Ready, set, BEER!

By Cameron Rasmusson
Reader Staff

Nothing says summer like a beer at the beach. The only question at Sandpoint Beerfest: Which beer will it be?

It’s no easy decision when there’s dozens upon dozens of options. Sandpoint Beerfest bring some of the Northwest’s best breweries lakeside for a hoppy heaven that will remind attendees why they live here. Now in its sixth year, the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce continues to build from previous years with more beers, more breweries and more fun for fans of the suds. It all happens 12-5 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at the Trinity at City Beach lawn.  

“It’s the most fun you’ll have at City Beach all year,” said Ricci Witte, Chamber office manager.

The Beerfest concept is simple but elegant: entry gets you a pint glass and several tokens. Those tokens are good to try any selection of the beers in the big tent. One token is good for a half-pour, while two get a full pint. With clever use of tokens, attendees can take a full tour of the best beer the Northwest has to offer.

Beerfest is held outside Trinity at City Beach, which also caters the food available on-site. The location provides some spectacular views as a friendly crew of volunteers keep the beer flowing. New this year are a selection of hard seltzers in addition to the beer and cider. Keep an eye out for games, beer trivia, pretzel necklaces and more, too. 

What could be better than that? Live music by Tennis —that’s what. 

If you’ve never been to a Tennis show, you don’t know what you’re missing. The band has built a reputation for delivering some of the most spectacular live shows available in the local music scene. With band members scattered around the country, they only manage a few shows in Sandpoint a year, so music lovers know this isn’t an opportunity to pass up. 

Participating breweries at Beerfest this year include MickDuff’s Brewing, Laughing Dog Brewing, Matchwood Brewing, Post Falls Brewing, Hunga Dunga Brewing, Rants & Raves Brewery, Paradise Creek Brewery, Twelve String Brewing, Radio Brewing, Jeremiah Johnson Brewing, Payette Brewing Co., Summit Cider and Current Seltzer. 

Check out www.sandpointchamber.org for more information or to purchase tickets online. Designated drivers and kids over 3 get in for $10 with unlimited root beer and lemonade. Kids under 3 get in for free.