FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

In 2009 the Tacoma Craft Beer Festival organizers were overwhelmed. The inaugural event ultimately sold out, and repeatedly hit maximum allowed capacity of the Foss Waterway Seaport, leaving the line of people waiting for entry wrapped around the building. The following year, the exact same scenario happened. In 2011 and 2012, organizers went bigger, moving the festival outdoors to the 21st Street Park along Dock Street. People were turned away at the gate due to capacity issues and the fact that all the beer was drank.

So what will Tacoma Craft Beer Festival organizers do this year?

Go bigger.

In September, the largest single day beer festival in Washington state will be held at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. The fifth annual Tacoma Craft Beer Festival will tap the kegs at Cheney, host 20 more breweries - bringing the total to 70 craft breweries - and welcome 6,000 to 7,000 beer drinkers. Gone will be the parking issues. Gone will be the lines at Honey Buckets. Enter more food options.

"This event is being held to bring together those that are passionate about craft beer, and to further build community while promoting this amazing beverage in the South Sound," states co-organizer Bennett Thurmon.

Mark a big "X" over noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 on your calendar. You and a bunch of people will be drinking a bunch of craft beer.