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Oregon Brewers Festival July 22-26

Discussion in 'US: Northwest' started by Mantooth, Feb 12, 2015.

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  1. Mantooth

    Mantooth Initiate (0) Dec 6, 2011 North Carolina

    I'm a NC guy - and I'll be in Portland 7/19-24 this year. I was looking online for events - and talk about luck. Any advice on this festival?

    Also - advice on lodging (hotels within walking distance of good bars/breweries/food) and must-stop spots.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 Mantooth, Feb 12, 2015
  2. vurt

    vurt Grand Pooh-Bah (4,102) Apr 11, 2004 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    #2 vurt, Feb 12, 2015
    Mantooth and chinochino like this.
  3. TaborTime

    TaborTime Pundit (928) Dec 10, 2013 Oregon
    Trader

    Echoing Eric's post: My only advice is...Wednesday.
     
    #3 TaborTime, Feb 12, 2015
    Mantooth likes this.
  4. derftron

    derftron Pooh-Bah (1,651) Feb 8, 2012 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    Wednesday or Thursday are a must. Friday and Saturday are way too crowded.

    Seek out the specialty/imperial tent. Last few years there have been some amazing beers poured
     
    #4 derftron, Feb 12, 2015
  5. shnsajax

    shnsajax Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2013 Idaho

    On Wednesday early would this be kid friendly too?
     
    #5 shnsajax, Feb 12, 2015
  6. vurt

    vurt Grand Pooh-Bah (4,102) Apr 11, 2004 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    From the OBF FAQ:
    Can I bring my child?
    Minors are allowed during all hours of the OBF with a parent; guardians are not acceptable. Parents of minors ages 14 to 20 will be required to sign a form accepting responsibility for the minor while onsite. Minors are encouraged to attend the root beer garden, in which complimentary handcrafted root beer is served in provided plastic cups (no tasting glasses allowed) for all minors and designated drivers.
     
    #6 vurt, Feb 12, 2015
  7. derftron

    derftron Pooh-Bah (1,651) Feb 8, 2012 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah


    Yes. Early Wednesday would be about the only time I would feel comfortable taking my kids there. Maybe early Thursday as well
     
    #7 derftron, Feb 12, 2015
  8. Aestro

    Aestro Devotee (360) Nov 29, 2009 Oregon

    I hate this festival because it is always stupidly crowded, typically very hot, and has way too many grocery store beers.

    But I did notice a bit more variety this past year, and if you're coming from out-of-town then even grocery store beers here should be a treat.

    You'd probably do well to check back closer to your trip - Portland tends to have a lot of great smaller events running at the same time almost year-round. Mini-fests and tap takeovers are near-constant. If nothing else, just hit up many of the great beer bars and have your own fest.
     
    #8 Aestro, Feb 12, 2015
    JouerAvecLeFeu and Mantooth like this.
  9. NWer

    NWer Pooh-Bah (2,145) Mar 10, 2009 Washington
    Pooh-Bah

    I was a volunteer first shift first day (Wednesday) the last two years. It was great. Only problem for me was I couldn't take part in the "parade" to the start. No admittance charge allows you to come and go as you please. Just pay for the mug & tokens and you're set. Free admittance means DD and kids (and drinkers) can come and go as they please. I've never been on a weekend so can't say what it's like then but on Wednesday, it's cool.
     
    #9 NWer, Feb 12, 2015
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  10. Mantooth

    Mantooth Initiate (0) Dec 6, 2011 North Carolina

    A lot of your grocery store beers are going to be things I can't get in NC - so I can't wait. I'll definitely go on Wednesday - sounds like a plan - thanks for the advice. I checked the website just now - they aren't releasing a list of the beers that will be available until next month. "Specialty Imperial Tent" sounds wonderful - See you there!
     
    #10 Mantooth, Feb 16, 2015
  11. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,497) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you go on Wednesday, you shouldn't have any problem with the crowds. As for the weather, in my experience, it's usually gorgeous in Portland that time of year. There have been a few occasions when it's been unseasonably hot, but "unseasonably hot" by PDX standards means temps in the low to mid 90's. My guess is that's still going to seem pretty tolerable for someone from NC.

    As for the selection, I live in Oregon now, and so I'm familiar with most of the breweries and a good number of the beers on offer at OBF. However, I only go to OBF on one day, and I've never had a problem finding a sufficient number of breweries and beers to interest me. I guess if I planned to attend the event all 5 days I'd be unhappy, but if you're just going on one day, you should easily find plenty of stuff to pique your interest.

    I can't keep track of how many OBF's I've attended over the years (I went to my first one back in the mid 90's), but I can't ever recall having a bad time. It's always a lot of fun, and now that I'm back living in Oregon, I attend every year (Thursdays are always my preferred day). Certainly, Friday afternoons/evenings and Saturdays are to be avoided, but as long as you do that, you should have a great time.

    Enjoy your time at OBF.
     
    #11 John_M, Feb 16, 2015
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  12. maltmaster420

    maltmaster420 Initiate (0) Aug 17, 2005 Oregon

    I take it you didn't attend on Wednesday last year? :wink:

    [​IMG]
     
    #12 maltmaster420, Feb 16, 2015
    ekesz13, Cadmando18 and NWer like this.
  13. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,497) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Nope. Always go on Thursday. The ground was still a bit muddy in places from the shower on Wednesday, but it was otherwise a perfect OBF day (a bit cool at first, but warming up later in the afternoon).
     
    #13 John_M, Feb 16, 2015
    Mantooth likes this.
  14. Mantooth

    Mantooth Initiate (0) Dec 6, 2011 North Carolina

    The date is getting closer - if any locals know of any events or tap takeovers going on at the same time - please post here.

    Can anyone recommend other things to do in that area - after brews we'll be looking for some spots with great food and want to see some sights.

    Cheers!
     
    #14 Mantooth, Jul 2, 2015
  15. JouerAvecLeFeu

    JouerAvecLeFeu Pooh-Bah (2,020) Apr 17, 2015 Washington
    Pooh-Bah

    #15 JouerAvecLeFeu, Jul 7, 2015
  16. Cadmando18

    Cadmando18 Initiate (0) Feb 14, 2015 Oregon

    Man there are too many things to do in Portland it's hard to mention them all. I personally would visit Kells Irish Pub.
    http://www.kellsirish.com/

    I would echo everyone's advice here. I've gone every year and trust me Wednesday early is the best time to go. I usually get off work early and walk over. (I'm lucky enough to work within walking distance.) At about 1:00 there's no line and I walked right in, got my tokens and went to town.
     
    #16 Cadmando18, Jul 7, 2015
  17. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,497) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    OK OP, we're coming down the home stretch, so I'll throw out some observations to consider for your OBF visit.

    The event at Bailey's is the only event I'm aware of that coincides with OBF, but that doesn't mean there won't be a lot of other cool stuff going on during your stay. HOTD usually puts on something special during OBF week; in the past I've had Cherry Fred, Bob from a firkin, a couple of different Jim's, Matt and AFTW, all on tap (or cask). I would assume that Alan will do something similar this year. In the past, Cascade has also put out some special, vintage kegs during OBF, so you might want to give them a call or just stop by. The Horsebrass has always put out some special kegs during OBF as well, and you might even find some left overs from Puckerfest at Belmont Station. Apex always has a pretty strong line-up, and as their online taplist is always current, you might want see if they're doing anything special for OBF week as well.

    Also, here's an OBF "pro tip" to consider. If you decide you have to stop by HOTD either before or after OBF (I recommend going after), then consider parking on the street around there as well, and walking across the bridge, over to OBF. It's no more than a 10 minute walk to the park, you won't have to pay to park during your stay, and when you get back from the OBF, you can walk right into the tasting room without having to drive any place (that's assuming you have a car and are driving).

    Have fun.
     
    #17 John_M, Jul 17, 2015
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  18. Strangestbrewer

    Strangestbrewer Crusader (465) Oct 17, 2014 Oregon

    4th annual Fire and Brimstone festival will be going on the 25th and 26th at Saraveza/The Hop & Vine.
     
    #18 Strangestbrewer, Jul 17, 2015
  19. MicroFanatic

    MicroFanatic Devotee (365) Mar 21, 2009 Washington

    This year's OBF has done away with the Buzz Tent. Very unfortunate as this tent has always offered rare and tasty brews from all over. The Buzz Tent is now the International Tent and this year will highlight beers from New Zealand.
     
    #19 MicroFanatic, Jul 19, 2015
  20. MicroFanatic

    MicroFanatic Devotee (365) Mar 21, 2009 Washington

    Any advice for good restuarants or even food carts within walking distance of the OBF? Will be there Wed and Thurs so will miss out on the weekend market next door.
     
    #20 MicroFanatic, Jul 20, 2015
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