Cider Summit Portland Celebrates 5th Anniversary

(Portland, OR)  May 11, 2015   SBS Imports and the Seattle Beer Collective are pleased to announce the return of Cider Summit NW Festival to Portland, OR.  The fifth annual event will take place Friday, June 19 from 2p-8p and Saturday, June 20 from 12n-6p.  Cider Summit will be returning to its new home in the Pearl District – The Fields Neighborhood Park at NW 10th/Overton.  The event is presented by World Foods & Bushwhacker Cider.

This will be the 15th Cider Summit produced by SBS & Seattle Beer Collective, having launched the concept in Seattle in September 2010 and expanding to Portland, Chicago, and most recently San Francisco.  This year’s event will feature over 150 ciders from producers around the country and around the world including regional favorites and international classics.  The owners and cidermakers will be on hand to inform and guide guests through the samplings which will be available in 4-ounce tasting portions in a special 5th anniversary souvenir festival glass.

A brand new feature at the 2015 event will be the Fruit Cider Challenge sponsored by Oregon Fruit Products.  Several of our participating cideries will produce pilot batches specifically for the event.  Consumers will vote for their favorite during the festival with the winner of the first annual Fruit Cider Challenge announced on Monday, June 22.

In addition to the superb range of ciders, the event will feature the DoveLewis/Unleashed by Petco Dog Lounge, expanded food selections from World Foods, Road Dog Sausage and others.  The Jim Miller festival stage will once again feature some of Portland’s most legendary performers produced in conjunction with event beneficiary, Cascade Blues Association.  For those seeking public transportation the Portland Streetcar stops within one block of the event.

“We believe we’ve created a unique event,” noted Ian Roberts of SBC.  “Interest in artisanal cider is exploding right now, and this event is the premier sampling opportunity for both the cider enthusiast and cider curious.”

“We are thrilled with our move to The Pearl,” added event co-founder Alan Shapiro of SBS Imports.  “We are grateful for the area’s cider community ongoing support as we work together to make this the region’s signature cider event.”

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 (cash only) at the door and are available online via Stranger tickets,  and onsite at both World Foods locations, Bushwhacker Cider, Umpqua Bank Pearl District branch, and at many of the area’s leading bottle shops.  Admission includes a 5th anniversary souvenir tasting glass, 8 tasting tickets, and a $1 donation to the event beneficiary pool.  Additional tasting tickets will be available for sale onsite at $2 per ticket.

A special VIP ticket is available for $40.  This ticket includes 4 additional tasting tickets and exclusive early admission on Friday from 2p-3p.  Only 200 of these tickets are available – exclusively online via the event website.

Re-admission will be allowed at any time with event wristband and tasting glass.  THE EVENT IS 21 & OVER ONLY.  Dogs of all ages will be allowed on event grounds.  For more information including a list of participating ciders please visit the producers page.

Cider Summit Portland benefits Northwest Cider Association, The Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research, DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital, and the Cascade Blues Association.

Cider Summit NW is presented by World Foods & Bushwhacker Cider with supporting sponsors, Oregon Fruit Products, The Portland Westin Hotel, Umpqua Bank, KNRK 94/7 Alternative Portland, Portland Mercury, Maletis Beverage, and Portland Streetcar.