Ed. note: The Big Beer Festival is sold out.

The brilliant minds that brought you the wildly successful Tacoma's Craft Beer Festival are going bigger. By bigger, I mean bigger beers. By bigger beers, I mean stronger beers. The first annual Big Beer Festival will consume the Foss Waterway Seaport - home of the original Tacoma Craft Beer Festival - twice Saturday, Feb. 16.

As I stated, the Big Beer Festival will satisfy craft beer enthusiasts looking to wet their whistles with big, bold beers. This is not for the lovers of the pilsners and light brews. This is flavor country for beer drinkers - folks who enjoy the super hops, winter brews and higher than average ABV.

"Some of our local breweries like Wingman, the Harmon, Engine House No. 9, 7 Seas and Tacoma Brewing Company will be there showcasing Tacoma's finest craft beer creations," says Roxi Lee, co-founder of the Tacoma Craft Beer Festival, and a driving forces behind Saturday's shindig. "All 20 of our breweries are being featured, every one of them is outstanding when it comes to creating amazing beer."

Other breweries include, DUO Brewing, Full Sail, M.T. Head Brewing Co., Ninkasi Brewing Company, Port Townsend, Silver City Brewing, Two Beers Brewing Co., New Belgium Brewery, Deschutes Brewery, Big Al's Brewing, American Brewing, Georgetown Brewing Dicks Brewing, 21st Amendment and Hopworks. In all the 20-plus craft breweries will be featuring some 60-plus beers. Luckily, the event will be held in two sessions - the first from noon to 4 p.m. with a 30 minute intermission and again 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

With two session of beer sipping bliss one has to wonder, how best do you conquer an event with 20 breweries and 60 brews without falling flat on your face?!

"A cart?" laughs Lee. "Most people take their time enjoying the brewers, the people and the fun. Our presenting sponsor Northwest Mini has some fun games planned for both sessions of the event. Take your time tasting the beers you choose it's a great chance to try something new."

Ah, moderation and responsibility, what a concept.

She adds, "We encourage our guests to drink responsibly and there will be taxi services available."

Presale tickets are $20 and available online or can be purchased at a number of local business outlets: Parkway Tavern, The Beer Essentials, Tacoma World Beers, Amocat Cafe, The Swiss Pub, 99 Bottles, 7 Seas Brewing, Wingman Brewers and MASH Brew Supply. Ticket price includes a 5.5-ounce commemorative taster glass plus six tasting tokens. Additional 5.5-pours will be available for $1.50 a piece. Live entertainment and food will also be available.

Tickets at the door jump up to $25. Presale purchase is recommended as a big turnout is expected.

All proceeds go to benefit YWCA Pierce County, whose mission includes to "touch the lives of over 10,000 women, men and children annually seeking safety through this bevy of services. Support from the community helps the YWCA support its clients in creating lives free of violence and full of hope." Philanthropy made easy and fun!

FOSS WATERWAY SEAPORT, NORTHWEST MINI PRESENTS THE FIRST ANNUAL BIG BEER FESTIVAL, SATURDAY FEB. 16, NOON TO 4 P.M. AND 4:30-8:30 P.M. 705 DOCK STREET, TACOMA, TACOMACRAFTBEERFEST.COM