It is already August and this means that Oregon Craft Beer Month has at last come to a conclusion. Another year, and more growth all around in the industry – more breweries, more volume, more events. For many August signifies that summer is in full swing and about a third of the way through, but for those who live for craft beer, this means that the busiest and most eventful month of July is now behind us. With quivering livers and many memories of what July meant – from the Oregon Craft Beer Month kickoff at Jeld Wen, to the finally roaring tent at the Oregon Brewers Guild – it has been undeniable to us that this past July was the biggest and most festive month yet. Here’s a look at some highlights that we experienced during July 2011: Read More…

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

Burnside Grätzer (photo by Portland Beer and Music's Jim Bonomo)

Central Europe meets Portland’s Central Eastside in the revamping of Grätzer by Burnside Brewing.

When getting down to tasting the plethora (John Foyston is gonna grill me for using this word) of beer at this year’s Oregon Brewers Festival, several dynamic offering struck our fancy. One in particular beer was the Burnside Grätzer, a smoky wheaten brew with a whirlwind of complex flavors melding from start to finish. Unquestionably one of the most unique styles of beer at the festival, this Grätzer returns with a an approachable levity of just over 5% ABV and a modest 9 IBUs. Named for the village of Grodzisk in Poland, the beer has seen a mini-resurgence around Portland when earlier in the year both Burnside and Breakside revisited tradition with renditions of the Grätzer. In a recent blogpost, Beervana’s Jeff Alworth highlights an interesting history of this Central European treat:

Grätzer/Grodziskie
Grätzer is actually indigenous to Poland, where it was known as Read More…

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

Posted under beer events

The biggest brew fest on the West Coast is unquestionably the Oregon Brewers Festival (OBF). Each year crowds of beer enthusiasts from the novice greenhorn to the uber-geek head to Tom McCall Waterfront Park to take part in this truly amazing spectacle. It is estimated that now, in its 24th year, the OBF will see around 80,000 attendees in its four days (Thursday July 28-Sunday July 31).

Always the last full weekend in July, the OBF takes advantage of the region’s incomparable passion for craft beer. Some credit this to the proximity to hop fields and the exceptional Bull Run watershed. Anyway you cut it, this is the mother of all West Coast beer events. And, as craft beer continues to burgeon into its own distinct entity, with more than 1,700 breweries in operation in the United States, it’s easy to see why people so love such an event. Portland, now with at least 40 commercial breweries, is the world’s leading city in this category. In fact, it has been a few years since we’ve passed Munich as the brewery leader.

So, the next time you hear some half-cocked story about how Asheville or San Francisco or Philadelphia is the best beer city in the United States, just think of the Oregon Brewers Fest and the day in and day out love we have for great beer here that those places can just dream of. Would this madness even fly in these other “champion” cities?  What other region could support such an outburst of love for great beer?

Look for more than 85 breweries, many who are local, to represent at this year’s OBF. In recent years a “buzz” tent has been added to accommodate the biggest and baddest of beer geeks. Here you will find some stuff that will wow even the grandest of beer nerds (like us!).

Here’s the important details: Read More…

Posted under beer awards

It’s the second most wonderful time of the year! Brew Fest in Oregon! This year, BridgePort will be celebrating  in typical Oregon fashion – with beers, brews and bands. On July 30th, we’ll be closing down NW 13^th Ave outside the brewpub for food and brews from BridgePort along with music from Kasey Anderson, Will West and the Strangetones. Free and open to the public, families are welcome and a portion of proceeds will go to benefit our friends at the Oregon Brewers Guild. We’ll cheers to that!

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

Posted under beer events, events

On a sun-soaked July afternoon, there’s no better place to sip suds with friends than the Oregon Brewers Festival, one of the nation’s longest-running and best-loved craft beer festivals. More than 70,000 fans will travel from points around the world to take part in the 23rd annual event, July 22 through July 25 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. Event hours are Noon to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

From Ambers to Belgians, Pales to Pilsners and Ryes to Stouts, the Oregon Brewers Festival serves up more than 20 beer styles from 81 craft breweries from around the country. The event also features four days of live music, food booths, craft vendors, and industry displays. The Crater Lake Soda Garden provides complimentary handcrafted root beer to minors and designated drivers. Minors are allowed into the event when accompanied by a parent.

Admission into the festival grounds is free. In order to sample beer, a taster package is required. Taster packages are available in $10, $20 and $50 increments. All packages include a 2010 souvenir mug, which is required for consuming beer (mugs from previous years will not be filled); a program; and various quantities of tokens, which are used to purchase beer. Patrons pay four tokens for a full mug of beer, or one token for a taste. Additional tokens may be purchased at $1 apiece.

Alternative modes of transportation are encouraged, with free monitored bicycle parking available each day. The main entrance is at SW Oak Street and Naito Parkway, one block from the MAX Light Rail line.

The Oregon Brewers Festival takes place during Oregon Craft Beer Month, a celebration of craft beer by Oregon’s specialty breweries. A variety of special events will take place at craft breweries throughout the state, culminating with the Oregon Brewers Festival. The festival also hosts two ticketed auxiliary events: the Oregon Brewers Dinner, held on the eve of the festival opening, and the Oregon Brewers Brunch and Parade, a kick off to the festivities held the morning of July 22.

The Oregon Brewers Festival was founded in 1988 as an opportunity to expose the public to microbrews at a time when the craft brewing industry was just getting off the ground. Today, that industry has succeeded, especially in Oregon, and particularly in the city of Portland. There are currently 106 craft brewing facilities in Oregon, and 35 breweries operating within the Portland city limits – more than any other city in the world.

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

On a sun-soaked July afternoon, there’s no better place to sip suds with friends than the Oregon Brewers Festival, one of the nation’s longest-running and best-loved craft beer festivals. More than 70,000 fans will travel from points around the world to take part in the 23rd annual event, July 22 through July 25 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. Event hours are Noon to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

From Ambers to Belgians, Pales to Pilsners and Ryes to Stouts, the Oregon Brewers Festival serves up more than 20 beer styles from 81 craft breweries from around the country. The event also features four days of live music, food booths, craft vendors, and industry displays. The Crater Lake Soda Garden provides complimentary handcrafted root beer to minors and designated drivers. Minors are allowed into the event when accompanied by a parent.

Admission into the festival grounds is free. In order to sample beer, a taster package is required. Taster packages are available in $10, $20 and $50 increments. All packages include a 2010 souvenir mug, which is required for consuming beer (mugs from previous years will not be filled); a program; and various quantities of tokens, which are used to purchase beer. Patrons pay four tokens for a full mug of beer, or one token for a taste. Additional tokens may be purchased at $1 apiece.

Alternative modes of transportation are encouraged, with free monitored bicycle parking available each day. The main entrance is at SW Oak Street and Naito Parkway, one block from the MAX Light Rail line.

The Oregon Brewers Festival takes place during Oregon Craft Beer Month, a celebration of craft beer by Oregon’s specialty breweries. A variety of special events will take place at craft breweries throughout the state, culminating with the Oregon Brewers Festival. The festival also hosts two ticketed auxiliary events: the Oregon Brewers Dinner, held on the eve of the festival opening, and the Oregon Brewers Brunch and Parade, a kick off to the festivities held the morning of July 22.

The Oregon Brewers Festival was founded in 1988 as an opportunity to expose the public to microbrews at a time when the craft brewing industry was just getting off the ground. Today, that industry has succeeded, especially in Oregon, and particularly in the city of Portland. There are currently 106 craft brewing facilities in Oregon, and 35 breweries operating within the Portland city limits – more than any other city in the world.

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

On a sun-soaked July afternoon, there’s no better place to sip suds with friends than the Oregon Brewers Festival, one of the nation’s longest-running and best-loved craft beer festivals. More than 70,000 fans will travel from points around the world to take part in the 23rd annual event, July 22 through July 25 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. Event hours are Noon to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

From Ambers to Belgians, Pales to Pilsners and Ryes to Stouts, the Oregon Brewers Festival serves up more than 20 beer styles from 81 craft breweries from around the country. The event also features four days of live music, food booths, craft vendors, and industry displays. The Crater Lake Soda Garden provides complimentary handcrafted root beer to minors and designated drivers. Minors are allowed into the event when accompanied by a parent.

Admission into the festival grounds is free. In order to sample beer, a taster package is required. Taster packages are available in $10, $20 and $50 increments. All packages include a 2010 souvenir mug, which is required for consuming beer (mugs from previous years will not be filled); a program; and various quantities of tokens, which are used to purchase beer. Patrons pay four tokens for a full mug of beer, or one token for a taste. Additional tokens may be purchased at $1 apiece.

Alternative modes of transportation are encouraged, with free monitored bicycle parking available each day. The main entrance is at SW Oak Street and Naito Parkway, one block from the MAX Light Rail line.

The Oregon Brewers Festival takes place during Oregon Craft Beer Month, a celebration of craft beer by Oregon’s specialty breweries. A variety of special events will take place at craft breweries throughout the state, culminating with the Oregon Brewers Festival. The festival also hosts two ticketed auxiliary events: the Oregon Brewers Dinner, held on the eve of the festival opening, and the Oregon Brewers Brunch and Parade, a kick off to the festivities held the morning of July 22.

The Oregon Brewers Festival was founded in 1988 as an opportunity to expose the public to microbrews at a time when the craft brewing industry was just getting off the ground. Today, that industry has succeeded, especially in Oregon, and particularly in the city of Portland. There are currently 106 craft brewing facilities in Oregon, and 35 breweries operating within the Portland city limits – more than any other city in the world.

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

On a sun-soaked July afternoon, there’s no better place to sip suds with friends than the Oregon Brewers Festival, one of the nation’s longest-running and best-loved craft beer festivals. More than 70,000 fans will travel from points around the world to take part in the 23rd annual event, July 22 through July 25 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. Event hours are Noon to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and Noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

From Ambers to Belgians, Pales to Pilsners and Ryes to Stouts, the Oregon Brewers Festival serves up more than 20 beer styles from 81 craft breweries from around the country. The event also features four days of live music, food booths, craft vendors, and industry displays. The Crater Lake Soda Garden provides complimentary handcrafted root beer to minors and designated drivers. Minors are allowed into the event when accompanied by a parent.

Admission into the festival grounds is free. In order to sample beer, a taster package is required. Taster packages are available in $10, $20 and $50 increments. All packages include a 2010 souvenir mug, which is required for consuming beer (mugs from previous years will not be filled); a program; and various quantities of tokens, which are used to purchase beer. Patrons pay four tokens for a full mug of beer, or one token for a taste. Additional tokens may be purchased at $1 apiece.

Alternative modes of transportation are encouraged, with free monitored bicycle parking available each day. The main entrance is at SW Oak Street and Naito Parkway, one block from the MAX Light Rail line.

The Oregon Brewers Festival takes place during Oregon Craft Beer Month, a celebration of craft beer by Oregon’s specialty breweries. A variety of special events will take place at craft breweries throughout the state, culminating with the Oregon Brewers Festival. The festival also hosts two ticketed auxiliary events: the Oregon Brewers Dinner, held on the eve of the festival opening, and the Oregon Brewers Brunch and Parade, a kick off to the festivities held the morning of July 22.

The Oregon Brewers Festival was founded in 1988 as an opportunity to expose the public to microbrews at a time when the craft brewing industry was just getting off the ground. Today, that industry has succeeded, especially in Oregon, and particularly in the city of Portland. There are currently 106 craft brewing facilities in Oregon, and 35 breweries operating within the Portland city limits – more than any other city in the world.

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