Countdown to Avista: Beer up!

Today is a big day for local beer.

First, it’s the formal launch of our On Tap beer blog, following a weeklong trial run. In case you missed it before, you can read more on how that all came about here .

And it also marks the arrival of the fifth annual Inland Northwest Craft Beer Festival , in its new location: Avista Stadium , 602 N. Havana, baseball home of the Spokane Indians. You can read more on how that all came about in my column in today’s Spokesman-Review .

All week long, we’ve been reviewing highlights of the 120-plus beers being poured at the festival today and Saturday. So now, let’s take a look at some of the other things you need to know before heading to the ballpark:

– The festival runs today from 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 8. Admission is $25 ($15 for members of the military), which includes a commemorative tasting glass and six 5-ounce samples. Additional samples are $1.50 each, or four for $5. No one under 21 (including dogs) is allowed inside. Designated drivers get in for $5, with free soda and water; if you don’t have one of those, imbibe carefully, or take a taxi or other alternative transportation home.

– Visa/Mastercard will be accepted along with cash at the entry gate, but it’s cash only for food and additional tokens; an ATM will be available.

– Parking in the stadium lot is plentiful and free.

– The 35 brewery booths will be lined up along the outfield wall, with food outlets along the first base line, a music stage near second base, and other vendors and restrooms along the third base line. (Check out the full site map here .)

– Food vendors include Veraci Pizza (today only), the 3ninjas food truck (Saturday only), Longhorn Barbecue and Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese.

– This year’s music lineup is almost as exciting as the abundant beer list, at least if your tastes are anything like mine. The always fun Folkinception kicks things off today at 6 p.m. Tomorrow, it’s the acoustic funk of the Dime Store Prophets starting at 1 p.m., followed by the female indie folk quartet Mama Doll (featuring former Terrible Buttons frontwoman, and Lantern Tap House server Sarah Berentson) at 3, and the Americana quartet Marshall McLean Band at 5.

– Look for baseball-themed games on the infield, such as speed pitch and wiffle ball.

– Other vendors include the likes of Malted Mutt, which makes dog treats using spent brewing grain; Northwest Brew Gear, which is doing fun, creative things with growlers; Montana Beer Finder; and yours truly. Stop by our On Tap booth to say hi, talk beer and enter a drawing for five $25 gift certificates to local bottle shops.

Unlike last year’s cold, wet, muddy mess in Riverfront Park, the weather should be perfect, low to mid-70s with some sun. Like the Chicago Cubs’ immortal Ernie Banks might say, “Let’s drink two!”