Beer aficionados – or those wishing to take a step beyond Bud Light – will have the chance to try some of the tastiest hops-and-malt concoctions from the Northwest on Saturday. Now in its third year, the Tacoma Craft Beer Festival is bringing in more than 40 craft breweries pouring 80-plus beers.
Started in 2009 by local beer lovers Roxanne Wolfe, Chris Miller and Bennett Thurmon, the event moves to a new location this year: the 21st Street Park on the Foss Waterway. The festival, which has attracted close to 3,000 participants, outgrew its old space at the Foss Waterway Seaport.
“We have a lot of our same brewers back, but they are always trying new recipes and new styles,” Thurmon said. “They bring some stuff out you never see in a tavern or in a bottle in a store.”
More of a tasting event than a drink-till-you-stumble fest, the entry ticket will nevertheless get you 10 5.5-ounce tastings. That’s more than three pints of beer. “We want you to take your time with it,” Thurmon said.
Brewers will get a chance to show off, Thurmon said. Three-fourths of the booths will be staffed with either the brewer or a representative. They’ll be able to inform imbibers on any beer-related topic.
“Beer nerds like us are just crazy with those questions,” Thurmon said.
Employees from home brewing supply store Beer Essentials and members of local beer group HoPS Club, will give demonstrations and answer questions.
“You can go home really understanding everything about craft beer,” Thurmon said.
Breweries range from local (Harmon, Engine House No. 9, Fish, Silver City, Wingman, 7 Seas) to the seldom-seen (Unibroue, Trade Route, Lost Abbey, Burris). Most are from Washington, Thurmon said, which now has 153 licensed breweries. “You don’t have to go far for good beer,” he said.
Six food vendors will be on hand, and entertainment includes John Leonard, Rich Bundy and the Tiger Fighting Free Masons. Profits benefit The Boys & Girls Club of South Puget Sound.
For those who want to work up a beer appetite, Metro Parks Tacoma is offering a guided float tour along the Thea Foss Waterway designed to alight at the festival just as it opens. The two-hour easy paddle will give participants city views while kayaking past the Museum of Glass and marinas to the end of the waterway. This activity is for ages 21 and older only; beginners are welcome.
Craig Sailor: 253-597-8541, craig.sailor@thenewstribune.com
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