Looking to get out of town one of the next two weekends? The Leavenworth Ale-Fest is coming up this weekend and April Brews Day takes place in Bellingham the following weekend. Either would make a good destination for a weekend get-away.

Leavenworth Ale-Fest
Saturday, April 21 from 2pm to 10pm in Leavenworth
Advance ticket price…$20.00 available online March 1
$25.00 admission at the door
Beer tasting with brews from 20 micro breweries
Popular Northwest Bands
Delicious foods
Proceeds benefit the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum and Operation Ward 57

See below for full beer list with descriptions.

April Brews Day
Saturday, April 28 from 6:30pm to 10:00pm in Bellingham
General Admission Tickets: $16 in advance and $20 at the door
VIP Ticket: $30 in advance only
VIP Ticket includes early admission at 5:30pm and two extra drink tickets. Enjoy the mellow atmosphere, short lines, and a chance to talk to the brewers.
Contact the Max Higbee Center to reserve tickets: (360)733-1828

Held at Depot Market Square across from Boundary Bay Brewery, April Brews Day will feature 30+ breweries, live music, and food vendors. The event is an annual fundraiser for the Max Higbee Center.

Check out the video to find out more about the Max Higbee Center and April Brews Day.

A list of attending breweries is below.

Breweries and beer descriptions for Leavenworth Ale-Fest:

BEVERAGE DESCRIPTIONS FOR ALE-FEST 2012
ALASKAN BREWING COMPANY
Juneau, Alaska
Alaskan Black IPA – Alaska’s spring seasonal release is a new beer experience created
from a combination of traditional beer styles. Alaskan Black IPA has the appearance of a
porter or stout but combines the roasted malty characters with the refreshing flavor and
bright aroma of an American IPA. A burst of fresh, citrus notes from Centennial and
Cascade hops balance the hints of coffee and bitter chocolate with a subtle toasted
sweetness and dark fruit highlights leading to a pleasantly dry finish. ABV: 6.4% IBU:
65
Alaskan Freeride APA – Alaskan Freeride APA is a floral, fruity and citrusy American
Pale Ale that showcases the aroma and flavors of Citra, Centennial and Cascade hops
with just enough malt backing to balance. Freeride features a lush green and almost
tropical hop aroma paired with the unique taste combination of these three distinctive hop
varieties, making it both full of flavor and crisply thirst-quenching. ABV: 5.3% IBU: 40
ALPINE BREWING COMPANY
Oroville, Washington
Alpine Brave Bock – An authentic Bavarian Dunkel-Weizen. It has all the fruity flavors
of a Hefeweizen, subtler and not quite as sweet though, combined with some chocolatly
roasted flavors the dark malt imparts. Dark in color, a beautiful complex beer and despite
its relatively high alcohol content, an absolute pleasure to drink. Even for those who
don’t favor dark beers.
Alpine Bohemian Pilsner — Golden colored, full body. A very slight maltiness is
balanced with a generous dose of Noble hops, which gives this beer a wonderful hoppy
aroma without making it too bitter. Extremely “süffig” (quaffable).
BIG SKY BREWING
Missoula, Montana
Montana Trout Slayer – Trout Slayer is the beer to drink when you’re knockin’ back a
couple cold ones and tellin’ fish stories. Trout Slayer is a filtered wheat ale, fermented at
cool temperatures, making it a smooth drinkable session beer. Brewed with Paliswade,
Glacier, and Mt. Hood hops, this straw colored beer is sure to please any craft beer
drinker. ABV: 4.7%
Moose Drool – The name sounds a little iffy, but it’s really the best Brown Ale you’ll
ever taste. That’s why Moose Drool is far and away the best-selling beer brewed in
Montana. It’s chocolate brown in color with a creamy texture. A malty beer with just
enough hop presence to keep it from being too sweet. The aroma mostly comes from the
malt with a hint of spice added by the hops. Moose Drool is brewed with pale, caramel,
chocolate and whole black malts; and Kent, Goldings, Liberty and Willamette Hops.
ABV: 5.3%
DESCHUTES BREWERY
Bend, Oregon
Hop Henge Experimental IPA – A dynamic monument to hops. Hop Henge is the
result of a daring, daily effort to create a unique, desirable drinking experience. It
personifies the Brewery’s experimental style and commitment to innovation. Hop Henge
is an Imperial IPA brewed with high alpha hops and less malty sweetness. Six hop
additions = generous quantities of high alpha hops per barrel. ABV: 9.0% IBU: 90
Black Butte XXIII – Deschutes Brewery, responsible for setting the standard by which
all other porters are measured, proudly presents Black Butte XXIII–a double porter
guaranteed to raise the ante for dark beer lovers everywhere. Polished porter elegance
partners with uncanny nuances of spicy Pasilla Negra chilies, bitter Sevilla oranges fresh
from Spain, and chocolate in a fitting tribute to a tradition of innovation and excellence. .
ABV: 10.3% IBU: 60
DIAMOND KNOT BREWING
Mukilteo, Washington
Blonde Ale – Based on a pre-Prohibition lager recipe, this is a perfect Summer Session
Beer. Very light yet surprisingly complex due to the diverse grain bill. Vanguard hops
lend a slightly spicy, herbal finish. ABV: 4.2% IBU: 13
IPA – Copper-colored with a malty character up front. Intensely bitter with hints of
grapefruit and cedar imparted by heavy-handed additions of Galena and Columbus hops.
ABV: 6.2% IBU: 40
FULL SAIL BREWING
Hood River, Oregon
Session Premium Lager – A classic all malt, pre prohibition style lager that reminds us
what American lagers used to taste like. Recently named the Americas’ Best Premium
Lager at the 2010 World Beer Awards, and a seven time gold medal winner.
Session Premium Black Lager – With a hint of roasty chocolate character, at long last
we have a dark beer that doesn’t drink like a meal. Has won a record-breaking four gold
medals within a year of its release, including golds at the 2010 World Beer Cup and 2010
GABF®
GEORGETOWN BREWING COMPANY
Seattle, Washington
Manny’s Pale Ale – A careful selection of Northwest hops, premium barley, and our
unique yeast give this ale a rich and complex malty middle with a snappy hop finish. It’s
truly a micro that finishes crisp, clean, and smooth. ABV: 5.2% IBU: 67
Lucille IPA – Columbus, Centennial, Amarillo and Cascade hops. Floral,citrusy, and
awesome. Anything so innocent and built like that just gotta be named Lucille. ABV:
6.8% IBU: 85
HALE’S ALES BREWERY
Seattle, Washington
Hale’s Supergoose IPA – Aggressively dry hopped and rich in hop flavor and aroma.
Supergoose IPA is nonetheless well balanced and drinkable. If you love IPA’s you gotta
try Hales’s Supergoose IPA! ABV: 7.1% IBU: 87
Hale’s Pale Ale – As the region’s first craft brewed pale ale, Hale’s Pale Ale established
the category in the Northwest. Clean, crisp, balanced and true to style, it’s easy to see
why this beer has remained a favorite since 1983! ABV: 5.0% IBU: 28
HARMON BREWING COMPANY
Tacoma, Washington
Expedition Amber – Our newest flagship. This ale was brewed with 7 different hops to
create a bold yet smooth amber ale. ABV: 5.5% IBU: 51
Pinnacle Peak Pale – We use a special German malted barley to round out the grain bill
in this clean and crisp pale ale. Citra and Palisade hops provide a balanced citrus finish.
ABV: 4.4% IBU: 20
ICICLE BREWING COMPANY
Leavenworth, Washington
Khaos Kölsch – Light straw-colored ale, light-medium body, smooth and crisp. A
delicately balanced beer with subtle fruit flavors and aromas combined with a subdued
maltiness. In West-Central Germany, the town of Cologne (Köln) is the home of Kölsch
beer. In a country known for its lagers, this golden ale is a complex, yet subtle treat.
ABV: 5% IBU: 20.5
Bootjack IPA – Amber ale, medium body, smooth and balanced intense hop flavor and
aroma. Citrusy floral hop notes and a sweet-malty undertone. This American IPA is an
amber beer dominated by rich Yakima grown hops. You will be able to smell the hops,
taste the hops and feel the hop bitterness. ABV: 6.5% IBU: 59.2
IRON HORSE BREWERY
Ellensburg, Washington
Double Rainbow Ale – Not quite red, not quite IPA, but quite BIG. This beer is built
upon a solid malt foundation of medium crystal, biscuit, and Vienna for a considerable
dose of toffee, bread and nutty flavors and aromas. We then laced this beer with hops
throughout the process. ABV: 7%
High Five Hefe – Wheat honey and ginger. A hefe with flavor before the fruit. No
lemon required. In fact, please spare our beer from the embarrassment. This wheat beer
has less grainy flavor and notable zesty, citrus presence. The aroma is slightly floral, and
has a touch of sweetness. ABV: 6% 666%s a necessary reminder that despite the
surprising approachability, this beer we
I
n at a hefty 7.8% ABV.
KONA BREWING COMPANY
Kona, Hawaii
Longboard Lager — Longboard Lager is a smooth refreshing lager fermented and aged
for five weeks at cold temperatures to yield its exceptionally smooth flavor. A delicate,
slightly spicy hop aroma complements the malty body of this beer. ABV: 4.6%
Koko Brown — Dried, toasted coconut is added to the mash resulting in a pleasant nutty
aroma & flavor. In addition to the toasted coconut, a hint of all natural coconut flavoring
is used to round out this brew which is a deep amber with rich mahogany hues. ABV:
5.5% IBU: 28
LINDEMAN’S FARM BREWERY est. 1811 Vlezenbeek, Belgium Distributed
by Merchant du Vin, Seattle, Washington
Lindemans Framboise (Raspberry Lambic) – A spontaneously fermented, fruitseasoned
ale from Belgium. The acidity of Lambic beers blends perfectly with
raspberries. Magnificent aroma, delicate palate of raspberries with undertones of fruity
acidity; elegant, sparkling clean natural taste. Rose color.
Lindemans Pêche (Peach Lambic) – Long before hops were common in most beers,
various fruits and vegetables were used to season beers. As soft as an alpine summer’s
day—glowing golden color, soft and round with a nose that fills the room with fresh
peaches. Crisp, delicious taste with a refreshing balance of fruit and acid.
MAC & JACK’S BREWING COMPANY
Redmond, Washington
African Amber — This beer erupts with a floral, hoppy taste, followed by a well rounded
malty middle, finishing with a nicely organic hop flavor. Locally sourced two row grain and a
blend of specialty malts give our amber its rich taste. Further complexity is achieved by leaving
the beer unfiltered, providing exceptional flavor, as well as giving our amber its unique “cloudy”
look. Lastly, we actually place a bag of fresh, locally grown Yakima valley hops in each keg
creating what has become the original, cult classic, northwest amber ale. ABV: 5.8%
Cascadian Dark Ale – Pale and dark roasted malts join together with generous portions
of Yakima Valley hops in this unique new style of beer that was born in the Northwest.
All the rich malty goodness you would expect from dark ale is accented by the hop kick
of an IPA. Citrus and floral aroma is complimented by velvety smooth roasted malt
flavor, followed by a distinctive dry hop finish. A Northwest style of beer which boldly
exhibits the wealth of local ingredients that make this such a great beer region. ABV:
7% IBU: 60
NEW BELGIUM BREWING COMPANY
Fort Collins, Colorado
Ranger IPA — Ranger IPA is a clear, amber beauty that bursts with an abundance of
hops. Cascade for citrus, Chinook for floral and Simcoe for fruitiness. Finishes Dry.
Food pairing: Spicy or hearty foods. ABV: 6.5% IBU: 70
1554 Black Ale – A Smooth Roasty Dark Beer. 1554 Enlightened Black Ale is an
exceptionally smooth and drinkable dark beer from a Belgian recipe that dates to 1554.
Flavors of roasted coffee, toffee and chocolate with some slight peppery spiciness.
Yummy! Pairs well with meat dishes, stews, and BBQ. ABV: 5.6% IBU: 21
NINKASI BREWING COMPANY
Eugene, Oregon
Total Domination IPA – Multiple hops collide in balanced perfection, dominating the
senses, achieving total satisfaction. From the Pacific Northwest, birthplace of the modern
IPA, comes a beer whose name says it all. ABV: 6.7% IBU: 65
Oatis Oatmeal Stout – A rich complex Oatmeal Stout with just enough hops to balance
the copious quantities of dark roasted malts, and the addition of oatmeal for a creamy,
smooth drinkability. Pairs well with beef, pork, lamb, stews ,chocolate, berries, Brulees.
ABV: 7.2% IBU: 50
PIKE BREWING COMPANY
Seattle, WA
Post Alley Porter – Post Alley Porter is a robust porter brewed with Pale ESB malt as a
base, Munich Malt, Crystal Malt (70 Lov), Chocolate Malt, Roasted Barley, Black Patent
Malt, and Wheat Malt. Nugget Hops for bittering, Goldings for flavor and Willamette for
aroma. Flavor profile—smooth with a slight sweetness from the Crystal malt and a light
roast flavor from Chocolate malt and Roasted Barley. ABV: 6.0% IBU: 32
Monks UncleTripel – Pike Monk Uncle Tripel is a Belgian Tripel Ale with a big fullbodied
and complex flavor, a yeasty nose, fruity esters and malty dryness. Organic Pale,
Organic Pils, Wheat, and Aromatic malts. Nugget and Saaz hops. ABV: 9% IBU: 38
PYRAMID BREWERY (North American Breweries, Buffalo, NY)
Seattle, Washington
Pyramid Outburst – A refreshingly bitter Imperial IPA. With 80 IBUs and 8.5% ABV,
our dry-hopped Imperial IPA delivers a bold taste with a massive hop flavor.
Pyramid Hefeweisen – A unique take on the traditional Bavarian classic. This
refreshing unfiltered wheat ale delivers a distinctively smooth flavor worth savoring with
friends. ABV: 5.2%
REDHOOK ALE BREWERY
Woodinville, Washington
Redhook Pilsner – May not look it but has a dark side. Redhook Pilsner is brewed in a
traditional Czech style. It offers a very soft palate and malt flavors that are offset by a
medium dose of distinct Czech hops to bring out its authentic flavors. ABV: 5.3%
IBU: 25
No Equal Amber Lager – “Sky of blue, sea of green, and a lager of amber”- A
collaboration with the Emerald city supporters, this lager gets its color from the generous
use of caramel malts. The medium bitterness comes from the addition of noble hops.
ABV: 5.2% IBU: 30
WIDMER BROTHERS BREWING
Portland, Oregon
Oatmeal Porter – Our oatmeal porter boasts a serious malt backbone. Premium pale and
Munich malts, and a custom oatmeal roast create a rich flavor drenched in the velvety
mouthfeel of toasted oats and dark chocolate malt. Hints of caramel and toffee provide a
touch of sweetness and the perfect complement to an enticing mocha aroma and smooth
finish. Prost to roasts! ABV: 6% IBU: 27
Spiced IPA – We teamed up with San Diego’s Quality Ale and Fermentation Fraternity
to brew Spiced IPA, a beer that offers an intriguing twist on the West Coast’s favorite
style. Blending familiar flavors with unexpected ingredients, this hop-forward yet
balanced IPA carries notes of black tea and spices that come together, much like the
brewers behind it, to create one amazing brew. Prost! To true hop heads. ABV: 7%
IBU: 70

List of breweries for April Brews Day:

Chuckanut Brewery (Bellingham, WA)
Ninkasi Brewing (Eugene, OR)
Snoqualmie Brewery (Snoqualmie, WA)
Georgetown Brewing Co. (Seattle, WA)
Skagit River Brewery (Mt. Vernon, WA)
21st Amendment Brewery (San Francisco, CA)
The North Fork Brewery (Deming, WA)
Foggy Noggin Brewing (Bothell, WA)
Anacortes Brewery (Anacortes, WA)
Dicks Brewing Co. (Centralia, WA)
Harmon Brewing Co. (Tacoma, WA)
Widmer Brothers Brewing (Portland, WA)
Redhook Brewery (Woodinville, WA)
Kona Brewing Co. (Kailua-Kona, HI)
Rock Bottom Brewery (Seattle, WA)
Mac & Jacks Brewery (Redmond, WA)
Flyers Brewery (Oak Harbor, WA)
American Brewing Co. (Edmonds, WA)
Old Schoolhouse Brewery (Winthrop, WA)
Diamond Knot Craft Brewing (Mukilteo, WA)
Finnriver Cidery (Chimacum, WA) *Gluten Free
Kulshan Brewing Co. (Bellingham, WA)
Fish Brewing Co. (Olympia, WA)
Alaskan Brewing Co. (Juneau, AK)
Howe Sound Brewing (Squamish, BC)
Maritime Pacific Brewing Co. (Ballard, WA)
Stone Brewing Co. (Citracado, CA)
Rainy City Ales (Ballard, WA) *Gluten Free
North Sound Brewing Co. (Mt. Vernon, WA)
New Belgium Brewery (Fort Collins, CO)
The Pike Brewing Co. (Seattle, WA)
Port Townsend Brewing (Port Townsend, WA)