Northwest Beer Festival Guide
Good to the last pour
By Shelley Seale
Photo courtesy of Washington Beer Commission
The Pacific Northwest may well be the center of the craft beer universe – or at least in the U.S. – judging by the number of small brewpubs, as well as the nearly religious fanaticism with which beer lovers treat the region.
The first modern-day American brewpub was opened in Yakima, Wash. by Bert Grant in 1982. Since that time, the art of micro-brewing top quality beer has exploded into hundreds of small breweries – as well as the festivals and parties that go along with them. More than 50 percent of beer drinkers would like to try craft beers and would do so if they knew more about them, according to Mintel research.
So, here’s your chance. We’ve compiled the best of the best – large, small or weird – beer festivals in the Northwest. Bottoms up!
Ongoing:
Der Hinterhof Leavenworth Beer Garden Weekends
Every weekend from May through September, Leavenworth. Between 12 and 20 craft and premium beers on tap every weekend. Located two blocks off Front Street. Family- and dog-friendly. http://www.leavenworthbeergarden.com
Bend Ale Trail
Discover Central Oregon’s eight breweries (seven in Bend; one in Sisters), get your passport stamped at each one and receive a commemorative Bend Silipint – made for beer drinkers on the go. http://www.visitbend.com/Bend_Oregon_Activities_Recreation/Bend-Ale-Trail
Festivals:
Sasquatch Brew Fest
May 6-7, Eugene, Ore.
Sponsored by the Cascade Brewers Society, this brewfest begins with a Beer Dinner the night of May 6, followed by the festival the next day (both held at the Eugene Hilton). There will also be a Homebrew contest and silent auction. The festival is held in honor of brewer Glen Hay Falconer (nickname Sasquatch), and showcases the vibrant Pacific Northwest brewing industry. www.northwestlegendsfoundation.org
UnTapped Blues Festival
May 13-14, Kennewick, Wash.
This 15th annual festival features more than 30 breweries pouring over 100 beers, along with providing food and wine – and of course, live blues and bluegrass musical performances from top names such as Grammy Award winner Joe Louis Walker. Proceeds from beer and wine sales are donated to the March of Dimes. www.untappedblues.com
Vancouver Craft Beer Week
May 6-14, Vancouver B.C.
This week is dedicated to showcasing Vancouver’s blossoming craft beer culture, as well as the finest restaurants and event locations Vancouver has to offer. This year’s festival has doubled in size from its wildly successful inaugural 2010 event. Twenty-two of British Columbia’s finest breweries will create a collaboration beer, with all profits being donated to a yet-to-be-named charity. www.vancouvercraftbeerweek.com
BoDo Craft Brewers Festival
May 14-15, Boise, Idaho
This event serves as the kickoff to American Craft Beer Week, and is a celebration of Northwestern and Intermountain Western craft beer featuring brewers from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Utah and Montana. It is also a fundraiser to benefit Pints for Prostates, a prostate cancer research fund and GreenWorks Idaho. The tasting package is $15. www.brewforia.com
Seattle Beer Week
May 19-28, Seattle, Wash.
A celebration of the beer culture of the city and the Pacific Northwest. This year’s featured beer by Maritime Pacific is a departure from the Double IPA of years’ past. Beer tastings, brunches and dinners and new beer releases are featured. www.seattlebeerweek.com
Brewer’s Memorial Ale Fest
May 20-22, Newport, Ore.
Benefitting dog charities of Oregon, this pet-friendly festival was created in memory of Rogue Brewmaster John Maier’s dog, Brewer. More than 50 microbreweries will be on hand, along with music and dog activities. www.brewersalefest.com
Mountain Brewers’ Beer Fest
June 4, Idaho Falls, Idaho
This 17th annual festival will feature beers from over 80 breweries, food and live music at Sandy Downs in Idaho, sponsored by the North American Brewers Association. All proceeds are donated to local charities. www.northamericanbrewers.org
Bavarian Bike & Brews Festival
June 4, Leavenworth, Wash.
This very unique beer fest combines cycling in a rigorous, IMBA-sanctioned race loop that is 8.6 miles long with an 1,800-foot elevation gain per lap. The course is spectacular but not for the timid, and in the end the delicious brews await. www.dasradhaus.com/events.htm
Portland Fruit Beer Festival
June 11-12, Portland
Hosted by the Burnside Brewing Company, this inaugural festival will feature fruit beer from over 15 local breweries. Food will also be available. www.burnsidebrewco.com
Sisters Wine & Brew Festival
June 17-18, Sisters, Ore.
This year’s event has been expanded from one day into two. Live music, wine and beer pairing classes, cooking demos, food, and art vendors are set on the village green in the charming Western town of Sisters. www.sisterswineandbrew.com
Washington Brewers Festival
June 17-19, Kenmore, Wash.
Sponsored by the Washington Beer Commission, this event brings together over 200 Washington breweries with food, live music, games, craft market and a children’s playground at St. Edward Park. www.washingtonbeer.com/festival_brewers.htm
North American Organic Brewers Festival
June 24-26, Portland, Ore.
The goal of this festival is to save the planet, one beer at a time. Sponsored by Roots Organic Brewing Company, this event combines beer with sustainability to raise awareness about organic brewers and sustainable living. www.naobf.org
Gorge Blues & Brews Festival
June 25, Stevenson, Wash.
Located directly on the beautiful Columbia River Gorge at the Skamania County Fairgrounds, The Gorge Blues & Brews Festival in Stevenson, Wash., (formerly Brews, Blues and BBQs) gives partakers a chance to drink some killer NW brews, have some great food, and listen to the blues. Three amazing blues bands, 16 regional microbreweries, and eight wineries and food vendors will be on hand. Purchase your tickets in advance and receive four free drink tokens! www.gorgebluesandbrews.com
Barley Cup
June 25, Salem, Ore.
This is a brewers’ competition with a twist: the brewers do not decide what to brew themselves, but rather craft a beer based on a random drawing. For the patrons and judges, this ensures a full range of beers from which to choose. Brewers are on hand to answer questions, give tours of the brewery and plead their cases for their own brews. The competition is held at the Thompson House, built in 1905 and rumored to be haunted. www.mcmenamins.com/1483-mcmenamins-brewfests-barley-cup
Get your beer goggles on for the Seattle international Beerfest. Photo courtesy of SIB.
Seattle International Beerfest
Get your beer goggles on for the Seattle international Beerfest. Photo courtesy of SIB.
July 1-3, Seattle, Wash.
Billed as an “over the top” beer festival, more than 150 world-class beers from 15-plus countries are featured – many of them obscure. It’s a pet-friendly venue in downtown Seattle, with music, food and games. 21 and over. www.seattlebeerfest.com
Nando’s Canada Cup of Beer
July 8-9, Vancouver B.C.
Vancouver’s largest beer festival attracts over 30 breweries featuring more than 200 beers. New this year is the Drinker’s Choice Awards, and several satellite events also take place. 21 and over. www.canadacupofbeer.com
Portland International Beerfest
July 15-17, Portland, Ore.
Taste the greatest beers you’ve never heard of. More than 150 rare and exotic beers from around the world are showcased at this pet-friendly venue in the Pearl District, with music, food and games. 21 and over. www.portland-beerfest.com
Roadhouse Brewfest
July 16, Hillsboro, Ore.
Held in honor of Oregon Craft Beer Month, this hugely popular brewfest is a “mingle and chat” with state brewers, with loads of Pacific Northwest beer on hand to try. A summertime menu and live music complete this all-ages event now in its 10th year. www.mcmenamins.com/1484-mcmenamins-brewfests-roadhouse
Oregon Brewers Festival
July 28-31, Portland, Ore.
This is one of the oldest, and most popular, festivals. Pouring more than 80 craft brews from around the country, the festival takes place on the banks of the Willamette River. A half-dozen restaurants are on hand with food, along with demonstrations and beer-related merchandise. www.oregonbrewfest.com
Bremerton Brew Festival 2011
July 23, Bremerton, Wash.
In its first-ever festival after being selected by the Washington Beer Commission, Bremerton will spotlight 24 craft breweries, each pouring three types of beers. Pacific Avenue will be closed off for the event, and a downtown walking map will encourage visits to local restaurants. 21 and over. www.Bremertonsummerbrewfest.com
Willamette Valley Blues & Brews Festival
Aug. 5-6, Springfield, Ore. This 3rd annual festival is a two-day event featuring beer from local and regional microbreweries, food vendors, and music from more than 130 Northwest blues musicians. Participants can also enjoy raft rides on the Willamette River. There will also be a Kid Zone on Saturday with face painting, juggling and balloon animals. Proceeds go to the Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity. www.wvbbf.org
Bones & Brew Festival
Aug. 6-7, Portland, Ore.
Benefitting the Oregon Zoo, this event is held in the historic Pearl District and draws more than 4,000 attendees. It’s a family- and dog-friendly festival with more than 30 microbrews on hand. This year’s theme is American Backyard BBQ, with barbeque vendors and contests. www.rogue.com/events/bones-and-brew.php
Bend Brew Fest
Aug. 18-20, Bend, Ore.
This three-day event features more than 70 beers from 36 breweries, most of them located in the Pacific Northwest. Admission is free, but you must purchase a souvenir mug for tastings. Tokens are sold for $1 each in packs of five. Children are welcome until 7 pm; after that it is 21 and over. Food vendors are also on site. The festival benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon. www.bendbrewfest.com
Oregon Brews & BBQs Festival
Aug. 19-20, McMinnville, Ore.
Benefitting Habitat for Humanity, this event features more than 50 craft beers for tasting, wine, barbeque and live bands in McMinnville’s historic Granary District. www.oregonbrewsandbbqs.com
Northwest Best Brewfest
Aug. 20, Lewiston, Idaho
Enjoy over 40 microbrews at the 2011 Northwest Best Brewfest. $10 advance ticket includes a souvenir pint glass and 5 tokens; first 1,000 people through the gate will also receive a souvenir glass. There will be great food, live music, bottled water and soda available. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity. Festival organizers also offer attendees a free ride to anywhere in Lewiston or Clarkston. www.lewistonbrewfest.com
Lighthouse Brewfest
Aug. 20, Lincoln City, Ore.
This party on the Oregon Coast at the McMenamins Brewery offers food and drink specials along with brewery tours all day long. Brewers will create an original recipe and offer samples. www.mcmenamins.com/1485-mcmenamins-brewfests-lighthouse
Little Woody Barrel Aged Brew & Whiskey Fest
Sept. 2-3, Deschutes, Ore.
More than 3,000 locals and visitors turned out for this festival in 2010 to sample barrel-aged beers from various breweries in Bend and around Oregon, and connect with fellow brew fanatics. The Little Woody celebrates this ancient brewing technique as adapted by American craft brewers, featuring beers aged in wine barrels, whiskey barrels and oak barrels, a process that uniquely flavors and intensifies the beer. Held at the Deschutes Historical Museum; parking is limited. www.thelittlewoody.com
The Great Canadian Beer Festival
Sept. 9-10, Victoria B.C.
In its 18th year, this has become one of the world’s must-attend beer events. Over 45 craft breweries from as far away as Australia are represented, with food and entertainment in beautiful Victoria. www.gcbf.com
Mt. Angel Oktoberfest
Sept. 15-18, Mount Angel, Ore.
Oregon’s largest and oldest folk festival is located in this German-settled town, creating an “Old World” Oktoberfest. Live music, traditional biergartens, 50 Alpine food chalets, arts and crafts, street dancing and kids’ events. RV and tent camping are available. www.oktoberfest.org
Bike to BeerFest
Sept. 17, Portland, Ore.
Sponsored by Hopworks Urban Brewery, this is the world’s only “bike-in” Oktoberfest Party. Expect 15 Organic Hopworks Beers on tap, five local bands, 12 Oregon bike builders and great games and food. The event is carbon-neutral and zero waste. www.hopworksbeer.com
Mid-Valley Brewfest
Sept. 17, Eugene, Ore.
Held at High Street Brewery & Café, this festival includes High Street brewers plus guests from breweries in the Eugene area, southern I-5 corridor and lower Willamette Valley – all who craft special beers for the occasion. There’s no competition here – just a day of community, beer, food, music and more. www.mcmenamins.com/1486-mcmenamins-brewfests-mid-valley
Bend Oktoberfest
Sept. 23-24, Bend, Ore.
The legendary Wiener Dog races, yodeling contest and hammerschlagen competition (race to hammer a nail into a log) will highlight this year’s festival which includes Bavarian music and food, beer and games. Beers provided from local breweries. Proceeds to benefit Downtown Bend beautification projects. www.downtownbend.org/oktoberfest-2011/
Fremont Oktoberfest
Sept. 23-25, Seattle, Wash.
One of America’s funkiest Oktoberfest events, this is held along Fremont’s ship canal and features over 70 microbrews, live entertainment, food, craft vendors and a children’s area. There will also be a Dogtoberfest event and a 5K run. A portion of the proceeds goes toward local schools and the community. www.fremontoktoberfest.com
IPA Invasion III
Sept. 24, Vancouver, Wash.
Set on the banks of the Columbia River at the McMenamins on the Columbia pub, this beer gathering pays homage to IPAs — that’s India Pale Ales, hopped to the gill and sometimes quite high in alcohol content. Settle in at one of the pub’s outdoor tables (or indoors if it’s a bit gloomy out) and set yourself up with a selection of freshly brewed McMenamins IPAs handcrafted specifically for the occasion. www.mcmenamins.com/1487-mcmenamins-brewfests-ipa-invasion
Enumclaw Oktoberfest
Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Enumclaw, Wash.
This community celebration of Bavarian culture features a beer garden, authentic wurst and sausage, and Bavarian dancers. 21 and over. www.enumclawoktoberfest.com
Oktoberfest Leavenworth
Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Oct. 7-8, Oct. 14-15, Leavenworth, Wash.
Yes, this Oktoberfest celebration is held over three weekends, and billed as the next best thing to being in Munich. Live music, German food, arts and crafts, family activities, and of course beer are all a part of it. Free transportation in Leavenworth is available. www.leavenworthoktoberfest.com
Fresh Hop Ale Festival
Oct. 1, Yakima, Wash.
Yakima produces about 77 percent of the country’s hops, so if you want fresh, head to this eastern Washington town. Festival-goers vote on their favorite brew; in order for a brew to be considered a “fresh hop ale” for this competition, it must be produced with hops picked no more than 24 hours prior before brewing. The Festival was recently named one of the 10 best beer festivals by Roadtripsforbeer, www.roadtripsforbeer.com/2010/09/top-10-fall-beer-festivals. Expect about 20 breweries, great food, wine tasting and music. www.freshhopalefestival.com/
Great American Distillers Festival
Oct. 22-23, Portland, Ore.
This festival is a gathering of small distillers from across the country who come to Oregon – the Mecca of craft distilling – to share their products, passion and expertise in handcrafting spirits. There will be tastings, seminars, a mixology contest for bartenders and more. www.rogue.com/events/Distillers-Festival.php
PNA Winter Beer Taste
Nov. 12, Seattle, Wash.
Featuring 28+ micro-breweries releasing their new winter beers, this annual event is presented by the Phinney Neighborhood Association and in its 24th year. www.phinneycenter.org/events/beer.shtml
Holiday Ale Festival
Nov. 30 – Dec. 4, Portland, Ore.
Nearly 50 brewers will serve up their winter pours in downtown Portland under a large dry tent at Pioneer Courthouse Square. http://holidayale.com/index.php
Regular contributor Shelley Seale continues to refine her beer palate at these Northwest festivals.
