FRIDAY, SEPT. 2 2016: South Sound events + craft beer …
Washington State Fair + 7 Seas Brewing = moderately spicy to heavily spicy
Rhythm & Rye + Boston Harbor Marina = summer’s final journey
COLE
In 2011, it was a Cole World with J. Cole formally introducing himself with is debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story. As the first artist signed to Jay Z’s Roc Nation, J. Cole emerged onto the worldwide rap scene amid crushing hype. But the Fayetteville, North Carolina-bred rapper and Dreamville Records founder never broke. He just slowly and steadily turned out album after album of thoughtful, ambitious hip-hop. J. Cole launches the Washington State Fair’s concert series at 7:30 p.m. with Bas. Oh, yes, the Washington State Fair opens in Puyallup today.
PREFUNK: Like “Jingle Bells” at the mall and candy corn at the convenience store, Oktoberfest beers arrive earlier and earlier every year. Before the leaves turn yellow and it’s time to start wearing socks with your Birkenstocks again, many of the most sought-after brands will be long gone. You could say the beer industry follows the fashion runway: When you’re still wearing your winter coat, bikinis start popping up on the racks. And when you finally went on that August beach trip, all you found were parkas in the stores. We dropped by the new 7 Seas Brewing in Tacoma to chat Oktoberfest with head brewer Travis Guterson. He calls his September beer Autumn Ale to eliminate confusion with harvest ales being associated with fresh hops. Guterson keeps the fermentation temperature between 61 and 62 degrees to inhibit fruity esters, allowing crisp malt flavors to fully emerge. German Hersbrucker and Czech Saaz hops contribute a moderately spicy, earthy flavor accent to this otherwise malty and smooth brew. 7 Seas released their Autumn Ale (6.5%) yesterday, and will keep it on at their Gig harbor and Tacoma taprooms through November.
MCDOUGALL
Not sure when folk musician Scott McDougall nixed his first name, but tonight at Rhythm & Rye he’ll just go by “McDougall.” For the uninitiated, McDougall grabs songwriting material from his road dog lifestyle. His folk tunes are about long rides, towns passing by in the glow of golden leaves lining the highways, forgotten cities and tired travelers — quintessential roving songs. Tales of his long, verbose journeys are always characterized through the lens of a kick drum, hi-hat, harmonica, banjo and acoustic guitar along with his fearless, but fragile vocals. Catch him with Dead Wood Standing at 9 p.m. in the downtown Olympia club.
PREFUNK: Sadly, it’s the last Friday night barbecue at Boston Harbor Marina in Olympia. Happily, O-Town Brewing will be the featured brewery. The production-only brewery is a mashup of brewers Bryan Trunnell, of German-focused brewery Kastellan Brauerei, and Matt Smith and Neil Meyer, the namesakes behind S&M Brewing. Their beers are a fusion of German traditional ingredients and Western Washington attitude resulting in traditional styles of German and Belgian ales with Western Washington attitude for unique twists on traditional flavors. Sip on O-Town brews from 5-8 p.m. while enjoying enchiladas, Spanish rice, corn, bean salad and churros.
