Organizers say more than 50 Pacific Northwest breweries, cideries, and distilleries will pour at the Tumwater Valley Golf Course driving range on Aug. 15, when the Tumwater Artesian Brewfest opens its gates for a 13th consecutive year near the former Olympia Brewery site.
The event, organized by Tumwater Parks & Recreation and the Tumwater Downtown Association, runs from 1 to 7 p.m. at 4611 Tumwater Valley Drive SE. The festival website lists more than 125 beverage choices in all.
New for 2026: wristbands replace tokens
The biggest operational change this year affects how attendees buy tastes. According to the event's FAQ page, updated June 30, the brewfest is eliminating the token system entirely.
Attendees will instead receive a wristband pre-loaded with their allotted tastes. Additional pours cost $1.50 each, purchased on site.
The switch indicates faster transactions for vendors and fewer loose tokens for attendees to track between pours.
Ticket prices and gate rules
Advance taster tickets cost $45 and include a commemorative glass and six tastes. VIP tickets run $100, with 20 tastes, a glass, a swag bag, and access to an exclusive shade tent.
A designated driver ticket is $20. Prices rise at the gate, and organizers warn that no cash will be accepted for ticket purchases at entry. Pre-sale closes at 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 15.
Parking is $10, cash only, in the old Olympia Brewery truck lot off Capitol Boulevard. Proceeds benefit Thurston County Special Olympics. The walk from the lot to the event takes roughly five minutes.
Brewing history on display
The venue sits within view of the brick tower that once housed the Olympia Brewing Company, founded in Tumwater in 1896 by Leopold Schmidt.
The brewery, famous for its "It's the Water" slogan, closed in 2003. The brewfest leans into that legacy with its #BringingBrewingBack tagline.
Beyond the pours, the festival includes live music, giant Jenga, cornhole, super-sized beer pong, a stein-holding competition, and food from local vendors.
Tickets are available at tumwaterartesianbrewfest.com. The event is restricted to ages 21 and older, and goes card-only at the gate after pre-sale closes.
