It’s almost summertime, which means warm weather, longer days and beer festivals—lots of them. Here is a rundown of beer fests in Portland that will be serving up cold mugs over the approaching hot days.
Oregon Brewers Festival, July 22–25
OBF is the longest running of Portland’s beer fests, now in its 23rd year. With a focus on craft beers from all corners of the nation, OBF will serve over 80 different beers. The festival is also the largest of its kind in the city and expects to draw at least 70,000 patrons and employ 2,000 volunteers. Aside from beer, it also hosts live music, food and crafts vendors. Minors are allowed at this event, as well, and can hang out with designated drivers as they sip on the handcrafted root beer at the soda garden.
North American Organic Brewers Festival, June 25–27
There’s no limit to what styles of beer brewers can whip up for NAOBF, but there is one catch: It has to be organic. With a lineup of over 50 organic beers from all over the country, the festival seeks to set a standard when it comes to environmentalism and sustainability. NAOBF’s founder, Craig Nicholls of Roots Organic Brewing Co., sees to that. Electricity for the event is produced using biodiesel and solar power, and the festival’s cornstarch cups might melt in the sun, but are completely compostable.
International Beer Fest, July 16–18
IBF is the only summer beer fest where a variety of imported beers are available. The beer is great, but the tiny event space makes it a less enjoyable festival. Last year the festival crammed people into a small city block and the lines for the kegs, which were running out quickly, were long and slow. IBF might be a good festival to check out earlier in the day. Afterwards, patrons can always swagger downtown in search of a less crowded space.
Microhopic, June 19
This is not only the festival that you didn’t know about, but it also serves the local beers that you’ve never heard of. Located at bottle-happy Saraveza, Microhopic will feature four of Portland’s nanobreweries: Rivergate Brewing, Mt. Tabor Brewing, Big Horse Brewing and Ambacht Brewing. The crowd will likely be small, giving attendees a chance to buddy up to the brewers, who will also be attending.
Puckerfest, July 9–15
Belmont Station’s celebration of sour beers would be better classified as a week of events than a festival, but it’s delicious nonetheless. Featuring different breweries for six days, the station will provide sour beer tastings from Portland breweries and beyond.
Bones and Brews Festival, August 1–2
Hosted by Rogue Brewery, Bones and Brews is just as much about barbecue as it is about beer. Rick Browne, host of the BBQ America television show, will demonstrate his mad barbecue skills, including barbecued ice cream. Portland barbecue restaurants like Famous Dave’s and Rib City will also be on hand. To wash down the barbecue sauce, the festival will serve over 40 beers from Oregon craft brewers.