Craft beer lovers and brewers came together at the B-Town Brewfest Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Burien Community Center, 14700 6th Ave. S.W.

This inaugural event featured some of the area's best craft brewers and benefits the SeaTac Guild of Seattle Children’s Hospital.

In the past ten years, the Northwest craft brewing industry has literally exploded — with this exceptional growth expected to continue well into the decade. And what’s the best thing about the Northwest’s craft beer explosion? The overwhelming choice of beer of course!

There are now more than 170 craft breweries in Washington State — and each brewery has its own unique beers from traditional pilsners to seasonal, hard-to-find specialty brews that fans literally wait all year to drink again. And, according to the Washington State Beer Commission Executive Director Eric Radovich, “All current brewers within the state are working at full capacity.”

“That’s one of the many reasons why beer festivals have become so popular,” said John Fosberg, event coordinator for the B-Town Brewfest. “People love to try new craft beers, and festivals give brewers the opportunity to meet face to face with craft beer drinkers to get immediate feedback on the beer recipes they’re using.”

Burien’s own Elliott Bay Brewing Co. is among the 12 craft brewers at the event.

Flying Bike, the state’s first coop brewery will be represented at the Brewfest through Northwest Brewing.

Those participating included:

Airways Brewing Co., Kent, Diamond Knot Craft Brewing, Mukilteo, Elliott Bay Brewing Co., Burien, Harmon Brewing Co., Tacoma, Iron Horse Brewing, Ellensburg, Laurelwood Brewing Co., Portland, Ninkasi Brewing Co., Eugene, Northwest Brewing Co., with Flying Bike Coop Brewery, Pacific, WA, Odin Brewing Co., Schooner Exact Brewing Co., & The Ram Brewery of Seattle, Wingman Brewery, Tacoma.