The Seattle International Beerfest was held July 6 – 8th at the Seattle Center. Over 200 beers from 16 countries were served, including some from right here in the Pacific Northwest.  Do you have a favorite style of beer?  I typically like an Amber, Red or ESB….which was hard to find at the SIB.  I did find that I liked Hopworks DOA, Chimay Red, and a few others.  If you like a Belgian style or IPA beer… then you are in luck!!!  Check out the Beers list (and an interesting Glossary) at  http://www.seattlebeerfest.com/   Did you miss it this year?  If so, how about a road trip?  The Portland International Beerfest is July 20-22, 2012.

The SIB was located at the Fisher Pavilion and lawn area (and yeh, there were indoor restrooms!).  Bottles were inside and drafts were outside (in tents) on the lawn.  This turned out to be a good spot for the festival.   Also, there were a number of “beer gardens” that served $3 pints of Pilsner Urquell.  I put quotes around the beer garden because they were open and you could take the pint anywhere within the festival.  Additional tickets were $1 each.  Bring your own lawn chair (or blanket) if  you are interested in sitting OR get there early so that a table is found.  It seemed that those that got the seating early, typically stayed there for long periods.  Food/snacks were aplenty… Skillet, Pagliacci Pizza, Dante’s Inferno Dogs, Pretzelwagen, Rancho Bravo Tacos & BBQ, and more.  Mt. Townsend Creamery was serving a pickle on a stick and cheese on a stick (olives, salami too).  Music played.  There was also jerky, kettle corn, and nuts to buy.

Would I go again?  More than likely.  Although, I must admit I am partial to the Western U.S. craft beers.

La Conner – see July 2010 and 2011 postings for info!  I think they are accurate and will not expand this time on the always all-around fabulous Hellams Vineyard and La Conner Channel Lodge.  This visit… happy with my purchases – a necklace at Cottons http://cottonslaconner.com/  and the moose and bear ornaments at Red Door Gifts.  Not so excited about the mussels from a “pub” in town. I found a few new stores, visited the tried and true, and am sorry to see that some are no longer there.   Always enjoyed is a stop at Snow Goose Produce for bread, jam, and whatever else strikes my fancy.