Whether you live on the Eastside or need a reason to make a trek out there, Eastside Beer Week presents the perfect opportunity to explore the other side of the lake. From July 12 to 21, the Eastside will be host an array of beer events. As official sponsors of the event, Sip Northwest can’t help but tout the event’s merits, and we can wholeheartedly assure you that you’ll want to make some room on your calendar.
Over the last three years, Eastside breweries have collectively won 52 Washington Beer Awards
Prior to establishing Eastside Beer Week, James Wagner, the founder and organizer of the event, kept asking local Eastside brewers when they thought they might get a beer week. Their answer was simply: “When you do it.”
“Many people associate the Eastside with wine,” Wagner says. “However, the Eastside is not only a home for a growing and diverse group of craft brewers, but it is also a destination for craft beer enthusiasts.”
After getting a group of brewers together, they collectively crafted a mission statement for the inaugural event, outlining Eastside Beer Week’s goals of fostering community, supporting local charities and being a place for all craft beer enthusiasts.
Thirty-two breweries will participate in the week’s festivities
Breweries from up and down the I-405 corridor are participating in the inaugural Eastside Beer Week, including Black Raven, Mac & Jack’s and Crucible. Visit Black Raven for its Birds of Prey showcase, where you’ll see live raptors and sip five tasty brews. Or, if birds aren’t your thing, head over to Crucible for a beer and cheese pairing. After that, check out Sumerian Brewing Company’s Delorean Day event where you can get some sausage with your pint as you gawk at the cars.
The official beer of the Eastside Beer Week is “Eastside Story”
An ultimate collaboration between seven Eastside brewers, Skagit Valley Malting and Blindtiger Design, these groups worked together to produce a very fine looking and tasting beer. This limited-edition ale brought together folks from Black Raven, Valley House, Dubtown, Postdoc, Flycaster, 192 and Foggy Noggin. The official release will initiate the week’s festivities on Thursday, July 11 at Black Raven. After that, limited release cans will be available at Black Raven, Postdoc, 192, Valley House and Flycaster.
You can drink beer for a good cause
One of the goals for Eastside Beer Week is to support the local community through a series of events. For example, event-goers looking for a way to give back can stop by Hopheads Taproom to grab a pint of Hope-Heads IPA. One dollar from each sale will go towardHopelink, which focuses on ending poverty in its community.
Justify an extra pint by taking part in a fitness activity
If you’re wanting to burn off a few extra calories, there are a number of events available aimed to get the blood flowing and heart pumping. Join the Washington Brewery Running Series for a run between Four Generals and Dubtown Brewing, or meet up with the Everett Running Group at Crucible where they’ll run to Hopheads. Looking for something a little more low-key? Head to Postdoc for an outdoor morning yoga session and — of course — a post-session pint.
There are countless ways to enjoy and experience Eastside Beer Week. For a full list of participating breweries and a calendar of Eastside Beer Week events, visit Eastside Beer Week online.
