Booze notebook: Everett’s Upper Left Beerfest kicks off Friday
Published 1:30 am Friday, September 7, 2018
Jared Loranger learned a valuable lesson in putting on the first Upper Left Beerfest last year.
Don’t ever go against the Seahawks.
The second day of last year’s Upper Left Beerfest was on a Sunday — a Seahawk Sunday that featured a home game against the hated 49ers. That, coupled with poor weather, affected attendance, which took a hit as locals either headed to CenturyLink or stayed home to watch the tilt.
This year, Loranger took the lesson to heart and made Upper Left a Friday/Saturday affair instead of Saturday/Sunday. It seems to be working. Festival pre-sale tickets for Friday have already sold more than Sunday a year ago, Loranger said.
“We really wanted to capitalize on people who work in downtown Everett,” Loranger said. “Getting them to stay in town is easier than asking them to trek back into town on the weekend.”
The craft beer festival, which kicks off today, is serving as the kickoff event for the first-ever Everett Beer Week. Toggle’s Bottleshop will host the official Upper Left Beerfest after-party on both days.
The festival remains downtown on Hoyt Avenue, between Everett Avenue and California Street. Loranger said the event layout is more intimate than last year and makes better use of an adjacent parking lot to help with flow.
New breweries this year include Everett’s Middleton Brewing; Bellingham’s newest brewery, Twin Sisters Brewing; San Juan Brewing and Bellingham Cider.
The Upper Left Beerfest is 4 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 7 and noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 8. Weekend tickets are $35, or $20 Friday or Saturday only.
More at www.upperleftbeerfest.com.
Decibel Brewing celebrates its 2nd anniversary: Known for its microphone tap handles and rock song-inspired beer names, Bothell’s Decibel Brewing is hosting its second anniversary all weekend.
Starting Sept. 7 with a special release of its 2018 version of Fade Out Imperial Stout and Pour Some Sugar on Me, a 9.9 percent Belgian quad that has been aging since March.
On Sept. 9, Decibel will be serving flights of Fade Out, including the 2018 and 2016 versions, a chocolate version and another aged in rye whiskey barrels.
More at www.decibelbrewing.com.
Beardslee Public House releases barrel-aged cider: To celebrate Cider Week, Bothell’s Beardslee Public House today released Barrel Roll, a handcrafted and barrel-aged cider made by Chatter Creek Winery. The cider spent four months in bourbon barrels from Buffalo Trace Distillery. The cider is available on draft or in bottles at Beardslee Public House.
More at www.beardsleeph.com.
Hemlock State Brewing moving to Mountlake Terrace: Having operated out of a garage in Shoreline, Hemlock State Brewing recently announced the signing of a lease for two units in the Arbor Village development in Mountlake Terrace. The plan is to open this fall.
Hemlock State Brewing is owned by Mark Dunford, Jerret Botch and Michael Ernst and has been open since 2012. According to MLT News, the partners plan to open a brewery and taproom that is family friendly with outdoor seating and limited food options.
More at www.hemlockstatebrewing.com.
Skittles IPA named for former Seahawk returns: It’s been three seasons since Marshawn Lynch toted the ball for the Seahawks, but Bothell’s Foggy Noggin Brewing still faithfully brews Cease & Desist Skittles IPA for the kickoff of the football season.
Brewed with floor-malted Maris Otter malts, Columbus and Centennial hops and 2½ pounds of Skittles in each batch. The beer is available Blue Friday on tap and in 22-ounce bottles in the Foggy Noggin taproom, 22329 53rd Ave. SE, Bothell.
More at www.foggynogginbrewing.com.
