2014 Summer drinking calendar for the South Sound

By Ron Swarner on June 1, 2014

If you're like me, you're probably left wondering where May went. It seems that just yesterday spring began. But now it's time to kick off June, and the summer drinking season can officially begin. The lawn can wait.

JUNE 6

Talbott Vineyard Wine Tasting

Morso will tentatively pour 2011 Sara Case Chardonnay, 2012 Diamond T Pinot Noir, 2012 Kali Hart Pinot Noir, 2012 Logan Chardonnay and 2012 Logan Pinot Noir. There is a $5 fee per person for this event and is refunded with a wine purchase. Any wines purchased from the tasting may be served without a corkage fee on the night of the tasting. 5-7 p.m., $5, Morso Wine Bar, 9014 Peacock Hill Ave., Gig Harbor, 253.229.0187

Emerald Downs Brewer's Night

Northwest Brewing Company will be at the track with $2.50 craft pounders, Ottomatic DJ, prize drawings and more. 5-9 p.m., Emerald Downs Race Track, 2300 Emerald Downs Dr., Auburn, $7 entrance fee, 253.288.7000

JUNE 11

Georgetown Brewer's Night

Puyallup River Alehouse hosts Georgetown Brewing Company for a night of Georgetown beers, giveaways, raffles, dollar tacos and more. 6-9 p.m., no cover, Puyallup River Alehouse, 120 S. Meridian, Puyallup, 253.268.0955

JUNE 15

Father's Day Brewery Tour & Tasting

Tour the Harmon Tap Room's brewery operation - which brews most of the Harmon beers - and taste the goods. Noon to 4 p.m., $20, Harmon Tap Room, 204 St. Helens, Tacoma, reservations required, 253.212.2725

JUNE 18

Fort George IPA Tour

The ParkWay Tavern hosts a night of IPAs from Fort George Brewery in Astoria, Ore. 5 p.m., ParkWay Tavern, 313 N. I St., Tacoma, 253.383.8748

JUNE 24

Wine tasting

Six wines will be paired with gourmet food and dessert. 6:30-8 p.m., $30, Charlie's Restaurant and Lounge, 113 E. Main, Puyallup, RSVP 253.845.0588

JULY 12

Bremerton Summer Brewfest

Thirty Washington state breweries will pour more than 70 Washington beers, many poured through a Randall. Entry includes a tasting cup and six tokens each good for a 5-ounce taste. Additional tokens may be purchased at $1.50 each or four for $5. Noon to 6:30 p.m., $25, $15 with military ID, Pacific Avenue and Fourth Street, Bremerton, washingtonbeer.com

7 Seas 5th Year Anniversary Bash

The Gig Harbor brewery will host a large variety of ice cold 7 Seas brews, local food vendors, a few antics and live music. Noon to 8 p.m., 3006 Judson St., Gig Harbor, 253.514.8129

JULY 26

Gig Harbor Wine and Food Festival

The festival will featuretasting tents with wineries and select fine restaurants and food purveyors and a wide selection of educational offerings including wine seminars, cooking demonstrations and more. Chef Tom Douglas - recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Northwest Chef  - will be center stage at the 2014 Festival. Chef Douglas will be joined by Chef Thierry Rautureau (also a James Beard Award winner), co-host of the Seattle Kitchen Show. 1 p.m., $65-$90, Harbor History Museum,44121 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, 253.858.6722

ParkWay Tavern 79th Birthday Party

Every neighborhood has one - a local tavern that only the regulars truly appreciate, a local version of Cheers where everyone knows your name. The Parkway Tavern has been serving locals with excellent pub grub, hosting brewery nights and sponsoring local softball teams for 79 years. That's something to celebrate. 2 p.m. to close, ParkWay Tavern, 313 N. I St., Tacoma, 253.383.8748

July 31

Limited-Edition Beer Tasting

Sample new, small-batch beer handcrafted by one of the McMenamins' brewers, who will be in the house. Expect happy hour pricing. 5 p.m. until gone, Spar Café, 114 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.357.6444

AUG. 2

Olympia Brew Fest

The third annual Olympia Brew Fest will feature more than 60 beers from 30-plus handpicked Northwest breweries, plus food and live music. It benefits the Thurston County Chamber Foundation Small Business Development (Incubator) Program. Noon to 6 p.m., $25 advance, $30 door, Port Plaza, 701 Columbia St. NW, Olympia, olybrewfest.com

The Puyallup Brew Off

The Puyallup Brew Crew hosts a homebrewing competition, plus raffle prizes. 6:30 p.m., $5 barbecue, $1 raffle, The Station U-Brew, 211 W. Stewart, Puyallup, 253.466.3721

AUG. 9

Brew Five Three

More than 30 Washington state brewers will converge on Broadway in downtown Tacoma, plus local food trucks and live blues. 1-9 p.m., $25-$30, Broadway between Ninth and 11th, Tacoma, 253.591.5894

Stadium District Art & Wine Walk

Stroll Tacoma's Stadium District, popping into business for wine tastings, food samplings and works by local artists. 4-8 p.m., $35 includes 10 wine tastings, Stadium District, North Tacoma Avenue and Division, Tacoma, stadiumartandwinewalk.com

Kitsap Wine Festival

A celebration of food and wine on Bremerton's scenic waterfront, benefitting Harrison Medical Center Foundation. This year marks more restaurant and an expanded retail wine shop. Also, the Summer Sipper Bar returns for sampling Rieslings, rosés and sparkling wines side-by-side from many of the participating wineries. 2-5:30 p.m., $60-$65, Harborside Fountain Park, 100 Washington Ave., Bremerton, 360.377.3785

SEPT. 27

2014 Wolves & Wine

Enjoy wine, beer, cider & hors d'oeuvres and meet fellow wolf advocates - all while supporting Wolf Haven International! Wine tasting offered by local wineries. All proceeds directly help Wolf Haven International. 5-8 p.m., $50, Norman Worthington Conference Center, 5300 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey, 360.264.4695

Send your beer news and events to calendar@weeklyvolcano.com.