Seattle Beer Week is officially upon us (May 4–14), and there will be beer everywhere. Stranger critic Tobias Coughlin-Bogue has already recommended the six breweries you should check out during Beer Week, but if you're looking for special beer tastings, beer games and sports, food pairings, and other events, he's also recommended the best ones happening during the 11-day stretch. See them all below, and find the full schedule on our Seattle Beer Week calendar.
Get all this and more on the free Stranger Things To Do mobile app—available now on the App Store and Google Play.
MAY 4
1. Seattle Beer Week 2017 Official Kickoff
Kick off 2017's ninth annual Seattle Beer Week at this five-stop pub crawl, starting at Pioneer Square's Flatstick Pub. Celebrate with Bale Breaker, the Beer Week crew, and fellow beer lovers while playing mini golf and enjoying Mexican fare by Manu's Tacos. The Bale Breaker brewery from Yakima will also be tapping the first keg of SBW #9 Fresh Off the Farm IPA. After the first stop, head to Beveridge Place Pub in West Seattle for the annual "Cask-O-Rama," featuring 16 local breweries and 16 casks on the bar top. The third stop will be a mini celebration at Brouwer's Cafe, followed by Naked City Taphouse, where they'll host the annual "Seattle Proper" event, featuring a variety of breweries. Finally, they'll end at the iconic Pine Box (and former mortuary) for "loud music and strong drinks."
MAY 5
2. Hangover Breakfast at 5 Point
What to do after the Seattle Beer Week kick-off celebration? Head to 5 Point Cafe in Belltown for more beer, of course. The 5 Point promises beer specials as well as "fun swag," and also suggests pairing its legendary chicken fried steak (weighing in at 11 ounces) with a Topcutter IPA.
MAY 6
3. 5th Annual Rye Fest
Reuben's Brews' fifth annual Rye Fest will celebrate Seattle Beer Week by introducing newer creations as well as trusted favorites like the Roasted Rye.
4. The Ales to #EndALZ
Check out Ballard's newest beer destination, The Dane, and join Pike Brewing Company, Silver City and Georgetown for a sampling of their tastiest brews. Proceeds from the beers purchased will benefit the Washington Chapter of the National Alzheimer's Association. You can also sign up for the Walk to End Alzheimer's, taking place in September 2017.
5. Brunch, Burgers & Bags
Head to South Lake Union to join Sam's Tavern for a beer-themed brunch event, followed by a good ol' fashioned cornhole tournament. The winning team gets two tickets to the Bale Breaker Boat Bash on May 13.
6. Pine Box Beer Can Derby
Sure, we all know and love the annual Seafair Milk Carton Derby, but don't overlook the Pine Box's beer can derby, back again for this year's Seattle Beer Week. Build your can car on the spot and then try your luck at racing it down the tracks as you race off into the beer-filled sunshine. They'll also have beers on tap from event sponsor New Belgium, including Tartastic, Citradelic, and Cherry Felix.
MAY 7
7. Beer + Yoga
Join the Just Add Yoga team and the Bale Breaker Brewery for a pint of beer and an hour-long, all-level yoga session (yoga first, and then beer). If you want to continue the fun, stay at the Beerhall and attend Bale Breaker's Sunday Funday event starting at noon.
8. Brothers Grimm Puppet Show
If you like puppets, beer and good causes, you'll enjoy this family-friendly puppet show from Bellingham-based German Puppeteer Max Eberheard. He'll perform two original adaptations of the Brothers Grimm tale "Hans in Luck," complete with his own traditional German handmade paper puppets. This event is free, but be a good person and buy a beer or two—$1 from each sponsored beer goes to the No Child Sleeps Outside campaign by Mary's Place.
MAY 8
9. Cellar Sour Tasting
Sour beers await at this anticipated event, back again for Seattle Beer Week 2017. Your ticket gets you six 4 oz. tastes of the sour stuff.
10. PNW Beer Buck-Hunter Tournament
Head to the Comet Tavern to test your hand at Buck Hunter while drinking local beer!
11. Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby
Join Bale Breaker and Flatstick Pub for a wiffle ball derby! Winning teams will receive prizes from both Bale Breaker and Flatstick, and the event will include seven Bale Breaker beers on tap.
12. Women In Beer
Sadly, this year's big Women in Beer party at Pike Brewing is sold out already, but that doesn't mean you can't still drink your way to allydom. The Morning After Pale Ale, brewed by the awesome lady brewers at Pike and their friends in the industry, is on tap around town, and pouring at the following Seattle Beer Week events: The Ales to #EndALZ at The Dane , Trivia Night at Watershed Pub, Latona Pub, BrewGrass at Hale's Ales, and Pussy Hat Roadshow at Dog & Pony Alehouse and Grill. TOBIAS COUGHLIN-BOGUE
MAY 9
13. Can You Handle My Randall?!
A Randall is a filter that's connected to a tap of beer to fill with flavor-enhancing ingredients, and the Pine Box will have 12 beers that have been infused with strange ingredients to try. As they say, "The Twelve Randalls return again to have you asking, 'what the F*** did you put in my beer?'" This year, they'll feature all local beers.
14. Trivia Night
Join Pike Brewing and North Helpline for Watershed's Trivia Tuesday night. Donate canned soup to North Helpline for extra trivia points. It's free to play and all ages are welcome. Prizes are available, as well as food and beer (duh). Arrive early since tables fill up fast.
MAY 10
15. Estrella Galicia and Tapas
Come hang out at JarrBar for small bites and tapas paired with some of the most popular craft beers in Spain. Beer specials all night!
16. Pilsners & Pastrami
Buy a pint of pilsner from Chainline Brewing, Stoup or Seapine, and get some free pastrami. A match made in heaven.
17. The Price is Right!
If you've ever dreamed of competing on game shows, now is your chance. Join Laurelwood, New Belgium, Firestone, Deschutes, Sierra Nevada and Two Beers Brewing for a fun twist on the classic show, made better with beer. If you're the competitive type, dive in and put your skills to the test, or just hang back and have some beers if you're more into that. This event is also a benefit for Motley Zoo, which means that puppies will make an appearance too.
MAY 11
18. Sourfest
Head to Brouwer's Cafe for an in-depth taste of sour beer from breweries including Engine House #9, Holy Mountain, New Belgium, and Urban Family Brewing.
19. Women in Beer at Ounces
Didn't score ticket to the sold-out Women in Beer event at Pike Brewing? Not to worry—you can still celebrate the ladies of beer by joining Ounces for a night celebrating beer and the women who brew it. Ounces will shine the light on women in the industry by featuring beer made by women or from women-owned companies such as Two Beers Brewing Co., Seattle Cider Company, Walking Man Brewing, Stoup Brewing, Four Generals Brewing, Lowercase Brewing, Fremont Brewing, Schooner Exact Brewing Co., Elysian Brewing and more. Plus: don't miss out on eats from Peasant Food Manifesto (also women-owned and -operated) who will be onsite serving up food to go with your beer.
MAY 12
20. Hopnificient Seven
Join Latona Pub and several local breweries for what's sure to be a night full of hoppy fun. Breweries include Pike Brewing, Reuben's Brews, Ecliptic, Fort George, Double Mountain, Breakside, and Pfriem.
MAY 13
21. Bale Breaker Boat Bash
Celebrate Seattle Beer Week on the water aboard the Lady Mary for this "floating dance party," hosted by Bale Breaker beer. Graze on tacos from El Camión and enjoy unlimited brews from Bale Breaker. The party theme? The letter 'B.' Interpret that as you wish—just make sure to wear something that starts with that letter. B all that you can B.
22. BrewGrass 2017
Don't miss the fifth annual BrewGrass fest this year during Seattle Beer Week, featuring a mix of local and out-of-state breweries bringing limited edition beers and collaboration releases to you. The event also includes four local bluegrass bands. Proceeds from the event benefit the Oskar Blues CAN'd Aid Foundation, and the Wintergrass Youth Music Education Programs. Participating breweries include Hale's Ales, Ninkasi, Elysian, and Schilling Hard Cider.
23. The Ride Formally Known As Slow Ride
Get outdoors and cruise around on bikes with fellow beer-lovers. Start out at the Burgundian and continue on to Golden Gardens before taking the scenic route back to Brouwer's Cafe. There may be an additional stop at Holy Mountain depending on the size of the group. Sponsored by New Belgium and Melvin.
24. Washer's Tournament
From Naked City Brewing comes the annual Washers Tournament, back for its fourth year. The tournament, featuring some sort of brewers' game "meant to be played with a beer in hand," encourages everyone to show up and invites "brewers, beer folk, and all friendly people with a hankering to throw some washers or heckle from the peanut gallery."
MAY 14
25. 7th Annual My Liver Hurts Free BBQ
Don't miss the final event of Seattle Beer Week—none other than Fremont Brewing's (free) barbecue and beer fest, held right in its Urban Beer Garden.
26. Beer with Mom!
Because who would you rather drink a cold one with? Bring the maternal figures in your life to Ounces Taproom & Beer Garden for $1 off beer, wine or cider, AND a free flower.
Get all this and more on the free Stranger Things To Do mobile app—available now on the App Store and Google Play.
