pubs
Naked City Brewery
New Belgium
Odin Brewing Co.
Paradise Creek Brewery
Pike Brewing Co.
Ram Restaurant & Brewery
Redhook Brewery
Silver City Brewery
Snipes Mountain Brewing
Snoqualmie Falls Brewing
Sound Brewery
Valholl Brewing Company
Wingman Brewers
7 Seas Brewing