The local committee put together some fun extra-curricular events for those getting into town before the conference begins.
These events are not part of the official conference schedule and may include additional fees.
Big Footprint Event Series
The Big Footprint Event Series offers two full days of pre-conference activities designed to showcase the people who gave Washington craft brewing its start, as well as those who have ensured its growth and elevated it to excellence.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
“Meet The Brewer” Brewery Tours
Hear craft brewing lore and legends from industry veterans and newcomers, get their perspectives on style trends, recipes, process refinements and other “insider” insights. And of course, sample the beer! Multiple morning and afternoon bus tours will be offered on.
Hopunion Tour
Yakima produces over 75% of the nation’s hops and is the cradle for the majority of new hop varieties. Hopunion, located in Yakima, Washington, boasts a 25 year history of supplying hops to U.S. craft breweries and homebrewers, working with local growers to meet ever-changing agricultural challenges and consumer changing demands. This is a rare opportunity to see production at its source, and hear from Hopunion’s highly knowledgeable and entertaining staff about what it takes to put those products in your homebrew shop.
The Pike Brewing Company’s Beer & Food Pairing Extravaganza
No discussion on local craft and homebrewing history is complete without according Charles and Rose Ann Finkel very honorable mention. Having long been involved in bringing legendary beers to the public by importation, the Finkels finally opened a homebrew supply store, then their own 4 barrel brewery in the heart of downtown Seattle in 1989. And the rest, as they say, is history. This very special dinner will be hosted by the Finkels and served in Pike Brewery’s Museum Room, amidst a jaw-dropping array of brewing artifacts tracing 8,000 years of brewing history.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
“Meet The Brewer” Brewery Tours
Hear craft brewing lore and legends from industry veterans and newcomers, get their perspectives on style trends, recipes, process refinements and other “insider” insights. And of course, sample the beer! Multiple morning and afternoon bus tours will be offered on.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Rock Bottom Beer & Food Kick-off Breakfast
What better way to catch the conference spirit than at this beer-and-breakfast event right before Opening Toast! Located just steps from the conference site, Rock Bottom promises a crowd-pleasing array of food, accompanied by samples from its line-up of house-brewed beers, all hosted by the Rock Bottom brewmaster.
Stay tuned for more details!