Beer and Music in the Euge!

The KLCC Microbrew Festival will take place Friday & Saturday, February 6 & 7, from 5 to 11 p.m., at the Lane Events Center, 796 W 13th Ave in Eugene. All proceeds will benefit public radio station KLCC 89.7 FM. Admission is $15 and includes a souvenir glass and 2 beer tastings. Additional tastings are $1 each. Guests must be 21 and over.

Microbrew aficionados will find 51 breweries from the West Coast to Vermont -- offering samples of their most popular beers and many specialty brews. Sample a watermelon wheat beer from San Francisco, a chocolate habañero stout from Portland, or a woodchuck cider from Middlebury! Over 100 brews will be on tap for tasting.

A Music Sale is also part of the event -- with hundreds of used records & CDs at
ridiculously low prices.

Two hot bands will help keep the party going all weekend long:
The Ashleigh Flynn Band, Americana music with sweet, pure vocals, performs on Friday, and The Essentials, with tight rhythm, heavy brass & soulful vocals, perform on Saturday.

This year's Collaboration Brew is "Sasquatch Old Ale," a popular beer that was originally brewed by the Wild Duck's late brewer Glen Falconer. All five of Eugene's local breweries -- Eugene City, High Street, Ninkasi, Oakshire, and Steelhead -- have created a version of this brew especially for the Festival. Guests can sample them all and learn about how they were made.

A Home Brew Competition will take place prior to the event. Anyone wishing to enter should take 3 bottles of their home brew to Valley Vintner & Brewer in Eugene and turn in an entry form and fee. Deadline is February 2. Judging will be held on February 6 and winners will be announced at the Microbrew Festival on Saturday, February 7.

The Microbrew Festival is one of KLCC's largest fundraising events of the year. KLCC is a public radio station licensed to Lane Community College, providing NPR News and a variety of music programs to western and central Oregon. All proceeds from this event will go into the KLCC General Fund.

Help support KLCC, sample some fine microbrews, enjoy great live music, bring home some tunes, and socialize with friends at the KLCC Microbrew Festival!!

For more information: www.klcc.org or (541) 463-6000
The KLCC Microbrew Festival is sponsored by Market of Choice

Cascade Brewing's Apricot Ale reaps accolades

Congratulations to our friends at Cascade Brewing!! Draft Magazine named Portland, Oregon's Cascade Brewing Apricot Ale as one of the top 25 beers of 2008 in its January/February issue, putting it in an elite category with other craft beers from around the world. This marks the beer's second honor this month, having earlier received the third annual Satori Award.

Brewmaster Ron Gansberg based his Apricot Ale on a Belgian Tripel, putting it through 16 months lactic fermentation and aging it in French oak wine barrels. The apricots were allowed to slowly ripen before introduction into the beer; the beer then aged another four months on the fruit before bottling.

Gansberg's reaction to the article was one of elation. "When we were in the cellar first tasting it, we believed we had a world-class beer," explained Gansberg. "But it's all about other people's perceptions. We were thrilled the folks at Draft Magazine agreed with us!"

The article's tasting notes read, "Pouring this brew is an unforgettable experience: An intense apricot aroma races out of the glass. The flavor is sweet but not syrupy, with apricot flavors from beginning to end. This is everything a masterfully crafted fruit beer should be."

According to Draft Beer Director Rick Sellers, the Top 25 article began as a mental exercise for the magazine staff, as they considered beers they'd run across in the past year that really struck them. Sellers said Cascade Brewing's Apricot Ale was sent to the magazine's tasting panel last year for a review. "It was a 'wow' beer, both for me and for the panel. The minute we tasted it, we knew we wanted more!"

Sellers, who had the final voice on the 25 beers selected, proclaimed the article to be one of the most difficult pieces he's ever written. "We narrowed down the field from more than 500 beers to 25; I consulted with beer writers, experts and those opinions I trusted before selecting the beers that made the final cut."

Earlier this year, Cascade Apricot Ale received the Satori Award from beer writer Jeff Alworth, who blogs about beer at http://beervana.blogspot.com. According to Alworth, the Satori Award, now in its third year, honors the beer that in a single instant allows the drinker to realize brewing magnificence. Alworth, who refers to Gansberg as a "mad scientist with sour beers," called the Cascade Apricot Ale "an amazing beer, both approachable yet complex...truly a revelation."

Cascade Apricot Ale is part of a line of ultra-premium, oak barrel-aged, lactic-fermented Belgian-style beers that range from Lambic-style fruit beers to red ales. The beers are hand-bottled in 750 ml champagne bottles and sell for $15.95 apiece. Cascade Apricot Ale is available at the Raccoon Lodge & Brewpub, which houses Cascade Brewing at 7424 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy in Portland; and at area stores and markets.

About Cascade Brewing
Located in the Raleigh Hills neighborhood of SW Portland, Cascade Brewing was established in 1998 by Art Larrance, who has been involved in Oregon's craft beer industry since its inception. Art co-founded one of the state's first microbreweries, Portland Brewing, as well as the Oregon Brewers Festival, which today is one of the world's preeminent craft beer festivals.

Cascade Brewing offers eight well-balanced beers on draught year-round, complemented by seasonal selections. It won an award from the Great American Beer Festival in 2008 for its Cascade Kriek, and also sells bottles of Cascade Blackberry and Cuvee. For more information, call 503-296-0110 or visit www.raclodge.com.

BridgePort Brewery at the 32nd Annual Portland International Film Festival

BridgePort Brewing Company is the official beer of this year’s 2009 Portland International Film Festival. The event, put on by the Northwest Film Center, will open Thursday, February 5th at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall with the gala premier of Oregon-based animation studio LAIKA’s new movie Coraline staring Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, and others. Moviegoers throughout the festival, who bring a ticket stub of that night’s screening into the BridgePort brewpub + bakery or BridgePort Ale House, may purchase a $1.25, 20-ounce Imperial Pint, in honor of BridgePort’s 25th anniversary.

In addition to discounted pints at the BridgePort Brewpub + Bakery and BridgePort Ale House, BridgePort will also be pouring a variety of complimentary brews at each of the Festival’s events, including the Opening Night party, all of the Festival parties and the Closing Night party. Events open to the public include:

Opening Night party, Tuesday, Feb 5 – The Portland International Film Festival will open with a 7:30pm showing of Coraline at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets to the film go on sale Wednesday, January 28 and can be purchased at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts (PCPA) Box Office. Following the film will be an after party where show-goers can discuss the film and enjoy free beer complimentary of BridgePort Brewery.

Thursday, Feb. 12 – A post-film event for the 6pm showing of Shall We Kiss. The reception will begin at 8pm in the Fields Ballroom at the Portland Art Museum and be open to everyone that attended the film.

Closing Night party, Saturday, Feb 21 – The Closing Night party will be held following the 8:15pm showing of Dean Spanley. The party will take place in the Fields Ballroom at the Portland Art Museum. The event is open to the public, tickets are $10 apiece and attendees will be able to compare notes with fellow Festival-goers on their favorite films while sipping on their favorite complimentary BridgePort Brews.

For more information on the 32nd Portland International Film Festival and a complete schedule of events, visit www.nwfilm.org.

Full Sail Releases Black Gold Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout

Wow, that's a mouthful. Full Sail Brewing is proud to announce the special
release of Black Gold Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout 2009. This
highly anticipated release from Full Sail's vintage barrel series has
been a Full Sail brewing tradition since 1998. Every year since, Full
Sail's talented team of brewers brew an Imperial style dark ale and fill
roughly sixty oak bourbon barrel casks, then age them in their cellar for about a year.

"Wood and barrel aging is an art form that takes dedication, patience
and care. We brew this special beer in small batches, that's why it is available in very limited quantities," explained Jamie Emmerson, Full Sail's Brewmaster.

The beer will be released in early February. According to Jamie, it was
initially brewed in February 2008, and released as Full Sail Imperial
Stout. A portion of the batch was reserved and aged for almost a year
in Bourbon casks from Kentucky to create Black Gold. "This extended
aging presents hints of vanilla and allows the Stout to pick up the
flavors of the wood, bourbon and oak. The aging combined with the robust
character of the Imperial Stout make for an extraordinary and wonderful
taste experience. It has a strong roasted malt character and a full
body. Chocolate and caramel nuances blend with the hops for a smooth
Imperial Stout," describes Jamie. "It cellars well, if you store a few
bottles in a dark, cool place and be patient - you will be rewarded for
your effort and restraint." To help the beer aficionados that have the
self-discipline to cellar this beer, Full Sail marks the bottle label
with the reserve year. Black Gold will be available in 22 oz bottles and
on draft. (ABV 10.5%, IBU 65)

Full Sail is planning a special event to celebrate the release of Black
Gold. The brewery will be pouring three of their wood-aged beers
including bourbon-barrel-aged 2002 and 2008 Top Sail Imperial Porter,
and 2009 Black Gold Imperial Stout. The special tapping will take place
at 5 p.m., Monday, February 2nd at Full Sail's River place Brewery in
Portland, Oregon and at 5 p.m., Thursday, February 5th at the Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub in Hood River. For more information call the Full Sail River place brewery at 503-222-5343 or the Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub at 541-386-2247.

Beer Northwest Pairing Dinner!!

Beer Northwest and Vindalho in Portland are teaming up for our first ever beer pairing dinner!

Join us February 23rd at 6:30pm for a reception with champagne lager; the multi-course dinner, expertly paired with Northwest craft beer, will begin at 7:15pm.

Interact with chef David Anderson (featured in the current issue) and get to know the Beer Northwest crew while satiating your appetite for traditional Indian food with a Northwest flare.

Tickets are $60 and include beer pairings and gratuity. Reservations are required, and seating is limited.

To reserve your tickets or for more information, call Vindalho at 503.467.4550 or visit their website. We look forward to seeing you there!

Pike Brewing's 20th Anniversary

2009 marks Pike Brewing's 20th Anniversary. Come out and take part in the celebration!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Celebrate Inauguration Day at Pike! Chili is said to be Barack Obama's favorite dish, in honor of his Inauguration, Chef Gary Marx will prepare: PIKE'S "WHITE HOUSE" CHILI
Enjoy a bowl of Pike's classic meat (or veggie) Southern-style chili made with Pike Old Bawdy topped with a blend of Beecher's Flagship Cheddar and River Valley Rancher Rob's Pepper Jack, sour cream and green onions. Served with a side of Chef Gary's special onion shortcake and paired with a schooner of Old Bawdy or a Pike pint of your choice.
You're going to like this economic stimulus package! $13.95

Sunday, January 25, 2009
Robbie Burns' Evening
Poet Robert Burns loved ale as well as whisky and it seems only natural that as the brewers of Pike Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale and the purveyor, at the Pike Pub, of some of the finest malts of Scotland, that Pike should honor the bard on his 250th Birthday.
They'll be holding a tasting seminar for $25 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 pm, at 5:30 p.m.
Pike owner, Charles Finkel, will tap a firkin of Pike Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale, seasoned with oak that was sterilized in Lagavulin single malt Islay Whisky for $6.50 a pint. Traditional Burns' Night entertainment will include a poetry reading by Scottish speakers, an extraordinary pipe and drum concert, songs and lots of old fashioned fun. The Buffet and entertainment will be $25.00 per person plus tax and gratuity.

Sunday, February 8, 2009
Pike Old Bawdy Vertical Tasting
1994 - 1996 - 1997 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
Join the Pike gang at the Pike Pub Museum Room from 2:00-6:00 p.m. for the vertical tasting. The tasting will be $18.00 per person or $15.00 with a WABL passport, and Schooners of 2008 Old Bawdy will be available for $5.00; for those who would like to keep the abbey style glass enameled with the Pike Family logo, purchase both for $10.00.

Struise Black Albert Keg Tapping

Head down to the Green Dragon Saturday, January 24th at 3:00pm where they'll be tapping a keg of Struise Black Albert (a rare Russian Imperial Stout). There were only 20 kegs shipped to the United States, so take advantage!

The Green Dragon is located at 928 SE 9th Ave Portland, OR 97214.

Summit Hops Bring Citrus Twist to Widmer's New Pale Ale

Kurt and Rob Widmer, innovators of American-style Hefeweizen, may be laid back guys but they are serious about brewing great beer. Their latest creation, Drifter Pale Ale, is no exception. Brewed with Summit hops, a new variety known for its intense and abundant citrus aroma and flavors, Drifter's taste is unique to the category. True to the pale ale style, Drifter's light bittering hops give the brew a crisp, clean and refreshing finish ideal for those longing for lazy days adrift on the lake.

"We crafted Drifter to make waves in the category and provide beer lovers with a new pale ale experience," said Kurt Widmer, co-founder of Widmer Brothers Brewing. "Most pale ales are brewed with Cascade hops. Ours is truly an original, made with Summit hops known for their delicate flavor and undertones of tangerine, mandarin orange and grapefruit."

Drifter is laid back, smooth and inviting; its subtle caramel malt sweetness balances the tangy hops and leaves drinkers feeling refreshed and satisfied. Drifter was a Silver Medal winner in the Pale Ale category at the 2006 Great American Beer Festival (GABF); the beer sails in at an ABV of 5.7% and 32 IBUs.

Drifter will be available on tap in 20 select states beginning January 5th, with six-packs on shelves in early February. The beer will launch nationwide in mid-April and will be offered year-round.

Meet the Brewer!

Green Dragon Brewpub presents “Meet the Brewer” Tuesday January 20, 2009 featuring Fred Colby of Laughing Dog Brewing from 6:00p to 8:00p.

Laughing Dog Brewing is an award winning Craft Brewery located in the heart of the Selkirk Mountains just outside of Sandpoint Idaho in the city of Ponderay. They brew their Beer on a fifteen barrel PUB brewing systems brew-house using the local water, which is ideal for brewing smooth clean ales.

Featured Beers:
Alpha Dog Imperial IPA: a brand new beer. They'll have one of the first two kegs to arrive in Oregon.

Cold Nose IPA

Dogzilla Black IPA

The Green Dragon is located at 928 SE 9th Ave Portland, OR 97214.

Wurstfest: Something new in old Mt. Angel

Oktoberfest and the Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce are teaming together for the last blast of winter. Wurstfest, a celebration of the mighty German (wurst) sausage, takes place in the Oktoberfest Biergarten in Mount Angel, Oregon on Saturday, February 21, from noon-11:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 22, from noon-6:00 p.m. This is the weekend before Ash Wednesday and the start of the austere, Holy Season of Lent.

Area sausage makers will be presenting for sale the best of their wurst – bratwurst, bockwurst, famous Oktoberfest sausage and many more garnished with sauerkraut, grilled onions and the Benedictine Sisters award winning Monastery Mustards.

World famous Spaten Biers from Munich – Premium Helles, Optimator, Helles Bock, Franziskaner Hefeweizen, along with the ever popular Bud Light will be available, along with a wide array of East Valley Wines, non-alcoholic drinks and potions, and for those cold winter days, Bavarian Glühwein. Select cheeses, sausage pizza, baked goods, Extreme Chocolates and elephant ears for the kids round out the food offerings.

Non-stop music at Wurstfest features Mount Angel's own Z Musikmaskers Family Band, The Greg Meier Bavarian Quartet, the Happy Swiss Yodeling Band, a father-son accordion duo and more.

Included in the $10.00 admission fee is a half liter, Spaten souvenir Bavarian beer mug, easily worth the price of admission. Dust off your lederhosen, starch up your Bavarian Dirndl and join the happy folk of Mount Angel for two fun-filled days of celebration in honor of the Wurst!

Visit their website for more information.

Rogue Celebrates Oregon's 150th Birthday with Commemorative Ale

After 150 years of statehood, Oregon deserves its own beer. And Oregon’s own Rogue Ales – which is celebrating its 21st birthday this year – is brewing it.

Oregon 150, the non-profit organization responsible for planning the state’s sesquicentennial celebration, selected Rogue to brew a special commemorative ale for the state’s 150th birthday. Sesquicentennial Ale will be available starting Feb. 14—Oregon’s birthday – on draft and in limited edition 22-ounce serigraphed bottles. Sesquicentennial Ale will debut at Oregon 150 celebrations in Salem and Portand. It will also be featured at the Oregon Brewers Guild open houses at Rogue’s Newport and Eugene breweries that weekend. Sesquicentennial Ale will be on sale until Dec. 31, 2009 at Rogue’s pubs in Newport (Bayfront Pub, Brewers on the Bay), Portland (Rogue Distillery and Public House, PDX Airport Pub and Green Dragon), Eugene City Brewery and Rogue Public House in Astoria.

Sesquicentennial Ale, dedicated to Oregon: The State of Beer, was designed by Rogue brewmaster John Maier to showcase Oregon-grown ingredients. The initial brew features 5 ingredients: Two-row and Munich malts - a portion of which were grown in Oregon’s Klamath Basin - Willamette hops from Rogue Farms’ hop yard in Independence, Rogue’s proprietary PacMan yeast from Hood River and free range coastal water. Sesquicentennial Ale is brewed at Rogue’s Newport brewery. Even the bottles are from Oregon, manufactured at Owens-Illinois’ Portland plant and serigraphed at TriS in Tualatin.

“With Rogue’s deep roots in the Oregon brewing community, their years of award-winning beers, history of charitable giving and new foray into growing their own malting barley and hops, they were the natural choice to brew Oregon’s sesquicentennial beer,” said Melisa McDonald, Executive Director of Oregon 150.

In the fall, Rogue will brew another batch of Sesquicentennial Ale using malting barley from Rogue Farms’ barley ranch in Tygh Valley, making it the first all-Oregon ingredient artisan beer.

The Rogue Nation Treasury will print a commemorative Hopoe (the currency of the Rogue Nation) and the Rogue Nation Postal Service will issue a commemorative stamp to honor the state’s sesquicentennial.

Happy Birthday Oregon!

Meet and Mix

Come down for Recession Proof Mixology! Meet and mix with the distillers/owners of House Spirits from on January 21st from 5pm-7pm at The East Burn in Portland, Oregon. Located at 18th and E. Burnside, visit their website for more information, or call 503.236.BURN

Hopworks Mug Club

Soon the shelves behind the bar at Hopworks Urban Brewery in Portland, OR will be shimmering with new mugs for the Hopworks devotee!

Membership in the Mug Club costs $100/yr and buys not only a mug of grandeur that lets your fellow patron know you're a true beer aficionado, but also gets your 20.5oz mug filled for the same price as the normal 16.5oz mugs (including happy hour). The hook-up begins with your second pint every week.

Included in the club is entry into quarterly Mug Club parties featuring a special release beer from the Hopworks cellar, available only to Mug Club members, a raffle of a brand-spanking-new bicycle and many more prizes!

Look to the end of January for your chance at Super-Mugdom. Limited to 200 Members, so don't dally!

2nd Annual Beer & Cake Fest!

Beer and cake? You bet! Enjoy beer paired with cake at 99 Bottles beer store's second annual Beer & Cake Fest, which marks the second anniversary of 99 Bottles, a bottle shop in Federal Way, carrying over 900 different beers from nearby microbrewed craft beers, to imports from Belgium, Germany, England, and more than 40 other countries.

The Beer & Cake fest will feature five beers—including fruit lambics, Belgian-style dubbels, and stouts—served alongside rich chocolate cake with a cream cheese filling.

It's only $2.50 to sample the five beers, get a piece of cake, and enter the beer-gear raffle on Tuesday, January 20th from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at 99 Bottles.

21+ years; ID required

99 Bottles
35002 Pacific Hwy S, A102
Federal Way, WA 98003
(253) 838-2558 • 99bottles.net

Alaskan Updates Their Artwork from Pacific Northwest Artist

This winter two of Alaskan Brewing Co's year-round beers are standing out on shelves across the western coast with vivid package colors and new, more true-to-life artwork from renowned Pacific Northwest artist John Fehringer . The Alaskan Pale and Alaskan IPA labels now join the updated look of the red Alaskan Amber package released earlier this year.

Illustrations on the new labels for Alaskan IPA, Alaskan Pale and Alaskan Amber maintain the same uniquely Alaskan scenes from their original packages but with more vibrant colors and dramatic artwork from Fehringer, who is known for his ability to represent the unique scenes of Southeast Alaska. Fans of Alaskan beer will be relieved to know that although the labels have a new look, the beer inside the bottle remains the same award-winning recipes from Alaskan Brewing.

Over the next year, the brewery will continue to work with Fehringer to update the imagery of the entire brand line, illustrating the distinctively Alaskan way of life. The finished set will promote the complete family of products produced by Alaskan Brewing Co.

Sierra Nevada Introduces Year-Round Extra IPA

For a brewery known for its use of hops, it seems out of character to wait nearly 30 years to produce a year-round IPA. Torpedo is worth the wait. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is proud to announce the release of Torpedo Extra IPA as the newest addition to its year-round roster of beers. This is the first full-production IPA to come from the brewery and the first change in its year-round lineup in over a decade.

Why did it take so long to introduce a year-round IPA? The brewery has spent years experimenting, searching for a way to highlight bold flavors without resorting to hop extracts or pellets. Sierra Nevada has brewed with 100% whole-cone hops for 29 years with the belief that it makes a better, more natural tasting beer. Whole-cone hops offer subtle flavors and complexities that are unavailable in processed form. Rather than sacrifice flavor, they invented a way to do it better.

Torpedo celebrates the brewery’s dedication to 100% whole-cone hops all the way through the brewing process. The name itself comes from a device called the “hop torpedo” that was conceived, designed and developed at the brewery. The result is a revolutionary method of dry-hopping that harnesses the vital hop oils and resins that lead to an unusually flavorful and aromatic beer featuring the full, nuanced range of spicy complexity that hops have to offer. Designed with a mixture of hop varietals, each with their own unique character, Torpedo Extra IPA has layers of flavors ranging from citrus, herbs, black pepper and pine, with delicate hints of tropical fruit.

Torpedo is an assertive American IPA deep reddish-gold in color, with a smooth and bready malt presence and over-the-top hop aromas. The beer has a solid bitterness and a massive hop flavor, yet remains easy drinking with a pleasant dry finish. Torpedo Extra IPA will be available for hop fans nationwide in 6-pack bottles starting late January 2009.

Big Al Brewing releases it’s first Local Hero!

“Live your dreams. Drink ours.” That’s the slogan for Big Al Brewing. Like many professional brewers, Big Al got his start brewing beer in his garage and sharing it with friends and family. It is estimated that more than 1 million Americans enjoy the art of homebrewing. The art of homebrewing IS the heart of the craft beer industry and it’s a priority at Big Al Brewing to keep the spirit of home brewing alive.

Big Al Brewing would like to pay tribute to the craftsman who make beer what it is today, the craftsman who inspires the beers we all regularly enjoy. To do this, Big Al Brewing will collaborate with a homebrewer four times a year to deliver to you, Local Hero. A beer that is formulated by a homebrewer, then scaled up and brewed on the system at Big Al Brewing. This beer will be distributed to local pubs and beer bars for your tasting pleasure.

The first Local Hero is Kevin Davey. Davey is no stranger to having his beers scaled up and brewed on a big system. His Grande Reserve Beglain Dark Strong Ale was selected by the Tacoma Ram brewery in the 2008 Puget Sound Pro-Am and also sent to the GABF Pro-Am competition. While he’s a plumber by trade, Davey plans to open his own brewery and is headed to Chicago to take courses at the Siebel Institute & World Brewing Academy. Big Al Brewing and Davey brewed a Dopplebock, where they took German Munich Malt, added English, Belgian and American specialty grains to create his monumental masterpiece of Malt. A rich, clean lager that will not disappoint any fan of this classic style.

Find the first Local Hero on tap in Big Al's tasting room, and other local pubs around the Seattle area.

Bourbon Barrel aged Pagan Porter Release Party!

Join the Lompoc Brewing Co. brewers at the Fifth Quadrant, Thursday, January 15h from 3- 6 pm for a very special release party of the Bourbon Barrel aged Pagan Porter. Experience this six month old robust Porter that was conditioned for three months in fresh Bourbon barrels, blended and then aged for an additional three months.

The exclusive tapping is on the 15th, but Pagan Porter be available at the New Old Lompoc, Hedge House, and Oaks Bottom Pub on Friday the 16th. VERY LIMITED PRODUCTION, only one 1/2bbl will be served at each of the pubs, so get on down for your chance to sample!

Zwickelmania Hits Oregon Breweries

Oregon Brewers Guild Announces First Annual Statewide Brewery Open Houses

This President's Day weekend, dozens of Oregon breweries and brewpubs will open their doors to visitors for the state's first annual Zwickelmania, a one day event similar to the open houses held by Oregon wineries over Memorial Day and Thanksgiving weekends. Zwickelmania, hosted by the Oregon Brewers Guild (OBG), is a free statewide event that offers visitors a chance to tour Oregon breweries, meet the brewers and sample their favorite beers - all during Oregon's Sesquicentennial weekend.

"This is a once a year chance for consumers to go into breweries that might not usually open to the public," says Oregon Brewers Guild Executive Director Brian Butenschoen. "Since 1852, Oregon breweries have been a part of the cultural fabric of Oregon and we're proud to be open to the public during Oregon's Sesquicentennial."

Zwickelmania takes its name from the zwickel, or sample port, which is mounted on the outside of the fermentation or conditioning tanks and allows brewers to take samples for quality assurance and control. Similarly, Zwickelmania offers a unique opportunity to taste beers where they were produced while interacting with the brewers who created them.

Zwickelmania will take place at breweries and brewpubs across the state on February 14th, from 1:00p.m. - 4:00p.m. Some breweries will open additional hours and visitors are encouraged to contact individual locations for exact times. Admission to all Zwickelmania events is free, with some breweries offering complimentary sample tastings. Close-toed shoes will be required for any visitors entering brewing facilities.

Participating OBG members include:
BridgePort Brewing Co. - 1313 NW Marshall, Portland. Brewery tours at 1:00p.m., 3:00p.m. and 5:00p.m.

Cascade Brewing Racoon Lodge and Brewpub - 7424 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy, Portland. 1:00 - 4:00p.m. with brewery tours, pre-release tasting of Dark Day I.P.A., Sang Noir on tap and barrel tasting.

Deschutes Brewery - 901 SW Simpson Ave., Bend. Brewery tours from 12:00 - 4:00p.m. with gift shop and tasting room open from 12:00 - 5:00p.m.

Double Mountain Brewery & Taproom - 8 Fourth St., Hood River. Brewery tours at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00p.m.

Full Sail Brewing Co. - 506 Columbia St., Hood River. Tours on the hour at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00p.m. (Kids 12 and over welcome on tours with parent or guardian)

Full Sail Brewing Co. at McCormick & Schmicks Harborside Restaurant & Pilsner Room - 307 SW Montgomery, Portland. Open for brewery tours from 1:00 - 4:00p.m.

Hopworks Urban Brewery - 2944 SE Powell Blvd., Portland. 12:00 - 5:00p.m. with brewery tours, cellar beer tasting and games of washoes.

Laurelwood Public House and Brewery - 5115 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. Brewery tours from 1:00 - 4:00p.m. upon request. Samples of Vanilla Porter and informal chocolate and beer pairing in the brewery.

McMenamins Crystal Brewery - 1332 W. Burnside St., Portland. Open for tastings from 1:00 - 4:00p.m.

Ninkasi Brewing Co. - 272 Van Buren St., Eugene. 1:00 - 4:00p.m. Tours on the half hour and samples.

Pelican Pub and Brewery - 33180 Cape Kiwanda Dr., Pacific City. 12:00 - 5:00p.m. with hourly tours and a firkin tapping of Riptide Red.

Pyramid Breweries Mac Tarnahans Taproom - 2730 NW 31st Ave., Portland. Brewery tours at 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00p.m. Samples of new seasonal release.

Rock Bottom Brewery - 206 SW Morrison, Portland. 1:00 - 4:00p.m. Brewery will be open for tours and samples.

Rogue Ales - 2320 OSU Drive, Newport. Brewery tour at 3:00p.m.

Roots Organic Brewing Co. - 1520 SE 7th Ave. Portland. 1:00 - 4:00p.m. with brewery tours on the hour.

Widmer Brothers Brewing Co. - 924 N. Russell St., Portland. Brewery open house with bottle samples, special beers on draft from the Gasthaus and brewery tours on request.

For a complete list of Oregon breweries participating in Zwicklemania please visit http://oregonbeer.org/zwickelmania.

About the Oregon Brewers Guild:
The Oregon Brewers Guild is Oregon's non-profit trade association for the state's independent breweries. The Guild, which receives no state funding, comprises 59 brewing companies, 30 Associate or supplier members, and nearly 2,300 enthusiast members or S.N.O.B.s (Supporters of Native Oregon Beer). For more information, visit www.OregonBeer.org.