Despite some talk to the contrary, the popular Bremerton Brewfest will return to downtown Bremerton this July.

At a recent meeting with the Washington State Beer Commission, it was determined that the Bremerton Brewfest will be retained.

“There was discussion about moving it to Tacoma,” said Kurt Larson, director of sales and marketing for Silver City Brewery. Larson and several others representing Kitsap and Mason county beer brewers and retailers met with officials of the state beer commission on Tuesday. “What came out of that is good news. The beer fest will stay in Bremerton.”

Larson said because there was strong support from  local breweries, restaurant owners and elected officials, such as Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent, the commission renewed its support for the Bremerton Brewfest.

It also approved adding another beer fest to the list, that being a fall beer fest in Tacoma.

“We will continue the festival here because there’s really no place like downtown Bremerton with its views on a summer day,” Larson said. “No one has what we have there.”

For diversity, the festival in Tacoma will feature autumn brews, such a pumpkin beers, he said.

Additionally, the Bremerton Brewfest will work to add more beer offerings and enhance the festival with more marketing and exposure to bring more visitors to Bremerton, Larson said.

“This is all really good for local breweries,” he said. “And it’s good for our local economy as well. The bottom line is that we get to keep our festival in Bremerton.”

This will be the fourth year for the festival. It drew more than 2,900 attendees last year. It’s top draw was its first year when 3,900 attended. Larson said with additional beer makers involved this coming year, and with more marketing, he hopes attendance will top 4,000.

The date for this year’s event is July 12.