Q&A WITH BENNETT THURMON >>>

Woot! Tacoma's festival of craft beers celebrates the best in regional brews by serving 80 craft beers from more than 40 breweries, including Widmer Brothers, Stone Brewing, Red Hook, Pike Brewing, Mac & Jacks Brewing, Deschutes Brewing and many more. There is nothing like the Tacoma Craft Beer Festival anywhere on earth. OK, maybe that's an exaggeration, but it's pretty freakin' cool nonetheless.

This year TCBF crams it all into one day, Saturday, Sept. 3, and takes it outdoors to the Foss Waterway park next to the Museum of Glass. Tickets are currently available online for $25 here, which is $5 less than the door price. Military with ID will receive a discount at the door. Admission includes a souvenir taster glass, plus 10 tasting tokens. Additional 5.5-ounce pours are $1.50.

I sat down with TCBF co-producer Bennett Thurmon for a one-minute interview:

WEEKLY VOLCANO: OK, come clean with the festival's music line-up.

BENNETT THURMON: We have John Lenord, Rich Bundy, Tiger Fighting Free Masons and a notorious bearded karaoke host who isn't confirmed.

VOLCANO: A Toss Across-like game was a huge hit last year. What games are on tap this year?

THURMON: This year we have a lot more room so Joel is dreaming up some new stuff. Not sure what all will be there. I wanted to bring back Hasbro's Lawn Darts from the '70s, but was voted down.

VOLCANO: The South Sound will be in the house.

THURMON: Yup, we have E-9, The Harmon, 7 Seas Brewing, Fish Brewing and the new upstart Wingman Brewing.

VOLCANO: What are you most proud of this year?

THURMON: The festival benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound. Some of the beer has been donated, which really helps out our non profit.

[21st Street Park on the Foss Waterway, Saturday, Sept. 3, noon to 9 p.m., $25 pre-sale at brownpapertickets.com, $30 door, military discount at the door, 2101 Dock St., Tacoma, website]