Upstream Public Health & Their Search for the ‘Healthiest’ Beer

PORTLAND, Ore. – – May 15, 2014 – Upstream Public Health, a 501 c 3 organization that advocates for public health policies benefiting all Oregonians, will celebrate its 10th anniversary by hosting Portland’s first-ever Search for the ‘Healthiest’ Beer event on Wednesday, June 4th, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm at The Left Bank Annex in North Portland.   Anyone 21 years of age and older is welcome to attend.

This fun and festive evening will feature blind tastings from 12 local craft breweries, gourmet appetizers, a live auction and a panel of entertaining local personalities who will guide event attendees in selecting the “Healthiest Beer.”

Oregon craft breweries competing for the title of “Healthiest Beer” include Boneyard Beer, Breakside Brewery, The Commons Brewery, Deschutes Brewery, Ecliptic Brewing, Harvester Brewing, Hopworks Urban Brewery, Migration Brewing, Oregon City Brewing, Pyramid Brewery, Upright Brewiing, and Widmer Brothers Brewing Co.  The winning ‘healthiest’ beer will be featured on local taps around town.

The event will include blind tastings of beers crafted by the brewers listed. Here are examples of some of the featured brews:

Goji Berry Kolsch is a crisp, easy drinking Kolsch is a low calorie nutritional powerhouse made with two different hop varieties and the legendary Goji berry.  Long known in China for medicinal purposes, the Goji berry is loaded with iron, vitamin C, healthy amino acids and 21 trace minerals.  Combined with the natural antioxidant values of the hops, this great tasting beer is an awesome dietary supplement that helps with insomnia, digestion, strength and longevity!

Guayasa Hibiscus Sour Ale is brewed in collaboration with our friends at Runa Tea, this sour ale is a cornucopia of healthfulness. It is made with high protein wheat malt, Ecuadorian guayusa tea leaves which are full of antioxidants, Chinese yumberry, and Mexican hibiscus.

Spica Hefepils Spica is a star in Virgo only in the spring. Spring is the time of renewal and growth. What’s healthier than having Spicas brilliant blue-white energy invest this beer with its bounty? Carbon burns bright in the starts core. This is some of the same carbon that’s released as the beer ferments and also gives the beer its lovely head. The beer uses non GMO malted barley and happy hops. These hops are immediately pelletized on the farm so oxidation is kept to a minimum. This beer is loaded with protein from the malts. The yeast is left in the beer and adds B vitamins and also more protein. This make for a meal for some without the need of solid food. The hop charge is strong. Loaded with cancer fighting Xanthohumol. One could say that the mighty Spica’s energy also infuses the hop plant as it grows. Giving it the power to produce this anti- cancer compound.

Bien Etre is a blend of Fleur de Blanc with rose and elderflowers and Townshend’s Nutritonic Kombucha. Bien Etre is a refreshing, shandy-like beverage that contains Rose Petals, Rosehips, Elderflowers, Nettle, Oatstraw, Horsetail, Alfalfa, Organic Sencha Tea, and Yerba Mate.

Cancellation Ale is a gluten-free ale brewed with locally grown chestnuts and hops with the addition of lemon juice, goji berries, dandelion root, burdock root, milk thistle, and hibiscus.  Lemon juice,and goji berries are widely regarded as superfoods because of their rich antioxidant and vitamin content, and are commonly used in liver detox programs.  Dandelion root, burdock root, and milk thistle are all taken for improved liver function, with some studies suggesting that their use can reverse damage to the liver.  Milk thistle is such a strong liver detoxifier that it is given intravenously in emergency rooms to block liver damage from mushroom poisoning.  Finally, we’ve added hibiscus flowers, traditionally used in Egypt to maintain fluid balance, to combat the dehydration that can come from detoxing and drinking beer.

General admission tickets are $75 each, or 4 for $250 and include beer, wine and appetizers. However, Upstream is offering a 20% discount ($60 tickets or 4 for $200) for those who register before May 23rd. The promo code upevent7 needs to be entered into the event sponsor discount box (located in the upper left hand corner of registration page).  Top tier corporate sponsors include: Healthsparq, MODA Health, Columbia Sportswear, and Harbourton Foundation.  A limited number of corporate sponsorships are still available.

Tickets can be purchased online by visiting  Healthiest Beer event or call 503-284-6390. All proceeds benefit Upstream Public Health’s nonprofit advocacy work.

About Upstream Public Health
Upstream Public Health is a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit organization that advocates for policies that provide Healthy Starts for kids, Healthy Schools, and Healthy Communities. Upstream works for ‘upstream’ solutions that address health issues at the source so they do not become chronic down the line; ultimately making Oregon a better place to live, work, and play. The organization’s key advocacy initiatives include Farm to School and School Garden programs, healthier snack and drinks in all schools, equal access to quality and affordable dental care, and safe transportation and land use.