Are you ready to raise your glass and savor the flavors of Portland’s craft beer scene? Look no further than the renowned Portland Craft Beer Festival, a celebration of all things hoppy, malty, and delicious that showcases the city’s vibrant local brewing community. But what sets this festival apart from the rest? Let’s dive in and discover the enticing brews, passionate brewers, and unforgettable experiences that await you at the Portland Craft Beer Festival.
Key Takeaways:
- Portland Craft Beer Festival is one of the nation’s longest-running and best-loved craft beer festivals.
- The festival takes place on the west bank of the Willamette River, offering picturesque views of Mt. Hood.
- With a laid-back atmosphere and a wide selection of craft beers and ciders, the festival embodies the spirit of Portland.
- The festival infuses over $20 million into the local economy each year.
- Explore the diverse flavors and styles of craft beer crafted by local Portland breweries.
Contents
A Year-Round Beer Festival Destination in Portland
Portland is known for its love of beer and hosts beer festivals year-round. Whether you’re a beer connoisseur or simply enjoy a cold brew on a sunny day, there’s always a beer festival happening in Portland that caters to your taste buds. From the Oregon Craft Beer Month celebrations in February to the Fresh Hops Fest in October, beer lovers have plenty of opportunities to indulge in their favorite beverage.
One of the most anticipated festivals is Zwickelmania, which takes place in February. During this event, breweries across the state open their doors for free tastings and tours, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process and the chance to sample a wide variety of beers. It’s a great opportunity to discover new breweries and expand your beer knowledge.
Another iconic event is the Oregon Brewers Festival, which takes place every July and draws nearly 70,000 attendees. This festival showcases over 80 independent craft breweries from around the country, with a focus on Oregon breweries. It’s a celebration of the craft beer industry and a chance for beer enthusiasts to sample a diverse range of beers.
But the beer festivals don’t stop there. Portland’s beer scene is so vibrant that there are month-by-month beer festivals happening all year long. Whether you’re looking for a small-scale neighborhood festival or a large-scale event with live music and food trucks, Portland has it all.
A Sample of Month-by-Month Beer Festivals in Portland
| Month | Festival | Description |
|---|---|---|
| February | Zwickelmania | Brewery open houses with free tastings and tours |
| July | Oregon Brewers Festival | One of the largest craft beer festivals in the country |
| October | Fresh Hops Fest | Celebration of fresh hop beers |
| December | Holiday Ale Festival | Showcasing winter beers and ciders |
These are just a few examples of the beer festivals that take place in Portland throughout the year. Whether you’re a local or planning a visit to the city, be sure to check out the calendar of events to find a festival that suits your taste and schedule. Cheers to Portland’s thriving beer culture!
Notable Beer Festivals in Portland
Portland is home to a variety of notable beer festivals that celebrate the city’s vibrant craft beer scene. These festivals offer the opportunity to taste unique and delicious beers, connect with local brewers, and experience the community spirit that defines Portland’s beer culture. Here are some of the must-visit beer festivals in Portland:
SheBrew Festival Portland
The SheBrew Festival, founded in 2015, celebrates and supports the talented female craft beer, cider, and mead makers in Portland. This festival not only showcases their creations but also raises funds for the LGBTQ charity, Human Rights Campaign. It’s a fantastic event that brings together amazing beverages and a commitment to equality and inclusivity.
Portland Farmhouse and Wild Ale Festival
The Portland Farmhouse and Wild Ale Festival is the largest festival in the Pacific Northwest dedicated to funky and tart beers. With over 50 unique beers on offer, this festival is a haven for beer enthusiasts looking to explore the wild side of brewing. From barrel-aged delights to spontaneously fermented ales, this festival offers a truly unique tasting experience.
Sip of Spring Portland
The Sip of Spring festival is a celebration of spring beers and ciders from local brewers. As the weather warms up, Portlanders gather to enjoy refreshing and vibrant brews that perfectly capture the spirit of the season. It’s a great opportunity to discover new flavor profiles and raise a glass to the arrival of spring.
Hood River Hops Fest
The Hood River Hops Fest is an annual celebration of fresh hop beers from Northwest breweries. With over 60 breweries participating, this festival is a hop lover’s dream. It showcases the unique flavors and aromas that fresh hops bring to the brewing process, making it a must-attend event for beer enthusiasts in Portland.
Portland Fresh Hops Festival
The Portland Fresh Hops Festival is all about celebrating the autumn hops harvest. Unfortunately, it was postponed in 2017, but we eagerly await its return. This festival offers a selection of bright and earthy brews made with freshly harvested hops, providing a unique and flavorful experience for beer lovers.
Summary
Portland’s beer festivals offer a diverse range of flavors and styles, showcasing the creativity and passion of its local brewers. Whether you’re a fan of sour beers, farmhouse ales, or fresh hop brews, there’s a festival in Portland that will satisfy your taste buds. So mark your calendars and get ready to raise a glass at these remarkable beer festivals in the heart of the Pacific Northwest.
Supporting Local Agriculture through Craft Beer
The Oregon Agricultural Trust and 17 Oregon breweries and cideries have joined forces in the Cheers to the Land campaign to protect farmland from development and support local farmers. As part of this initiative, benefit beers and ciders are brewed in collaboration with farmers and partners such as Goschie Farms and Gold Rush Malt.
These delicious and unique brews are released in limited-edition cans and can be found in specialty grocery stores and bottle shops across Oregon. By purchasing these benefit beers and ciders, you are not only treating yourself to a tasty beverage, but you are also directly contributing to the preservation of farmland in Oregon.
The Cheers to the Land campaign goes beyond brewing benefit beers and ciders. It also includes various events such as tap takeovers and beer releases, where the proceeds are dedicated to supporting the Oregon Agricultural Trust’s mission of preserving farmland in our beautiful state.
By supporting this campaign, you are making a positive impact on Oregon farmers and ensuring that our farmland remains protected for generations to come.
Oregon Brewers at the Great American Beer Festival
Oregon breweries showcased their exceptional brewing skills at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), cementing their reputation as leaders in the craft beer industry. GABF is renowned as one of the most prestigious beer festivals in the United States, attracting beer enthusiasts and brewers from across the nation.
With their dedication to brewing excellence, Oregon breweries earned a remarkable total of 23 medals at GABF. These accolades are a testament to the craftsmanship and innovation that define the Oregon beer scene. Among the 23 medals, nine were gold medals, showcasing the superior quality of the beers produced by these breweries.
Breakside Brewery emerged as a standout performer, taking home an impressive four medals at GABF. Known for pushing boundaries and experimenting with flavors, Breakside Brewery continues to set the bar high for the industry.
Several other breweries also excelled at GABF, each earning three medals. These include 10 Barrel Brewing, Deschutes Brewery, and pFriem Family Brewers. These breweries have consistently demonstrated their commitment to brewing excellence and showcasing the rich flavors of Oregon.
Notable winners at GABF also include Falling Sky Brewing, Grand Fir Brewing, and Alesong Brewing and Blending. Alesong Brewing and Blending is especially noteworthy, as they have won a medal every year they have participated in the festival, highlighting their consistency in delivering outstanding brews.
The success of Oregon breweries at GABF reflects the state’s vibrant and thriving craft beer culture. These breweries continue to innovate, experiment, and push boundaries, making Oregon a destination for beer enthusiasts from around the world.
Oregon Breweries at the Great American Beer Festival
| Brewery | Total Medals | Gold Medals |
|---|---|---|
| Breakside Brewery | 4 | 1 |
| 10 Barrel Brewing | 3 | 0 |
| Deschutes Brewery | 3 | 0 |
| pFriem Family Brewers | 3 | 0 |
| Falling Sky Brewing | 1 | 0 |
| Grand Fir Brewing | 1 | 0 |
| Alesong Brewing and Blending | 1 | 0 |
A New Chapter for Ex Novo Brewing
Ex Novo Brewing, a beloved brewery in Portland, is embarking on an exciting new journey as it undergoes a change in ownership. The brewery is being sold to Lazy Days Brewing, a passionate team of former colleagues from Pacific Foods, who are bringing their expertise and love for craft beer to Ex Novo.
With this change, Lazy Days Brewing plans to continue the tradition of exceptional brewing that Ex Novo is known for. They are committed to reopening the kitchen at Ex Novo’s North Portland pub, delighting customers with delicious food and locally crafted beers all under one roof.
The new owners are thrilled to carry forward Ex Novo’s legacy as a prominent craft brewery in Portland. They are dedicated to preserving the brewery’s commitment to quality, innovation, and community engagement. Beer enthusiasts can look forward to enjoying more of Ex Novo’s unique and flavorful brews as Lazy Days Brewing takes the helm.