Each year since Brewpublic began in 2008, we’ve taken special pleasure in rounding up the best-of-the-year lists. Most often you’ve witnessed these year-end inventories in the form of top 5′s. And, to not let down, we’ve rounded up this year’s superlatives in a multi-part series we will bring you throughout the rest of the year.

For 2012, much like we did last year, asking craft beer experts, industry workers, enthusiasts, and friends to conjure up their fondest beer memories of 2012 as well as sharing what they eagerly anticipate for the future in the coming year. We’ve also asked these folks to attest to top trends witnessed in the craft beer scene over the past year as well as some favorite events of 2012.

While we realize that such lists are next to impossible to formulate with any real certainty, the process of thinking back on all of the remarkable brews tested and tasted is a fun and nostalgic process. We will not hold these reputable individuals to their beer choices with absoluteness, because we realize, as mentioned in the past, that choosing just one beer, or even only five for that matter, as a favorite, can be as constrictive and limiting as choosing a favorite song, work of art, or even friend. Variety is the spice of life, just as hops is readily that of Northwest craft brews. So, without further adieu, let’s hear what the people have to say. Read More…

Posted under beer events, beer history, Beer personalities, Oregon beer, places to drink beer

The last weekend of June marked the return of one of Oregon’s best brew festivals, the North American Organic Brewers Festival (NAOBF). Held at Overlook Park off North Interstate Avenue in Portland, the eleventh NAOBF’s grounds are arguably the best venue for an outdoor beer festival anywhere. And, despite some early humidity and the expected occasional rainfall that comes with late June in Oregon, the fest again came out a winner.

It was apparent that Oregon craft beer festival organizer and media coordinator Chris Crabb was a big force behind the success of this year’s NAOBF. Crabb also is a key component behind both the Holiday Ale Festival and the mother of all Northwest beer shindigs, the Oregon Brewers Festival. Working long days in preparation and during the fest, Crabb saw to it that all the ducks were in a row for this, the only organic festival of its kind (at least to our knowledge). She was at the fest at 4 a.m. on Thursday to coordinate television interviews with brewers and representatives. At 11 a.m. a media tasting that provided samplings of some of the festival’s highlights began. Here, Lisa “The Beer Goddess” Morrison directed a group of us through about a dozen recommended picks that would be featured to the public when the gates opened at noon. Here’s a look at some of the brews showcased for the 2012 NAOBF: Read More…

Posted under beer events, beer reviews, California Beer, craft cider, Oregon beer, places to drink beer, Washington Beer, weekend in review

Join your Rock Bottom Portland for a…

Dirty Hippy Tapping
Thursday, June 28, from 5 pm to 6 pm
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This year, our NAOBF (North American Organic Beer Fest) beer is a brown kölsch–also known as an alt.  You’ll love it.

Posted under beer releases, events, Oregon beer, places to drink beer

The North American Organic Brewers Festival (NAOBF) returns to Overlook Park in Portland, Oregon to continue celebrating the contributions of organic brewers and a commitment to more sustainable living. This year’s fest marks the 8th annual NAOBF and will once again feature craft beer and artisan ciders from around the world. “This should be a great fest this year – we’ve increased to three trailers, so lines won’t be a problem” says event coordinator Chris Crabb, adding: “Styles run the gamut from Belgian Whites to Cascadian Darks.”

NAOBF will feature a full lineup of  live local music, organic food (including ice cream and coffee!), sustainability-oriented vendors and non-profits, a soda garden with complimentary Crater Lake Root Beer for minors and designated drivers, and a children’s area with face painting and activities. The NAOBF is a family friendly event, and minors are welcome with parents.

More details:

Event hours are Noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission into the event is free. The purchase of a $6 reusable, compostable cornstarch glass is required for tasting beer, as are tokens, which sell for $1 apiece. A full glass of beer or cider costs four tokens and a four-ounce taste costs one token; select beers cost double tokens. Patrons receive a $1 discount toward the tasting glass with a validated MAX ticket, a ticket from the onsite Hopworks bike corral – last year, nearly 2,000 attendees parked their bikes at the festival – or three cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank (limit one discount per person). The NAOBF benefits the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and the Oregon Food Bank.

Lineup of Beers and Ciders To Pour at 2012 NAOBF: Read More…

Posted under Beer & Music, beer and food, beer events, beer news, California Beer, craft cider, Oregon beer, Washington Beer

Two of Portland’s beloved industries – organic beer and sustainability – come together in an annual celebration designed to raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living. We serve up organic beers and ciders from around the world, accompanied by live music, organic food, sustainability-oriented vendors, non-profits and a children’s area – all in a beautiful tree lined setting that overlooks downtown Portland.

Come visit the North American Organic Brewers Festival and see why we’re Portland’s best kept secret of beer fests!

Admission

Admission into the event is free. The purchase of a reusable, compostable cornstarch glass is required for tasting beer, as are tokens. A full glass of beer costs four tokens (more for select beers), and a four-ounce taste costs one token. Patrons receive a discount toward the tasting glass with a validated MAX ticket, a ticket from the onsite bike corral, or three cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank.

Children are allowed all hours when accompanied by a parent.

Animals are not allowed on the festival site with the exception of ADA animals.

Ride the Max! or Ride your Bike!

Pedal and Park

Ride your bike and park it in the Hopworks Bike Corral, where volunteers will watch over your wheels while you savor some of the country’s best organic brews. Bicycle parking is free, but donations are greatly appreciated.

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. Use the Tri-Met website for directions from your door to Overlook Park (1301 N. Fremont St. Portland, OR 97227).

Posted under beer events, events, Oregon beer, places to drink beer

Two of Portland’s beloved industries – organic beer and sustainability – come together in an annual celebration designed to raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living. We serve up organic beers and ciders from around the world, accompanied by live music, organic food, sustainability-oriented vendors, non-profits and a children’s area – all in a beautiful tree lined setting that overlooks downtown Portland.

Come visit the North American Organic Brewers Festival and see why we’re Portland’s best kept secret of beer fests!

Admission

Admission into the event is free. The purchase of a reusable, compostable cornstarch glass is required for tasting beer, as are tokens. A full glass of beer costs four tokens (more for select beers), and a four-ounce taste costs one token. Patrons receive a discount toward the tasting glass with a validated MAX ticket, a ticket from the onsite bike corral, or three cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank.

Children are allowed all hours when accompanied by a parent.

Animals are not allowed on the festival site with the exception of ADA animals.

Ride the Max! or Ride your Bike!

Pedal and Park

Ride your bike and park it in the Hopworks Bike Corral, where volunteers will watch over your wheels while you savor some of the country’s best organic brews. Bicycle parking is free, but donations are greatly appreciated.

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. Use the Tri-Met website for directions from your door to Overlook Park (1301 N. Fremont St. Portland, OR 97227).

Posted under beer events, events, Oregon beer, places to drink beer

By Dan Culver

We hit the 2011  North American Organic Brewers Festival this past weekend, as we not only brought our three cans of food for a free token, but also used Tri-Met as was recommended (Patrons received a $1 discount toward the tasting glass with a validated MAX ticket, a ticket from the onsite bike corral, or three cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank.). The weather was great and we dove right in to the sampling of organic brews. Read More…

Posted under beer events, beer reviews, Oregon beer, places to drink beer

With a motto to “Drink Organic, Save the Planet, One Beer at a Time,” the North American Organic Brewers Festival will host its seventh annual event June 24 through 26 at Portland’s Overlook Park. More than 18,000 beer lovers are expected to gather at the event, billed as the nation’s most earth-friendly beer festival.

Designed to raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living, the NAOBF serves up more than 50 organic beers from 34 different breweries around the nation. There’s also an organic cider and an organic kombucha. Styles run the gamut from Belgian Whites to Cascadian Darks, offering something for every palate. There’s also live local music, organic food, sustainability-oriented vendors and non-profits, a soda garden with complimentary Crater Lake Root Beer for minors and designated drivers, and a children’s area. The NAOBF is a family friendly event, and minors are welcome with parents.

Festival attendees sample beer from reusable and compostable cornstarch glasses made from domestically grown corn by a zero-waste, solar-powered company. Onsite composting and recycling stations are provided for festival waste and are supervised by recycling czars. Food vendors are required to use compostable cutlery and plates and employ sustainable practices. Electricity needs are met with a combination of biodiesel and solar generators. Volunteers wear organic cotton and hemp t-shirts, and all event signage is reusable.

Event hours are Noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission into the event is free. The purchase of a $6 reusable, compostable cornstarch glass is required for tasting beer, as are tokens, which sell for $1 apiece. A full glass of beer or cider costs four tokens and a four-ounce taste costs one token; select beers cost double tokens. Patrons receive a $1 discount toward the tasting glass with a validated MAX ticket, a ticket from the onsite bike corral, or three cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank. The festival benefits the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and the Oregon Food Bank.

Why an organic beer festival? Studies show that the world’s population currently consumes 30% more natural resources than the Earth’s ecosystems can replenish. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, commercial agriculture is accountable for 70% of the pollution in our country’s rivers and streams. Genetically modified ingredients can be found in nearly every grocery store. The NAOBF believes that education and exposure leads to awareness, and awareness can translate to passion. If everyone becomes passionate about sustainability, as a whole we can make the planet a cleaner and healthier place for all of us to habitat. If the conversation starts with an organic beer, that’s even better!

Posted under beer events, events

With a motto to “Drink Organic, Save the Planet, One Beer at a Time,” the North American Organic Brewers Festival will host its seventh annual event June 24 through 26 at Portland’s Overlook Park. More than 18,000 beer lovers are expected to gather at the event, billed as the nation’s most earth-friendly beer festival.

Designed to raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living, the NAOBF serves up more than 50 organic beers from 34 different breweries around the nation. There’s also an organic cider and an organic kombucha. Styles run the gamut from Belgian Whites to Cascadian Darks, offering something for every palate. There’s also live local music, organic food, sustainability-oriented vendors and non-profits, a soda garden with complimentary Crater Lake Root Beer for minors and designated drivers, and a children’s area. The NAOBF is a family friendly event, and minors are welcome with parents.

Festival attendees sample beer from reusable and compostable cornstarch glasses made from domestically grown corn by a zero-waste, solar-powered company. Onsite composting and recycling stations are provided for festival waste and are supervised by recycling czars. Food vendors are required to use compostable cutlery and plates and employ sustainable practices. Electricity needs are met with a combination of biodiesel and solar generators. Volunteers wear organic cotton and hemp t-shirts, and all event signage is reusable.

Event hours are Noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission into the event is free. The purchase of a $6 reusable, compostable cornstarch glass is required for tasting beer, as are tokens, which sell for $1 apiece. A full glass of beer or cider costs four tokens and a four-ounce taste costs one token; select beers cost double tokens. Patrons receive a $1 discount toward the tasting glass with a validated MAX ticket, a ticket from the onsite bike corral, or three cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank. The festival benefits the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and the Oregon Food Bank.

Why an organic beer festival? Studies show that the world’s population currently consumes 30% more natural resources than the Earth’s ecosystems can replenish. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, commercial agriculture is accountable for 70% of the pollution in our country’s rivers and streams. Genetically modified ingredients can be found in nearly every grocery store. The NAOBF believes that education and exposure leads to awareness, and awareness can translate to passion. If everyone becomes passionate about sustainability, as a whole we can make the planet a cleaner and healthier place for all of us to habitat. If the conversation starts with an organic beer, that’s even better!

Posted under beer events, events

With a motto to “Drink Organic, Save the Planet, One Beer at a Time,” the North American Organic Brewers Festival will host its seventh annual event June 24 through 26 at Portland’s Overlook Park.  More than 18,000 beer lovers are expected to gather at the event, billed as the nation’s most earth-friendly beer festival.

Designed to raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living, the NAOBF serves up more than 50 organic beers from 34 different breweries around the nation. There’s also an organic cider and an organic kombucha.  Styles run the gamut from Belgian Whites to Cascadian Darks, offering something for every palate.  There’s also live local music, organic food, sustainability-oriented vendors and non-profits, a soda garden with complimentary Crater Lake Root Beer for minors and designated drivers, and a children’s area.  The NAOBF is a family friendly event, and minors are welcome with parents.

Festival attendees sample beer from reusable and compostable cornstarch glasses made from domestically grown corn by a zero-waste, solar-powered company. Onsite composting and recycling stations are provided for festival waste and are supervised by recycling czars.  Food vendors are required to use compostable cutlery and plates and employ sustainable practices. Electricity needs are met with a combination of biodiesel and solar generators. Volunteers wear organic cotton and hemp t-shirts, and all event signage is reusable.

Event hours are Noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission into the event is free.  The purchase of a $6 reusable, compostable cornstarch glass is required for tasting beer, as are tokens, which sell for $1 apiece.  A full glass of beer or cider costs four tokens and a four-ounce taste costs one token; select beers cost double tokens.  Patrons receive a $1 discount toward the tasting glass with a validated MAX ticket, a ticket from the onsite bike corral, or three cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank. The festival benefits the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and the Oregon Food Bank.

Why an organic beer festival?  Studies show that the world’s population currently consumes 30% more natural resources than the Earth’s ecosystems can replenish. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, commercial agriculture is accountable for 70% of the pollution in our country’s rivers and streams. Genetically modified ingredients can be found in nearly every grocery store.  The NAOBF believes that education and exposure leads to awareness, and awareness can translate to passion.  If everyone becomes passionate about sustainability, as a whole we can make the planet a cleaner and healthier place for all of us to habitat.  If the conversation starts with an organic beer, that’s even better!

Posted under beer events, events