Pike Place Market is partnering with The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to host the American Brewing History Initiative, on Friday, December 8, 2017 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to lead a lively discussion about Seattle’s brewing history along with tastings by featured craft brewers.

The conversation will explore the stories and history of craft brewing in the city with a “farm-to-glass” approach, featuring a multi-generational panel from perspectives of craft brewing, home brewing and agriculture.

A panel consisting of Dick Cantwell, co-founder of Elysian Brewing Co., Charles and Rose Ann Finkel, founders of Pike Brewing Co., Annie Johnson, Master Brewer-in-Residence, PicoBrew, and a representative from Skagit Valley Malting will discuss what is means to be an artisan, craft or producer today, and in the future; how contemporary brewers and growers incorporate a sense of history into their product; and what distinguishes the brewing culture of the Pacific Northwest. The event moderator is Theresa McCulla, social and cultural historian of food and drink at the National Museum of American History.

Over the course of more than a century, Seattle brewers and their customers have created one of the nation’s singular brewing cultures. A rich blend of resources shaped this story: the fragrant hops that grow in the surrounding region; a sense of identity rooted in geography and cuisine; and a brewing community that flourished via dedication to ideals of creativity and professional mentorship. As a result, Seattle changed the course of American brewing history while simultaneously writing its own story.

Tickets to the event are $48 and can be purchased here. Tickets will include six beer tastings and an assortment of heavy appetizers prepared by Chef Traci Calderon of Pike Place Market Atrium Kitchen. The small plates will feature the Market producers including Beecher’s Cheese, Uli’s Famous Sausage, Pike Place Chowder, smoked salmon from Pike Place Fish and mini-cheesecakes from The Confectional.

A sunset happy hour will be hosted at Old Stove Brewing Co. from 4 to 6 p.m.

For more information on the National Museum of American History’s Food exhibit, visit http://americanhistory.si.edu/food. For more information on Pike Place Market, visit http://pikeplacemarket.org/.

EVENT DETAILS

WHAT: The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History

American Brewing History Initiative

WHEN: Friday, December 8, 2017, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.                             

WHERE: The Atrium at Pike Place Market, 1433 First Avenue

COST: $48 and include tastes and small bites.Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, November 14 and can purchased at https://seattlebrewing.brownpapertickets.com/.