Image of Penner-Ash courtesy mrJasonWeaver via Flickr
The calendar says that summer's coming soon, though the Portland skies — promising showers for the next two weeks straight, seriously just kill us now — might suggest oth...
Image of Penner-Ash courtesy mrJasonWeaver via Flickr
The calendar says that summer's coming soon, though the Portland skies — promising showers for the next two weeks straight, seriously just kill us now — might suggest otherwise. So obviously the solution is to drink your way into delusion, and thankfully, that same calendar also comes packed with the season's usual lineup of beer fests, wine tastings, and other assorted alcohol-fueled celebrations.
Between summer's two big party weekends — Memorial Day and the Fourth of July — no fewer than nine boozy bashes will take place in the Portland metro area, hopefully allowing for a few outdoor occasions to soak up Vitamin-D (while your liver soaks up everything else). Whether you're celebrating a long weekend, need an accompaniment to an outdoor picnic, or just want to pour one out for Zoo Brew, join your fellow drinks at one of these early-summer events.
Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country
When: May 25 to 27
Where: Willamette Valley
How Much: event prices vary
More than 150 wineries throughout the Willamette Valley will throw open tasting room doors for the 23rd-annual "Weekend in the Wine Country" celebration, considered the official kick-off to tasting season and the valley's liveliest weekend of the year. Expect wineries from the Dundee Hills to Chehalem Mountain, the Eola-Amity Hills to McMinnville to compete for your tasting palate by offering special releases, vintage celebrations, and events featuring paired snacks and other booze-soaking edibles (think cheese. Lots of it). Plan a tasting route to discover events like wine-and-popcorn pairing (at Forest Grove's Montinore Estate), vineyard barbecues (at Salem's Redhawk Vineyard and Sherwood's Hawks View Cellars, among others), and tons of live music.
Makers & Shakers
When: June 6
Where: Ecotrust, 721 NW 9th Ave.
How Much: $20
Toast warm weather the way urbanites in other cities do — by drinking on a rooftop — at Ecotrust's summer kick-off event Makers & Shakers, which takes over the building's rooftop terrace at twilight on Thursday, June 6. Five local distilleries (Clear Creek, New Deal, Big Bottom Whiskey, Stone Barn Brandyworks, and Vinn) will offer cocktail samples specifically paired with bites from five Portland catering companies. Wash it all down against a musical backdrop provided by the Brazillionaires, and know that your buzz helps benefit Ecotrust's ongoing community development programs.
Portland Beer Week 2013
When: June 6 to 16
Where: various locations
How Much: event prices vary
Because this is Portland, designating a period of time "Beer Week" obviously results in a calendar that stretches a luxurious 11 days. This year's third-annual installment of Portland Beer Week features everything from pairing dinners to tap takeovers to events like the "Beer Games," which will see buzzed revelers competing against each other in a series of "bar games" that probably put trivia night to shame. The week gets underway with a June 6 kick-off party at NW's Lucky Lab and includes events like a beer-fueled StripCrawl, a beer-and-sandwich festival at Breakside Brewing, and a barrel-aged beer seminar. Start girding that liver now.
Rye Beer Fest
When: June 7
Where: EastBurn, 1800 E. Burnside
How Much: tasting fees vary
Bread and whiskey are pretty much pantry staples as far as we're concerned, but we'll admit that rye does magical things in other foodstuffs, as well. As part of Portland Beer Week, Taplister.com throws a fete dedicated solely to rye beer, or beers that substitute barley with rye in the malt. The second-annual festival dedicates its entire food and beverage menu to rye, featuring more than 19 rye beers (available by the pint and half-pint), rye cocktails, and bites that highlight the grain. Expect pours from Breakside, Boring Brewing, Base Camp, and Stone Brewing, among others.
Portland Fruit Beer Festival
When: June 8 and 9
Where: Burnside Brewing, NE Burnside a