Cascadian Hopheads Rejoice!

This Saturday two exciting IPA events take on the Pacific Northwest. If you are in Portland and have a passion for hops, make sure to check out Blitz Ladds‘ IPA Brewer’s Challenge & BBQ. This event is set to feature12 Pacific Northwest IPA’s, Live music and a big ol’ BBQ, and better yet, it’s all for a good cause. The Southeast sporty pub hosts this jovial IPA competition to benefit Oregon Food Bank and Hot Nights/Warm Coats. Donation barrels will be out all month, so please bring warm coats and canned food. On this day, enjoy IPAs from Ninkasi, Lagunitas, 10 Barrel, Full Sail, Alameda, Bend Brewing, Cascade, Fishtale, Firestone, Fearless, and MacTarnahans. Vote for your favorite, enjoy them all. Music by Woodbrain, the Insomniacs, and Ty Curtis. Smokin’ BBQ featuring Ribs, Chicken, and Pork Butt, plus Pizza. You can vote for your favorite IPA and enjoy this killer summer weather while it’s still available.

If you’re a hophead who finds yourself in Seattle this weekend, you’d be a fool to miss out on Beveridge Place‘s  Washington IPA Challenge. Organized by beer geek Geoff Kaiser of Seattle Beer News, the event will feature two judgings–a private one for BJCP judges, brewers and industry folk. The second blind tasting will be a public event that will occur from Noon to 4:30pm that will determine the winner of the Customer Favorite Award (announced at 5pm). According to an email from Beveridge “We’ll have 12 Washington IPAs on tap that you will be able to order and rate blind (sample sizes will be available). This is a great opportunity to test your taste buds and see if your favorite IPA in name really is your favorite IPA! For dessert, have a pint of cask-conditioned Pike Double IPA, to be tapped at 6pm!”  That’s bitter sweet!

For details on these and other fun craft beer events, check out Brewpublic’s event calendar on the side column.