WABL Exclusive Opportunity:

I spoke with Lisa Miyashita who is in charge of WABL activities and she has indicated that there are some mailed checks pending arrival that might fill the final vacancies. So far they over twenty (20) checks have been received out of thirty five (35).

Here is the full text from the email that was sent out March 23rd, 2009.

“Yes, we're doing it again! Since last year's North End brewery tour was so popular we are organizing another bus trip to visit some of the finest Washington breweries and this time we're heading South! The journey begins on the early morning of Saturday, April 25th when the bus takes off with 35 lucky WABL members on board for the ultimate Washington Beer experience!

Tentative Schedule*- Saturday, April 25th
8:30am                   Start gathering at Georgetown Brewing (new site)
9:30am                   Bus leaves Georgetown Brewing
10:15-11:00am         Harmon Brewery & Restaurant  
11:30-12:15am         Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewery
1:30-2:30pm            Lunch @ McMenamin's Olympic Club
4:00-4:45pm            Salmon Creek Brewery
5:00-5:45pm            Hazel Dell Brewpub
7:15-8:15pm            Dinner @ Dick's Brewing (new production site)
9:45-10:30pm          ElliottBay Brewery & Pub
10:45am                  Return to Georgetown Brewing
*Schedule subject to change
Cost is $60 per person and includes:
-  Bus ride
-  Lunch at McMenamin's Olympic Club
-  Dinner at Dick's Brewing

There will be no beer served on the bus since there will be so many opportunities to drink tasty brews at our stops all day. We'll have some snacks available on the bus so you won't have to drink on an empty stomach, and also some ice chests to keep your growlers nice and cool. Some breweries will be offering discounts and/or have special brews on tap for this trip. The offer details and beer lists will be announced about a week before the trip so you can plan which beers to drink or fill growlers with, etc, in advance.

To reserve your spot on the bus please mail a check ($60 per person) payable to the Washington Brewers Guild to P.O. Box 20014, Seattle, WA  98102 with your name and WABL ID number by Friday, April 3rd. This is the only way to reserve your spot (no online registration, credit card payments and please don't try to hand a check at the Cask Festival!). There is room for 35 WABL members on the bus. If we don't fill all the spots by April 3rd we will continue to accept more people until we are full. If we receive more than 35 signups by April 3rd we will select the first 15 spots on a first-come, first-served basis, and the remaining 20 spots will be selected in a random drawing. Those who signed up but were not selected for the last trip in 2008 will have an extra entry in the drawing.  You must be a current WABL member at the time of the drawing to participate. No non-WABL guests. Or they can join WABL when they submit their entries to be qualified. If you are going with your spouse, GF/BF, friends, family, etc, and don't want to be separated (i.e. husband gets picked and wife doesn't) then please write down all the names in your group and indicate that you do not want to be separated. Please remember, in order for a couple/group to be selected both/all the members of the group must be selected. In other words bigger your group, slimmer your chances will be. Those who are selected will be notified via email by April 8th.

Washington Brewers Guild
P.O. Box 20014
Seattle, WA  98102

The address for the new Georgetown site is 5200 Denver Ave. S., Seattle, WA  98108. There should be plenty of street parking on Saturday. If you are coming from far away and wish to spend the night in the area rather than driving back home that night we have arranged a group rate with the Georgetown Inn (a few minutes drive from Georgetown Brewing)- $69 for one queen bed (1-2 people), $74 for one king size bed (1-2 people) or $86 for two queen size beds (2-4 people), plus tax for the trip participants. Please mention the "Washington Brewers Guild" when you make a reservation. To take advantage of this special rate you must book your room by April 18th. The special rate is available for Saturday, April 25th only.

Georgetown Inn
6100 Corson Ave. S.
Seattle, WA  98108
(206) 762-2233

Please remember our schedule is very aggressive (there are just too many great breweries that we want to visit!). We strongly recommend taking advantage of the discount rate at the Georgetown Inn or asking someone to pick you up. Since we'll be coming back to Seattle late at night whatever public transportation you take (especially Metro bus) may not be available by the time we return on Saturday night.  If you feel you shouldn't drive home please let the WABL staff know. We'll figure out a way to get you home safely! Remember, it is going to be a very long day with stops at so many great breweries. So please pace yourself and bring a few growlers or buy bottles to take home with so you won't have to try to drink everything in one day!
Looking forward to a great trip!”

Cheers