Seattle’s popular beer festivals plan a triumphant return in the fall

The beer lovers in Seattle’s booming craft beer scene are looking forward to the cooler autumn days to raise their glasses together again.

While most food and drink festivals in 2020 were canceled for obvious reasons amid a global pandemic, the state’s full reopening has allowed these larger events to resume, proving that something always happens around a beer.

From Oktoberfest fun to festivals celebrating the fresh hop harvest, read on to take a look at the beer events that will be returning to the Seattle area this fall.

Karl Swenson, Scott Carnz and Lance Park have fun at Fremont Oktoberfest on Saturday 19th September 2015.

JOSHUA TRUJILLO / SEATTLEPI.COM

Fremont Oktoberfest:

Although Leavenworth has canceled its Oktoberfest celebrations for the second year in a row amid the uncertainties surrounding the pandemic, Seattle residents may on 17th The festival features traditional German lagers served in jugs or a boot, as well as beers made locally Breweries.

The event also includes Mudbay’s “Dog Beer Festival”, where participants can bring their four-legged friends – preferably all dressed up – and take part in a cover model competition for CityDog magazine.

Big Pumpkin Beer Festival at Seattle Center.

Courtesy of Great Pumpkin Beer Festival

Big Pumpkin Beer Festival:

Most beer fans acknowledge that pumpkin beer is a pretty polarizing style. Whether you love or hate those liquid pumpkin pie slices, Elysian Brewing has become the local masters of the style, and their annual bash at the Seattle Center marks the culmination of the pumpkin-filled celebrations.

In its 17th year, the Great Pumpkin Beer Festival will take place on October 1st and 2nd with over 80 pumpkin beers from Elysian and other breweries. The event includes an annual tradition of scooping a giant pumpkin, burning it, filling it with pumpkin beer, and then tapping it at the festival.

Brew in the zoo.

Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren / Woodland Park Zoo

Brewing in the zoo:

Woodland Park Zoo’s Brew at the Zoo returns this year on October 7th for its 8th annual celebration. More than 45 local breweries, cideries, and even some kombucha producers are expected, offering a wide variety of the flavors of the Pacific Northwest.

During the event there will also be special animal encounters with the zoo’s animal ambassadors. All donations that Brew at the Zoo raises will support animal care at the zoo and conservation efforts locally and around the world, so every sip is used for a good cause.

Fresh hops ready for harvest in the Willamette Valley, Oregon.

Jon Larson / Getty Images

Seattle Fresh Hop Beer Festival:

The hops harvest is just around the corner, as is Seattle’s most hoppy festival. The Fresh Hop Beer Festival will return on October 9th in Hangar 30 in Magnuson Park with 75 different fresh hop beers.

For those who don’t know, a fresh hop beer is made when the hop flowers are removed from the vine and brewed within 24 hours, resulting in a more flavorful beer. And here in the Pacific Northwest, we’re fortunate enough to be very close to the hop harvest in Oregon’s Yakima Valley and Willamette Valley, which cuts the transport time from farm to brewery and makes those little buds burst with their signature flavors.

Friends at Oktoberfest.

Frank Grtner / EyeEm / Getty Images

Northwest Oktoberfest:

If you’ve missed the Fremont festivities – or just looking for another excuse to wear your lederhosen and eat schnitzel – another Bavarian-inspired event kicks off October 8-10 at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup.

In addition to lots of food and beer, the Northwest Oktoberfest has planned a handful of bizarre activities, including a Viennese dog race, keg-roll competitions and a “hammering” tournament in which opponents hammer a nail through a wooden board. The last day of the event is family-friendly and includes activities for kids like decorating pumpkins and a root beer garden.

Seattle Scotch and Beer Festival.

Alan Alabastro / Seattle Scotch and Beer Festival

Seattle Scotch & Beer Festival:

Sip your drink and brew at the same time at this liquor and beer festival held at Fremont Studios from November 19-20. The two-day event includes an authentic scotch tasting, tequila and mezcal tasting, whiskey seminars for real connoisseurs, and 50 beers and ciders on tap. You can also purchase bottles of premium spirits from around the world tax-free in their bottle shop. Tickets are expected to go on sale in September.