Weekend in Beer – Beginning September 22, 2023

It’s another big weekend of beer events across Oregon. There are plenty of fresh hop beers to be had but it seems that this weekend the tide turns with a plethora of Oktoberfest celebrations. So get your lederhosen and dirndls ready to hoist a stein of a delicious Oktoberfest beer.

This afternoon Block 15 Brewing brings its fresh hops to Belmont Station for a tap takeover. Then tomorrow Buoy Beer, Occidental Brewing, McMenamins, and Montavilla Brew Works host their versions of Oktoberfest.

But these events are just the tip of the iceberg. Take a look from our top picks below!

Block 15 Fresh Hop Drop!
Friday September 22 – 4:00-7:00pm
Block 15 Brewing is bringing the fresh hops to Portland today to Belmont Station for Fresh Hop Drop. This tap takeover will see all of Block 15 freshies on tap along with a few vintage bottle pours. Block 15 will also be delivering a limited supply of Fresh Hop Cans that will be available beginning at 4:00pm.

Here’s a preview of what to expect.

Fresh Hop Gloria! – Inspired by classic European pilsner. Gloria! is brewed with choice malt and hops grown in the PNW. This edition is fresh hopped with Lorien hops. 5% ABV

Fresh Hop Fresh Catch – This IPA is fresh hopped with Centennial hops from Crosby Hop Farm. The result is a bold, resinous IPA bursting with ripe orange and pine resin flavors. 6.5% ABV

Fresh Hop Nugg Hugg – A sticky squeeze of hop negs embraces you with this aromatic, juicy IPA. This heady charge of fresh Simcoe hops delivers intense waves of spruce, citrus and stone fruit. 7% ABV

Blocktoberfest – A amber-hued Marzen lager. Noble hops impart subtle floral and spicy aromas. 5% ABV

Billy Breathes – This imperial hazy IPA is a dreamy, hazy exploration of soft grains and vibrant hops. Double dry hopped with several tropical and citrusy varietals, floating on a soft and sweet grist. 8% ABV

Sticky Hands: High Five – An even stickier, ickier version of the iconic Sticky Hands double IPA. Featuring 5 favorite hop varieties such as Azacca, Talus, Galaxy, Mosaic & Citra. 8.1% ABV

TC Peche – Turbulent Consequence is a turbid mashed, extended boil, lambic-style ale spontaneously fermented and matured in underground wild cellars. Peche is made up of select 18-month-old barrels that are blended onto 1000 pounds of Elberta peaches and aged an additional 8 months. 6% ABV

There will also be a swag give away Block 15 and Belmont Station that includes gift certificates, hats, shirts and more

Belmont Station – 4500 SE Stark – Portland, OR

10 Barrel Brewing’s 2023 GABF Awards Viewing Party + Wing Wars
Saturday, September 23 – 9:00am-7:00pm
This weekend, the Great American Beer Festival returns with its annual awards ceremony and 10 Barrel Brewing will host a 2023 GABF Awards Ceremony Viewing Party + Wing Wars in Bend, Oregon. This viewing party and festival will take place on Saturday, September 23, 2023 with the GABF Watch Party from 9:00 – 11:00am and Wing Wars Beer Festival from 11:00am – 7:00pm.

Through the years, 10 Barrel Brewing has been awarded 17 medals at GABF – 6 Gold, 3 Silver and 8 Bronze. At 9:00am on Saturday you too can watch the GABF Awards Ceremony at 10 Barrel Brewing’s Westside Pub in Bend, Oregon. 10 Barrel will broadcast the GABF Awards as it unfolds in real time on the big screen, while serving up award-winning beers from a range of local breweries.

Once the viewing wraps at 11:ooam, 10 Barrel will kick off the local beer festival, where you can taste specialty beers from favorites like Deschutes Brewery, Bend Brewing Co, Immersion Brewing, Cascade Lakes Brewing, and of course, 10 Barrel. Live musical acts from Fog Holler at 1:00pm, Sugar Sweet String Band at 3:30pm and Amargoso at5:30pm will carry the festival into the evening,

But that’s not all. 10 Barrel Brewing will also be serving up some specialty chicken wings as part of its Wing Wars. Attendees can vote on their favorite from the blind chicken wing tasting. Plus, 10 Barrel Brewing will be hosting a massive merchandise sale that’s only available on-site throughout the day on Saturday!

10 Barrel Brewing West Side Bend – 1135 NW Galveston Ave. – Bend, OR

Buoy Beer Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 23 – 11:00am-10:00pm
Downtown Astoria will be host to a daylong Oktoberfest celebration when Buoy Beer Co. brings its annual Oktoberfest to the Astoria Armory on Saturday, September 23, 2023. The festival will include Oktoberfest beers, live music, food and the brewery’s fun stein-holding competition.

Plenty of beers will be pouring, including ones from Buoy Beer together with Obelisk Beer Co. and Ecliptic Brewing. Plus, Buoy Beer will be serving up tasty fresh-hopped beers in half and full-liter steins.

Speaking steins, Buoy will once again be hosting its Stein-ly Cup competition during its Oktoberfest. There will be three time slots – 11:30am, 2:30pm or 5:30pm – for the friendly competition. The winner from each of those rounds will compete at 7:30pm for prizes and more importantly, bragging rights! Sign-up for the stein-holding competition, aka the STEIN-ly Cup, here.

During the afternoon, live music will be provided by The Oompah Boys. Then Left On Tenth will perform at 6pm, playing music that manifests itself into a variety of genres, from funky grooves and hard-driving rock to reggae-inspired tunes and slower ballads. At 8pm, Jay Si Proof will take the stage with their philosophical indie funk vision.

The family friendly event will also include water-pong and corn-hole tournaments, a costume contest, and activities for the kids.

Astoria Armory – 1636 Exchange St – Astoria, OR

McMenamins Old St. Francis School Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 23 – 11:00am-10:00pm
Oktoberfest comes to Central Oregon as McMenamins Old St. Francis School. Celebrate the Bavarian tradition with Oktoberfest Lager, tasty German-style specials, plenty of beer, and live music as a backdrop to it all. Prost!

Live Music:
1-3pm * Spencer Marlyn
3:30-6pm * Bull Mountain
7-9:30pm * Shafty Portland’s Tribute to Phish

Entry is free and is open to all ages.

McMenamins Old St. Francis School – 700 N.W. Bond St – Bend, OR

McMenamins 2nd Annual Fresh Hopped Fest
Saturday, September 23 – Noon-7:00pm
The freshies will come to Wilsonville, Oregon when McMenamins Wilsonville Old Church and Pub hosts its 2nd Annual Fresh Hopped Fest.

McMenamins has already released two canned versions of fresh hop beers with its Thundercone Fresh Hop Pale Ale and Fresh Hop Hammerhead. The brewery’s annual Thundercone Fresh Hop Pale Ale arrives from the fields of Oregon’s Sodbuster Farms. This one offers up subtle maltiness and an earthy, raw hop decadence that had us ordering a second pint of this on a recent visit to McMenamins’ Broadway Pub. Then its Fresh Hop Hammerhead is in limited supply as only one batch was made this year. This delicate mixture of malted barley and fresh Cascade hops creates a familiar yet distinct flavor and aroma that its predecessor would be proud of.

McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse Brewery
Fresh Hop Squeeze Play IPA
Fresh Hop: Centennial

McMenamins Crystal Brewery
Blue Blaze Fresh Hop Hazy Pale
Fresh Hop: Strata

McMenamins Edgefield Brewery
1983 Lager – Fresh Luminosa
Fresh Hop: Luminosa

McMenamins Edgefield Brewery
Limu Emu Red (IRA)
Fresh Hop: Liberty

McMenamins on Monroe Brewery
Current Status (West Coast IPA)
Fresh Hop: Mosaic

McMenamins Oak Hills Brewery
Fresh Hop Hammerhead
Fresh Hop: Cascade

McMenamins Old St. Francis Brewery
Down on the Street DIPA
Fresh Hop: Luminosa

McMenamins Old St. Francis Brewery
Little Green Bag (Hazy IPA)
Fresh Hop: Strata

McMenamins West Linn Brewery
Amarillo is the Hoppyest Color (Hazy IPA)
Fresh Hop: Amarillo

McMenamins Wilsonville Brewery
Thundercone Fresh Hop Pale Ale
Fresh Hop: Citra

Tickets to the fest are $20 and include six tokens and a tasting glass. All ages are welcome to join in on the fun, which includes live music from MEEEB from 4–6 pm, but of course only those over 21 can enjoy the hops. To purchase advance tickets, click here.

McMenamins Wilsonville Old Church and Pub – 30340 SW Boones Ferry Rd – Wilsonville, OR

12th Annual Sisters Fresh Hop Festival
Saturday, September 23 – Noon-6:00pm
Its hop harvest and along with this annual agricultural ritual will soon come fresh hop festivals. For those in Central Oregon, the 12th Annual Sisters Fresh Hop Festival will return this fall to the Three Creeks Brewing Production Brewery & Tasting Room in Sisters.

This family friendly event will showcase fresh hop beers from over 20 Oregon breweries alongside live music, food carts and more. As a charity event, previous years have raised over $10,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Brewery List:
Three Creeks Brewing
Sunriver Brewing
Crux Fermentation Project
GoodLife Brewing
Breakside Brewery
Bend Brewing Co.
Deschutes Brewery
Block 15 Brewing Co.
Wild Ride Brewing
Fort George Brewery
Bevel Craft Brewing
Boneyard Beer
Cascade Lakes Brewing Co.
pFriem Family Brewers
Boss Rambler Beer Club
Hopworks Brewery
Gilgamesh Brewing
Wolf Tree Brewery
Legend NW Cider Co.

Tickets to the Sisters Fresh Hop Festival are now on-sale with a discount for purchasing in advance.
Pre-Sale Tickets Available Summer ’23:

• $30 = Entry w/ SFH Festival Pint Glass + 5 Drink Tickets
• $35 = Entry w/ SFH Festival Pint Glass + 10 Drink Tickets

At The Door:

• $35 = Entry w/ SFH Festival Pint Glass + 5 Drink Tickets
• $2 = Additional Drink Tickets (4oz Pour)

To purchase advance tickets, click here.

Three Creeks Brewing Co. Production Brewery & Tasting Room – 265 East Barclay Drive – Sisters, OR

Occidental Brewing Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 23 – Noon-9:00pm
After a three-year hiatus, Occidental Brewing Co. is pleased to announce the return of Oktoberfest! For the first time since 2019, Occidental Brewing will once again host its famous Oktoberfest at the brewery in North Portland on Saturday, September 23, 2023.

Entry is free, but for those looking to drink, the cost is $12 for your special Oktoberfest mug and 1 beer. Subsequent beers will be $6. Wine, cider and non-alcoholic drinks will also be available. There will be live music all day, including Jenny Don’t and the Spurs! For festive food, there will be brats and pork roast will be available from Occidental’s neighbors at Urban German.

The star of the show is Occidental Brewing’s Festbier, the perfect mahogany, malty, masterpiece designed to celebrate the harvest. A full lineup of beers will also be available, including Fresh Hop Pilsner and 3 brews from the new Further Beer brand. There will be 3 areas to get a beer, the Taproom, an outdoor station and in the Wursthaus. With mugs, tokens and multiple pouring locations, lines always move quick at Oktoberfest!

Occidental Brewing – 6635 N Baltimore Ave – Portland, OR

Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider Swan Song
Saturday, September 23 – Noon-10:00pm
This weekend Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider will be open for its final time. Owner Nat West is departing the cider industry and closing his business after a 12-year run.

The cidery will host its closing party on Saturday and will continue on Sunday as well. But on Saturday, the Reverend has line upd some special guests, including Kota Ozawa of Son of the Smith Hard Cider from Nagano, Japan.

Reverend Nat’s Final Tap List:

• Swan Song 8.5%
• Nonna’s Fruit Cake 9.5%
• Pomegranate Saint Citron 4.8%
• Mama Chow’s Collaboration 5.0%
• 421 The Passion aka Quad Passion 6.9%
• The Passion 6.9%
• The Queen’s Red 6.1%
• Tepache 4.4%
• Grande Fresca Tepache 7.1%
• No Justice No Peach 8.4%
• Alcohol-Removed Date Night <0.5%
• Alcohol-Removed Happy Hour <0.5%
• 6-Year Bourbon Barrel Aged Wooden Hellfire 15.9%
• Punch 6.2%
• Viva la Pineapple 6.0%
• Fort George Brewing collaboration “Hybrid Theory” stout and Abbey Spice 10.2%
• Assembly Brewing Diego Mexican Lager 5.5%
• Happy Mountain Kombucha 0.0%

Reverend Nat’s Tasting Room – 2425 SE 35th Place – Portland, OR

Montavilla Brew Works DEADTOBERFEST
Saturday, September 23 – 3:00-9:00pm
A new twist on the traditional Oktoberfest celebration is coming to Portland’s Montavilla neighborhood on the first day of autumn with DEADTOBERFEST from Montavilla Brew Works.

“We’ve been wanting to hold an ‘Oktoberfest’ event for several years and now that the pandemic has waned considerably, we’re ready to throw another party,” stated Michael Kora, founder of Montavilla Brew Works.

“This summer has been very good for us at MBW and we’ve held several successful events including the Montavilla Street Fair which featured our HUGE outdoor beergarden on Stark Street, a MBW Brewery Stage across the street and an OLCC-relaxed ALL AGES day,” continued Kora. “Modeling after this neighborhood street fair event, we’ve decided to invite our friends from “The Weir Dose” to come back to MBW for a Grateful Dead tribute show for our “DEADTOBERFEST” event with food and great beers – while welcoming all ages once again for this event.”

DEADTOBERFEST will be highlighted by a performance from The Weir Dose as they perform the music of the Grateful Dead from 6:00-9:00pm. In addition to the music, Montavilla Brew Works will be featuring Körabräu Helles-style German Lager, Plywood Pilsner, and FH IPAs on tap to be paired with some satisfying bratwurst! Körabräu Helles-style German Lager, Plywood Pilsner, FH IPA’s and many more!

Best of all, it’s free to enter DEADTOBERFEST and all ages are welcome.

Montavilla Brew Works – 7805 SE Stark St. – Portland, OR

McMenamins Edgefield Oktoberfest
Sunday, September 24 – Noon-9:00pm
A little bit of Bavaria comes to Troutdale, Oregon on Sunday as McMenamins Edgefield hosts its annual Oktoberfest celebration. Beginning at high noon, Edgefield will be celebrating with its new Oktoberfest Lager that will be served with tasty German-style specials, plenty of beer, and live music as a backdrop to it all. Plus, face painting and balloon artist for the kiddos.

Since its Edgefield’s Oktoberfest, there will be plenty of live music!

Red Shed
12-1:30pm * Bob Kasnick
2pm-3pm * Tribal Heart BellyDance
3:30-5pm * Festival Brass
5:30-7pm * Smut City Jellyroll Society
7:30-9pm * Lewi & the Left Coast Roasters

at Blackberry Hall
12-1pm * Swiss Alphorns
1:30-3pm * Polkaticians
3:30-5pm * Darka Dusty & The Borshch Beatniks
5:30pm-7pm * Chervona
7:30-9pm * Festival Brass

Entry is free and is open to all ages.

McMenamins Edgefield – 2126 SW Halsey St – Troutdale, OR