The original city-wide beer week returns to Seattle.
by Mason Cheung
Since the dawn of microbreweries in the U.S., there was Seattle. This brewing mecca knew it had world-renowned beer worth celebrating. So when the idea of hosting a week to honor the city’s brewed craft came five years ago, the Emerald City shined just a little brighter.
Hitting taps again for its fifth year is Seattle Beer Week, May 9-19. Started by the Seattle Beer Collective, the city’s celebration of all things brewed was one of the first local events of its type to hit the U.S. and has since spawned similar weeks throughout the country.
This year, as many as 200 events will take place in more than 80 venues from the shores of Alki Beach to the Ballard Locks and beyond.
Festivities kick-off on May 9 at 4 pm with a pre-funk at The Sixgill before walking to the real party at Fremont Brewing Company, where the brewers have made a special Organic Session Pale Ale just for the week. After this stop, there are three more, and that’s just the first night.
What really makes Seattle Beer Week standout though is not just the beers of the great Northwest, but others from around the world. Coming back to Seattle is Denmark’s Evil Twin Brewing Company with brewer Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø. Head to The Pine Box on May 16 from 6 to 10 pm to taste what has been regarded as one of the world’s best breweries.
If you are still looking for plans on Mother’s Day, why not treat mom to a day she’ll treasure with beer. A variety of events will be happening on May 12 from enjoying Redhook’s special beer cocktail, the “mom-osas,” to a mini golf tournament at Interbay Golf Center with six beers available to sample. Other out of town visitors making appearances during the week will be Maui Brewing Company, Ninkasi, Fort George and many more.
Realizing it’d be hard to keep track of all the events you’d like to attend, there is a nifty little tool to keep track of all the events you plan to go to on the Seattle Beer Week website. Just go to website, skim the events page until you find an event that sounds interesting. Once you do, simply click the “Add to my itinerary” button and Facebook will do the rest from there.
To see the full schedule of events, check out the Seattle Beer Week website here.
