NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, Jan. 23.
PORT TOWNSEND — The motto for this year’s Strange Brewfest, “Eleven. Exactly. One Louder,” works on several levels.
It is a reference to a line in “This Is Spinal Tap” when the satirical band members say they are going to turn it up to 11 on their amplifier dials because it is louder than 10.
In like manner, this year’s festivities, all for those 21 and older, are expected to be a little crazier and louder than in years past, according to American Legion Post Commander Joe Carey.
The two-day event celebrates its 11th year of operation, first at the Water Street Brewery and, for the past five years, at the American Legion Hall in Port Townsend.
And, as Legion member Bob Saran points out, “Spinal Tap” can be a beer reference.
“I didn’t even get that one,” Carey said.
Strange Brewfest takes place from 5 p.m. to midnight today and from 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the American Legion, 209 Monroe St., and in tents on Water Street between Madison and Monroe streets.
Admission is $30 in advance if bought online at www.strangebrewfestpt.com before 3 p.m. today.
It is $35 at the door thereafter.
Tickets provide admission both days, a tasting glass and four tasting tokens.
Entertainment and food vendors are planned.
70 varieties
The event includes more than 35 brewers serving about 70 different varieties of beer, many of which are brewed for the occasion and are not available anywhere else.
Each attendee gets four tokens that are exchanged for a 4-ounce glass of beer.
At the end of the event, prizes are awarded to those brews that gather the most tokens.
Carey likens the event to a combination of a fraternity party and a Grateful Dead concert, “although it’s not quite as organized as a Grateful Dead show,” he said.
“People come here for the experience of drinking all these different beers and so they can rub shoulders with the brewers,” he said.
“People like being together, and it’s exciting and invigorating.
“It even gets my adrenaline going, and I’m an old guy.”
Economic boost
Carey said the event gives the town an economic boost, filling all of the hotels and adding extra business to local bars, some of which are celebrating their own beer specials this weekend.
There are some extra rooms available this year, since Fort Worden has entered an agreement for discount rooms that are available from the event website.
For those who have attended all 11 years, the Brewfest is a tradition.
“There are people who treasure the souvenirs,” Carey said.
“Some of them have 11 years’ worth of T-shirts and tasting glasses.”
There is some disruption to traffic patterns, and it can get noisy for those staying in the winter shelter downstairs, but this year, the Legion is springing for a quantity of pizza to compensate shelter guests for putting up with all the noise for two nights.
For more information, go to www.strangebrewfestpt.com.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
