Beer lovers are invited to the 1st Annual Beer Can Derby at Naked City Brewery and Taphouse at 8564 Greenwood Avenue N. on Saturday. Sponsored by the new Greenwood Pub Association, proceeds from the derby will benefit Northwest Harvest.

Sign-up is from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Races begin at 12:30. The entry fee is one can of food.

Contestants design and construct racecars, which must contain at least one recognizably whole and uncrushed beer can.

Full rules are available here. Contestants must pre-register with Rachaal Steele by email or phone at  206-838-6299.

Judson Greif is Greenwood’s new Milkman, and he’s just about ready to deliver beer and wine straight to your door.

We first told you about Milkman last month, when Greif got his liquor delivery license and was finalizing business details. Today he told us that he’s ready to start delivery in early October on a limited basis, and should be fully up and running in time for the holidays.

And for those who can’t wait to sign up for the membership-based delivery service, Greif has a special deal for you:

I’m inviting critical thinkers to join for the first month with no service charge in exchange for constructive feedback on how the business could be better and for putting up with the service while I work out the kinks. It will be very limited space for this pilot (which should last about a month) and I plan to go live to the rest of the public after the test runs. So essentially the first 30 or so that sign up will be invited to be the Milkman “guinea pigs”.

About 700 people sampled a wide variety of beers at the PNA’s 21st Annual Beer Taste last night. Some are probably feeling a bit worse for the wear after imbibing several winter beers that started at 7 percent alcohol and went up from there. These folks seemed to be doing OK though.

I apologize for the quality of the photos – I thought to take pictures only after I’d had a, ahem, few tastes.

Speaking of, some of the more tasty and creatively named potent brews included He’Brew Beer’s Rejewvenator dopplebock, Laughing Buddah Brewing Company’s Purple Yam Porter and Georgetown Brewing Company’s 9lb Porter, served up after a member of Beerland Security stopped by for a photo.

A lively group of musicians provided entertainment through the evening.

Attendees also had the opportunity to vote for their favorite beer and Chardell at the PNA has provided us with the list of the winners (insert your drumroll here):

1. Maritime Pacific X.P.A.
2. Georgetown Superchopp
3. Two Beers Jive Espresso Stout
4. New Belgium La Fleur Misseur
5. Silver City Sasquatch Stout
6. Tie: Hale’s Imperial Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout, Maritime Pacific Jolly Roger Christmas Ale, Big Al Abbey Wheat

Congratulations!

Now that the election is over and most races are decided, get your tickets for the Phinney Center’s Winter Beer Taste so you can toast or lament how your candidate did.

Judging by the amount of fireworks and neighborhood parties last night, there’ll probably be a few ebullient toasts to President-elect Barack Obama. On the other hand, the mood may be more somber for John Burbank supporters. Burbank, who lives in Phinney Ridge, is trailing Queen Anne resident Reuven Carlyle in the 36th District Legislative race.

Meanwhile, according to Chardelle at the PNA, there are still plenty of tickets, but don’t wait too long, as there tends to be a last-minute rush to be one of the 500 people to enjoy tastes from 26 microbrewers. Better yet, if you didn’t get enough ballot action on Tuesday, you’ll even be able to vote for your favorite brew.

[Photo credit: PNA]