Cheers to Winter Beers in Puyallup

By Kim Thompson on December 9, 2014

Beer's here! Beer's near! Let's give a beer cheer!

Yeah, the cheer is totally lame. But the sentiment; well, it's beer right?

Ah, but all bad cheering aside, there's a dreamy upcoming beer event to really cheer about. What do you want to bet Eric Akeson, owner of Puyallup River Brewing and the Puyallup River Alehouse, would be happy to lead the cheering squad? Indeed he would. Here's why.

The 2nd Annual Cheers to Winter Beers event takes place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17 at the Puyallup River Alehouse. Admission is free.

Here's the deliciousness Akeson has planned for patrons.

"One of our local distributors is sponsoring the event, so we'll have all of their winter offerings; 10 Barrel Pray For Snow, Alaskan Winter, Elysian Bifrost, Widmer Brrr, and Redhook Winterhook," says Akeson. "We'll also have some other great winter seasonals on tap too; Anderson Valley Winter Solstice, Naked City Potlatch Smoked Maple Brown Ale, The Lost Abbey Merry Taj Christmas IPA, Puyallup River Old Pioneer Winter Ale and others."

Akeson and his team are also introducing a new recipe at the event.

"Our 2014 Old Pioneer Winter Ale is a new recipe for this year. Last year we brewed a malt-forward Amber Ale with vanilla beans and lavender. This year, we're brewing an Imperial Red IPA-style beer, with a big dry hop that all the hop heads are going to love."

And that's not all there is to cheer about, either.

There's going to be glassware giveaways, lots of raffle prizes and a very special guest. You think Santa would miss out? Oh, goodness no. A 1,000 cheers for Santa! He will be arriving at 7 p.m. that night, so break out your holiday wish lists and have cameras at the ready.

Oh, you may want to arrive early. Last year, the joint filled up fast and everyone had a grand ol' time. It's anticipated that every seat in the house is going to be filled this year, so be prepared to grab a mug and give a toast to new friends and tablemates, too.

And Akeson and crew have more on tap to celebrate the end of a great year and to launch into 2015. Ring in the New Year with a special brewer's night on New Year's Eve at the alehouse. Two Beers and Seattle Cider Co. will be in the house with lots of beer, cider, giveaways and raffles. And enjoy a free champagne toast at midnight.

As for 2015?

A mug club is being planned, there's a second anniversary to celebrate Feb. 5, the joint will be playing host to two teams for the local billiards league and, of course, there will be more killer events.

"Thanks to all of our customers for their support in our first couple of years in business in downtown Puyallup," says Akeson. "We look forward to what 2015 brings. See you at the Alehouse."

Aww ... let's cheer to that!

2ND ANNUAL CHEERS TO WINTER BEERS, 6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17, Puyallup River Alehouse, 120 S Meridian, Puyallup, no cover, 253.268.0955