2009 OBF Media Kit - Oregon Brewers Festival

OREGON BREWERS FESTIVAL
JULY 23 to 26, 2009
PRESS KIT
WELCOME
Twenty-two years ago, three local microbreweries - Portland Brewing Co., Widmer Brothers
Brewing Co., and BridgePort Brewing Co. - conspired to put on a microbrew festival in the city
of Portland. The goal was to bring beers from outside the local market for Portlanders to drink.
Microbrews were still fairly new, with only 124 craft breweries across the nation. Festival
organizers wanted Portlanders to be able to compare local microbrews with those from other
regions, so they would see what was happening elsewhere in the nation.
Thirteen breweries participated in the first year, with a total of sixteen beers on tap. The
anticipated attendance was 5,000. When it was all said and done, more than 15,000 poured
through the gates. The festival was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people. The weather
was hot, and so was the refrigeration, leading to a great quantity of foamy beer. It didn’t
matter. People loved the Oregon Brewers Festival!
Fast-forward 22 years: today there are more than 1,400 craft breweries in the U.S., and the
Oregon Brewers Festival has thrived, becoming one of the nation’s longest-running and best
loved craft beer festivals. It is the premier summer event for anyone who loves craft beer, or is
visiting Portland in July. Located on the west bank of the Willamette River, with towering Mt.
Hood as a backdrop, the Oregon Brewers Festival is quintessentially Portland, and the ideal
venue to relax with friends and sip some suds.
The Oregon Brewers Festival is a true reflection on the immense popularity of American craft
brewing, and the fact that the festival continues to draw vast crowds 22 years after its
inception is a strong testament to the public's loyalty toward craft brews. More than 70,000
people will flock to Tom McCall Waterfront Park from all around the world this summer,
generating an economic impact of approximately $1.5 million for the city of Portland.
The purpose of the Oregon Brewers Festival has always been to provide an opportunity to
sample and learn about craft beer. The number of breweries participating has more than
quadrupled from that first year, now with 80 craft breweries from across the county showcasing
a score of beer styles ranging from Amber to Wit.
In terms of operation, little has changed since the early days of the Oregon Brewers Festival.
Volunteers (now numbering 2,000) pour the beer; industry exhibitors explain key ingredients;
homebrewers visually describe their craft with on-site brewing; and vendors offer beer-related
merchandise.
We realize that it is the media that helps spread the word about our successful event, and we
are extremely appreciative. If there is anything we can do to help you with a story, please don’t
hesitate to contact me.
Cheers!
Chris Crabb (503) 314-7583
[email protected]
Event Name
22nd Annual Oregon Brewers Festival
Venue
Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, Oregon
Main entrance at S.W. Oak Street and Naito Parkway
Dates
July 23, 24, 25 & 26, 2009 – “Always the last full weekend in July”
Times
Thurs through Sat, taps are open from Noon to 9 p.m.
Sun, taps are open from Noon to 7 p.m.
Token & mug sales cease one-half hour prior to the taps closing
Admission
Admission into the festival grounds is free. In order to consume beer at the OBF, you must
purchase a taster package. Taster packages are available in $10, $20 and $50 increments. All
packages include a 2009 souvenir mug, which is required for consuming beer (mugs from previous
years will not be filled); a souvenir program that includes a map of where the beers are located
onsite; and various quantities of tokens, which are used to purchase beer. Patrons pay four tokens
for a full mug of beer, or one token for a taste. Additional tokens may be purchased at $1 apiece.
$10 package: one mug, one program, four tokens
$20 package: one mug, one program, 14 tokens
$50 package: two mugs, two programs, 38 tokens
Description
The Oregon Brewers Festival is one of the nation’s longest running and best loved craft beer
festivals. Situated on the west bank of the Willamette River, with towering Mt. Hood as a backdrop,
it is the ideal venue for anyone who loves craft beer. With a laid back attitude and scores of
award-winning beers, the festival reflects the essence of the city of Portland.
The Oregon Brewers Festival exists to provide an opportunity to sample and learn about a variety
of craft beer styles from across the country. Eighty craft breweries from all parts of the nation offer
handcrafted brews to 70,000 beer lovers during the four-day event.
The festival’s focus is craft beer, but there’s more than sampling involved. The event features live
music all four days, beer-related vendors, beer memorabilia displays, beer writers and publishers,
hop growers, homebrewing demonstrations, and an assortment of foods from a variety of regions.
The Crater Lake Root Beer Garden offers complimentary handcrafted root beer for minors and
designated drivers. Minors are always welcome at the festival when accompanied by a parent.
The Oregon Brewers Festival strongly encourages responsible drinking, and urges patrons to take
advantage of the MAX Light Rail line, located just one block west of the festival on SW Oak Street.
Go by bus, train or taxi, just don’t drink and drive. The festival also offers free, on-site bicycle
parking.
The Oregon Brewers Dinner, a ticketed event, is held on July 22; the Oregon Brewers Brunch &
Parade, the official kick off to the festival, occurs the morning of July 23.
Contact Information
www.oregonbrewfest.com or 503.778.5917
2009 PARTICIPATING BREWERIES
Brewery
Hometown
Beer Name
10 Barrel Brewing Co
21st Amendment Brewery
Alameda Brewhouse
Alaskan Brewing Co
Amnesia Brewing Co
Anderson Valley Brewing Co
Astoria Brewing Co
Ballast Point Brewing
Bayern Brewing
Bear Republic Brewing Co
Beer Valley Brewing Co
Bison Brewing
Blue Frog Grog & Grill
Boulder Beer
Boulevard Brewing Co
Boundary Bay Brewery
BridgePort Brewing Co
Caldera Brewing Co
Cascade Brewing Co
Cascade Lakes Brewing Co
Chuckanut Brewery
Collaborator
Deschutes Brewery
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Double Mountain Brewery
Eel River Brewing Co
Elysian Brewing Co
Fearless Brewing Co
Fifty Fifty Brewing Co
Firestone Walker Brewing Co
Fish Brewing Co
Flying Fish Brewing Co
Full Sail Brewing Co
Golden Valley Brewery
Grand Teton Brewing Co
Great Divide Brewing Co
Great Northern Brewing Co
Green Flash Brewing Co
Bend, OR
San Francisco, CA
Portland, OR
Juneau, AK
Portland, OR
Boonville, CA
Astoria, OR
San Diego, CA
Missoula, MT
Cloverdale, CA
Ontario, OR
Berkeley, CA
Fairfield, CA
Boulder, CO
Kansas City, MO
Bellingham, WA
Portland, OR
Ashland, OR
Portland, OR
Redmond, OR
Bellingham, WA
Portland, OR
Bend, OR
Milton, DE
Hood River, OR
Scotia, CA
Seattle, WA
Estacada, OR
Truckee, CA
Paso Robles, CA
Olympia, WA
Cherry Hill, NJ
Hood River, OR
McMinnville, OR
Victory, ID
Denver, CO
Whitefish, MT
Vista, CA
10 Barrel Light Ale
Hell or High Watermelon Wheat
East Village Amber
Alaskan Summer Ale
Impale Ale
Summer Solstice
Bitter Bitch
Big Eye IPA
Bayern Pilsener
TBD
Leafer Madness Imperial Pale Ale
Organic Chocolate Stout
Blonde Frog Ale
Flashback Anniversary Ale
Zon
Amarillo Double Dry Hopped Pale Ale
Stumptown Tart
Hibiscus Ginger Beer
Razberry Wheat
Blonde Bombshell
Chuckanut Dortmunder
TBD
Red Chair IPA
Festina Peche
TBD
Organic Acai Berry Wheat
Loser Pale Ale
Clackamas Cream Ale
Manifesto Pale Ale
Double Barrel Ale
Fish Tale Organic Wild Salmon Pale
Flying Fish Abbey Dubbel
Full Sail Ltd 03
TBD
Bitch Creek ESB
Titan IPA
Wheatfish
Green Flash Imperial IPA
Brewery
Hometown
Beer Name
Hazel Dell Brewpub
Hopworks Urban Brewery
Kona Brewery
Lagunitas Brewing Co
Laht Neppur Brewing Co
Laughing Dog Brewing
Laurelwood Brewing Co
Lazyboy Brewing Co
Lompoc Brewing Co
Lost Coast Brewery
Lucky Labrador Brewing Co
MacTarnahan's Brewing Co
Marin Brewing Co
McMenamins Concordia Brewery
Moylan’s Brewing Co
Mt Shasta Brewing Co
New Belgium Brewing Co
Ninkasi Brewing Co
North Coast Brewing Co
Oakshire Brewing
Old Market Pub & Brewery
Oregon Trail Brewery
Pike Brewing Co
Port Townsend Brewing Co
Pyramid Breweries
Redhook Ale Brewery
Riverport Brewing Co
Rock Bottom Brewery
Rogue Ales
Russian River Brewing Co
Scuttlebutt Brewing Co
Southern Oregon Brewing Co
Sprecher Brewing Co
Standing Stone Brewing Co
Stone Brewing Co
Summit Brewing Co
Terminal Gravity Brewing
Three Creeks Brewing Co
Track Town Ales
Trumer Brauerei
Vertigo Brewing
Victory Brewing Co
Widmer Bros. Brewing Co
Vancouver, WA
Portland, OR
Kailua-Kona, HI
Petaluma, CA
Waitsburg, WA
Ponderay, ID
Portland, OR
Everett, WA
Portland, OR
Eureka, CA
Portland, OR
Portland, OR
Larkspur, CA
Portland, OR
Novato, CA
Weed, CA
Fort Collins, CO
Eugene, OR
Fort Bragg, CA
Eugene, OR
Portland, OR
Corvallis, OR
Seattle, WA
Port Townsend, WA
Seattle, WA
Woodinville, WA
Clarkston, WA
Portland, OR
Newport, OR
Santa Rosa, CA
Everett, WA
Medford, OR
Glendale, WI
Ashland, OR
Escondido, CA
St Paul, MN
Enterprise, OR
Sisters, OR
Eugene, OR
Berkeley, CA
Hillsboro, OR
Downingtown, PA
Portland, OR
Hazel Dell IPA
Organic Hopworks IPA
TBD
Lagunitas Pale Ale
Neddy’s Brown Nut
Alpha Dog Imperial IPA
Double Oregon Hefeweizen
Lazyboy IPA
Flower of the Gods
Great White Beer
Crazy Ludwig’s Alt
The Summer Grifter
Blueberry Ale
Hot for Teacher IPA
Pomegranate Wheat
Mountain High IPA
The Trip
TBD
Scrimshaw
Overcast Espresso Stout
The Kraken Imperial IPA
Oregon Trail Wit
Monks Uncle Belgian Style Tripel
Hop Diggity
Haywire Hefeweizen
TBD
Old Man River Oatmeal Stout
Eat a Bale o Hops IPA
Sesquicentennial Ale
Pliny the Elder
Tripel 7 Belgian Style Ale
Southern Oregon Brewing Gold
Mai Bock
Standing Stone Double IPA
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA
Summit Extra Pale Ale
Festivale
Stonefly Rye
Track Town 200 Meter Ale
Trumer Pils
Razz Wheat
Victory Prima Pils
TBD
OREGON BREWERS FESTIVAL HISTORY
Oregon has a love affair with beer that stretches back to 1888, when Portland brewer Henry
Weinhard offered to pump beer from his brewery through the pipes of the Skidmore Fountain to
celebrate its unveiling.
In the days before Prohibition, every beer was as individual as the brewmaster who made it.
Back then, a strong thirst would send a man or woman down to the corner saloon for some cool
lager drawn fresh from the tap. Usually the beer was made at a nearby brewery, and it was
distinctive - rich in malts, hops and character. Then came Prohibition, wiping out nearly all the
Pacific Northwest breweries. A handful carried on, but by the end of World War II, most local
beer was poured from just a few regional kettles.
Then, starting in the early 1980s, a group of entrepreneurial beer lovers with a taste for beer
and a head for business started individually opening small, commercial beer-making enterprises
known as microbreweries.
The microbrewery, today more commonly referred to as the craft brewery, has brought back
much of the old-style tradition of beermaking. Beers are once again made with all-natural
ingredients: malt, hops and yeast. The beer is produced in small, handcrafted batches
according to recipes that are far too costly and time-intensive for huge commercial breweries.
But this time, ales, stouts and porters are the beer of choice rather than less-flavorful industrial
lagers. Craft brewers didn't want to make the same product as the big brewers. They turned to
ales, because the yeast provided more distinctive and varying flavors. Ales were also preferred
because they took less equipment and one-third the amount of time to ferment.
The craft brewing movement was slow to start, but once it caught on, it exploded. In 1985,
there were 21 craft breweries in America, including microbreweries, contract brewers (beer
brewed by an entity that is not owned by the brewing company whose name is on the label)
and brewpubs (a restaurant and brewery on the same premise). Today there are more than
1,400.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, there is a concentration of microbreweries unmatched anywhere
in the country. Portland itself holds the honor of being America's unofficial brewpub capital, with
more microbreweries and brewpubs than any other city in the world.
It was in Portland that Oregon's first microbrewery was opened. Chuck Coury started Cartwright
Brewing Company in 1980 at 617 S.E. Main Street. The brewery lasted only two years - the
beer wasn't great and the bottling was downright poor - but the response from Portland was
enthusiastic. "The public forgave the beer's taste because they so much wanted a microbrewery
in Oregon to work," said Nancy Ponzi, one of the founders of the Oregon Brewers Festival.
BridgePort Brewing Company was the next microbrewery to enter the Portland market, and is
still very much alive today. Billed as "Oregon's oldest microbrewery," the brewery was started
by Dick and Nancy Ponzi at 1313 N.W. Marshall Street.
The two used word of mouth to invite people in, since microbrews still were so new to the
general consumer. "People were so intrigued with the idea that they overlooked our clutziness!"
explained Nancy.
The idea of microbreweries began to catch on in Oregon, and so did the cooperative spirit.
Brewers began working together to change the laws to allow the concept of a brewpub, citing
that it was no different from having a tasting room in a winery. Oregon legislature viewed
microbrewing as a homegrown industry that needed the help; thus, in 1985, the law changed.
That same year, Mike and Brian McMenamin opened Oregon's first brewpub, the Hillsdale Pub.
Two brothers, Kurt and Rob Widmer, opened Oregon's third microbrewery. Widmer Brothers
Brewing Company opened in the summer of 1985 at 929 North Russell Street. Brewmaster Kurt
Widmer had traveled to Zum Urige, a prestigious brewery in Dusseldorf, German to learn about
Altbier (old beer). As a result of his research, the brewery featured a distinctive group of topfermented German-style beers.
Art Larrance and Fred Bowman opened Oregon's fourth microbrewery, Portland Brewing
Company, in January 1986. It was Art who came up with the inspiration of the Oregon Brewers
Festival. "I had traveled to Oktoberfest in Munich and knew what a big beer party was like,"
explained Art. "I wanted to create that atmosphere and expose the public to the variety of good
microbrews. I also wanted an event that didn't judge beer, but rather provided an opportunity
to sample a variety of beers in a mug, not a thimble."
Art approached Widmer, BridgePort and McMenamins to determine their interest in participating
in a festival. McMenamins was busy with its own expansion plans and wanted to participate, but
declined being an organizer. The remaining three, represented by Kurt Widmer, Nancy Ponzi
and Art, established the Oregon Brewers Association and set off to plan the first festival.
None of the three had ever done a huge event like this before. "We were all flying by the seat
of our pants," said Art. "It was a great learning experience."
Added Nancy, "it was great fun sitting down with no real plan or agenda as we each juggled
tasks and ideas. It was a total unknown how it would happen."
"We wanted to bring beers from outside this market for Portlanders to drink," recalled Kurt.
"We wanted people to be able to compare our beers with other regions so they would see what
was happening elsewhere in the nation."
The three enlisted the help of everyone they knew to pull off the event. Family members and
friends pitched in wherever they could to make the event work. The Oregon Brew Crew, an
independent group of homebrewers, took on the responsibility of volunteers.
"Everyone knew how important this event was for the state and for the industry," explained
Kurt. "It was a community effort that made it all come together."
Thirteen breweries participated in the first year, with a total of sixteen beers on tap. The
anticipated attendance was 5,000. However, when the weekend was over, more than 15,000
had poured through the gates. The festival was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people.
The weather was hot, and the beer was foamy due to refrigeration problems.
But what the organizers learned was that people were tolerant, well-mannered and enjoyed the
festival atmosphere. Despite the glitches, the event came off amazingly well for a first-year
event. "The immediate feeling afterward was that we were ready to do it again," said Nancy.
"We were delighted with the response and thrilled that we were able to pull it off!"
The first festival was billed as an opportunity for sampling. The original idea was to bring in
microbrews from outside of the region so people could sample what wasn't readily available to
them. By exposing the public to microbrews, it gave legitimacy to the product.
"Brewers wanted to come to this festival for a variety of reasons," explained Kurt. "We were the
first non-judging beer event. And we were brewers ourselves, not outside promoters. The
brewers supported us because the event was incidental to what we were all doing."
According to Art, "the Oregon Brewers Festival is first and foremost a gathering of brewers.
Coincidentally, there's a festival going on at the same time."
Because of the foresight of Art Larrance, Dick and Nancy Ponzi and Kurt and Rob Widmer, the
Oregon Brewers Festival has grown by leaps and bounds during its 22-year history, both in
terms of breweries and attendance. This year's event will feature 80 breweries from all across
the nation. More than 70,000 people from around the world are expected to attend the four-day
affair, sampling styles of beer that range from pales to pilsners to porters.
Oregon Brewers Dinner
The Oregon Brewers Dinner is an annual barbecue that kicks off the Oregon Brewers
Festival. This year’s dinner will take place on Wednesday, July 22 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Proceeds from the dinner help the Oregon Brewers Guild perform its mission of spreading
the word about great native Oregon beers.
Brewers participating in the festival will be in attendance, as will beer writers, brewers, beer
industry suppliers and beer lovers from around the world. John Foyston, beer writer for the
Oregonian newspaper, calls the Oregon Brewers Dinner "the beer party of the year."
Attendance at this gathering is limited to 600. Tickets cost $50 for the general public, or
$40 for SNOB and Brewery Members. The ticket price includes dinner, a souvenir glass, and
six half-pints of beer. The event features more than 20 specialty beers, brewed and donated
by Brewery Members of the Oregon Brewers Guild, that are not available at the Oregon
Brewers Festival. To purchase tickets, contact the Oregon Brewers Guild at 800-440-2537
or visit www.oregonbeer.org.
Oregon Brewers Brunch & Parade Presented by Full Sail Brewing and
McCormick & Schmick’s Pilsner Room
The Oregon Brewers Brunch and Parade presented by Full Sail Brewing will take place July
23 at McCormick & Schmick’s Pilsner Room, located at 0309 SW Montgomery. A traditional
brunch starts at 9:30 a.m.
At 11:30 a.m., 300 brewers and beer lovers will set out for an old-fashioned parade,
accompanied by marching band music. The parade will wind its way for approximately one
mile through Portland sidewalks to the opening ceremonies and the tapping of the inaugural
keg of the 22nd annual Oregon Brewers Festival. Brunch tickets cost $30 and include
brunch, two pints of Full Sail beer, a souvenir t-shirt, a 2009 OBF mug, event program and
four OBF tokens. Taking part in the parade is free. Brunch tickets may be purchased by
contacting Chris Crabb at [email protected] or calling 503-314-7583.
THE COLLABORATOR PROJECT
In 1997, a group of homebrewers was quaffing some beers with Rob Widmer at Widmer Bros.
Brewing Co. in Portland. The discussion turned to beer styles that weren't represented among
the craft brewers in America. The brewers bemoaned the fact that they had to rely on
European imports for esoteric styles.
The Widmer brothers, Kurt and Rob – who both began their career as homebrewers – saw a
unique opportunity. They went on to challenge the Oregon Brew Crew homebrewing club to
hold an annual competition, in which the best of the club's beers, regardless of style, would be
brewed and served by Widmer Bros. Brewing. The concept was simple: The Oregon Brew Crew
would supply the creativity, while Widmer would provide the industry expertise to take a
homebrew recipe and make it in a commercial facility. The cooperative project became known
as Collaborator.
The first beer to be selected, a Milk Stout, was an appropriately collaborative effort by Ken
Bietschek, Jeff Brinlee and Jeff Langleythat. Commercially brewed by Widmer, it was served in
the summer of 1998 as the Collaborator Stout and was an instant success. Over the years, this
Collaborator beer has been brewed more often than all of the subsequent Collaborator beers
combined. Its popularity was further boosted when it became the American Homebrewing
Association’s “Big Brew” recipe for National Homebrew Day in 1999. In 2004, Widmer tweaked
the original recipe and introduced the Collaborator Milk Stout as Snow Plow Stout, its annual
winter seasonal. Snow Plow went on to win a gold medal at the 2002 and 2004 Great American
Beer Festival.
The Collaborator project has been going strong for a decade, producing such memorable
products as Hallucinator, Pre-Prohibition Lager, Saison Cristophe, Zephyr Kölsch, Rawkin Bock,
and Hopnosis. Collaborator beers are available at the Widmer Gasthaus and a handful of
supporting pubs (with the exception of Snowplow, available in retail locations seasonally).
From every barrel of Collaborator beer sold, $1 is donated to the Bob McCracken Scholarship
Fund, which supports students at the Oregon State University Fermentation Science
program under the direction of Dr. Thomas Shellhammer. This scholarship was set up by
the Oregon Brew Crew in memory of a past club president to ensure that future Oregon
brewers get a thorough education.
The Oregon Brewers Festival always pours a Collaborator beer at its event in support of the
project and as a nod to its roots.
RESPECTING BEER, RESPECTING YOUTH
Here at the Oregon Brewers Festival, we love beer. We also respect beer.
The OBF promotes responsible drinking, and as a result, we have responsible attendees who
come together to celebrate our local culture. This is why we have a long-standing history of
being a family-friendly event. We will always strive to allow minors into our event when
accompanied by a parent.
We also believe in educating minors and parents about the potential dangers of underage
drinking. As such, we are pleased to have with us members of the Wallowa Valley Together
Project, including high-school students of TADA (Teens Against Drugs & Alcohol), promoting
their “0b421” campaign.
Located in the tiny town of Enterprise, Oregon, the Wallowa Valley Together Project exists
to support efforts that promote healthy communities. Its purpose is to provide citizens with
the necessary tools to create lasting, effective change within families, schools,
neighborhoods, and communities.
Needing to find a way to provide information and increase awareness locally to multiple
target populations about the potential dangers, risks, and unhealthy community norms
associated with underage drinking, WVTP developed the “none before 21” campaign. Local
high school and elementary students helped with designing a single logo that would quickly
communicate the message, look appealing, and be applicable to all audiences.
Under the direction of Andrea Tyler, the campaign has been hugely successful, and has
spawned an online store carrying a complete line of “0b421” items, from mouse pads to
java jackets and car magnets to dog tags.
“We are confident that together we can make tremendous strides in reducing underage
drinking and the damage it causes youth, families, schools, and communities,” says Tyler.
You can learn more about the WVTP and view some of its cool “0b421” items at the Root
Beer Garden in the North end of the park. For more information, visit www.wvtp.org.
OREGON BEER INDUSTRY FACTS
•
The total economic impact from the beer industry on Oregon’s economy is $2.25 billion.
•
There are currently 73 brewing companies, operating 96 brewing facilities in Oregon.
•
There are 30 breweries operating in Portland, more than any other city in the world.
•
The Portland metro area has 38 breweries, more than any other metro area in the US.
•
The Portland metro area is the largest craft brewing market in the US.
•
Oregon breweries directly employ more than 5,200 people, many at family wage jobs.
•
Over the last five years Oregon breweries created 2,300 jobs.
1
•
Oregon is the second largest producer of craft beer in the US.
1
•
Oregon is the 4th largest craft beer market in the US in supermarket sales.
•
37% percent of all draft beer consumed in Oregon is brewed in Oregon.
•
Oregon has the 4th highest percentage of beer draft sales in the US.
•
Oregonians consumed 2.72 million barrels of beer in 2008; of that, more than 327,000
3
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
2
barrels were made in Oregon or about 12 percent of the total beer consumed in Oregon the highest percentage of local craft beer consumption in the country. 1,3
•
Oregon is the No. 2 hop growing state in the country with a 2008 crop value of
$38,000,000, which ranks 18th in Oregon’s five billion dollar agricultural economy.
4
Sources 1. Oregon Brewers Guild; 2. Brewers Association; 3 John Dunham and Associates, 2005;
4 Oregon Hop Commission; 5. U.S. Census Bureau; 6. Brewers Almanac; 7. Oregon Liquor
Control Commission
A HISTORY OF BEER IN OREGON
Significant numbers of immigrants began to move to the Oregon Territory in the 1840s. It
wasn’t long before they had a thirst for beer, so when German brewer Henry Saxer arrived in
1852, tasted the clear, soft water from the nearby mountains and recognized the prime hop
and grain growing potential, he started brewing.
Fellow immigrant Henry Weinhard opened his brewery in 1856. For the next 50 years the new
residents of the young state enjoyed the fresh, traditional German lagers brewed by Weinhard
and others. In 1888 Henry offered to send beer through Portland fire hoses to the dedication of
the Skidmore Fountain a dozen blocks away near the waterfront. But the City’s valuable fire
hoses would have run close to Portland’s seedy Skid Road, and civic leaders feared that the
rough district’s thirsty residents would puncture the hoses for a free drink.
Things changed when Oregonians voted to ban alcohol in 1914, five years before the 14th
Amendment established a national prohibition. Weinhard’s City Brewery switched to nonalcoholic beer, soft drinks and fruit syrups and managed to survive the nineteen dry years until
Congress repealed prohibition in 1933. Along the way City Brewery merged with Portland
Brewing Company, owned by Arnold I. Blitz. The resulting Blitz-Weinhard Brewery produced
Oregon’s best-known beer until 1999.
During the economic boom following WWII, beer suffered from the same move toward national
production and distribution that put more processed foods on American dinner tables. By 1980,
the number of breweries in the entire country had shrunk to just 80, “and the prediction was
that there would only be 10 left by 1990,” said beer brewer and writer Fred Eckhardt. But
American palates were in revolt.
The social upheaval of the counter culture included the rejection of bland, processed, industrial
food, and the college students of the 1960s were starting families and looking for alternatives.
In Portland, a group of college friends started Genoa, an Italian restaurant that didn’t even
serve spaghetti. Young wine makers were planting Pinot Noir on the red clay hills fifty minutes
south of Portland, and two brothers named McMenamin were satisfying a growing demand for
beer with flavor with a dizzying array of imports at a little café called Produce Row.
Cartwright’s, Oregon’s first craft brewery, opened in 1980. Aptly called a microbrewery since
the production was miniscule compared to the industrial producers, its beer didn’t attract a
following and the brewery closed within a few years. But the response demonstrated that
Oregon was ready for a different kind of beer, and when the state legislature made brewpubs
legal in 1983, the brewers were ready.
Established winemakers Nancy and Dick Ponzi opened what would become BridgePort Brewing
in an old rope factory located in the industrial district in NW Portland. A few blocks away,
former homebrewers Kurt and Rob Widmer were pouring their first batch of Altbier. Mike and
Brian McMenamin opened Oregon’s first brewpub in the Hillsdale neighborhood in 1985.
The beer-friendly Oregon laws, a growing awareness of the high quality local ingredients, and a
seemingly voracious thirst for well-made beer triggered a micro-boom in microbreweries. Full
Sail opened in Hood River and became the first craft brewery in the Northwest to bottle its
beers. What started as a small brewpub in Bend in 1988 evolved into Deschutes Brewery.
The first Oregon Brewers Festival in 1988 drew 15,000 people to sample 16 beers from 13
breweries under a big top tent in Portland’s Tom McCall Waterfront Park. By 1990, with more
craft breweries and brewpubs per capita than any other city in the United States, Portland is
proclaimed “America’s Microbrew Capital.” Unofficially, it’s Beervana.
Over the past few years, a new generation of brewers has emerged. Trained in the region’s
larger craft breweries, they’re opening small, independent brewpubs and making unique,
individualistic beers. Oregon’s now home to 87 breweries. There are over 140 places you can go
to and drink an Oregon Brewed beer owned by an Oregon Brewery. You can pick up a six-pack
of local craft beer at almost any grocery store, and you can try special, seasonal brews right
where they are made.
OREGON BEER TIMELINE
1852
German brewer Henry Saxer settles in Portland and opens Liberty Brewery.
1856
Henry Weinhard, a young German immigrant, moves to Portland. With a partner – the aptly
named George Bottler – he establishes Portland's second brewery, City Brewery.
1862
Saxer sells Liberty Brewery to Henry Weinhard.
1864
Weinhard buys Bottler's interest in City Brewery in what is now Portland's Pearl District. (The
modern Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company, Inc., operated at this site until 1999.) Henry
Weinhard's lager becomes famous throughout the Northwest and is shipped as far away as
China and Siberia.
1888
Weinhard offers to pump beer from his brewery via Portland's fire hoses through the pipes of
the Skidmore Fountain for the fountain's grand opening. Weinhard's generous offer is vetoed by
nervous civic leaders, who fear that residents will help themselves to the beer before it reaches
the fountain by poking holes in the city's valuable fire hoses.
1912
Lumber baron Simon Benson donates 20 beautifully sculpted bronze drinking fountains to the
city. Benson, a teetotaler, wants to make a liquid other than beer available to Portland's
residents. Following the installation of the "Benson Bubblers," beer consumption reportedly
drops by nearly 25 percent. (Although the fountains still grace Portland's streets, the popularity
of beer has never been greater.)
1914
A stateside prohibition on the manufacture and sale of liquor is passed in Oregon – five years
before the 18th Amendment is ratified by Congress. Weinhard's City Brewery survives by
producing non-alcoholic beer, soft drinks, fruit drinks, syrups and flavorings.
1920
Prohibition begins nationally.
1928
Prohibition inspires a merger of the Weinhard City Brewery and Portland Brewing Company,
owned by Arnold I. Blitz. The Blitz-Weinhard merger reduces competition and increases profits,
allowing both businesses to weather the dry years.
1933
Prohibition is repealed when Congress ratifies the 21st Amendment.
1979
Home brewing is signed into law by President Jimmy Carter. The Cranston Bill, introduced by
Senator Alan Cranston, allows a single person to brew up to 100 gallons (378 liters) of beer
annually for personal enjoyment and up to 200 gallons (756 liters) in a household of two or
more persons aged 18 or older.
1980
Winemaker Charles Coury opens the Cartwright Brewing Company, Portland’s first craft brewery
since Prohibition. Coury’s business, although short-lived, provides valuable lessons for future
craft brewers.
1984
BridgePort Brewing Company, Portland’s oldest existing craft brewery, begins operation under
the moniker “Columbia River Brewery.” The facility is housed in an 1888 building, a former
hemp rope factory in Northwest Portland. Founded by the Ponzi family, owners of Ponzi
Vineyards in the Willamette Valley, the brewery is renamed following the success of one of its
beers: BridgePort Nut Brown Ale.
1985
Kurt and Rob Widmer establish the German-style Widmer Brothers Brewing Company in
Northwest Portland, just one block from BridgePort. Sales of Widmer Weizen skyrocket and
continue to grow after the 1986 introduction of Widmer’s most popular brew – Widmer
Hefeweizen (aka “America’s Original Hefeweizen”), a light-bodied, lemon-flavored wheat beer.
(The Hefeweizen is the first step in mass consumer acceptance of the fresh, assertive beer
styles produced by Portland’s craft brewers.)
1985
The Oregon Legislature passes a law enabling brewers to sell beer directly to the public. Mike
and Brian McMenamin take advantage of this law to open Oregon’s first brewpub, the Hillsdale
Brewery and Public House. The McMenamin brothers go on to open nearly 60
breweries/brewpubs in Oregon and Washington, including eight theater-pubs. Other
McMenamins properties include the Crystal Ballroom and seven hotels and bed-and-breakfaststyle inns. Among these is the 38-acre McMenamins Edgefield, a 100-room historic landmark
inn with on-site brewery, winery and distillery, theater, golf course, restaurants and bars,
meeting rooms and gardens.
1986
The BridgePort Brew Pub opens at the BridgePort Brewing Company.
1986
The Portland Brewing Company, founded by Art Larrance and Fred Bowman, opens as Oregon’s
fourth craft brewery. Mid-’80s Favorable legislation, an abundance of readily available beer
ingredients, and a growing demand for specialty beers by Oregon residents encourage an
explosion of breweries. Over the next 10 years, dozens of new craft breweries will open.
1987
Full Sail Brewing Company begins operation in Hood River, Ore. Full Sail is one of the first craft
breweries to market its product in bottles.
1988
The first Oregon Brewers Festival, held in Portland’s Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park, attracts
a crowd of 15,000 to sample 16 beers from 13 breweries. The event grows to become North
America’s largest gathering of independent brewers. The four-day celebration, which now
features about 90 beers from 72 of the nation’s best craft breweries, attracts more than 50,000
people.
1990
With more craft breweries and brewpubs per capita than any other city in the United States,
Portland is proclaimed “America’s Microbrew Capital.”
1992
The Oregon Brewers Guild is founded with the primary goal of promoting the common interests
of its members and the brewing industry in Oregon.
1995
The Ponzi family sells BridgePort Brewing Company to The Gambrinus Company, the company
responsible for transforming Corona Extra from a little-known import to a high-demand yuppie
brew.
1996
Widmer Brothers moves to a $20 million, 65,000-square-foot brewery in northeast Portland. In
May the company begins bottling its signature brew, Hefeweizen, then the top-selling craft beer
in Oregon.
1998
The Oregon Brewers Guild introduces the "Quality & Integrity Mark," the nation's first craft beer
quality-assurance program.
1999
The Blitz-Weinhard Brewery closes its doors after 143 years. On their last day of work,
employees hang their work boots from various high points in the brewery as a parting gesture.
Rights to the Weinhard name are purchased by Miller Brewing Company.
1999
Full Sail Brewing of Hood River, Ore., becomes "America's only employee-owned brewery" when
ownership is transferred to the 54 employees.
1999
The Oregon Brew Crew is named "Homebrew Club of the Year" by the American Homebrewers
Association.
2000
Portland Brewing Company becomes the first Northwest craft brewery to can its beer.
2001
Self-distribution legislation, championed by the Oregon Brewers Guild and allowing small
brewers (those whose production capacity is less than 500 barrels) to sell their beer without
having to join a distribution network, takes effect.
2003
The Oregon Brewers Guild helps to double the production capacity for self-distribution from 500
to 1,000 barrels.
2004
Seattle-based Pyramid Breweries buys Portland Brewing Company in August. The brewing and
bottling of 22-ounce Pyramid Hefeweizen moves to the Portland location.
2004
In October, Robert "Mac" MacTarnahan, the patriarch of the Portland Brewing Company, dies in
his sleep at age 89. He had just attended a party celebrating the renaming of the former
Portland Brewing Company's Taproom as MacTarnahan's Taproom.
2004
Beer production in Oregon grows by an unprecedented 10 percent.
2005
Oregon's first all-organic brewery, Roots Brewing Company, opens in Southeast Portland.
2006
Under the leadership of representatives Peter DeFazio (Oregon) and Sherwood Boehlert (New
York), the U.S. House of Representatives gives unanimous consent to House Resolution 753,
which commends America’s craft brewers for their many and varied contributions to our
nation’s communities, economy, culture and history. In addition, Oregon Governor Ted
Kulongoski and Portland Mayor Tom Potter declare July – the same month in which the annual
Oregon Brewers Festival is held – to be Oregon Craft Beer Month.
2008
Oregon’s first eco-brewpub, Hopworks Urban Brewery, opens in Southeast Portland.
2009
Oregon’s brewing industry bands together to fight a proposed House Bill that would add a
nearly $50 per barrel increase on beer taxes – an increase of over 1900% – making Oregon’s
beer excise tax the highest in the country.
OREGON BEER INDUSTRY STORY IDEAS
More breweries in Portland than in Munich
One of Portland's nicknames used to be "Munich on the Willamette." But that's so last century.
With 30 breweries in the city limits, Portland has more breweries than Munich - that Bavarian
burg once regarded as the world's beer capital. And, as a matter of fact, back in 1997 the total
of craft breweries in the United States surpassed the number in Germany. There are more than
1,400 craft breweries in the United States, while Germany has about 1,250.
Brewers Association, 303.447.0816, www.beertown.org
Homegrown ingredients set Oregon brews apart
Oregon's mild climate, similar to that of Europe's growing regions, is ideal for producing
plentiful hop crops. Oregon produces 17 percent of the nation's hops and five percent of the
world's hops. Recognizing these benefits granted by Mother Nature, breweries throughout the
United States and the world look to Oregon for hops that will satisfy the tastes of today's
sophisticated beer drinker. In the Willamette Valley alone, 10 different hop varieties are grown.
Among the most popular are Cascade, Nugget and Willamette, developed at Oregon State
University under the direction of the USDA. Oregon Hop Commission, 503.982.7600,
www.oregonhops.org
"Collaborator Project" – Home brews are on tap at Widmer Brothers
They're called collaborator beers because the journey from a beer-stained recipe card to a
frothy glass poured at the Widmer Brothers Gasthaus is the result of a friendly partnership
between the brewery and local homebrewers who are members of the Oregon Brew Crew. The
members come up with the recipes; Widmer Brothers Brewing produces the brews in
commercial quantities. The brewery markets the beers for limited, draft-only release and
donates a portion of the profits to the Bob McCracken Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, which
benefits students of the fermentation science program at Oregon State University who have
shown a demonstrated interest in the brewing profession. A few of the collaborator beers have
been such big hits that they have gone on to win gold medals in beer competitions, including
Collaborator Milk Stout, which won gold medals in the "Sweet Stout Category" at both the 2002
and 2004 Great American Beer Festival.
Widmer Brothers Brewing Co., 503.281.2437, www.widmer.com
Oregon Brew Crew, 503.493.4134, www.oregonbrewcrew.com
The McMenamin brothers: Beer barons and preservationists too
Mike and Brian McMenamin were pioneers of Portland's craft brewery renaissance, opening
Oregon's first brewpub (Hillsdale Brewery & Public House in southwest Portland). In time, they
began looking around for unusual locations for their breweries and restaurants. Then they
began adding new features, such as movie theaters and lodging. Now the brothers have a welldeserved reputation as preservationists, saving old churches, schools and various other
buildings in Oregon and Washington from uncertain fates and giving them new life as
McMenamins properties. Good examples around Portland are McMenamins Edgefield, a 38-acre
beer-lovers' resort that was once Multnomah County's poor farm; the Crystal Ballroom, with its
magical "floating" dance floor; and the Kennedy School, a 1912 grade school where you can
sleep in class and drink in detention.
McMenamins, 503.669.8610, www.mcmenamins.com
Green Beers
Most Oregon brewers engage in at least some form of "green" practices in the brewing process.
Spent grain and yeast from brewers is given to farm animals as feed. Other farmers and
landscapers use leftover spent grain to augment their soil, so very little if any of the state's
breweries' byproducts find their way into the waste stream. A number of the state's breweries
also utilize organic ingredients -- barley malt, wheat and hops -- in at least a few of their beers.
Laurelwood Public House and Brewery was among the first to make its award-winning organic
brews. Portland-based Roots Organic Brewing Co. was the first certified 100 percent organic
brewpub in the state. And in 2008, Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) opened its doors as
Portland’s first Eco-Brewpub, offering all organic handcrafted beers and a sustainable building
that incorporates all aspects of sustainability. HUB is Oregon's only brewery powered by 100%
renewable energy.
Roots Organic Brewing Company, www.rootsorganicbrewing.com
Laurelwood Public House & Brewery, www.laurelwoodbrewpub.com
Hopworks Urban Brewery, www.hopworksbeer.com
Homebrewing enthusiasts in Oregon
The 21st Amendment that repealed prohibition neglected to legalize the homebrewing of beer.
It wasn’t until Nov. 1978 that Congress passed a bill repealing Federal restrictions on the
homebrewing of small amounts of beer. President Jimmy Carter signed the bill into law in Feb.
1979, and most states soon followed suit. The opportunity to produce alcoholic beverages at
home was seized upon enthusiastically, and the nation moved rapidly into the brewing of beer.
The Oregon Brew Crew, located in Portland, is one of the largest clubs in North America.
Founded in 1979, Oregon Brew Crew members are brewers of all experience levels, from the
extract brewer just finishing his or her first batch, to brewers turned professional with
successful craft breweries. The group’s monthly meetings, workshops and classes are great
places to learn more about beer, brewing, judging and history. www.oregonbrewcrew.com
Heart of the Valley Homebrewers is an American Homebrewers Association (AHA) registered
homebrew club based in the Willamette Valley. This group hosts the Pacific Northwest's oldest
homebrew competition every year, the Oregon Homebrew Festival. www.hotv.org
Deer Island Brewers in Deer Island reaches out to homebrew fans in Columbia County. The
group shares information, recipes and different brewing techniques, as well as sponsoring two
AHA events each year. www.deerislandbrewery.com
Oregon Brewers Guild
In the early 1990s several local brewers met informally to discuss common issues, problems
and opportunities. In 1992, this group evolved into the Oregon Brewers Guild, a dynamic trade
organization that represents a majority of the state's craft breweries. Its primary mission is to
promote the common interests of the members and the brewing industry in Oregon by
supporting the marketing and promotional efforts of Oregon's breweries, and by educating beer
enthusiasts about Oregon's indigenous craft beers. The Guild is also very involved with lobbying
and legislative work. The Oregon Brewers Guild maintains an interactive website where craft
beer enthusiasts can find the latest news from their favorite Oregon breweries and stay up to
date on events happening around the state. The site offers brewery and brewpub descriptions,
information on the styles of beer produced, and maps and directions to the many
establishments. Visit the website at www.oregonbeer.org.
Oregon Brewers Guild, 503.288.2739, www.oregonbeer.org
S.N.O.B.s
One of the Oregon Brewers Guild’s most popular programs is its S.N.O.B. (Supporter of Native
Oregon Beer) membership. This program for the general public allows SNOB members to show
off their impeccable taste in craft beverages and at the same time get a backstage pass to
what's going on behind the scenes in Oregon's craft brewing industry. Annual membership dues
are $20, which includes an official membership card, a T-shirt, a bumper sticker, an email
newsletter, discounts on events, and invitations to regional gatherings.
Oregon Brewers Guild, 503.288.2739, www.oregonbeer.org
BLOGGING BEER
With so many craft breweries in the U.S., tastings, brewer meetups, beer dinners and pairings
can happen at the drop of a hop cone. Even the most diligent of beer aficionados can barely
keep up. So how does a beer fan keep in the know? Enter the beer blog.
Blogs can range from very personal diaries to community discourses and event announcements,
depending on the subject matter and author. There are literally hundreds of blogs in the
Internet with a focus on craft beer.
The subject matter on these blogs can range from notations on new beer releases to what
happened to the pub down the street. Most allow comments from readers so that lively
discussion is encouraged, creating an environment in which new information spews forth more
vociferously than an uncapped bottle of shaken beer – and all you need to access this
community is a computer and the Internet. We couldn’t begin to list all of the beer blogs out
there, but here is a sampler tray of some of our favorites:
A Good Beer Blog: http://beerblog.genx40.com/
Appellation Beer: http://appellationbeer.com/blog/
A Pint of Knowledge: http://apintofknowledge.wordpress.com/
Beaumont’s Beer Blog: http://www.thatsthespirit.com/en/blog/
Beer 4 Chicks: http://www.beer4chicks.com/
The Beer Geek: http://www.thebeergeek.com/
The Beer Here: http://blog.oregonlive.com/thebeerhere/
Beervana: http://beervana.blogspot.com/
Beer Northwest: http://beernorthwest.blogspot.com/
Beer Retard: http://beer-retard.livejournal.com/
Blog Sober: The Champagne of Blogs: http://www.bsbrewing.com/blog/
The Brew Site: http://www.thebrewsite.com/
Brookston Beer Bulletin: http://www.brookstonbeerbulletin.com/
BW Beer Blog: http://bobwoodshed.org/beer/
Brew Like A Monk: http://www.brewlikeamonk.com/
Dr. Wort's Buzz-erk Beer Blog: http://wortblog.blogspot.com/
Guest on Tap: http://guestontap.typepad.com/
Hail The Ale: http://www.hailtheale.com/
Hop Talk: http://hop-talk.com/
Oregon Brewers Guild: http://oregonbeer.org/blog/
Oregon Craft Beer: http://oregoncraftbeer.com/
Pacific Brew News: http://www.pacificbrewnews.blogspot.com/
Portland Beer Blog: http://pdxbeer.blogspot.com/
Portland Beer: http://www.portlandbeer.org/blog/index.html
Real Beer Blog: http://www.realbeer.com/blog/
Seen Through a Glass: http://lewbryson.blogspot.com/
What’s On Tap: http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/whatsontap/
Can't get your fill of beer blogs? Google offers a blog search at http://blogsearch.google.com/.
Keep sampling until you find the ones that best suit your palate.