As if Portland’s status as Beervana was in danger of lapsing, the fifth annual Portland Beer Week brings a whole slew of chances to celebrate Oregon suds. I previewed Portland Beer Week a few weeks ago here. I have also listed a few highlights again below.
Every year, PDX Beer Week organizer and New School Beer website founder Ezra Johnson-Greenough adds eats to the week’s beer treats. I ventured south for dinner during yesterday’s Portland Beer Week’s opening day festivities. The special Beer Week cake doughnuts made with Hopworks IPA were sold out at Blue Star Donuts on Washington Street. I drove across the Burnside Bridge to BUNK Sandwiches for the Beer Week sandwich, a beer-braised brisket po’boy made with GoodLife Pass Stout. Although the PBW website stated the sandwich was on, it’s actually available beginning Saturday. An amazing Bunk albacore tuna bacon sandwich quickly remedied the situation. OK, well, at least there’s dessert. A flight of Pfriem Family Brewers beers paired with three bite-sized desserts by Bar Vivant/Pix Patisserie teased on the PBW website. “We apologize, the desserts will be ready Friday,” said the Bar Vivant staff. They quickly concocted a freakin’ delicious pFriem Belgian Strong Dark Ale with housemade coffee ice cream float and all was well.
The main course was a slice of roasted pig at the official Portland Beer Week Kickoff party at EastBurn paired with a pint of Burnside Brewing’s Portland Fruit Beer Festival beer Peach Farmhouse Ale. Folks mounted the patio swings and chatted up the forthcoming events during the 11-day celebration. Johnson-Greenough was in the house, as well as pFreim Farmer Matty K. Matt shared news that pFriem is five weeks away from their first kettle sour Gose.
Here are a few upcoming Portland Beer Week noteworthy events, as well as a few photos I snapped during opening day.
PORTLAND BEER WEEK
• June 12 — Portland Beer Week bottle release of Breakside/Fremont “Back to the Future IPA” at Whole Foods in the Pearl District.
• June 12 — Fourth annual Rye Beer Fest, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Eastburn, 1800 E. Burnside St. A celebration of the revival of rye beers. Live music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for a glass and eight tickets; a benefit for Dawn to Dusk paddle fund for the Children’s Cancer Association.
• June 12-14 — Fifth annual Portland Fruit Beer Festival, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Burnside Brewing Co., 701 E. Burnside St. Open to all ages, $20 tickets include a glass and 12 tastings. The festival will showcase two-dozen local juicy and exotic fruit beers and ciders made in a variety of styles.
• June 20 — Second annual Mississippi & Williams Pub Crawl, noon-8 p.m., $5 wristbands good for $1 off drinks at nine locations. Special drinks, rare beers on tap and food.
• June 21 — Fourth annual Portland Beer and Cheese Fest, noon-5 p.m. at The Commons Brewery, 630 S.E. Belmont St. $35 tickets include 10 beer and cheese pairings, collectible glass, Olympia Provisions charcuterie and Woodblock Chocolate.
• For more: http://pdxbeerweek.com
