Held this year at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall to accommodate more cask enthusiasts, the Cask Festival was conceived by a handful of Guild member breweries back when many beer drinkers were still unfamiliar with cask-conditioned beer. The inaugural event at Hale’s Ales Brewery in 2000 had less than 15 Washington breweries and was attended by just a few hundred guests. Today cask beer is widely appreciated by many craft beer enthusiasts and its growing popularity is evident in the number of breweries and pubs that host cask nights on a regular basis. If you’re new to cask beer, or just want to learn what’s new in Seattle, it will be a great experience for all.
Definitely join for one of the two sessions: noon to 4pm or 6pm to 10pm on Saturday, March 30. Admission is $40 in advance or $45 at the door, with separate tickets required for each session. Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass and up to 25 sample tastes. Tickets are available online at www.washingtonbrewersguild.org and at select ticket outlets.
Credit: Washington Brewers Guild