Event founders Bennett Thurmon and Roxi Lee present an even bigger and better brew-themed festival for this year's Sept. 7 event, featuring 75 breweries with craft-brew concoctions, including five craft ciders and even a winery for those who don't want to fill up on the brewskis alone. And it's not just the quantity of breweries participating that has taken on the "go big or go home" motto; it's the location as well. Cheney Stadium will host this year's event.

Among this year's beer lineup, drinkers will find local favorites such as 7 Seas Brewing, Engine House No. 9 Brewery, Wingman Brewing and others alongside newcomers such as Narrows Brewing, Pacific Brewing & Malting Co and Oregon-based McMenamins, which is slated to move into the Elks Building ... someday. The sheer variety of potions is mind boggling. Attendees can sip their way through a flavorful adventure from a light summer-y Cucumber Lemon Saison from Puyallup River Brewing Co. to Whoop Pass Double IPA for the hops lovers from Silver City, and if they're feeling adventurous, maybe a little bit of Coconut Curry Hefe from New Belgium Brewery - and that doesn't even begin to skim the surface.

Pre-sale tickets are available online and at select retail spaces for $30, $25 with military discount and $36.50 day of event, or $60 to go VIP. Regular admission includes 5.5-ounce commemorative taster glass and 10 tasting tokens while VIP throws in a rad T-shirt, the opportunity to hang with brewers and access to a catered tent that will serve some exclusive brews. If choosing only 10 flavors proves to be too difficult, additional tasting tokens will be available for purchase.

Read Jackie Fender's full feature on the Tacoma Craft Beer Festival in the Bars and Clubs section.

LINK: List of craft breweries, ciders and wine

TACOMA CRAFT BEER FEST, Saturday, Sept. 7, noon to 9 p.m., Cheney Stadium, 2502 S. Tyler St., Tacoma. Tickets are $30 at Ticketmaster, $36.50 door, $25 military with ID and $60 VIP. For more information, visit www.tacomacraftbeerfest.com.