Oregon Brewer's Festival (OBF) changes

Also the one token taste will only be 3 oz. instead of 4.

 

Either they're cutting back on the number of drunkards and spreading out the beer, or, more likely, they're just making a lot more money.

 

They stuck with 4oz pours for $1 for almost a decade, and yet the price of kegs has gone up roughly 20% in the last 6 years (our POS systems only goes back to '07, so I can't check keg prices any further back). Something had to give.

 

Seconded on too many pales/ipas, but of all the things I tasted, I might have liked the Old Market Lambic the best.

 

I'm very glad they changed to real glassware, instead of those god-awful formaldehyde mugs. I think the beer selection is pretty nice, especially considering the size and scope of the festival.

 

A big plus is the glass instead of plastic.
Also I like that they don't charge an admission fee. You pay for the privilege of drinking by buying the glass. That's great for DD's & people who just want to check it out. Most festivals charge an entrance fee for DD's and that really sucks IMO.
I didn't miss the buzz tent. I didn't think it was such a big deal last year.
On balance, they do a great job and I plan to attend again next year.
I poured ClusterF#ck first shift Wednesday & had a blast. Couldn't stay long afterward though. I must budget more time for it next year.

 

Poured Pfriem Wit from noon to 4p yesterday and had a great time! The glass is a nice Rastal (not a standard shaker) and actually one I'll be keeping. The mugs I always trash anyway. Crowd was well behaved up to about 5:30 when I left so no complaints there. Three ounces is fine for me and I won't mind if more fests switch to it when there's such a large selection to try. DJ Jazzy Hefe is one of the best named beers ever and worth a taster. A Hefe brewed with jasmine tea. Definitely unique.

 

Next year(slams fist firmly on desk).

 

I joined the parade on Wednesday (skipped the brunch) at Bridgeport and walked to the Oak St gate - very festive and lots of fun. Watched the ceremonial tapping, etc (PS Lucky Lab will host brunch next year, not sure if it'll be at Hawthorne or Quimby location)... it was all pretty great IMO.

Had a chance to try several beers before leaving then returned later in the evening. Loved the Wednesday vibe - busy but not crowded - both at lunch hour and even later 7-9pm. Love the mix of Germanic & Belgian styles and fruit-based beers this year, to go along with all the Pales and IPAs. Among my personal favorites: both dortmunders (by Occidental & Old Town), Collaborator Smoked Helles, Upright Offen Kölsch, Breakside "Float On" lager, Old Market "Dilution of Grandeur", HUB "Two Tickets to Pearadise", Oakshire "OBF 26" and Gigantic "& Juice".

I plan to go back for a bit today (early) and maybe Sunday for some leftovers.

Regarding earlier comments: I really like the new glassware (worth $7 vs. the cheap-feeling $6 plastic mug) and agree that the 3 oz. vs. 4 oz. pour is no big deal (kind of an overdue change in my opinion - or else tokens would start selling for $1.50 or $2 a 4 oz pour). Adding Wednesday is a GREAT change. Losing the Buzz Tent is not a big deal to me, either; I was told by an OBF official that a couple reasons for "reworking" the tent were the number of beers that either didn't arrive or changed (making a printed program/schedule logistically unpredictable/impossible) and the number of patrons who hung out all day getting hammered on high ABV beers (the bigger problem in some opinions).