Welcome to the South Sound Brewers fest blog!

Hey, South Sound craft beer fans and farm enthusiasts! We're thrilled to kick off the official blog for the inaugural South Sound Brewers Fest 2026 — your go-to spot for all the latest updates, brewery spotlights, fun facts, and behind-the-scenes peeks at what promises to be Puyallup's best day of local brews, live grooves, and farm views.

Why We're Launching This Fest (and This Blog)

As a proud part of the McMillin Farm Collective family, we've always believed in celebrating the roots of our region. Puyallup Valley has a rich history as the "Hop King" capital, and today's craft beer scene is a vibrant extension of that legacy. South Sound Brewers Fest is our way of bringing it all together: 10 talented local breweries competing with bold, innovative beers made from Washington ingredients, headlined music by Sumner favorites Santa Poco, farm tours, and a lineup of food trucks serving up everything from gourmet pizzas to Mexican favorites.

But it's more than just a party—proceeds benefit Celebrate HARVEST, supporting local agritourism, farm scholarships, and the community agriculture that keeps our area thriving. This blog will dive deeper into those stories, sharing interviews with brewers, tips for attendees, and the "why" behind every pint.

What to Expect on August 29, 2026

Picture this: Rolling fields at McMillin Farm Collective, unlimited 3–5 oz tastings from breweries like McMillin Farm Brewhouse, Off-Camber Brewing, Top Down Brewing, Odd Otter Brewing, Griffin Brewing, Firemind Brewing and more. Compete in judged categories (Best IPA, Best Non-IPA, Best Use of Farm/Local Ingredients) or vote for the People's Choice - the winner gets featured in McMillin Brewhouse taproom all September.

Add in live music from 12–8 PM (with Santa Poco closing the show), 10 food trucks including Grillin' Gorilla, Galileo's Pizza, Lumpia Love, Morena's Mexican, Dancing Boots and Beans and Mustard n Mischief, plus farm tours showcasing our amazing crops at McMillin Farm—it's a full day of flavor and fun from 12–9 PM.

A Fun Fact to Get You Excited

Did you know Washington State produces over 75% of the U.S.'s hops, with the Yakima Valley (just a hop, skip, and jump from Puyallup) leading the way? Varieties like Cascade and Chinook give our local beers that signature citrusy, piney punch. We'll be highlighting more hop trivia and brewery stats in future posts!

Get Involved Now

Tickets are on sale—grab yours for unlimited tastings, your commemorative 5oz logo glass, and all the vibes. Check out our merch page for official tees, hoodies, and koozies to show your support (proceeds also benefit Celebrate HARVEST).

Stay tuned to this blog for brewery profiles, music previews, and more. Who's ready for August 29? Drop a comment below or tag a friend you'd bring!

Cheers,

Todd Olson

Event Coordinator, South Sound Brewers Fest 2026