N.W. Beer GuideFirkin Friday, Seattle Mariners, Skagit River Brewing, Silver City BrewingComment

Brewery News: WA: Safeco Field celebrates local breweries with Firkin Friday. Starting April 11th, 2014

N.W. Beer GuideFirkin Friday, Seattle Mariners, Skagit River Brewing, Silver City BrewingComment
A firkin is a small container used to naturally ferment, or cask-condition ale. It is equivalent to one-quarter of a barrel, and contains 72 pints. The unfiltered, unpasteurized beer is naturally fermented in the small casks without the use of CO2 carbonation. Among beer aficionados, cask ale is often known as “real ale.”
image "Texas Rangers batter hitting baseball from Seattle Mariners pitcher, Safeco Field September 23 2012" sourced, through Creative Commons, via neeravbhatt's Flickr accountStarting April 11th, the Seattle Mariners will be serving beer, from a keg, on top of the bar. It’s called a firkin and it’s an old-world method of delivering beer via gravity. If you’ve ever filled a 2 litter bottle up with water, sealed it up, and then punctured the bottom, you’ve seen the science behind a firkin. Located at Safeco Field’s The ‘Pen bar, this is a rare opportunity to enjoy a beer that’s naturally carbonated.
Safeco Field, already known as a destination for great local beer, just got better. Every Friday home game will be Firkin Friday in The ‘Pen as local brew masters will kick off extended Happy Hour in the popular fan gathering spot by tapping small kegs of cask-conditioned ale. The first Firkin Friday is April 11, when the Mariners meet the Oakland Athletics.
image of a Pin (left) and Firkin (right) sourced, through Creative Commons, from anotherpintplease's Flickr accountEvery Friday home game, during the Seattle Mariners’ 2014 regular season, Safeco Field will be tapping a different firkin of beer, with the brewer on hand. In fact the beer will be priced for happy hour, $5, till the keg is empty or 1 hour before 1st pitch. Don’t forget that each firkin holds around 72 pints of beer. Which means anyone interested in getting their hands on a $5 pint of “real ale” should line-up shortly before Happy Hour is concluding.
What’s on tap for April 11th, 2014
image "Brick & Blue" sourced, through Creative Commons, via sea-turtle's Flickr account
This Friday’s firkin will be from Skagit River Brewery in Mt. Vernon (brew master’s choice). The brew master will tap the small keg in the traditional way. The firkin is laid on its side and a spout is driven in. A vent hole is made in the top of the keg so the naturally carbonated beer can be poured by gravity.
What’s on tap for April 25th, 2014
The next Firkin Friday, on April 25 (vs. Texas Rangers), will feature Silver City Brewery in Bremerton. April 25 is also Beard Hat Night (first 20,000 fans) and College Night with $10 tickets for college students with valid I.D.