Oregon Brewers Festival Preview

Posted on July 22, 2010

I’m heading to the Oregon Brewers Festival media event in just a few moments, and I’m really quite excited. As some of you know, last weekend was the Portland International Beer Festival, run by a group out of Seattle – but the thing I’ve noticed about Portland in particular is that they LOVE to have things locally done, organized, and supplied. So this one is exclusive to Portland, and the attendance numbers show that – over 70,000 people last year, 20,000 more than other large festivals such as GABF in Denver. That’s a lot.

The only other festival I’ve been to since I moved to Oregon six weeks ago is the Organic Brewers Festival – significantly smaller than even the various Kansas City brew fests I’ve had the pleasure of attending. So I’m anxious to see what a large scale festival looks like – and the weather is absolutely perfect for it.

I’ll grab some video and make sure to review my favorites, and see if I can’t get the full report up by this evening.

More on the festival website at http://www.OregonBrewFest.com

From the press release:

Event Name

23rd Annual Oregon Brewers Festival

Venue

Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, Oregon

Main entrance at S.W. Oak Street and Naito Parkway

Dates

July 22-25, 2010 – “Always the last full weekend in July”

Times

Thurs through Sat, taps are open from Noon to 9 p.m.

Sun, taps are open from Noon to 7 p.m.

Token & mug sales cease one-half hour prior to the taps closing

Admission

Admission into the festival grounds is free. In order to consume beer at the OBF, you must purchase a taster

package. Taster packages are available in $10, $20 and $50 increments. All packages include a 2010 souvenir

mug, which is required for consuming beer (mugs from previous years will not be filled); a souvenir program that

includes a map of where the beers are located onsite; and various quantities of tokens, which are used to purchase

beer. Patrons pay four tokens for a full mug of beer, or one token for a taste. Additional tokens may be purchased at

$1 apiece.

$10 package: one mug, one program, four tokens

$20 package: one mug, one program, 14 tokens

$50 package: two mugs, one program, 40 tokens

Description

The Oregon Brewers Festival is one of the nation’s longest running and best loved craft beer festivals. Situated on the

west bank of the Willamette River, with towering Mt. Hood as a backdrop, it is the ideal venue for anyone who loves

craft beer. With a laid back attitude and scores of award-winning beers, the festival reflects the essence of the city of

Portland.

The festival exists to provide an opportunity to sample and learn about a variety of craft beer styles from across the

country. Eighty-one craft breweries from all parts of the nation offer handcrafted brews to more than 70,000 beer

lovers during the four-day event. There’s also a Buzz Tent featuring tastes of more than 50 limited production brews

from the participating breweries.

The event features live music all four days, beer-related vendors, beer memorabilia displays, beer writers and

publishers, homebrewing demonstrations, and an assortment of foods from a variety of regions. The Crater Lake

Root Beer Garden offers complimentary handcrafted root beer for minors and designated drivers. Minors are always

welcome at the festival when accompanied by a parent.

The Oregon Brewers Festival strongly encourages responsible drinking, and urges patrons to take advantage

of the MAX Light Rail line, located just one block west of the festival on SW Oak Street. The festival also offers

complimentary manned on-site bicycle parking.