Ticket Options
General Admission
$45 advance / $55 day of
Includes entry, commemorative tasting glass and unlimited 3-5 oz tastes
VIP Early Access
$65 advance only
Includes everything in GA + VIP Parking, 11am entry, exclusive fresh-hop pour and a limited edition SSBF sticker. Limited to 200 tickets
Designated Driver /
Non-drinker Ticket $25
Unlimited NA drinks, full access, no alcohol
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South Sound Brewers Fest 2026
The South Sound’s Friendliest Craft Beer Showdown
August 29, 2026 | McMillin Farm, Puyallup
Local breweries. One working farm. Unlimited tastings.
Join us for the inaugural South Sound Brewers Fest — a celebration of craft beer, hop heritage, and community pride. On August 29, 2026, ten local breweries — all within a short drive of our farm — will compete in a spirited, good-natured showdown.
A panel of judges will evaluate entries, but the final word belongs to you. The People’s Choice winner earns a featured pour in the McMillin taproom for the entire month — because ultimately, the best beer is the one you and your friends love most.
Your ticket includes a commemorative tasting glass and access to every pour. Spend the afternoon sampling, strolling the farm, enjoying live music, and soaking up the best of the South Sound.
From Puyallup and Sumner to Tacoma and Buckley, some of the region’s best breweries are coming together for a judged competition featuring:
- Best IPA
- Best Non-IPA
- Best Use of Local Ingredients
- People’s Choice Award
You taste. You vote. You decide the winner.
Local Brews, Live Grooves, Farm Views
Breweries submit entries into 3 categories:
Fresh-Hop IPA
Judged on vibrant fresh-hop aroma/flavor, balance, drinkability and clean execution. West Coast, Hazy, Double – all are welcome
Non-IPA Fresh Hop
Open to any style (pale ale, lager, amber, red, porter. stout, sour, etc.). Emphasis on how fresh hops enhance the base style without overpowering the beer.
Best Use of Farm/Local Ingredients
Brewers must incorporate at least one significant ingredient sourced from Washington farms (hops, barley, fruit, herbs, honey, etc.). Fresh hops are still required.
Breweries may submit up to 3 beers, but are limited to one each per category. In addition, there will be a Taster’s Choice Award that will be voted on by the attendees. Each attendee casting their one vote for their favorite beer overall. All poured beers are eligible.
The winner will be featured on tap at McMillin Brewhouse for the month of September 2026, or until it’s gone. Medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each category.
Why a South Sound Brewers Fest? More Than a Beer Festival
This isn’t just a tap takeover — it’s a tribute to Puyallup’s hop legacy. We’re holding the inaugural South Sound Brewers Fest 2026 for a few heartfelt reasons that tie directly into who we are at McMillin Farm Collective and what matters most in our community.
First and foremost, it’s about celebrating and showcasing the incredible craft beer scene right here in the South Sound. From Puyallup and Sumner to Tacoma and Buckley, we’ve got talented breweries like McMillin Farm Brewhouse, Off-Camber, Top Down, Elk Head, Rail HopN, Black Fleet, Odd Otter, E9, and more that are brewing bold, innovative beers with local flair. We want to spotlight their talent, spark friendly rivalry, and give beer lovers a chance to taste the best our region has to offer. It’s bragging rights, collaboration, and a little gentle roasting all in one fun day. We also are excited to have live music throughout the day and feature some of the south sound’s best and brightest food truck options!
McMillin Farm Collective continues that proud tradition as a working family farm with a brewhouse right on-site—where small-batch craft beer meets fresh, local flavors. Hosting this fest on our sacred soil lets us honor that heritage, highlight farm-to-glass brewing, showcase local ingredients (hops, barley, honey, fruits, and more), and share the beauty of our land: rolling fields, barn views, and that unbeatable Puyallup harvest atmosphere.
Finally, we’re doing this to give back through our partnership with Celebrate HARVEST, a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving family farms by supporting agritourism, providing scholarships for education in experiential farming, and helping farms pivot toward events and experiences that keep agriculture thriving. Proceeds from the fest will help fund their mission—ensuring more farms can create opportunities like this one, inspire the next generation, and keep our rural communities strong.
Come join us for local brews, live grooves and farm views on August 29, 2026—step up, taste the rivalry, dance to Sumner sounds, and help keep the South Sound growing strong.
Expect:
- Unlimited beer tastings
- Commemorative tasting glass
- Live music (headlined by Sumner favorites Santa Poco)
- Local food trucks
- Farm tours and open-air views
All set against the backdrop of a working family farm.
Drink Local. Support Local.
A portion of proceeds benefits Celebrate HARVEST, helping preserve family farms and fund agritourism education across the region.
Great beer. Deep roots. Real community impact.