BREMERTON — Calling all craft beer-lovers to the Bremerton boardwalk. The suds will be flowing freely (and responsibly, of course!) next weekend as craft breweries from all over Washington state, including many from Kitsap County, set up shop to give you a taste of their top brews.
Bremerton BrewFest, in its eighth year, will take place July 20-21. On July 20, the event runs from 4 to 9 p.m., and on July 21 from noon to 6:30 p.m.
The event features 36 breweries with a dozen of them representing Kitsap. From Poulsbo: Valholl Brewing, Western Red Brewing, Slippery Pig Brewing, Sound Brewery, Rainy Daze Brewing; from Silverdale: Silver City Brewery and Taproom, Cash Brewing Company; from Kingston: Downpour Brewing and Hood Canal Brewery; from Bremerton: Der Blokken Brewery and Lovecraft Brewing Company; and from Bainbridge: Bainbridge Brewing.
BrewFest is put on by the Washington State Beer Commission. Before coming to Bremerton, the commission only had events in Seattle and was looking to expand both east and west, said Executive Director Eric Radovich. After successfully starting an event in Spokane, Radovich then turned his attention to Bremerton, which he noted was “an easy choice” thanks to ferry access from Seattle and the number of breweries in the West Sound area.
“The ferry access was convenient, and we had a number of good breweries over there,” Radovich said. “Silver City was already known for their beer; there was Port Townsend brewing and then some new breweries were on the horizon — Valholl Brewing and others that came on board shortly after we started this event.”
After a few years in downtown Bremerton, BrewFest moved to its current location on the boardwalk. With a number of parking garages in the area and easy pedestrian access from the Bremerton-Seattle ferry — not to mention the typically sunny skies and calm, cooling breeze coming off the water — the event is ideally situated to draw a large number of people.
Radovich said the event has grown to bring in over 3,000 people over the course of two days.
“That waterfront boardwalk venue is just ideal,” Radovich said. “It’s a great time of year; the weather is fantastic. We have food and beer and live music. It’s a wonderful annual July event.”
Tickets to BrewFest are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Admission gives you six tokens and a five-ounce tasting glass. Additional tokens can be purchased $5 for a pack of three. Radovich said event staff will monitor overconsumption in order to have a safe, fun event.
For more information, visit the event’s website: washingtonbeer.com/festivals/bremerton-summer-brewFest.php
— Mark Krulish is a reporter for Kitsap News Group. He can be reached at mkrulish@soundpublishing.com.
