Gigantic Brewing To Host 7th Annual BenFest

Back in January 2011 during the Portland Cheers to Belgian Beers dart throw at Horse Brass Pub, Angelo De Ieso snapped a picture of what went on to be known as the “Stack of Bens”. From there he helped curate the first BenFest held on July 25, 2011 at Grain & Gristle.

Now seven years later BenFest continues on with an annual event that celebrates brewers named Ben. The 7th Annual BenFest is a bit more meaningful as the event will celebrate the life of Ben Flerchinger whom unexpectedly passed away earlier this year. Proceeds from the 2017 BenFest will go to Ben Flerchinger’s memorial fund to assist his family in end of life expenses.

The 7th Annual BenFest will be held at Gigantic Brewing Company in its spacious back lot on Saturday, September 9th from 1:00-8:00pm. This year’s celebration is the largest yet, with not only beers made by brewers name Ben, but selected guest brewers along with a few vintage beers.

Advance tickets to BenFest are $30.00 ($32.85 after fees) that includes entry to the fest, plus 10 drink tickets, (1 ticket per 4 oz pour and multiple tickets for specialty beers). Additional tickets are available for purchase during the event for $1.00 each. Purchase your tickets in advance by clicking here.

Beer and Cider List:
Agrarian Ales (Ben Tilley) – “BEN Hits the Ground!,” Belgian Dark Strong
Baerlic Brewing (Ben Parsons) – “BEN the Rules, Don’t Break Them,” India Pale Lager Ale (you read that right)
Breakside Brewing (Ben Edmunds) – “First Blanche,” Witbier
Deschutes Brewing (Ben Kehs) – “B L ENded Saison,” Saison
Gigantic Brewing (Ben Love) – “SOLID! BENmosa,” Juicy Pale with pineapple, tangerine and grapefruit juice
Laurelwood Brewing (Ben Dobler) – “BEN There, Done That,” Kolsch
Occidental Brewing (Ben Engler) – “BEN,” Barrel Aged Doppelbock
54’40° Brewing – “Brewing Of Mice and BENs,” Cask conditioned version of Half Cocked IPA with added Citra leaf in cask
Cider Riot! – “BENcider,” traditional pub draught cider
Coin Toss Brewing – “BENvention,” Imperial Mild
Ecliptic Brewing – BENith Grapefruit Gose
Kell’s Brewery – “AmBENtions az a ridah,” Blood Orange American Wheat
Lucky Lab Brewing – “BENedict Palmer,” American Lager w/ fresh lemon and iced tea
Montavilla Brew Works – “Where the Helles BEN’s Beer?” Helles
pFriem Family Brewers – “SchwarzBEN,” Schwarzbier
Sasquatch Brewing – “BEN There, Freshed That,” Centennial Fresh Hop Pale
Three Creeks Brewing – “Stampede Strong Ale,” American Strong Ale

Tapping times for the special beers pulled out of the cellar are as follows:

2:00pm: Sierra Nevada Bigfoot, Barleywine 2013 and 2014 vintages, 3 tickets for a 4oz pour.
3:00pm: Gigantic Brewing Massive! Ben Flerchinger Edition, Barleywine aged on Macallan Scotch Barrels, 3 tickets for a 4oz pour.
4:00pm: Russian River 2013 Consecration, Belgian-style dark ale aged in American oak Cabernet Sauvignon barrels with currants, 4 tickets for a 4oz pour.
5:00pm: Upright Brewing, 2015 Tanner 16 Old Ale aged on Port finish Whiskey casks, 3 tickets for a 4 oz pour.

Gigantic Brewing Company
5224 SE 26th Ave.
Portland, OR