A year or so ago, Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza partnered with Tacoma's Harmon Brewery Co. in the development of its Two Mama Blonde Ale, named after Farrelli's founder and matriarch Margaret Farrell and her sister, Mary Mulkey.
For every pint of the brew sold, 25 cents is earmarked specifically for the Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Fisher House, which houses families while an ill or injured service member undergoes treatment at Madigan Army Medical Center.
Last year, $3,500 was riased, and this year, the partnership is expanding to include a new brew for each season.
Expect an amber in the fall, a brown ale in the winter and an IPA next spring. Though not yet named, the chosen monikers will have a play on family similar to the currently available Two Mama Blonde Ale.
Speaking of Two Mama Blonde Ale, the Farrelli's Pizza in Parkland will pour the Blonde tonight at 7 p.m., once again donating 25 cents per pint to the Fisher House.
Hoist a pint while at Farrelli's and help military families. It's a win win.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, age-gated children born in 1993 and beyond, the annual Washington Beer Awards have been doled out. Well, at least in the private world of the 40 judges who gathered at Elliott Bay Public House & Brewery May 10. The lucky 40 judged 460 brews from 70 state breweries, awarding medals for various styles, as well as spotlight categories Best Small Brewery and Best Large Brewery of the year. The winners won't be announced until Saturday, June 14, at the Washington Brewers Festival at Marymoor Park in Redmond. Standing before a crowd of folks wearing pretzel necklaces, fake cheese hats and that one guy who wears The Beeriodic Table T-shirt, 33 medals will be handed out, including Best Washington Agricultural Product Inspired Beer.
How will the South Sound fare? Not even The Beeriodic Table Guy knows. Here's the South Sound medal count last year:
STRONG LAGERS
Silver: Fish Brewing Company - Leavenworth Navigator Dopplebock
Bronze: Ram Restaurant & Brewery (Tacoma) - Maibock
WHEAT/RYE BEERS
Silver: Ram Restaurant & Brewery (Tacoma) - Big Horn Hefeweizen
BROWN PORTERS
Silver: Harmon Brewing Company - Puget Sound Porter
AMERICAN AMBER ALES
Gold: Fish Brewing Company - Fish Tale Organic Amber Ale
STRONG ALES
Silver: Fish Brewing Company - Fish Tale 10 Squared Barley Wine
BELGIAN & FRENCH ALES
Gold: Ram Restaurant & Brewery (Northgate) - BPA
Bronze: E9 Brewery - E9 Belgian White
BELGIAN STRONG ALES
Bronze: Dick's Brewing Co. - Dick's Grand Cru
SPICE, HERB, & VEGETABLE BEERS
Silver: DUO Brewing - Twin Ports Coffee Porter
The much-anticipated 9th Annual Washington Brewers Festival takes place June 13-15 at Marymoor Park. The Washington Beer Commission welcomes more than 330 beers from 88 state breweries, including locals 7 Seas Brewing, Dick's Brewing, E9 Brewery, Fish Brewing, Harmon Brewing, Northwest Brewing and Wingman Brewers. Admission is $20 for the 21 and older, Hell's Belles rockin', 74 brewery Friday night; $25 for the all-ages Saturday or Sunday affair. Jump on Washingtonbeer.com for details and tickets.
Here are a couple beer-related events going down this week. ...
Wednesday, May 4
The ParkWay Tavern hosts Dogfish Head Brewery beginning at 5 p.m.
Friday, June 6
Northwest Brewing Company will be at Emerald Downs race track with $2.50 craft pounders, Ottomatic DJ, prize drawings and more from 5-9 p.m
Saturday, June 7
7 Seas Brewing will release its Life Jacket Session IPA Saturday night at Cheney Stadium during the Tacoma Rainiers' game against the Albuquerque Isotopes. The Life Jacket Session IPA - loaded with Amarillo and Nugget hops and juicy hop aromas of tangerine and grapefruit - will be at several locations in the ballpark for the 5:05 game. Kendall Jones, a freelance writer and founder the Washington Beer Blog, will throw out the first pitch.
Tuesday, June 10
Dirty Oscar's in Tacoma hosts 7 Seas Brewing for a brewer's dinner at 6 p.m. Four 7 Seas beers - including the Life Jacket Session IPA - will be paired with a light four-course dinner by Chef James Bacher and sous chef Robert Orlando. Tickets are $50 per person. There are only 22 seats available, so RSVP now at Jennifer@dirtyoscarsannex.com.
Wednesday, June 11
Puyallup River Alehouse hosts Georgetown Brewing Company for a night of Georgetown beers, giveaways, raffles, dollar tacos and more from 6-9 p.m.