Event calendar

About the beer tasting events

The weekly pick

Try the weekly pick EVERY Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. It's just $1, with ID, to sample 2 beers selected by our staff. This is an open-house tasting; stop in anytime between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m., present your dollar and ID, and request a pour. The weekly pick is announced each week in theWeekly Brews and is also posted on 99 Bottles's chalkboard.

Style Night

Sample FIVE beers on the FIRST Tuesday of each month. Each month we'll explore a style or two as categorized in the BJCP Guidelines.

Cost is $5 per person, with ID. 99 Bottles Club Members pay $2.50.

The 2010 schedule:

January 5: Scottish style ales

February 2: Barleywine style ales

March 2: Stout

April 6: Saisons

May 4: Hefeweizens

June 1: Smoke Beers

July 6: Belgian-style Golden Ales

August 3: Variations of the India Pale Ale (IPA)

September 7: Oktoberfest/Marzen

October 5: To be announced

November 2: To be announced

December 7: To be announced

Special events

99 Bottles features brewery or industry guest events each month, where you can try several beers from a specific brewery. These special events typically fall on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays — watch the Web site, store chalkboard, and theWeekly Brews for details.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the tastings held?

Tasting events advertised by 99 Bottles are held at 99 Bottles beer store in Federal Way, Wash. unless otherwise noted.

Who can attend?

Beer tasting events are open to ages 21 years and older, with valid ID.

Can I bring my kids?

While 99 Bottles does offer a child-friendly shopping environment, we request that children not be brought to beer tasting events so that adults can better focus on the beers they're sampling.

What does it cost...and when are the events?

Every Wednesday 99 Bottles features its weekly pick(s). Swing by anytime between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. to sample the beer for $1.

Tasting events, which typically feature 3 to 6 beers, range from $1 to $10 per person (see the event details for cost). These events are typically scheduled for a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, or Sunday — watch the calendar for upcoming events.

How much do I get to drink?

Wednesday night samples are 2 ounces and feature one or two labels. Tasting events are up to a total of 8 ounces, up to 2 ounces per label, and typically feature 3 to 6 different beers.

Can I pay again to try the featured beer a second time? ...or get a larger pour?

No. Per rules of the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) Specialty Beer Store licensees are limited to serving up to 8 ounces total, up to a 2-ounce single serving from each label, with no revisits to a label.

Occassionally 99 Bottles will hold tasting events at our neighbor, WineStyles. Because WineStyles holds a different WSLCB license, we are allowed to offer larger pours when serving beer in their wine bar.

What happens on weekly pick Wednesdays?

Upon arriving at 99 Bottles, come to the counter to present your ID, pay your $1, and ask to sample the weekly pick. 99 Bottles will then pour the featured beer(s). Feel free to read about the featured beer, shop, or visit. The weekly pick features either one mid-to-high-price beer or two lower-priced beers.

What happens at a tasting event?

Upon arriving at 99 Bottles, come to the counter to present your ID and pay the event fee. 99 Bottles will loan you a tasting glass and give you a sheet with descriptions of the beers you'll be trying. The sheet lists the beers in the order that they'll be poured, and we'll stamp your sheet after each pour to track your progress. Feel free to take notes and/or ask the host any questions about the brews, brewery, and brewing process during the event. You can also shop or visit with others during the event. Return 99 Bottles's tasting glass for cleaning after tasting the last sample.

Can I taste the beers in a different order?

Yes, but it's not recommended. 99 Bottles selects and arranges the beers in an order that will best suit the palate. Like wines and cheeses, beer should be tasted in order of flavor — starting from the lightest in flavor and saving the heaviest, strongest, most bitter beer for last.

Are there any guidelines for tasting beer?

For a great overview of tasting beer, read "How To Taste Beer" on BeerAdvocate.com.

Do you ever hold tastings on Thursday or Friday?

No. Thursday and Friday are our primary beer delivery days, were we focus on getting new and returning brews on the shelves and into the coolers. With so many incoming beers, there's little time or space to hold tastings on these days.