Washington Winter Beer Festival

I look forward to this every year...we just got home and I already can't wait for next year's event. We always meet very interesting people at the Washington Winter Beer Festival--brewers, patrons, and other vendors. This event takes place at the Hale's Palladium, at Hales Brewery in Seattle, and is sponsored by the Washington Beer Commission.We bought an extra set of beer tokens each, so I had 11. We each received a 4 oz taster glass.

Nuts! Literally...nuts. There was a great nut roaster called CB's Nuts at the event...with peanuts, and all sorts of other nuts. These were honestly the best peanuts we've ever had, and Tom, from CB's even let us have the very last package of their Pumpkin Seeds...not your normal seeds...so much  better. We bought a few bags of nuts for stocking stuffers, and thoroughly enjoyed our experience at the nut station. Check them out at shop.cbsnuts.com

First: Elysian, Bifrost Winter Ale
Now, I'm not just going to be nice because the brewer asked me to email him my blog. Please excuse the gloating. Seriously; as many regular readers of my blog know...I don't like hoppy beers. Yes, I know I'm limiting myself, but I can't ignore my very obnoxious and opinionated taste buds. The Bifrost is an exception to the no-hoppy beers rule. I'd gladly drink an entire pint...especially during the holidays. Not only is this an exception to my no-hoppy beers rule, but it's also an exception to my no-dark Winter beers rule. It's assumed. C'mon...winter beers are always dark Except this one...just as the description reads, it's strong, hoppy and smooth. Complex hoppy flavor, but not overpowering like an IPA. 7.6% abv.

Elysian Oak Frost
This is the Bifrost, conditioned with oak staves. I definitely got hit with the Oak...right away. Then, it mellowed out to reveal the Bifrost, which you read about above. The description reads "just a taste of oak," which I feel is inaccurate...it was obviously very oakey at first. Great twist.

7 Seas Brewing, Saison
Great French Saison...from Washington! 6%, from 7 Seas our of Gig Harbor. I'm not too familiar with French beers, but after tasting this Saison, I think I'll try a few more. Not only was it poured by Santa, but it was mildly complex, like a white Belgian, but more hoppy.











Black Raven, 2010 Bourbon Barrel la Petite Mort
Very big fan...which makes sense since it's a Belgian. Tastes like a french Abbey ale, it's aged in bourbon barrels. It won the 2010 World Beer Cup silver medal in the wood and barrel aged strong ale category. I could drink many pints of this. Not only was the beer great, but the brewery put tons of effort in to their display and that earns points here as well. To top it off, they are from where I spent most of my childhood...Redmond, WA. 8.8%.

Diamond Knot, Industrial HO HO HONot my favorite of the evening, but a standard ale. A little bit sweet, a lot hoppy...tiny bit smooth. Not much to note here. 8.5% abv.

Fish Head Brewing, Boulder Bend Dunkleweizen
Although highly rated by craft beer enthusiasts (so says the program) I didn't find anything outstanding about this beer. Well-balanced, I guess you would call that, medium hops, medium malt. 4.7% abv.

Fremont Brewing, Bourbon Abominable Ale 
Wow. This was strong. Very good, tasted like a port wine. Would love to have a full pint. Dark, chocolaty, fruity, malty and kind of spicy. 8.5%  

Hale's Ales Brewery Quadruppel Belgian Style Strong Dark
All of the words in the name of this beer are good. My favorite of the evening, as far as dark beers go. Very smooth, sweet, barley wine-ish. Bourbon barrel aged. 12%.

Southpoint Porter

Great porter. I love porters, and this winter beer did not disappoint. Toasted nutty flavor, slight coffee flavor. 

Issaquah Brewhouse, White Frog Belgian Wit

Spicy Belgian, perfect for Winter. Big fan, I'll be trying this out at the brewery itself. Would have been better with an orange slice, to enhance the spices.   

Pike Brewing, Auld Acquaintance Holiday Ale
Not a fan...this was my least favorite of the night. I've often thought Pike was more of a tourist destination than a great brewery. This confirmed that. Way too bitter, and not from hops...from either the orange or coriander.

 










Silver City Brewery, Imperial Stout
Sweet, not very "stouty" though...no traditional stout trademarks like coffee or chocolate...which are the reasons I like stouts. 9.2%.

Two beers Brewing, Cask Conditioned Jive Espresso Stout
WOW. This was amazing. It's infused with banana, cacao nibs and vanilla. All of those flavors were noticeable. It's like the everlasting gobstopper from Willy Wonka...the flavor keeps morphing, even after you're done drinking it. Very enjoyable experience, and very nice people.