The 2019 Brewfest will be unBEERlievable
COEUR d’ALENE — The weekend forecast has a 100 percent chance of beer.
How about another one?
You can get hoppy down at McEuen Park for the third annual Downtown Coeur d’Alene Brewfest.
Brewfest 2019 begins today at 1 p.m. and lasts until 7 p.m. Beer aficionados can sample a variety of 30 beers and ciders, take in live music from Laketown Sound and The Ryan Larsen Band, have a go at yard games and grab a bite from Incredi Burger and Eggs IncrediTruck, Malvagio’s, O’Houlis Kettle Corn, Calypsos Coffee or Castaway Cellars.
On Friday, Brewfest coordinators were mapping out spaces for each brewery, piecing together vendor locations and packing up everything Coeur d’Alene needs to have a successful brewfest, Downtown Association events coordinator Emily Boyd said.
Tickets are $25. Beer- and cider-lovers are allotted six five-ounce pours. They also receive a commemorative pint glass. Admission is free for designated drivers and children who are accompanied by a ticket-holder.
Additional pours are $2.
Hayden Beverage Co. is the event’s signature sponsor, with co-sponsorship from Centennial Distributing. All of the featured breweries are based in the Northwest.
Hayden Beverage general manager Monica Rozier helps draft breweries and cideries in order to help make the annual festival happen. She emphasizes participation by as many local breweries as possible. This year, three brewers hail from Idaho, one from Spokane and one brewery is based in Montana, Rozier said.
“Today was loading everything onto pallets and tomorrow is set up,” Rozier said Friday.
Setting the festival up takes about two hours, as does the post-festival teardown.
Five hundred tickets have sold online, though 2,000 visitors are expected, an increase from last year’s crowd of about 1,500. Coordinators expect more guests because of favorable weather forecasts and new additions like wine from Castaway Cellars Wine Bar and Tasting Room.
Then there’s the giant beer-pong game.
“I’m excited for an overall great day,” Boyd said. “The weather is beautiful and there is great beer on tap.”
Ticket-holders must be 21. Brewfest tickets can be purchased at the entrance for $25.
The following breweries and cideries will be at the event: North Idaho Cider, Boise Brewing, Schilling Cider, Waddell’s Brewing, 2 Towns Cider, Jeremiah Johnson Brewing, Sockeye Brewing, Georgetown Brewing, Ninkasi Brewing, Elysian Brewing, Grand Teton Brewing, Kona Brewing, Odell Brewing, Current Blood Orange Hard Seltzer and Virtue Rose Cider.
Pets and outside food are not permitted. Bring a blanket or chair to sit and enjoy the event.