If you like to imbibe a cold one, Seattle is your town. Our neighborhood, in particular, with the Fremont Oktoberfest and daily beer epicenters such as Brouwer’s Cafe, Dad Watson and the George & Dragon Pub, is just like heaven for those who appreciate a well-poured pint. it’s no wonder Seattle Beer Week would kick off here Thursday at 5 p.m., at Hale’s Brewery (4301 Leary Way). Those who go can witness the tapping of the inaugural cask!

Some might say *every* week is Beer Week, but there is actually an event called Seattle Beer Week, and this year it is from May 13 - 23 (so it’s actually a little more than a week).

Hale’s is one of the sponsors, as is Brouwer’s, but other locals get in on the action too. It’s a good excuse to try the brew Hale’s made specifically for Seattle Beer Week and celebrate Seattle’s thriving beer culture - with a hearty, handmade Shultzy’s Sausage, of course.

The festivities take place all over the city, but they end up back where they began, at Hale’s. On May 23, from noon to 5 p.m., beer connoisseurs can taste brews from 22 different Washington breweries, including Naked City, Scuttlebutt, Chuckanut and Fremont Brewing.

After 15 years of making beer as a hobby, Matt Lincecum has taken his passion to the professional level. The Fremont Brewing Company is officially open for business. “We delivered our first kegs last week,” Lincecum says with a proud smile. The former attorney says that it was tough making the jump from practicing law to making beer, but he says “it’s been a dream since i brewed my first keg.” And his wife has bought in on his dream, which isn’t always easy. “I don’t remember the exact wording of that first conversation,” he laughs.

The small brewery strives to reduce their carbon footprint by using local ingredients, pre-owned equipment and sending their spent grains next door to Blue Marble Energy for them to use. Coincidentally the by-product of Blue Marble’s production is electricity, which is sent back to the brewery.

The outside of their building is currently bright blue, but the walls will soon be covered by local art. One side of the door will become an artist’s canvas which will be painted every few months, and the other side will have a bulletin board for neighborhood and brewery happenings.

Once they’re fully up and running, they’ll brew two kinds of beers — the flagship Universale Pale Ale and the Interurban India Pale Ale. Right now it’s just the Universale, which is brewed 120 kegs at a time and served on tap at a dozen places around Seattle, including Fremont’s Pacific Inn Pub, Bottleworks, Sinners & Saints and The Fremont Dock… with more on the way.

The brewery, located at 3409 Woodland Park Ave. N., will have retail hours on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. where anyone can walk in and buy a growler ($15 for first fill-up), pint glasses (not filled) and t-shirts. (Check their blog for details on their retail opening date.) “We’re very excited,” Lincecum says, “We’ve done a lot of work to get the word out. It’s pretty overwhelming.”

Redhook’s breweries may have left Fremont, but the neighborhood is still home to Hale’s, Dad Watson’s and soon, Fremont Brewing Company. It’s a brand new microbrewery under construction at Woodland Park Ave. and 34th St.

To start, Fremont Brewery will brew two beers, UniversAle Pale Ale and Interurban India Pale Ale, only available in kegs. “We will put our beer in cans as soon as possible but for the immediate future, you will be able to find our beer on draft at many fine bars and restaurants in the area as well as come to the brewery for growlers and kegs,” explains owner Matt Lincecum on his website. “Starting a brewery in the midst of a challenging moment for our economy is clearly an act of passion. We invite you to come along with us and enjoy that passion in our beers.” Fremont Brewery will open in April.

It’s getting c-c-cold outside, a perfect time to break out some of those tasty winter brews. This Friday and Saturday, you can sample big, bold winter warmers from over 30 Washington breweries (list) at the 2008 Winter Beer Festival at Hale’s Ales. The Washington Beer Commission event goes from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and 1 to 10 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $23 advance and $25 at the door — you get six beer tastes (5 ounces each) and can buy additional tokens on the spot. And be careful, because winter beers pack a punch!