Ferry & Friends Fest Brings a Floating Beer Experience to Seattle This Summer
Seattle doesn’t lack for great beer festivals, but it’s rare to find one that literally sets sail. It’s even rarer for one to sell out almost instantly. Fair Isle Brewing’s Ferry & Friends Fest did exactly that, with its inaugural sailing disappearing in under an hour. Now, due to overwhelming demand, a second date has been added: Thursday, July 23rd, joining the already sold-out Friday, July 24th voyage.
A sunset cruise dedicated to lagers, saisons and the kind of easygoing camaraderie that defines the Pacific Northwest beer scene, Ferry & Friends unfolds aboard the Hiyu, a beautifully restored 1967 Washington State ferry. The three-hour voyage glides across Lake Union and Lake Washington, pairing open-air decks and sweeping skyline views with a curated lineup of breweries from across the region and beyond.
The concept is simple and refreshing: a flat-fee, all-inclusive tasting experience. No tokens, no lines to manage pours, just a steady flow of lagers and saisons from standout producers like Holy Mountain, Bizarre Brewing, and acclaimed out-of-state guests including Sante Adairius and Fox Farm.
But Ferry & Friends is about more than what’s in the glass. A DJ soundtrack, golden-hour light over the water and a tight guest list capped at just 275 attendees give the event a sense of intimacy that’s often missing from larger festivals. Food will be available onboard from La Marea and Taurus Ox, rounding out what feels less like a traditional beer fest and more like a floating summer party.
The festival anchors a full weekend of programming, including a welcome party at Fair Isle’s Ballard taproom and a laid-back brunch to close things out, reinforcing the brewery’s focus on community as much as craft.
If there’s a broader takeaway, it’s this: today’s drinkers are looking for experiences, not just tastings. And Ferry & Friends delivers exactly that, beer as the centerpiece of an evening that blends place, people, and a little maritime magic.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit fairislebrewing.com/ferry-friends-fest/
