Local Breweries Shine in First Annual Walla Walla BrewFest
blue mountain cider co.
their winesap cider is made from locally grown and fresh pressed winesap apples.
Photo: Kayla Peterson
Every weekend, visitors and locals fill Walla Walla’s tasting rooms to sample the best wines the Valley has to offer; but on February 8, 2020, Downtown Walla Walla was bustling for a different reason — our first ever beer festival!
This year’s Walla Walla BrewFest event, hosted by the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation, was the inaugural launching of a new yearly tradition. 25 of some of the top breweries from Washington and Oregon gathered to showcase their favorite creations. We dropped in for a few old favorites and to try some new brews!
Upon our arrival to the BrewFest, we received maps of downtown, five beer tickets to use in exchange for tastings, and a commemorative glass from the DWWF check-in stand.
With that, we (and an abundance of other beer aficionados) set out on a quest to taste some great beer.
The 25 breweries and cider companies represented were divided up to 16 different stations on Walla Walla’s Main Street, with a variety of businesses hosting the breweries. Because of this, there was ample opportunity to browse clothing selections from local stores, or sit down for an appetizer between tastings.
Quirk Brewing, a favorite of many, was set up at Sweet Basil Pizzeria, offering samples of their delicious Chocolate Midnight Imperial Stout and Solid State, an American-style Pilsner.
tieton cider works booth.
Photo: Kayla Peterson
Many other local Walla Walla favorites huddled into downtown to treat our taste buds, such as Burwood Brewing Company, Big House Brew Pub, Crossbuck Brewing, Water Buffalo Brewery and Locust Cider & Brewing Co.
Out of Milton-Freewater, Blue Mountain Cider Company and Dragons Gate Brewery also showed up with some delicious selections.
A variety of out-of-town breweries also attended from around the Pacific Northwest. Tieton Cider Works from Yakima, WA featured a delicious Bourbon Barrel Peach Cider. The Prodigal Son Brewery and Pub from Pendleton, OR and Hop Valley Brewing Co. from Eugene, OR were also among those visiting the Valley to showcase their brews.
Walla Walla’s first annual BrewFest has achieved something special by giving our local breweries (stationed in widely-renowned wine country) a day to truly shine.
Walla Walla makes some great beers and ciders, don’t you agree? We are already looking forward to next year!
Written by Kayla Peterson