We all know that “Belgium” is synonymous with “beer.” There is no questions or doubt in anyone’s mind that the country is notorious for bringing about some of the most complex and unique styles of beer in the world, and have been doing so from breweries and monasteries for centuries now. But what of Belgian style beers being brewed right here in the United States? And even more specifically, here in the Pacific Northwest? If your curiosity is piqued, please join us in celebrating the most spectacular celebration of Belgian style beers the Pacific Northwest has to offer at the annual Belgianfest, hosted by the Washington Beer Commission on Saturday, February 4 at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center on the Seattle waterfront.
One of the younger beer festivals here in Seattle, this will be the third year WBC is offering this spectacular array of Belgian-style craft beers for beer lovers to compare and enjoy with fellow Belgian beer enthusiasts and novice tasters alike. If you’ve attended this event in years past, the festival has moved to its new location on the waterfront to accommodate the large turnout expected this year. We encourage you to take a look at the Beer List of what the breweries are bringing to Belgianfest in order get a feel for what you can expect at this year’s event.
A few tips to keep in mind: If you’re looking for something unique and off-the-beaten-path when it comes to Belgian beers, you might want to try a few saisons, as these are a newly growing style here in the Pacific Northwest and looks like there are many interesting ones on the docket for this festival. Also, you’ll find a few Belgian-IPAs that could prove quite tasty, along with dark Belgians and a couple barrel-aged and cask beers. Suffice to say, there will be a large variety of styles and some promising experiments. One other reminder, Belgian Dubbel and Triples are rather high on the alcohol by volume (ABV) meter, so pace yourself.
For those interested in attending Saturday, there are two separate sessions being held to choose from; Session one is from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Session 2 is from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass & ten 4 oz. tastes. As with most beer festivals, there is an option for designated driver admission, which is $5 and available at the door only (includes free water/soda). Advanced ticket purchase is highly encouraged, as tickets will sell out prior to the day of the event and space is limited. Hope to see you there – cheers!
February 4, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. // Bell Harbor International Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66 Seattle, WA 98121// $30 advance tickets or $35 at the door
