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As the beer-loving masses flock to the Oregon Brewers Festival to close out an extremely eventful Oregon Beer Month, there are plenty quieter events worth checking out once you've braved your share of cheers on the waterfront.
Between a Bailey's-curated barrel-aged beer fest, a tasting of award-winning ciders, and a special Roscoe's-hosted tapping of 20 rare, seasonal, and one-off Oregon brews, you should be able to enjoy plenty of pints in relative peace and serenity this week.
But before you start talking shit about OBF, check your pint's privilege; That there is the one that started 'em all.
Thursday, July 28
Oregon Brewer's Festival
The Oregon Brewers Festival may be the biggest fest in Oregon—one of the oldest and probably the largest outdoor beer fest in the country, with 111 beers ranging from traditional Czech Pilsner and Leipziger goses to, like, mint julep beer and beer made with pesto. Which is to say, it's a very big deal. 80,000 people from all over the world come to try them—along with craft brews from as far away as China, Japan and the Netherlands. There is no admission fee, and after you get a cup for $7, each taste is a mere buck. It's a gigantic clusterfuck, and it's terrific. Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Free entry, $7 glass, $1 per 3oz tasting token. All day, July 28-31.
Portland International Cider Cup Awards Party
Taste the best damn ciders on the West Coast (including, grudgingly, Canada and Idaho). Among 26 different cidery contenders, 7 ciders won gold medals and during the award ceremony, and you get to taste all 7. Which is a very efficient way to taste the best cider around. Reverend Nat's will also offer up a cider cocktail, while Widmer will offer snacks. Widmer Brothers Brewery, 929 N Russell St. 5:30 pm. $18.
Buoy Beer Saloon Pop-Up
For five days during the Oregon Brewers Festival, River Pig Saloon will be the Buoy Beer Saloon. Only Astorian Buoy beers will be served—14 of them, including the hard-to-get Helles flagship—fish and chips and oyster shooters will be on the menu, Astoria liquor from Pilot House will be served, and on Wednesday, all the Buoy folk will be hanging out with their beers. Expect OBF beer Dragon Weisse, plus shit you don't get in Portland: Benedict Cumberbatch, kolsch, barrel-aged hellesbock, rice beer, whatever. River Pig Saloon, 529 NW 13th Ave. All Day, July 27-31. Free.
Friday, July 29
Roscoe's Oregon Beer Summit
Roscoe's closes out Oregon Beer Month with a smattering of 20 rare, seasonal, and one-off beers from some of the best breweries in our great state. With ales and lagers from The Commons, pFriem Family Brewers, Breakside, and Upright Brewing on the list, this should be one heck of an event for fans of hops, water, yeast, and barley. PH. Roscoe's, 8105 SE Stark St. 2 pm-12 am Friday July 29 and Saturday, July 30.
Saturday, July 30
Bailey's Barrel-Aged Block Party
In the middle of one of the most packed beer weekends in Portland—with the Oregon Brewers Festival nearby—Bailey's will throw down with a 32-deep barrel-aged beer fest that spills out into the street with piñatas and Santeria tacos, plus cornhole. Among the brewers representing are Breakside, Block 15, Firestone Walker and a whole grip of locals, not to mention Baird and Dewar cider. Bailey's Taproom, 213 SW Broadway. 12 pm. Free.
Willamette Week
