Beer Hall: Puckerfest Continues, Belgian Independence Day, and The Hop & Vine Bids Farewell

Portland Beer Events for the Week of July 21, 2016.

By Parker Hall

In the world of beer, there's always something to celebrate, and there's a million ways to do it.

This week, people will be pouring pints Hawaiian-style (over a pig roast), getting down to some special Belgian saisons to celebrate that nation's independence, remembering the end of the Oregon Trail with ale, and bidding farewell to a favorite local beer bar and bottle shop.

Wherever you go this week, you're sure to raise a glass to something.

Friday, July 22

Puckerfest: Cascade Special Blend

Belmont Station's annual sour celebration continues with special Cascade Barrel House blends made accordign to the specs of the people at Belmont Station. Two BS teams will compete for domination with the Vine 2013 and 2015, Bourbonic Plague 2015, Mission Fig Red, Kentucky Peach, Blueberriation, and two different blends just called "Belmont Blend." MK. Belmont Station, 4500 SE Stark St, 12-11 pm, July 21-25. Free.

8th Anniversary Closing Luau

All good things must come to an end. The Hop & Vine ends its tenure at 1914 N Killinsworth this weekend, but not before throwing a massive summer luau in its own honor. With tropical cocktails, a pig roast, and a presumably excellent assortment of beer—the taplist has yet to be announced—this is the best possible end we can imagine to the eight long years this place has been one of the best beer bars in town. PH. The Hop & Vine, 1914 N Killingsworth St. 3 pm-12 am. Free.

Saturday, July 23

Breakside Luau

Pack up the kids—you're goin' to Milwaukie. Breakside's annual luau—complete with fresh-brewed passionfruit sour-beer, island food and a kiddie pool—is one of the only times that those whose lives have been deformed by children can visit the brewery's many rare and seasonal taps without hiring a babysitter. So do that. $15 is good for a glass and 4 taster tickets. Breakside Brewery Milwaukie, 5821 SE International Way, Milwaukie. 12-8 pm. $15.

Rural Brewer

The Hawthorne Hophouse has collected kegs from more than a dozen of Oregon's smallest and most-remote breweries, aiming to educate audiences as to the many virtues of being small. With styles ranging from IPAs to Belgians, these farm and house ales won't all remind you of the farmhouse. PH. Hawthorne Hophouse, 4111 SE Hawthorne Blvd. 2-7 pm. $15.

Night of 1000 Tepaches

Tepache is the sweet, earthy, wonderful alcoholic pineapple skin of summer. And as it turns out, spicy tepache is even better. But as for smoked hot tepache? Mint tepache? Cocoa coffee tepache? Guess you're gonna have to go to Nat's this Saturday to find out. Reverend Nat's Cidery & Public Taproom, 1813 NE 2nd Ave.

Puckerfest: De Garde and Block 15

If Cascade is the now the icon of sour beer, de Grade is the weird cousin who's also a savant—wild-fermented, sometimes unpredictable, often unendingly brilliant. Along with Block 15, they're bringing the noise from the south and west, including Block 15's truly wonderful Froamboise White (and black!), a 2014 Cuvee Rouge and a brand-panking new 2016 Ferme de la Ville Provision. De Garde is bringing very rare unblended, unconditioned lambics—three different beers called "The Unblended." MK. Belmont Station, 4500 SE Stark St, 12-11 pm, July 21-25. Free. Cash only.

Oregon Trail Brew Fest

Oregon City gives beers drinkers a taste of the Oregon Trail this weekend, pouring pints from Kansas City to Boise to the end of the trail itself. A hop-infused journey which should showcase some of the nation's best pours it's a novel concept from the slowly-revitalizing cultural capital. PH. Main Street, Oregon City. $15 advance, $20 day of.

Sunday, July 24

Puckerfest: Sweet on California Sours

Did you know that California also makes beer? Wild! (Literally.) A whole mess of California breweries are sending kegs of wild and sour, including Lost Abbey, Almanac, Firestone Walker (Brett and Rose), Green Flash, Ruissian River (a 4-year alternating vertical of Consecration and Supplication), Bear Republic and Heretic. MK. Belmont Station, 4500 SE Stark St, 12-11 pm, July 21-25. Free. Cash only.

Monday, July 25

Puckerfest: Kick the Kegs

Taste all the least-popular beers of Puckerfest! MK. Belmont Station, 4500 SE Stark St, 12-11 pm, July 21-25. Free. Cash only.

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