: Woodland Park Zoo
Saturday, October 5th, 2024
Tickets start at $50
Woodland Park Zoo: 750 N 50th Street, Seattle
My stance on Pacific Northwest Oktoberfest power rankings stands corrected. I’ve got two good reasons why Woodland Park Zoo’s OktoBEARfest is my top pick for an autumnal beer bash.
First: child-free access to the entire zoo. I have nothing against kids communing with nature, but I could watch otters glide through the water for ages, given a little uninterrupted time. The last time I worked at a beer event at the zoo, it did not include unlimited zoo access, so this is a big deal! Check out the ambassador animal encounters and keeper talks as you’re walking around, then catch a KEXP DJ set when you’re ready for people again; all money raised will support local and global conservation projects.
Second: the strongest beverage lineup I’ve seen yet. Beer festivals at this time of year feature many of the usual local suspects (love you guys!), and I’m always excited to drink what’s novel and new. I looked through the list of 50+ breweries & cideries pouring at OktoBEARfest; here’s who I’ve got my eye on and what I hope they’ll pour.
- Mr. B’s Meadery (Fremont) — On their taplist: unexpected honey wine flavors (think “Lord Lychee” or “Maple Cold Brew”)
- Ladd & Lass Brewing (U District) — On their taplist: niche PNW beer styles and collabs (Cascadian Dark Ale “The Night Is Dark and Full of Terrors,” or “Taro Up My Heart,” a Lager collab with Lucky Envelope Brewing, who will also be pouring at OktoBEARfest. So chances are high!)
- Slippery Pig Brewery (Poulsbo, WA) — On their taplist: They seem to do FUN well. The last time I saw them at a beer festival they were pouring a trio of spaghetti dinner-themed beers. I hope they’ll bring their Baby Rhubarb IPA or the Stinging Nettle Mild!
- Slightly Furry Beverage Company (Judkins Park) — On their taplist: “Radically inclusive” ciders with fantastical origin stories — hello CinnaBEAR Cinnamon Cider!
- St Lo Cider (Bainbridge Island): Surprise me! A marrying of French & English heritage cider apples and wild PNW varietals, truly rooted in place.
A $70 ticket will get you in at 3:30 pm with 10 tasting tickets. Early access tickets and designated driver tickets are also available.
Keeper Talks and More!
2 pm Brown Bear
2 pm Flamingo
2:30 pm Penguin
2:30 pm Red Panda
2:30 pm Rhino
2:30 pm Sloth Bear
3 – 4 pm Mobile Zoo across from North Meadow
3:30 pm Trivia in Zoomazium
3:30 pm Brown Bear
3:30 pm Sloth Bear
4 pm Trivia in Zoomazium
4:30 pm Lynx
4:30 pm Mobile Zoo across from North Meadow
5:30 pm Brown Bear
6 pm Trivia in Zoomazium
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