The Bothell Beer Fest will take over downtown Bothell for the second straight year Saturday, and no one was more instrumental in starting the beer fest than Bothell assistant city manager Peter Troedsson.
Troedsson, who spent 30 years in the United States Coast Guard, was selected as the assistant city manager early last year. As a big craft beer fan, Troedsson said he noticed Woodinville’s success with wine and thought that the Bothell should try to highlight its own craft-beer boom, which includes Foggy Noggin Brewing, the new Beardslee Public House restaurant and brewery, the soon-to-open McMenamins’ Anderson School hotel and pub, and The Hop and Hound bottleshop and taproom.
Troedsson teamed with Eric Schaffer, who owns The Hop and Hound, and the Bothell Chamber of Commerce to start the Bothell Beer Fest. Last year’s fest sold out quickly and was a resounding success. This year’s fest starts at noon Oct. 17 in downtown Bothell. For ticket information, visit www.bothellchamber.com/html/bothellbeerfest.
Why is Bothell such a great place for a pint?
Take a look at the breweries represented at our festival and you’ll notice fine beers from brewers in Bothell and its neighboring cities. We have one special guest brewer from Oregon, but all the rest are brewers from the local area. … We’re excited that Bothell is tapping this potential to become a destination for beer lovers.
What are you looking forward to most at the Bothell Beer Fest?
The sense of community and the opportunity to bring neighbors together in our small (but growing) town, and the chance to highlight the town to visitors.
Three things in your fridge?
I live on a boat, so I have a VERY small fridge. There is some cream for my morning coffee, one cup of yogurt, and of course a six pack of beer.
If you could have one beer in your tiny fridge what would it be?
That’s difficult to answer, as there are so many types of beer and so many great breweries. In the fall and winter, a good stout or porter is always nice to have. On a warm sunny summer day, it’d have to be a pilsner.
Best part of living on a boat?
Kinda goes without saying, but I can throw off lines and go sailing whenever I have the time and inclination.
Worst part?
Well, when winter rolls around, one can really tell that boats aren’t that well insulated.
What’s the best part of working in city politics?
Well, to be clear, I don’t work in politics. Politics surrounds all of us, citizens and employees of the city, but my work is in managing the day to day operations of the city’s government and trying to plan for the future. I love the people I work with and the wide diversity of challenges that confront us every day.
The worst?
Unfunded mandates.
If you could have a beer with anyone in history, who would it be?
Benjamin Franklin, a wise man who played an important role in the birth of our precious democracy, and to whom is attributed the saying that “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
What is your greatest accomplishment?
30 years of military service.
Biggest pet peeve?
Bad grammar. And when people drive slower than the flow of traffic in the left lane of the freeway.
Guilty pleasure?
I really don’t feel guilty when I’m enjoying a beer while sailing on a sunny day.
Will you be dressing up this Halloween?
I’ll actually be in a suit and tie at a board meeting in Orlando, Florida.
One thing you’d wish you’d stop saying?
“… like …”
Lastly, what makes Bothell great (for a day or a lifetime)?
It’s a vibrant and growing town, in a beautiful part of the world, that’s embracing its future while honoring its past. (I know, I know; it’s corny … but it’s true.)
— Aaron Swaney, Herald Writer
Do you know someone we should get to know better? Send suggestions to abrown@heraldnet.com or call 425-339-3443.
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