Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions about the Rails to Ales Brewfest, we have answers!
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Will you be having the shuttle bus going from the event into town?
Yes! We will be running the FREE Shuttle in a continuous route between area parking lots and our Lodging Partner sites. You can download a map of the route and stops here.
What time does the event start and end?
The 2011 Rails to Ales Brewfest gates will open at 4:00 p.m. (first band begins playing at 3:30 p.m. to entertain you while you wait!). The event ends at 10:00 p.m., with "last call" being announced approx. 30 minutes before that. The final parking shuttle will depart the lot at 10:00 p.m.
Will there be an actual train ride?
Not really. As the poster says, "It’s a PARTY at the Depot (no actual trains will be harmed in the making of this Brewfest - it’s a “virtual” Beer Train ride!)." The Rails to Ales Brewfest takes place in the Railyard of an authentic historic Milwaukee Road rail Depot and Substation. The Rail Museum inside the South Cle Elum Depot will be open for tours (free admission to the museum included with your purchased Brewfest ticket.) There is also an actual Milwaukee Road caboose on-site for photo opps. The Brewfest was originally conceived and named honoring the famous Milwaukee beer trains. To learn more about the Depot, Milwaukee Road in South Cle Elum, and the Cascade Rail Foundation, visit www.milwelectric.org
I have recently turned 21, and I am coming from 100 miles away, will the Brewfest still accept my vertical ID?
As long as you have a valid legal ID showing that you are 21 or over as of the event date (July 9, 2011), you are welcome to attend the Rails to Ales Brewfest. (p.s. to the submitter of this question - tried to email you back but the email bounced.)
What do I get with my ticket purchase?
-- Admission to the Event (21 & Over, please - ID required for admittance)
-- Live music, with Special Musical Headliner Guests BUMP KITCHEN out of Tacoma, along with local favorites Jumpin' Johnny and Mr. E Band
-- 7 Starter Beer Scrip each good for one 5 oz. Beer or Hard Cider Sample (or one standard size wine sample, or $1.00 towards purchase of food, soft drinks, or souvenirs, additional Scrip available for purchase for $1.00 each)
-- One Game Token
-- A Commemorative 5 oz. Sampling Glass with event logo
-- Admission to the Rail Museum
-- Plenty of free parking and free shuttle service from parking lots to event
-- Support of the Cascade Rail Foundation, for projects like the upcoming Substation renovation
Can I buy tickets at the event, or do I need to buy them in advance?
Yes, as long as the event doesn't sell out in the pre-sales, there will be tickets available for purchase at the event for the gate price of $25.00. However, advance tickets, purchased by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 8, the day before the Brewfest, can be bought for $20.00, a $5.00 discount over the gate price. Pre-sales are available online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/139568 or at our local ticket outlet locations, which can be found here: www.railstoalesbrewfest.com/tickets/outlets/ (complete with Google maps for directions).
Do you have a Designated Driver ticket?
First of all, thank you for being a DD! We do just have the one ticket price for the event, which includes admission to the music concert and social get-together, however the 7 starter scrips that are included with the purchase price can also be used at any vendor, for food, non-alcoholic beverages, and for games and souvenirs instead of beer, at an exchange rate of $1.00 per scrip.
What are you doing to improve the entrance line this year?
Glad you asked! We listened to last year's feedback and guest suggestions, and will have separate lines for Ticket Purchase and Will-Call, outside of the event, so the line for admitting guests who already hold tickets will move faster and get you to the beer quicker!
I have a Will-Call ticket. Where do go to pick it up?
The day of the Brewfest, there will be a separate line set up outside the event entrance gate clearly marked for Will-Call pick ups. You will need to go to this booth BEFORE getting in the entry line, as you will need your ticket(s) to enter the event grounds. Please have your Will-Call receipt printout ready when approaching the booth.
Are children allowed entrance into the Brewfest grounds?
No, please leave all children with someone you like. The Brewfest is a beer sampling event open to adults 21 and over only, please, and ID is required (we card everyone at the gate, so be prepared to show ID). Thank you for your understanding.
Are dogs or other pets allowed on the Brewfest grounds?
No. For the comfort and convenience of all our guests, pets will not be allowed inside the event grounds. The weather is usually hot here in mid-July, so it is not recommended to leave pets unattended in vehicles or tied outside the event grounds, so please plan ahead to make arrangements for pets.
What about "Service Animals?"
ADA Service animals are permitted to accompany individuals with a disability, however they must be leashed at all times and are expected to be well-behaved and not endanger other guests. Aggressive actions can result in the owner being asked to leave the event for the safety of others.
Why are some of the beers being served by the brewers different from what’s listed in the program and on the ballot?
It has to do with capacity. We try to include as many small craft brewers as possible in our lineup. The smaller brewers brew in limited batches. Their available stock at the Brewfest time, and what they planned to bring at the time we go to press might differ. We do have "write-in" places on the ballot to accommodate any changes in offerings, and encourage you to give them a try!
How much are beer tickets this year?
The cost for additional Scrip ("beer tickets"), which can be used for beer, hard cider and wine samples, as well as food and souvenirs, is only $1 each this year. (Your admission ticket includes a pack of the first 7 scrips, which can also be used for any of these items.)
Who will be performing at this year's Brewfest?
Bump Kitchen out of Tacoma is starring at the 2011 Rails to Ales Brewfest, along with local favorites Mr. E and Jumpin' Johnny. See details on our bands page
I represent a band. Are you looking for performers at your event?
Hey, thanks for thinking of us! We do already have our line-up set for the 2011 Brewfest, however if you would like to get in on the auditions for the 2012 event, please visit our "Contact" page, click on the "entertainment" button, and fill out the form to get in touch with us. If you have a website with samples of your performances and/or offer discount gig rates for non-profit organizations, it would be helpful to include that information on the contact form. Someone will get back with you soon.
What bands have performed at past Brewfests?
The 2010 lineup included headliner Vicci Martinez (contestant on the 2011 national TV show "The Voice" - see more details on the bands page), Free Beer @Exit 80, and Eden. -- In 2009 the Dave Rawlinson Band starred with Strange Jerome. -- The 2008 musicians were The Blue Tropics and Free Beer @Exit 80.
What types of food will be available?
Five vendors will be providing a range of food and non-alcoholic beverage options. See full menus on our Food Page.
Can I bring my own food and drinks?
No outside food or drinks will be permitted, however food vendors will have a variety of eating options and non-alcoholic beverages, in addition to the beer, wine and hard cider sampling booths.
Cle Elum is having a softball tournament the weekend of Rails to Ales. Any suggestions on where else we can stay, Ellensburg? Shuttle? Hotel? Please advise.
Yes, there is a one-time youth baseball tourney the same weekend as the Brewfest this year, so in addition to our Lodging Partners in the immediate area, we are adding Lodging Partners in nearby Ellensburg, which has a larger number of hotels. The Airporter Shuttle, http://secure.airporter.com/cgi-bin/query/orders/s1a.cfg offers several trips between downtown Cle Elum and Ellensburg for $5.00 each way. Our free event shuttle has a stop at the Cle Elum Shell/Subway Sandwich shop stop to catch the Airporter Shuttle bus. In Ellensburg, the stop at the Quality Inn is within walking distance of 8 hotels/motels, including the Quality Inn itself. Many are arranging special discounts for Brewfest attendees. The Quality Inn has already signed on for a 10% discount for a 1 night stay, and 15% discount for a 2-night stay as one of our Lodging Partners for guests showing their Rails to Ales Brewfest Ticket, or mentioning the event when booking. Other lodging choices within a short radius from the Airporter stop include: Super 8 Ellensburg, Comfort Inn Ellensburg, Best Western Lincoln Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Days Inn, Knights Inn, and the Inn at Goose Creek. For those with designated drivers, there are also other lodging places within Ellensburg, which is approximately 20 minutes from Cle Elum, with easy I-90 access. If camping is for you, there are a number of campgrounds and RV parks within the areas surrounding South Cle Elum.
Where can I download a Volunteer Form?
Thanks for your interest in volunteering with our event! You can find Volunteer Application Form download, and some more volunteering info at our Volunteering page, www.railstoalesbrewfest.com/info-kiosk/volunteering/. We look forward to working with you!
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