Okay, so I’ve been meaning to hit up a beer festival for a while, and the one in Seattle, WA seemed like a perfect excuse for a weekend trip. I’m gonna walk you through what I did, how I planned it all out, and of course, how much beer I actually sampled.
Getting Started: The Research Phase
First things first, I needed to figure out which beer festival to actually go to. A quick search showed a bunch happening around the Seattle area. I looked at dates, locations, and most importantly, the brewery lists. I wanted something with a good mix of local Washington breweries and maybe some from further afield that I don’t normally get to try.
After comparing a few, I settled on one that was happening at a big outdoor venue. Easy to get to, plenty of space – that’s what I was looking for.
Making it Happen: Tickets and Travel
Buying the tickets was super straightforward. Went to the festival’s website, clicked a few buttons, and boom – I had two tickets (one for me, one for my buddy) waiting in my email. Print ’em out, or keep them on your phone, either way works.
Since we were coming from out of town, I also booked a hotel room close to the venue. Didn’t want to deal with driving or finding parking after a day of, you know, “researching” beer. I found something that was a decent walk, which is perfect.
The Big Day: Festival Time!
We got to the festival a little after it opened, and it was already buzzing. First step: grab the tasting glass and the little booklet of beer descriptions. This is key – you gotta have a plan of attack!
We spent a good chunk of time just wandering around, checking out the different brewery booths. It’s overwhelming at first, there are so many options! We started with a few lighter beers – some pilsners, a couple of pale ales. Gotta ease into it, right?
- Checked the Map.
- Found the shortest bathroom line.
- Got the beer glass.
Sampling the Goods
The cool thing is, most breweries had multiple beers on tap. You could try a tiny sample of each, so you could really explore different styles without, um, overdoing it. I made notes in my little booklet, marking down which ones I really liked.
I’m a big fan of IPAs, so I definitely gravitated towards those. But I also made sure to try some stouts, a few sours (which I’m still getting used to), and even a cider or two. It’s all about expanding your horizons, you know?
Beyond the Beer: Food and Fun
It wasn’t just about the beer, though. There were food trucks galore! We grabbed some tacos at one point, and later on, some seriously good BBQ. Gotta have something to soak up all that…beer.
They also had some live music playing, which was a nice touch. Nothing too crazy, just some good background tunes while we were milling around.
Wrapping Up: A Successful Day
By the end of the afternoon, we were feeling pretty good. We’d tried a ton of different beers, discovered some new favorites, and had a blast just hanging out. We made sure to pace ourselves, drink plenty of water (they had stations set up all over), and take breaks when we needed them.
All in all, it was a fantastic experience. I’d definitely recommend checking out a beer festival if you’re into craft beer. Just remember to plan ahead, pace yourself, and enjoy the ride!
