Is there something about the week after Thanksgiving that makes people want to drink? There are quite a few stellar events following turkey day, highlighted by two of my favorite festivals of the year: Bigwood and the WA Winter Beer Fest. It all starts today, “Black Friday”, which many breweries across the country have adapted as a day to release big, dark beers.

Here is a list of some upcoming noteworthy events, of which I’m surely missing some from multiple establishments. Feel free to leave a comment with additional events/info.

B-Bomb Release at Fremont Brewing – 11/28 – Fremont releases their popular Bourbon Barrel-Aged Abominable Ale (B-Bomb) with an event from 5pm to 9pm in their Urban Beer Garden. “In addition to having Bourbon Abominable on tap and available for purchase in 22 ounce bottles, there will be five infusions flowing! Be sure to join the party by 7pm when a Fremont brewer will discuss the history of B-Bomb, key ingredients and statistics, the barrel aging and blending process, and how the beer changes with age. ” The party starts at 5pm, but the beer will be on tap and available in 22oz bottles when they open at 11am.

Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Release – 11/28 to ? – It sounds like various retailers and establishments across town are expecting their allocation of the coveted Goose Island Bourbon County Stout on Black Friday. The Facebook page for Chuck’s Hop Shop in the CD says, “Our bottles will not be delivered until Friday afternoon so you will have to bear with us. We will make an announcement on Facebook and Instagram as soon as bottles become available. (PLEASE DON’T CALL US!).” That’s very good advice to not call them. If you are looking for BCS, just stop by some bottles shops and see if they have it. Maybe buy something else (Abyss?) even if they don’t, yet. Beer Junction will be having a release event on Monday, 12/1 from 5pm to 8pm. Check our their events page. 

Old World vs. New World Sours at The Sixgill – 11/29 – Like sours? Yep, I thought so. Here is what will be pouring:
Old World: Rodenbach Grand Cru, Struise Weltmerz Blonde Sour Ale, Mikkeller SpontanRedGrape, Cuvee des Jacobins, Zure van Tildonk Sour Blonde, Trois Dames Saison Houblon, Brouwerij van Honsenbrouck St. Louis Gueuze Fond Tradition
New World: North Sound Sour Puss, Double Mountain Devil’s Kriek, Cascade Kriek, The Lost Abbey Red Poppy, 10 Barrel Black Currant Crush, Anacortes Flanders Imperial Red, The Bruery Oud Tart

Chicago Night at The Noble Fir – 12/2 – Ellen at The Noble Fir has a soft spot for Chicago (Go Cubs!) and what better way to celebrate than with the release of this year’s Bourbon County Stout from Goose Island. It’s a fantastic beer, even if it is made by a brewery owned by AB InBev (get over it). They will also be pouring a few other gems from Goose Island, including The Ogden (Belgian-style Tripel) and Sofie (Barrel-Aged saison).

Bigwood Festival at Brouwer’s Cafe – 12/4 – 12/7 – Brouwer’s does festivals better than anyone in town, and this is my favorite of their annual events. The tap list will be full of drool-worthy barrel-aged offerings from the likes of Surly Brewing, Boneyard, Deschutes, Bear Republic, Reuben’s Brews and many more. The fun starts when they open at 11am on 12/4, but there will be plenty of great beer on tap throughout the weekend.

Winter Beer Fest – If you tire of WA beer festivals being full of mostly IPAs, then you should check out this festival full of winter seasonals, barrel-aged beers and more. The festival takes place at Hangar 30 at Magnuson Park and will feature over 130 different beers from at least 50 Washington breweries. There are 3 sessions for the festival: Friday from 5pm to 9pm, Saturday from Noon to 4pm and then again from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. Tickets available online.

Elevation Beer Company Debut at The Pine Box – 12/5 – Elevation Beer Company, from Poncha Springs, CO, is bringing their creative beers to the Seattle market and will be having a big of a preview of what’s to come at this event (official launch isn’t until early 2015). The brewery strives to make “the highest quality barrel aged and specialty beers we could imagine.” Click the event link for a beer list of what will be pouring. I’ve had a chance to try several of their beers, and they are worth getting excited for. At least a couple of the people behind Elevation lived in Seattle for a time, so this is an exciting launch for them.

Midnight Sun Brewing Night at The Pine Box – 12/6 – What do Berserker, Barfly, Arctic Devil and Termination Dust have in common? These Midnight Sun beers are all over 11.5% ABV and will be on tap for this event. Don’t drive here.

Again, I’m sure I’ve missed plenty of worthy events. Feel free to leave a comment.