11th Annual North American Organic Brewers Festival Returns August 13-16

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Returning a bit later in the summer this year is the 11th Annual North American Organic Brewers Festival (NAOBF) taking place from August 13 to 16 at Overlook Park in North Portland. NAOBF is designed to raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living; the NAOBF serves up more than 60 organic beers and ciders from around the world. There’s also live music, organic food, sustainability-oriented vendors and non-profits, a root beer garden with complimentary Crater Lake Root Beer for minors and designated drivers, and a kids area. The NAOBF is a family friendly event, and minors are welcome with parents.

The festival goes beyond beer tasting by striving to be the most earth-friendly beer festival in North America. Onsite compost and recycling containers are provided at the event. Volunteers wear organic cotton and hemp t-shirts, and all event signage is reusable. Vendors at the festival promote sustainable living through their wares and services, and attendees are encouraged to take Tri-Met or ride their bikes to the event.

NAOBF at Overlook Park
NAOBF at Overlook Park

The 11th annual North American Organic Brewers Festival will take place from Noon to 9:00pm Thursday, August 13 through Saturday, August 15 and from Noon to 5:00pm on Sunday, August 16.

Admission into the event is free. The purchase of a $7 reusable, compostable cornstarch glass is required for tasting beer, as are tokens, which sell for $1 apiece. A full glass of beer costs four tokens and a three-ounce taste costs one token (select beers cost additional tokens). Patrons receive an extra with a validated Tri-Met ticket, a ticket from the on-site fenced Hopworks Bike Corral or with current ID showing they live in the Overlook zip code (only one extra token per person is allowed).

This year, NAOBF has 36 breweries, cideries and meaderies that have invested in brewing organic; some are certified and make it a priority to brew organic year-round, while others make a special batch just for this event. These companies have made a commitment to brewing sustainably to do their part for the planet. The timing couldn’t be better. Studies show that humanity is increasingly living beyond its means, currently consuming 50% more natural resources than the Earth’s ecosystems can replenish.

NAOBF founder Craig Nicholls with festival organizer Chris Crabb
NAOBF founder Craig Nicholls with festival organizer Chris Crabb

Thanks to founder’s Craig Nicholls passion, the NAOBF is about more than just beer. Events generate a lot of waste, and we work extremely hard to minimize our footprint. Of the 2,018 lbs. of waste generated at the 2014 event, the NAOBF kept 95% from going into the landfill due to extensive composting and recycling efforts, and the event generated only 101 lbs. of garbage. This was the third year in a row that the NAOBF diverted more than 90% of its waste from the landfill.

This year’s festival features beers, meads and ciders from 35 breweries. Beers are listed alphabetically by brewery.

13 Virtues Brewing Co, Portland, OR
You Down With O-R-G? | Orange Peel Pale Ale | 4.8% ABV, 40 IBU
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

Agrarian Ales, Eugene, OR
Field Bier | Session Saison | 4% ABV
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

Alameda Brewing Co, Portland, OR
Yellow Wolves of Thailand | Imperial IPA | 8.2% ABV, 103 IBU
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co, Ontario, Canada
Lug Tread | Lagered Ale | 5.2% ABV, 21 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by Pro-Cert

MaddAddamites NooBroo | Gruit Ale | 5.2% ABV, 0 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by Pro-Cert

Bison Organic Beer, Berkeley, CA
Honey Basil Ale | Herb/Spice Beer | 6% ABV, 12 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by USDA

Kermit the Hop | Double IPA | 8.5% ABV, 80 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by USDA

Coin Toss Brewing, Oregon City, OR
Black Hohl Son | Cascadian Dark Session Ale | 4.8% ABV, 45 IBU
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

Nine Eyes IPA | IPA | 6.5% ABV, 65 IBU
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

Eel River Brewing Co, Fortuna, CA
Açai Berry Wheat | Fruit Wheat Beer | 4% ABV, 5 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by CCOF/USDA

Simcoe IPA | American IPA | 6.7% ABV, 60 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic

Falling Sky Brewing, Eugene, OR
Dirt Worshiper Pale | Pale Ale | 5.5% ABV, 50 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic

Organic Matters Lager | Dortmunder Export | 5.1% ABV, 28 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic

Finnriver Farm & Cidery, Chimacum, WA (DOUBLE TOKENS)
Black Currant Cider | Contemporary Fruit Cider | 6.5% ABV, 0 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by WSDA

Habanero Cider | Contemporary Spiced Cider | 6.5% ABV, 0 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by WSDA

Fish Brewing Co, Olympia, WA
Organic Amber | Amber | 5% ABV, 35 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by USDA

Organic IPA | IPA | 6.7% ABV, 42 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by USDA

Fort George Brewery + Public House, Astoria, OR
Quick Wit | Belgian Witbier | 6.1% ABV
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

Spruce Budd Ale | Herb Beer | 4.9% ABV
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

FOTM Brewing Co, Portland, OR
Shocks of Sheba | IPA | 6.8% ABV, 68 IBU
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

X-Tinguisher | Wheat | 5.5% ABV, 36 IBU
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

Gilgamesh Brewing, Salem, OR
Mamba | Specialty Ale | 6.4% ABV, 1 IBU
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

Hopworks Urban Brewery, Portland, OR
IPX Simcoe | Single Hop IPA | 6% ABV, 60 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by Oregon Tilth

Totally Radler | Radler | 2.6% ABV, 15 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by Oregon Tilth

Kells Brew Pub, Portland, OR
Kells Organic Red | Red Ale | 4.5% ABV, 25 IBU
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

Purple Sun IPA | IPA | 6.5% ABV, 69 IBU
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

Laht Neppur Brewing Co, Milton-Freewater, OR
Peachy Keen | Fruit Beer | 5.2% ABV, 18 IBU
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, WI
Growing Power | Organic Farmhouse Pale Ale | 6.7% ABV, 35 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by Oregon Tilth

Logsdon Farmhouse Ales, Hood River, OR
Kili Wit | Witbier | 5.5% ABV, 14 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by Oregon Tilth

Lompoc Brewing, Portland, OR
Flower of the Gods | IPA | 6% ABV, 65 IBU
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

Loowit Brewing Co, Vancouver, WA
Gaiabolical | Pale Ale | 5.3% ABV, 45 IBU
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

McMenamins Concordia Brewery, Portland, OR
Livin’s Easy Summer Lager | Pacific NW Lager | 5.2% ABV, 36 IBU
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, Hillsboro, OR
Gunga Galunga IPA | IPA | 6.9% ABV, 62 IBU
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

McMenamins Crystal Brewery, Portland, OR
Oaken Tower Barrel-Aged Ginger Beer | Wild Ale | 6.9% ABV, 4 IBU
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

McMenamins Edgefield Brewery, Troutdale, OR
Double Barrel-Aged Pavol the Collector | Baltic Porter | 8.9% ABV, 42 IBU
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

Natian Brewery, Portland, OR
Everyday | Organic American IPA | 5.5% ABV, 62 IBU
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

KnockBack | Organic Amber Lager | 4.4% ABV, 18 IBU
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

Nectar Creek Mead, Corvallis, OR (**DOUBLE TOKEN)
Propolis | Session Mead | 5.5% ABV, 0 IBU
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

Nectar Creek Mead, Corvallis, OR
Sting | Session Mead | 6.2% ABV, 0 IBU
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

Ordnance Brewing, Boardman, OR
9131 Brown | Honey Brown Ale | 6.2% ABV, 26 IBU
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

Pinkus Müller, Münster, Germany
(**Tasters Only, Double Tokens, tapped Th-Sa at 4pm, LIMITED)
Pinkus Organic Münster Alt | Altbier | 5.1% ABV, 20 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by ABCERT

Pinkus Organic Ur-Pils | Pilsner | 5.1% ABV, 20 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by ABCERT

PINTS Urban Brewery, Portland, OR
Green Line Organic Radler | Pale Ale/Radler | 4% ABV, 25 IBU
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider, Portland, OR
Overlook Heirloom | Cider | 8.9% ABV, 0 IBU
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

Riverbend Brewing, Bend, OR
What Does the Fox Say? | CDA | 6.7% ABV, 55 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic

Two Kilts Brewing Co, Sherwood, OR
Black Brad Pitt | CDA | 7% ABV, 80 IBU
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

Uinta Brewing Co, Salt Lake City, UT
Baba Organic Black Lager | Black Lager | 4% ABV, 32 IBU
Classification: 100% Organic | Certified by UDAF

Wyld Organic Extra Pale Ale | Extra Pale Ale | 4% ABV, 29 IBU
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

Vagabond Brewing, Salem, OR
Into the Wild | IPA | 6.5% ABV, 60 IBU
Classification: Organic (95–99%)

Wit or Wit-Out You | Witbier | 5.2% ABV, 16 IBU
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

Viking Braggot Company, Eugene, OR
Reverence | Braggot | 6.3% ABV, 25 IBU
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

Widmer Brothers Brewing, Portland, OR
E.Nygma | Single Hop IPA | 6.3% ABV, 75 IBU
Classification: Made with Organic Ingredients (70-94%)

Samuel-Smiths-Organic-Strawberry-Ale-photo-from-DailyBeerReview.com_-768x1024
Samuel Smiths Organic Strawberry Ale (photo courtesy of DailyBeerReview.com)

Then beyond the draft beer, this year the NAOBF will bring for the first time the Merchant du Vin Bottle Garden featuring bottled organic ales and ciders from Pinkus-Müller and Samuel Smith! The following Bottled products will be available in tasters or full pours:

Samuel Smith’s Pure Brewed Organic Lager **Double Tokens

Samuel Smith’s Organic Pale Ale **Double Tokens

Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout **Double Tokens

Samuel Smith’s Organic Apricot Ale ***Triple Tokens

Samuel Smith’s Organic Strawberry Ale ***Triple Tokens

Samuel Smith’s Organic Raspberry Ale ***Triple Tokens

Samuel Smith’s Organic Cherry Ale ***Triple Tokens

Samuel Smith’s Organic Cider **Double Tokens

Pinkus Organic Ur-Pils **Double Tokens

Pinkus Organic Münster Alt **Double Tokens

Pinkus Organic Hefeweizen **Double Tokens

Pinkus Ur-Pils and Münster Alt will also be available on Draft in the Main Beer Trailers. Kegs are extremely limited and will be tapped at 4:00pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Pinkus on draft is available in tasters only, double tokens, while supplies last.

NAOBF Crowd at Overlook Park
NAOBF Crowd at Overlook Park

Moving on past the beers being poured there will also be some solid food options at NAOBF will include the following.

NAOBF is still looking for Volunteers for this year’s event. Do your part for the planet and volunteer at the NAOBF! Click here to volunteer.

  • You must be 21 years of age.
  • Volunteers should arrive 30 minutes before their scheduled shift.
  • Volunteers are NOT allowed to drink before or during their shifts. No Exceptions!
  • Plan on taking public transportation to the festival.
  • Please take some time to look over our Volunteer Guide

In addition to meeting great people, you’ll receive a festival cup, 8 beer tokens, a festival T-shirt. Volunteers that reuse last year’s shirt get an additional 4 tokens. And if you sign up for a shift from 6:00-9:00pm on August 14 or August 15 or from 3:00-6:00pm on August 16 you will receive double the tokens!

NAOBF

Conveniently located to TriMet MAX, NAOBF does its best to be as sustainable as possible and encourages its attendees to either bike or take mass transit to NAOBF. The Interstate MAX/Yellow Line “Overlook Park” Station is directly across from Overlook Park and is the second stop from the Rose Quarter transit mall, heading north.

There is no parking at the event; attendees must park in the nearby Overlook neighborhood. NAOBF strongly ask attendees to use Tri-Met or bike or walk to the event. If one must drive, NAOBF asks them to be considerate of the neighborhood while attending the event – park politely, don’t litter, and keep the noise level down.

NAOBF is on Facebook, Twitter and on the web at http://www.naobf.org. Make sure to use the official hashtag of #NAOBF15.

11th Annual North American Organic Brewers Festival
Overlook Park
1301 N Fremont St.
Portland, OR 97227