April Brews Day
One of my jobs for Neighborhood-Kids.com is to stay up-to-date with all the kid-friendly activities for Bellingham and Whatcom County families, so I’ve developed a bit of a reputation for knowing what’s going on around town. Festivals, craft fairs, fundraisers…I can usually tell you about all the random things happening in our community. Every once in awhile I’ll discover a great community event that really has nothing to do with kids. Luckily, I have this handy-dandy Mindfly blog where I can gush about local fun stuff for the 21+ crowd.
April Brews Day just might be my favorite day of the year. It’s the intersection of three of my favorite things: the Bellingham community, spring, and beer. And I’m very excited that I get to share all of these things with my parents (who are making the long trek across the state this weekend) on Saturday, April 25th, 6 to 10 PM at Depot Market Square.
My mom had plenty of questions about the event (she’s not big on the unexpected), so I figured a blog post about this annual event might help inform her, and other beer aficionados, about the annual festival.
Twenty-one brewers from around the Northwest are attending the festival this year. My favorite local brewery, Boundary Bay Brewery, will have four different brews available, including a Ginger Peach Blond Ale (doesn’t that sound like it just tastes like spring?), but I’m also excited to try Pike Brewing Company’s Monk’s Uncle and Son of Frog from North Fork Brewery.
Upon admission, attendees will get a collectable tasting glass and scrip for tasting the various microbrews. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. You can also purchase additional samples, as well as food from local vendors like Hempler’s Hot Dogs, Ralf’s Bavarian Originals, and Fairhaven Pizza Company.
Now, honestly, I’d pay $15 for a souvenir glass, at least hour’s worth of beer, free music, and time to mingle with other Bellingham beer drinkers. But along with providing plenty of entertainment, April Brews Day also benefits the Max Higbee Center, a local non-profit that provides community-based recreational programs for teens and adults with developmental disabilities. So you can feel good about yourself for supporting a local organization while enjoying beer…what's not to like?
As a veteran attendee, let me give you some advice so you’re fully prepared to enjoy the entire beer tasting experience. First of all, get your tickets in advance; last year, I waited in line for a good twenty minutes just to get into the festival. I’d also recommend arriving earlier rather than later, because there is nothing more disappointing than waiting in line for a sample when the keg runs dry. Along the same lines, either plan to purchase food at the event or come directly after your evening meal. You can leave the festival to grab dinner elsewhere, but there’s no guarantee that there will be any beer left when you return. And, of course, remember to drink responsibly: choose a designated driver, hail a Bellingham Pedicab, or simply plan to stumble walk home.
Advance tickets can be purchased at Community Food Co-op, Village Books, and Boundary Bay Brewing. Contact the Max Higbee Center at (360) 733-1828 for more information.