Zwanze 2016

You had to really show up late to be shut out at Apex the last 2 years. Hopefully it returns to Portland next year.

 

The celebration of Zwanze day is a celebration of Cantillon and of spontaneous lambic beer. The fact that de Garde is keeping that going in the U.S. and making some fantastic spontaneously fermented beers with a whole lot of inspiration from Cantillon and other lambic producers makes for a perfect location as a host for Zwanze day. Hop & Vine hosted it for 2 years, Apex hosted for 2 years, now it's de Garde's time to host it for the state of Oregon. It's still very close to Portland when you consider how gigantic the state is.

It sucks Portland doesn't have a bar/brewery that is hosting it this year but in the spirit of the event it is only right that de Garde is a host and hopefully is for many years to come given the nature of their brewery and similarity to what Cantillon has done and continues to do.

 

The question is whether de Garde will be blasting Napalm Death at ear-splitting levels. I loved the pay as you go stance at Apex (I'm not a fan of ticketed beer events in general) but the personality of the event was a little odd.

 

I find it funny that folks who live in one of the, if not the, best beer city on this spinning rock are whining because one event isn't happening there.

 

Last thoughts;
We didn't choose our location. We are flattered and excited to be a recipient location, and we want to host the event because we think we can make it a great one.

We want to support the actual wild traditions of Cantillon, and we show our support not just in hosting this event, but in our brewery itself. That includes the process, the pricing, and much more.

We are huge proponents of natural and truly wild fermentation. Not in name. In action and process. In our lives and choices.

I personally (me) think that expecting an event in Portland (particularly a non ticketed one) to be as it has been in years past is folly. For better and worse, demand for wild beer has grown exponentially. That's witnessed by the dozens of emails and messages that we've received from folks from out of state and country wanting to attend this year.

Knowing that there are 640 ounces (excluding waste) of kegs and 960 ounces (excluding waste) of Zwanze to go around, you can do the math. No matter where it is poured, there are not hundreds of pours, yet there will be hundreds of people interested this year.

I've said that I understand disappointment from those in Portland who for the last two years have had a non-ticketed event. And, I respect that they would desire any event or beer to be closer and with easier access. Just as everyone else from anywhere else would. It'd be silliness not to understand that desire. I would recommend consideration of how the industry and demand have changed, and in turn how that would effect any experience anywhere.

For those who do make it out, we welcome you. Everyone here will be putting in extra time to make it a great event. For those who don't, I am sorry. If I see you around, let's share a beer and talk about what may have been done better.
It should be reiterated, we will be open to the public that day, and anyone is welcome to enjoy what we expect to be a well received bottle and draft list.

For those being critical of either our beer or Cantillons in this thread, good for you. A broad public palate and differing tastes give us a better and more interesting selection, ultimately. We, and every other brewery, are not going to make every beer perfect for every person. Having differing tastes, and an educated and rational dialogue about them, benefits everyone.

For the individual speaking against the event being at our location and for being ticketed (and not disclosing that you've been asked not to return to our taproom); Shame on you. There are a lot of less than desirable folks and behaviors in beer circles, and you can be better than you are.

We should all strive for that. In beer, and of course, in life.

There is more to beer than selling it, and there is more to beer than tasting it. We look backwards to the traditions and morals of our inspirations. And fucking celebrate them.

 

I can't like this enough. Very well said. It's going to be an amazing event. I really hope I'm free to come out and buy tickets when they become available. Any idea on when that may occur?

 

What a great response. I just hope the awesome draft list and bottles for sale start on Thursday that week since I can't be there for Zwanze Day!

 

Well said.

However, it is unfortunate that you felt you had to defend yourselves from the vocal minority. I assure you, many are excited about this year's venue and I personally feel that a more fitting spot cannot be found.

 

Would there be equivalent whining if the Seattle location was set in Centralia, or Bellingham, or Ellensburg, or Port Townsend? Yes, there would be.

Apex's lack of promotion definitely kept the crowds down. I think Zwanze was mentioned on a 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of paper taped to a wall. I was wondering if they might go with their Pliny the Younger business model from this year. Put Zwanze on from 11:30-noon and then from midnight-2:30am, and you can only order it if you make eye contact with the tap handle. Stretch that keg out for a week or more.

 

As far as the choice to host at De Garde, it's the most logical place in the state to do it, given their focus on wild beer, and even though I am from Portland I think it would be nice to see the event cycle through other regions in the state. Maybe hit Bend so Southern Oregon can have better access too.

At this point, its almost as hard (if not harder) to try most of de Garde's stuff, so I'm surprised so many people are disappointed.

 

I heard about this fiasco. Why anyone would support a business that does things like this is beyond me.

 

Is this an acknowledgement that Seattle is now considered to be an equal of PDX, beer-wise?

Plus, if the folks who used to work at Jester King start to make beers that are getting the attention that De Garde beers do, I could see a future event being held in Mt. Vernon.

 

This is about Cantillon and finding it on draft here in Portland is just as non-existent as it is in Seattle.

 

Well, I would say Seattle and PDX are equals, whiner-wise.

 

Yeah I've seen some of your past comments about the place that have been less than flattering. I've never heard one person say anything good about the place besides their selection, which isn't really saying a whole lot when you're in Portland (in my opinion). By the way ... has anyone ever called out the owner on some of these sketchy business practices? Just curious how he would try and justify some of these things.

For me, it doesn't matter if they're giving away free bottles of Cantillon ... I will not support a business that pulls these kinds of shenanigans (well I guess they would have to charge something for it to be considered 'supporting' them, but you get the point). Otherwise, they just keep doing the same dumb shit over and over again. Good (great/excellent/best-I've-ever-had) beer is not worth that to me. To each their own though.

I keep waiting for their popularity to fall off a cliff due to this sort of thing so that some other good Portland bottle shops and tap houses (and there is no short supply) can get some of these beers that are more difficult to find. Obviously just wishful thinking.

Sorry for going off track here. I will say again ... I can't think of a more perfect venue for Zwanze than de Garde. So the folks in Portland have to drive a little bit to get to a cool beer event .... Oh the humanity!

 

I pretty much avoid APEX and I am very happy to see De Garde get this event.

But since I don't have a car, I can't go. And since De Garde still has their Facebook paged block to non-members - I wouldn't be able to get a ticket anyway.

 

FFS. Can we just make an "Apex sucks, don't go there" sticky thread and be done with it?

 

I hope not. I like Apex.