Oregon Distillers Unite in Guild

We know this isn't exactly craft beer news, but we here at Beer Northwest like our craft distilled spirits just as much as our microbrews. We are happy to note, therefore, the formal creation of the Oregon Distillers Guild.

This guild, according to the Portland Business Journal, consists of 16 Oregon craft distillers. It was formed with seed money and is in the early stages of getting guild identification off the ground to let the distilled spirits drinking masses know about its existence.

"We're ready to focus our energies to grow the industry here," said Lee Medoff, guild president and owner of Portland-based House Spirits, in a statement published in the Business Journal. "With more micro-distillers than any other state, we've reached critical mass. The PDC funding will jump-start the guild to promote Oregon spirits, provide resource connections and improve the business environment for distillers here in Portland and throughout the state."

One of the best ways to connect with the distillers, apart from visiting their respective distilleries, is to hit the annual Great American Distillers Festival. There is no published date we can find as of yet but we'll let you know.