Oregon Brewers Festival

Last updated
Oregon Brewers Festival
Oregon Brewers Festival, 2007.jpg
The festival in 2007
BeginsThursday before last full weekend in July [1]
EndsLast Sunday in July
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s) Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, Oregon
Years active1988–2019, 2022, 2024-
Participants85,000 (2014) [2]

Oregon Brewers Festival (OBF) is a four-day craft beer festival held annually from 1988 to 2019 and 2022 at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland, Oregon, except in 2020-21 when the COVID-19 pandemic and 2023 when low attendance and hot weather from last year caused it to be cancelled. [1] OBF has become the most popular outdoor beer festival in North America, based on attendance. [3] Each brewery brings one beer. [1] [4] The attendance peaked in 2014, however it has been declining since. [5] There is a Root Beer Garden for those who are under 21 or loathe alcohol.

Contents

History

Founder of Portland Brewing Co, Art Larrance, [6] launched the Oregon Brewers Festival in July 1988, after visiting Oktoberfest in Munich and wanting to create a similar atmosphere and experience. [7]

YearSample
size [8]
19916 oz
19946 oz
19965 oz
19976 oz
20015 oz
20024 oz
20036 oz
20054 oz
20074 oz
20104 oz
20124 oz
20133 oz
2014 [9] 3 oz

Live music was introduced in 2001. [10]

In 2005, OBF expanded from a three-day schedule (Friday to Sunday) to four, adding Thursday. [11]

The 2011 Oregon Brewers Festival featured 85 craft beers from 14 states; it attracted 80,000 people over four days. [12] Nearly 2,000 volunteers worked at the festival, selling tokens and pouring beer, among other tasks. [12]

In 2013, OBF added a fifth day, moving the opening to Wednesday; they also replaced the annual plastic mug, which had been used since the festival's beginning, with a tasting glass, which for 2013 costs $7. [11] For 2014, there are 88 beers available, in 30 styles; that does not include the more than 100 available separately in OBF's Specialty Tent. [13]

After two years with tasting glasses made of glass, for 2015, OBF switched to a polycarbonate tasting glass; the change was in response to safety concerns raised by the Portland Police. [2]

In 2018, OBF changed back to a four-day festival, moving the opening to Thursday. That same year, the festival added two hard ciders to the lineup, and four wines –– 2 red and 2 white –– for the first time in the festival's history. [14]

In 2020 and 2021, the festival went on hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; [15] although it resumed in 2022, it was cancelled in 2023. [15]

In recent years OBF has anchored a month of beer-related festivals in Portland, including the North American Organic Brewers Festival, the Portland International Beerfest, and the Great American Distillers Festival. [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brewing in Oregon</span>

The U.S. state of Oregon is home to more than 200 breweries and brew pubs that produce a large variety of beer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pyramid Breweries</span> American brewery headquartered in Rochester, NY

Pyramid Breweries, Inc., is a defunct brewing company that produced beer under the Pyramid brand name at two breweries and several brewpubs in Washington, Oregon, and California. It was founded in 1984 as Hart Brewing. The brand name is currently owned by North American Breweries, a subsidiary of the Costa Rican company Florida Ice & Farm Co.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beer in Germany</span>

Beer is a major part of German culture, with only water, hops, and malt permitted as ingredients in its production, though most breweries nowadays also use yeast. Beers not exclusively using barley-malt, such as wheat beer, must be top-fermented.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rogue Ales</span> Beer brewery in Ashland, Oregon, US

Rogue Ales is a brewery founded in 1988 in Ashland, Oregon. Rogue has pub locations in Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beer festival</span> Event with a variety of beers available

A beer festival is an event at which a variety of beers are available for purchase. There may be a theme, for instance beers from a particular area, or a particular brewing style such as winter ales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hair of the Dog Brewing Company</span> Brewery in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Hair of the Dog Brewing Company was a brewery in Portland, Oregon, United States. Several of its beers were bottle conditioned. The tasting room in southeast Portland's Buckman neighborhood closed on June 26, 2022.

Brian McMenamin is an American businessman in the state of Oregon. A native of the state, he and his older brother Mike McMenamin founded the McMenamins restaurant and brewpub chain in 1983. He serves as general manager and vice-president of the company which operates more than 50 locations that include music venues such as the Crystal Ballroom, movie theaters such as the Bagdad Theatre, historic buildings converted to brewpubs like the Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, and several hotels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portland Brewing Company</span> Former American craft brewery

Portland Brewing Company was a brewery in Portland, Oregon. A pioneer in Portland's early craft brewing scene, it was known as MacTarnahan's Brewing Company from 2004 to 2013 before resuming its original name. It was closed by the Costa Rican company that owned it, Florida Ice & Farm Co., in early 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcoholic beverages in Oregon</span>

The U.S. state of Oregon has an extensive history of laws regulating the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, dating back to 1844. It has been an alcoholic beverage control state, with the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission holding a monopoly over the sale of all distilled beverages, since Prohibition. Today, there are thriving industries producing beer, wine, and liquor in the state. Alcohol may be purchased between 7 a.m. and 2:30 a.m for consumption at the premise it was sold at, or between 6 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. if it is bought and taken off premise. In 2020, Oregon began allowing the sale of alcohol via home delivery services. As of 2007, consumption of spirits was on the rise while beer consumption held steady. That same year, 11% of beer sold in Oregon was brewed in-state, the highest figure in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ninkasi Brewing Company</span> Craft brewery in Oregon

Ninkasi Brewing Company is a microbrewery based in Eugene, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort George Brewery</span>

Fort George Brewery is a craft brewery in the northwest United States located in Astoria, Oregon. The brewery produces about 32,000 beer barrels annually and is distributed throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Northern California. It is the 9th largest brewery in the state of Oregon and among the fastest growing breweries in the U.S. Fort George Brewery is known for its community engagement, popular seasonal releases, sustainability efforts and the annual Festival of Dark Arts, a stout beer festival which takes place every February in Astoria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craft Brew Alliance</span> Beer brewing company

Craft Brew Alliance is a beer brewing company that originally was composed of five beer and cider brands:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fat Head's Brewery</span>

Brewmaster Matt Cole partnered with Glenn Benigni, owner of Fat Head's Saloon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to open Fat Head's Brewery & Saloon in Cleveland, Ohio in 2009, with Cole supplying beer to the Pittsburgh location. A production brewery opened in Middleburg Heights, Ohio in March 2012 and another brewpub location opened in Portland, Oregon in November 2014, which has since closed. Fat Head's is known for their signature beers Head Hunter IPA and Bumble Berry Honey Blueberry Ale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rogue Beard Beer</span> American wild ale

Rogue Ales Beard Beer is an American wild ale brewed by Rogue Ales of Newport, Oregon using wild yeast originally cultured from nine beard hairs belonging to Rogue Ales' brewmaster, John Maier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horse Brass Pub</span> Pub in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Horse Brass Pub is a British-style pub in Portland, Oregon, in the United States. Established in 1976, the bar and restaurant serves British cuisine and has approximately 50 beers on tap.

F.H. Steinbart is a homebrew supply store on SE 12th Avenue in Portland, Oregon. It is the oldest homebrew supply store in the country and helped nurture the vibrant Pacific Northwest craft-brewing scene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assembly Brewing</span> Brewery and restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Assembly Brewing is a brewery and restaurant in Portland, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imperial Bottle Shop & Taproom</span> Bar in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Imperial Bottle Shop & Taproom is a bar in Portland, Oregon. Spouses Alex Kurnellas and Shawn Stackpoole opened the original location in southeast Portland in July 2013, followed by a second in northeast Portland in 2017. The business serves local brews on tap, and bottled for take-out.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steeplejack Brewing Company</span> Brewery in the U.S. state of Oregon

Steeplejack Brewing Company is a brewery with three locations in the U.S. state of Oregon. The business operates in Portland and Hillsboro, and has announced plans to expand to Manzanita.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Von Ebert Brewing</span> Brewery based in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Von Ebert Brewing is a brewery based in Portland, Oregon. The business has operated in northwest Portland's Pearl District, at Glendoveer Golf Course in the northeast Portland part of the Hazelwood neighborhood, and at Cascade Station in Beaverton. The Pearl District location closed in April 2024.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "FAQ". Oregon Brewers Festival. Archived from the original on 2011-10-28. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
  2. 1 2 Hale, Jamie (April 17, 2015). "Oregon Brewers Festival will stop using glass after Portland police cite safety concerns". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2015-07-09. Retrieved 2015-07-08.
  3. ↑ Foyston, John (July 23, 2014). "Beer begins flowing at 'America's Oktoberfest'". CNN. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2015-07-08.
  4. ↑ Perry, Douglas (July 24, 2008). "Brewers Fest FAQ: What you need to know". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
  5. ↑ "Has Portland's Beer Festival Scene Been Tapped Out?". New School Beer + Cider. Archived from the original on 2021-02-21. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  6. ↑ "Beer Birthday: Art Larrance - Brookston Beer Bulletin". brookstonbeerbulletin.com. 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  7. ↑ "About". Oregon Brewers Festival. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  8. ↑ Dunlop, Pete (July 21, 2013). "What's Up with OBF Pour Sizes, Anyway?". BeervanaBuzz.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-19. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
  9. ↑ Cheney, Cathy (July 14, 2014). "Oregon Brewers Festival fans: It's that time again". Portland Business Journal. Archived from the original on 2014-07-20. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
  10. ↑ Miller, Trisha; Schrag, John (July 11, 2001). "Beer Wars". News Buzz. Willamette Week. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
  11. 1 2 Foyston, John (February 5, 2013). "Wednesday is the new Thursday: Oregon Brewers Festival will grow to five days this year". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2013-02-09. Retrieved 2013-05-03.
  12. 1 2 Culverwell, Wendy (August 2, 2011). "Brew Fest breaks attendance record". Portland Business Journal. Archived from the original on 2023-01-14. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
  13. ↑ Harrison, Lacey. "Hopped Up Eugene – The Oregon Brewers Festival". EugeneDailyNews.com. Archived from the original on 2014-07-17. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
  14. ↑ Meunier, Andre (2018-07-27). "Oregon Brewers Festival 2018 hits Waterfront Park on Thursday". oregonlive. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  15. 1 2 "Another dry summer in Portland: Oregon Brewers Festival canceled with no clear return". opb. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  16. ↑ Watts, Joseph (June 25, 2008). "Brew Fest breaks attendance record". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved 2011-10-14.

45°30′58″N122°40′21″W / 45.516°N 122.6726°W / 45.516; -122.6726

2015 Wetherby Food Festival (12th July 2015) 005.JPG

This article about a food or drink themed festival is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.