It's taken me a few days to write this, because I might have over done it...just... a bit. But Bier on the Pier in Anacortes, Washington was so much fun, with some really wonderful people and even though it knocked me down for a few days, it was sure worth it! It was such a happy event celebrating PNW beer and cider and beautiful Anacortes! Sure, who isn't happy when there are so many beers and ciders to try?! But besides the deliciousness pouring from the taps, the organizers and volunteers were so friendly, positive and took great pride in their event and it showed! The Chamber President even sat by me while we stuffed our face with cheese curds and fries! (Stephanie, it was such pleasure to meet you and have you share your story! It's inspiring to meet a strong women that puts her mind to something and be something and makes it happen and in such a positive way, CHEERS!) Getting back on track....I now know why this event sells out so quickly! So without further ado, let me share the best parts of Bier on the Pier.
The setting couldn't be cooler. You are literally in a pier building, with beautiful rafters and you can see the aquamarine water below you through the space between the floor boards. You never know what the weather is going to do in October, but Saturday's morning rain gave way to brilliant sunshine, allowing people to mingle on the pier outside, take in the fall sunshine, watch the boats sailing by, the Guemes Ferry going back and forth, and contemplate the hugeness of the ships being built to your right. Picture perfect.
Each brewery and cidery brought a great variety. I visited with my local friends from Stemma, Kulshan and Twin Sisiters, but I focused on beers and ciders I had yet to try. I only have one liver after all. My personal favorite was Ghostfish's Porter brewed by the lovely Racheal, who is also in the Washington Beer & Body Craft Girls online group I am in. Erin who was pouring it, was so sweet and informative. Somewhere in her phone, she has a great GIF of Mama Brandy and I dancing for some more brew. I also really loved Bellingham Cider Co.'s Hopped Hazy Cider, but everyone else was blown away by their coffee cider. Yes, you read that right, coffee and cider. It sounds so strange, but it is a mind blowing good combination, you'll have to try it for yourself. They also had the best swag of the event, mini cozies for our tasting glasses hanging on a necklace! (see pictures) Let's just say I'm going to be stealing this idea for more PNW Beer Moms swag!
I was really impressed with 12 String Brewery's barrel aged stout. It was thick, rich, complex and delicious and although it isn't everyone's cup of tea, I would gladly drink a bottle of it on a stormy night next to a fire. 12 Strings was the only brewery from Spokane (Spokane Valley to be precise), but true to Spokane, the man pouring the beer was rocking a mullet. You don't get more authentic than that!
The most "girly" beer was from Brewery 192 in Mt. Vernon. I called it the "Basic Bitch" but it technically was a Pumpkin Spice Chai Heffe. Even though it was "basic", it was tasty, just like a Starbucks latte. Sometimes ya just gotta be a bit basic!
Old School House Brewery out of Winthrop was very set on getting our PNW Beer Moms hats in trade, but I was happy to see his wife wearing it later! (I best be seeing you on our group page soon Avery! I want to arrange a Methow PNW Beer Mom camping trip next summer!).
'Mr. Pear Up' deserves a special shout out for being the most vibrant guy there and a Gonzaga Alum! (Like me and friend 'Beer Dad' Tom) Oh and his Ginger pear cider was perfectly ginger, just like a good ginger beer. If you didn't know, all Pear Ups ciders are made with pears, not apples! (Take a hike Apples!)
I was pleased to see that 10 Barrel Brewing out of Bend brought their Strawberry Crush Sour. The Cucumber one is stellar, but I didn't like their Raspberry one, it was too sweet. However, the Strawberry Crush was more tart than sweet, like a real strawberry, just like I like it.
Discovery Bay had a really nice porter. I'm glad to see them up and running in Port Townsend and the Pour House at Fort Warden really should start pouring their beer again! (What's up with that Pour House!?)
And last but not least, Tarts' ciders were perfectly juicy and non filtered and they were so friendly.
There was one uncomfortable spot in the whole day. And I know I'm not alone in my thinking and embarrassment! I tried and loved a Huckleberry Hard Seltzer this summer and have been touting it as being from San Juan Island Brewery. So when I asked San Juan Brewery about why they didn't bring it, it was explained to me it wasn't theirs! Turns out it is by San Juan Hard Seltzery in Seattle and the two companies don't have anything to do with each other! The guy pouring from San Juan Island Brewery didn't seemed concerned about the name, saying they aren't competitive, but I'll tell you what, I would be! The Hard Seltzer is being sold at tap houses and often labeled just with the name San Juan in front 'hard seltzer'. Hence my confusion! I'm all about trademarks and this seems like infringement to me. I wouldn't want a cease and desist order from a company that became popular after mine! But I guess it's not my battle! But certainly my embarrassment.
Now you hoppy drinkers are probably saying to yourself, "What about the IPAs!?" Well sorry to disappoint ya, but I have very little idea! But you can ask my husband or some of the other beer moms. They have a much better idea of what was good and what was great! What I do know, the Cobbler cider from Elemental Cider was orgasmic, the PNW Beer Moms were the best partners in crime and the pretzel necklaces tasted even better thanks to the Easy Cheese fairy prancing around!
Saving the best part for last, we (tactfully) photo bombed the Brew Dudes from Canada, who have been going since the beginning of Bier on the Pier! Cheers!
The setting couldn't be cooler. You are literally in a pier building, with beautiful rafters and you can see the aquamarine water below you through the space between the floor boards. You never know what the weather is going to do in October, but Saturday's morning rain gave way to brilliant sunshine, allowing people to mingle on the pier outside, take in the fall sunshine, watch the boats sailing by, the Guemes Ferry going back and forth, and contemplate the hugeness of the ships being built to your right. Picture perfect.Each brewery and cidery brought a great variety. I visited with my local friends from Stemma, Kulshan and Twin Sisiters, but I focused on beers and ciders I had yet to try. I only have one liver after all. My personal favorite was Ghostfish's Porter brewed by the lovely Racheal, who is also in the Washington Beer & Body Craft Girls online group I am in. Erin who was pouring it, was so sweet and informative. Somewhere in her phone, she has a great GIF of Mama Brandy and I dancing for some more brew. I also really loved Bellingham Cider Co.'s Hopped Hazy Cider, but everyone else was blown away by their coffee cider. Yes, you read that right, coffee and cider. It sounds so strange, but it is a mind blowing good combination, you'll have to try it for yourself. They also had the best swag of the event, mini cozies for our tasting glasses hanging on a necklace! (see pictures) Let's just say I'm going to be stealing this idea for more PNW Beer Moms swag!
I was really impressed with 12 String Brewery's barrel aged stout. It was thick, rich, complex and delicious and although it isn't everyone's cup of tea, I would gladly drink a bottle of it on a stormy night next to a fire. 12 Strings was the only brewery from Spokane (Spokane Valley to be precise), but true to Spokane, the man pouring the beer was rocking a mullet. You don't get more authentic than that!
The most "girly" beer was from Brewery 192 in Mt. Vernon. I called it the "Basic Bitch" but it technically was a Pumpkin Spice Chai Heffe. Even though it was "basic", it was tasty, just like a Starbucks latte. Sometimes ya just gotta be a bit basic!
Old School House Brewery out of Winthrop was very set on getting our PNW Beer Moms hats in trade, but I was happy to see his wife wearing it later! (I best be seeing you on our group page soon Avery! I want to arrange a Methow PNW Beer Mom camping trip next summer!).
'Mr. Pear Up' deserves a special shout out for being the most vibrant guy there and a Gonzaga Alum! (Like me and friend 'Beer Dad' Tom) Oh and his Ginger pear cider was perfectly ginger, just like a good ginger beer. If you didn't know, all Pear Ups ciders are made with pears, not apples! (Take a hike Apples!)
I was pleased to see that 10 Barrel Brewing out of Bend brought their Strawberry Crush Sour. The Cucumber one is stellar, but I didn't like their Raspberry one, it was too sweet. However, the Strawberry Crush was more tart than sweet, like a real strawberry, just like I like it.
Discovery Bay had a really nice porter. I'm glad to see them up and running in Port Townsend and the Pour House at Fort Warden really should start pouring their beer again! (What's up with that Pour House!?)
And last but not least, Tarts' ciders were perfectly juicy and non filtered and they were so friendly.
There was one uncomfortable spot in the whole day. And I know I'm not alone in my thinking and embarrassment! I tried and loved a Huckleberry Hard Seltzer this summer and have been touting it as being from San Juan Island Brewery. So when I asked San Juan Brewery about why they didn't bring it, it was explained to me it wasn't theirs! Turns out it is by San Juan Hard Seltzery in Seattle and the two companies don't have anything to do with each other! The guy pouring from San Juan Island Brewery didn't seemed concerned about the name, saying they aren't competitive, but I'll tell you what, I would be! The Hard Seltzer is being sold at tap houses and often labeled just with the name San Juan in front 'hard seltzer'. Hence my confusion! I'm all about trademarks and this seems like infringement to me. I wouldn't want a cease and desist order from a company that became popular after mine! But I guess it's not my battle! But certainly my embarrassment.
Now you hoppy drinkers are probably saying to yourself, "What about the IPAs!?" Well sorry to disappoint ya, but I have very little idea! But you can ask my husband or some of the other beer moms. They have a much better idea of what was good and what was great! What I do know, the Cobbler cider from Elemental Cider was orgasmic, the PNW Beer Moms were the best partners in crime and the pretzel necklaces tasted even better thanks to the Easy Cheese fairy prancing around!Saving the best part for last, we (tactfully) photo bombed the Brew Dudes from Canada, who have been going since the beginning of Bier on the Pier! Cheers!
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