21st Annual Gorge Blues & Brews Festival

Having attended the Gorge Blues & Brews in the past, we can attest to the beautiful setting along with a solid lineup of the regions craft beer and great food to sink your teeth into. The Gorge Blues & Brews returns to the Skamania County Fairgrounds in Stevenson, Washington this coming weekend from June 20th – 21st. This two-day event takes place on the water with the beautiful Columbia River Gorge serving as the festival’s backdrop. Now in its 21st year, the Gorge Blues & Brews Festival features beer from top regional breweries, live blues music, and great barbeque.Here’s more from the events press release:

The festival kicks off the evening of Friday, June 20, with a celebration of all things local and free admission. From 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Walking Man Brewing, Backwoods Brewing, and Acadian Farms will be pouring craft beer, and Garnier Vineyards will have a selection of wine. Tasty barbecue will be available for purchase courtesy of the Stevenson Eagles Lodge. Local musicians Bad Wolf Bay and Eddie Corduroy and the Lighters will take the stage on Friday night.

On Saturday, June 21, the festival will run from noon to 10:00 p.m. 17 regional craft breweries will be pouring select craft beers – from the Gorge’s well-known Walking Man Brewing, Double Mountain Brewery, Everybody’s Brewing, and Full Sail Brewing, to the brand new Beerded Brothers Brewing. Wind River Cellars, Cascade Cliffs, AniChe, Springhouse Cellars, Hood Crest Winery, Garnier Vineyards, and more will be pouring wine. New in 2014 will be two hard cider offerings from Atlas Cider Company out of Bend, Ore.

The “Buzz Tent” will be back this year. Beer enthusiasts will be able to meet several of the Gorge brewers, talk shop with home brewers, and take in some fun and informative sessions about beer from Women Enjoying Beer.

Along with traditional summertime barbecue entrees, there will be a multitude of flavors to mix and match with your beverages including Greek gyros and baklava, gourmet burgers, exotic sausages, frozen banana concoctions, homemade pies, and of course, barbecue.

Continuous live blues music will fill the air with bands on two stages, featuring Dusu Mali, Billy D and the HooDoos, Jimmy D. Lane and friends, and finishing up with the 10-piece Soul Vaccination. In between the Riverview Community Bank main stage acts’ sets, local musicians and bands will perform.

Admission is open to those 21 and over on both Friday and Saturday, and no minors will be allowed on the festival grounds. The cost for admission on Saturday is $15 per person and includes a commemorative beer mug or wine glass. Drink tokens will be available for purchase at $1.00 each for tastings or full pours. Purchase tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line and for five free drink tokens. Cash only will be accepted at the gate with two ATMS onsite. No coolers or dogs will be allowed at the event site.  Camping is available onsite for those who plan to come early and stay late. Campsites can be reserved in advance here.

The Gorge Blues & Brews Festival is organized by the Stevenson Business Association. Sponsors include Riverview Community Bank, Bi-Coastal Media, Lacamas Community Credit Union, Timberlake Campground & RV Park, Skamania County and the City of Stevenson.

For more information, call the Skamania County Chamber of Commerce at 800-989-9178. For camping information, call Skamania County General Services at 509-427-3980. Volunteers are still needed, so call 509-427-8911 or e-mail info@skamania.org to schedule a two-hour shift now. Volunteer positions include pouring beer or wine or cashiering and will gain you free admission and five drink tokens.