Snakebite Punk Rock Night at Craft Brewers Conference

As the excitement begins to build here in Portland for the return of the Craft Brewers Conference, after a 15 year absence, one of the more exciting events is one that combinges both beer and live music. On Thursday, April 16th the Star Theater will host Snakebite Punk Rock Night.

This raucous night will be filled of beer, cider, punk rock and of course, Snakebites! The beer will be provided by Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company, Gigantic Brewing, and Trou du Diable, while the cider will be provided by Cider Riot!. Also expect to be able to order Beau’s malt liquor collaboration with musical headliners D.O.A. There is also another Beau’s collaboration but this time its with Cider Riot! that’s called Tractor Punx Bog Myrtle cider.

Live music will be featured from northwest punk legends D.O.A., local anarcho punks Defiance, Quebec’s Dance Laury Dance, and Audio Visceral from Ontario featuring Beau’s founder Steve Beauchesne. Too keep things lively between the bands sets; DJ E*Rock will be spinning classic punk rock on vinyl.

Before we move too far along, a brief history of the drink that is known as Snakebite is in order. In case you do not know, Snakebite is a blended drink that is normally a mix of equal parts lager and cider. To make this drink even more creative there are a few variations of it by either subbing out the lager for a stout or making it even stronger by adding vodka to the mix.

We asked one of the Snakebite Punk Rock Night organizers and the founder of Cider Riot!, Abram Goldman-Armstrong, about some of the lore that is associated with a Snakebite. Since Goldman-Armstrong makes cider and spent some time living in the UK we figured that he would be a great source to confirm or debunk some of the lore surrounding Snakebite.

There’s been a rumor circulating that the snakebite has been banned at certain pubs in the UK based on hooliganism. When asked about this topic, Goldman-Armstrong replied, “I’d say that’s probably true, there’s no shame in that, its all punk rock”.

Back in 2001, former President Bill Clinton attempted to order Snakebite at the Old Bell Tavern in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Unfortunately he was denied since Old Bell Tavern did not sell them due to this hooliganism. So if Clinton were to attend Snakebite Punk Rock Night would he be approved to order one? “We’d only let him have one if he brings Lewis and Clark alum Monica Lewinsky. Seriously they denied the President a snakebite, that’s awesome. Bill can drink one on me, but only he stands in on sax with D.O.A. on “Bombs Away” a song about American foreign policy”, replied Goldman-Armstrong.

The UK version may be served with a dash of blackcurrant squash, referred to as a snakebite and black. Not to be out done, Gigantic Brewing just brewed and bottled Snakebite with the assistance from Beau’s and Cider Riot! What should one expect from this collaboration?

Goldman-Armstrong says, “Our Snakebite combines a Kölsch-base with cider and a dash of blackcurrant added in the brewery, so it’s ready to go right out of the tap. Beau’s flagship is Lugtread Kölsch, so we opted to go with Kölsch in place of lager as the base style, fresh pressed Hood River apple juice was added prior to fermentation, and some Oregon blackcurrant puree was added for a touch of fruit and tannin”.

This collaboration Snakebite is also available in 22oz bottles from Gigantic Brewing.

Here’s a brief rundown on the bands performing at this showcase.

D.O.A.
Canada’s legendary Punk Kings, who helped spread punk rock counterculture around the world now approach a momentous milestone. For nearly 25 years D.O.A. has been happily slashing away at all manner of philosophical enemies. They’ve travelled the globe almost continuously since they formed in 1978; they released their first snarling piece of vinyl, the “Disco Sucks” EP in June of that year. That slab of plastic opened the door to international prominence, riots, rip-off record companies and three generations of fans.

In 1981, D.O.A. made the term “hardcore” their own and pushed it into the common vernacular with their legendary album “Hardcore 81” and subsequent tours. Consequently, D.O.A. has been cited as a major influence for tons of bands ranging from The Red Hot Chili Peppers to Green Day to Rancid to The Offspring. They followed that up with their ground breaking EP “War on 45” and “Bloodied But Unbowed.” D.O.A. has always worn their politics on their sleeves. They’ve done a lot shit disturbing along the way. They’ve been harassed and busted and survived all that crap. D.O.A.’s blatant slogan, TALK-ACTION=0 sums it all up.

DEFIANCE
Formed in 1993 from the ashes of Portland’s anarcho bands Deprived, Resist, and The Unamused. Their album “No Future, No Hope” has been sited as a major influence on other ’90s anarcho and street bands such as The Unseen. Since being together Defiance has released 5 E.P.s and 4 full lengths.

DANCE LAURY DANCE
Québécois rock band, appearing for the first time on the west coast.

AUDIO VISCERAL
Punk band from Ontario, Canada fronted by Steve Beauchesne from Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company.

Advance tickets are now on sale and can be purchased here for $10. Free with CBC Badge until 9pm, $10 after. Doors open at 7:30pm.

Star Theater
13 NW 6th Ave.
Portland 97209