Showcasing local eats, brews, musicians and businesses at Winterhop Brewfest

Omar Benitez Senior Reporter

Locals and travelers alike gathered in the streets of downtown Ellensburg for a taste of local brews at this year’s edition of the Winterhop Brewfest on Feb. 25.

2023 marked the 19th edition of the festival, and this year’s festival had 26 breweries with brews on tap spread over 11 different venues across downtown. Venues were all located conveniently within a three block radius from each other.

According to Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce Director of Tourism & Events Matt Anderson, the goal of the multi-venue set up is to get people to check out local businesses.

“The festival is important for the downtown businesses because it gets people into these local businesses that they otherwise might not go to,” Anderson said. “It’s also important for the breweries and entertainers because they get some exposure, so it’s good for everyone.”

The full list of venues included Kelleher Motors, The Toy Stable, Gallery-One, Evolve, Gard Vintners, Claim Clothing, Flirt, The Recycle Shop, the Hotel Windrow, Enchantment Brewery and the Ellensburg Downtown Association.

All 26 participating breweries are from Washington, and many came from all over the state, including breweries from Yakima, Spokane, Tacoma, Walla Walla, Moses Lake, Pulman and other cities.

Some of the participating breweries included Ellensburg’s own Enchantment Brewery, Iron Horse Brewery, Whipsaw Brewery, Ellensburg Brewing Co and Wheel Line Cider, as well as Cle Elum’s Mule & Elk Brewing Co. and Dru Bru. Breweries from all around Washington were also included, like Ten Pin Brewing, Burwood Brewing and Icicle Brewing among many more. Each venue varied in the number of breweries they hosted, some having just one brewery, while others had up to five.

Many of these breweries are long time participants of Brewfest, like Whipsaw Brewing, Wandering Hop Brewery and