Beer Blotter: Seattle based. World focused.

It can happen to the best of us. Especially this week.

Seattle Beer Week officially commenced yesterday.  We hope you all got out and joined in on the celebration at one of the many impressive events that went down on opening day.

Here at Beer Blotter, we have done our very best to spotlight a few of the the events that we feel are most worthy of your time and money, but we could never be expected to mention all of the events that have the potential to be great.  In fact, we’re talking about beer here, so really…they’re all great.  That’s the brilliance of SBW.  It’s a week plus of beer extravagance in a town that’s pretty much always amazing for beer.  How’d we get so lucky!

In case you are just now tuning in or you simply haven’t been able to keep up with our Guide thus far, here is a quick summary, in chronological order, of the events we highlighted.  Click on the linked event name to go to our detailed article on the matter.  I’ve also added a few notable events that we have yet to cover.

Saturday, May 21st (It’s a heavy day.  Get your drinking shoes on!)

Back in Black Stout Fest – Brouwer’s Cafe from 11am to 11:45pm.

Tour De Pints – Various locations but it starts at Pike Brewing at 11am.

Pig Roast & BBQ at Quinn’s – Obviously, Quinn’s from Noon to 4pm.

Firestone Walker Parabola Release – This will be a super rare series of events with David Walker (his name is in the name of the brewery) that will feature some tastes of various Bourbon barrel aged beers and of course, an opportunity to take home a bottle of one of the world’s best imperial stouts.  Mr. Walker will be hitting Super Deli Mart, Full Throttle Bottles, Beer Authority, and possibly others.

Hair of the Dog with Hair of the Dog – The legendary Alan Sprints will be on hand to answer questions and kegs of Fred, Adam, Blue Dot, Doggie Claws and a special beer for SBW will be poured.  The fun goes down from 3pm to 10pm at The Dray.

Sunday, May 22nd

HotD Crashes Bottleworks – Alan will hopefully make it out of bed after his Saturday night at The Dray and serve up a very, very limited blend.  Without re-typing it word for word, I’ll just let you read the description from the SBW site.  Check it out from 4pm to 7pm.

Alan Sprints, owner, founder and brewmaster of Hair of the Dog Brewing Company will be in the house pouring a very special blend.
This may very well be one of the most limited Hair of the Dog beers ever.

Alan received a very special keg of unblended lambic from the BOCKOR brewery in Belgium. He has blended this sour beer with one of his special creations.

This truly will be one of the most rare Hair of the Dog beers you will ever taste.

Brewer’s 9 Ball Tourney – Seattle Taphouse Grill from 4pm to 8pm.

Tuesday, May 24th

Burgers n’ Beers Bash – The people behind Fremont Brewing, Hopworks Brewing, Sierra Nevada Brewing, Port Brewing, and Skagit River Brewing will each be creating a signature hamburger for your enjoyment and vote at Brouwer’s Cafe.  The culinary madness happens from 5pm to 10pm.  Be there and bring an empty stomach.

Twelve Pack at the Troll – The Troll in Fremont from 11pm to 11:45pm.

Wednesday, May 25th

New Belgium Blending Symposium – 2 sessions at The Stumbling Monk.  This is sold out.

Firkin Firkin – Elysian Capitol Hill from 3pm to 8pm.

The Tomme @ The Dray – This event is very similar to the aforementioned Dray event with Alan Sprints.  Again, mingle with a legendary brewer and expect rare beers.  This is a good setup.  8pm to 10pm.

Thursday, May 26th

Sour Beer Fest – At Brouwer’s from 11am to 11:45pm

Cellar Night @ Fremont Brewing – Your chance to try Left Handed Dark Star, Fremont’s collaboration with Colorado’s Left Hand Brewing.  It’s a blend of the incredibly tasty imperial oatmeal stout (Dark Star) and LHB’s sweet Milk Stout.  There will also be some rare bottles available.  Get some Bourbon Barrel Abominable if you haven’t already.  4pm to 8pm.

Friday, May 27th

Bodacious Beverages – There are many great reasons to hit up Beveridge Place Pub this week and this event is no exception.  We had to mention at least one.  All I can really say is, expect some bodacious beverages.  Sounds awesome!  Happening all day.

Naked City Pro-Am Night – Just as is the case directly above with The Bev, you could easily go to Naked City every single night this week and be happy.  If you’ve been following NC on Facebook you have probably noticed all the posts and pictures of different staff members trying their hand in the brewhouse.  Here’s where you get to try those experiments.  As a homebrewer myself, this is super intriguing.   I’d imagine Don played the role of master to his young apprentices and assisted throughout the process.  I wouldn’t expect and duds.  4pm to 11:45pm

Any glaring omissions?  Let us know what you plan on hitting.

No matter how you end up participating, please be safe.  Happy Beer Week to you all!