Ring in Spring with Spring Beer & Wine Fest

Celebrate the season with Portland, Oregon’s 16th Annual Spring Beer & Wine Fest.

This year’s Spring Beer & Wine Fest promises to bring more spectacular beer and wine than ever before. According to organizer Steve Woolard “We are really excited about the beer selection this year.” As you might remember, for the last three years of the fest, Astoria Brewing’s Bitter Bitch, a magnificently hopped brew has taken the crown of people’s choice for the fest. Woolard is excited about some of the other brews that he strongly believes might give the Bitch a run for her money. “It could be an imperial stout or a dark beer this year. There’s a lot of up and coming new ones that are going to take a run at (Bitter Bitch)” says Woolard.  “It will certainly be a lot of fun and there will be a little bit of something at the fest for everyone.”

Festival-goers will enjoy samples of more than 80 craft beers, 30 regional wineries and many local artisan spirits, plus delectable tastes of specialty cheese and handcrafted chocolate, all while mingling with brewers, winemakers and other craftspeople. In addition, the festival will also offer a global shopping marketplace, cooking demonstrations and educational seminars on the Chef’s Stage, and live music featuring Northwest bands including Keegan Smith & the Fam.

Held indoors at the Oregon Convention Center, the Spring Beer & Wine Fest is one of Portland’s original beer festivals and guarantees yet another year of exceptional artisan food and drink.

Feeling good about partaking

New this year, the festival will partner with the Portland chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) to send kids, who are battling neuromuscular diseases, to summer camp. Multiple local craft breweries and wineries will generously donate one-of-a-kind specialty beers and wines that will only be available at the MDA booth. Festival attendees can help send a kid to camp by making a $5.00 donation in exchange for a 14 oz beer or 5 oz glass of wine. All fundraising proceeds will help local MDA families.

WHEN: The Spring Beer & Wine Fest will be open Friday – Saturday, April 2-3, 2010, from Noon – 11 p.m. both days

WHERE: at the Oregon Convention Center (777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd., Portland, Ore.).

COST: Admission is free the first two hours each day, or $5 after 2 p.m. Tasting packages are available for $20, which includes admission, a wine glass or plastic beer mug and 10 tokens. Purchased individually, sampling tokens are $1 and may be used for beer, wine, spirits and food. A mug or glass is required for beer tasting. The festival features Rastal glasses.

Minors accompanied by an adult are permitted until 7 p.m. each day; children ages 12 and younger are free.

DETAILS: For more information about specific vendors and a detailed event schedule, visit the Spring Beer & Wine Fest website: http://www.springbeerfest.com.