Making merry on Perry

During its first year in business, Perry Street Brewing has become a fixture in the increasingly trendy neighborhood on the lower South Hill.

Now it’s celebrating with an anniversary party Friday from 4 to 11 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 11, featuring an outdoor beer garden, live music, food trucks, games and raffles.

“It was outrageous for the first year how many people in the neighborhood came out, and kept coming back.  It’s more than we ever hoped for,” says brewer Ben Lukes, who owns the brewery with his wife, Christy.

“We have a long ways to go, but it’s nice to see that people are digging what we’re trying to do.”

Lukes, who formerly brewed for Big Sky in Missoula, also is happy with the wide variety of beer styles he’s been able to turn out, from his popular pilsner and milk stout to Belgians and a barleywine.

“It’s just a blast not being in a production setting and being able to brew whatever I want to,” he says.

He singles out his Belgian-style trippel, which he says is “aging spectacularly,” as a personal favorite. That will come out of storage to make a return appearance for the party, along with the imperial saison.

Also look for the latest in Lukes’ series of single-hop pale ales, brewed with Equinox – one of those newer, complex varieties that draws descriptors ranging from fruity and floral to herbal and woody (some people even pick up green bell pepper).

As well as inside, beers will be poured in the parking lot behind the brewery, which also will host the live music stage Saturday afternoon. The Tacos Camargo food truck is scheduled for Friday, with Bistro Box and 3 Ninjas lined up for Saturday.

Games and family activities will include cornhole, outdoor bowling, face painting and a coaster design contest for kids 12 and under. Proceeds from those will benefit nearby Grant Elementary School, as will the raffle, with two top prizes of cruiser bikes donated by Two Wheel Transit.

And special 21.5-ounce anniversary glasses will go on sale Friday for $5, with $1 going to T.E.A.M. Grant . You can get those filled up for regular pint prices through the weekend.

Looking ahead to year two, Lukes would like to distribute more beer to outside accounts, something that’s mostly happened so far at Manito Tap House.  “We’ll probably pick up a few accounts that are very local and very craft-oriented, like us,” he says.

But for now, he says, the goal is simple: “Survive the anniversary party and move forward.”