Fremont Oktoberfest: not that local

Seattle's Fremont neighborhood, self-proclaimed as the Center of the Universe, is home to the eponymous brewery as well as a troll under a bridge, a statue of Lenin, and a sheet metal rocket ship. Just to its west, the still somewhat industrial neighborhood of Ballard has become a warm incubator for new craft breweries over the past few years.  This Octoberfest, held late in September on the Fremont-Ballard line ("Frelard") could have held fifteen or sixteen breweries within a mile and a half of its locus.

But it didn't.

Besides Fremont, I saw Hale's Ales and Peddler at this festival. No Reuben's, no Stoup, no Outlander, no Populuxe, no Bad Jimmy's, no Holy Mountain, no Naked City or Flying Bike.  No new brewers I haven't visited yet.  A number of breweries from Bend, a fair number of German imports.  Small breweries can experience festival fatigue this time of year, we must give them that.  Fresh hop days are just around the corner with more focused festivals.      

 Still, this particular festival seemed a lot more fun in terms of meeting local brewers six or seven years ago.   

  Ciders were more in evidence, as I suspect they will continue to be at beer events.  My most memorable taste was a watermelon cider from Pear Up Cidery near Wenatchee.  All the aroma you would expect and a distinct flavor.  Reminded me of that old county song about watermelon wine.

(Visited 09/21/18)