Oregon Brewers Festival
PORTLAND, Ore. - Jan. 23, 2006 - The long-running Oregon Brewers Festival iscelebrating its 19th year by adding an auxiliary event to the schedule. Theinaugural Oregon Brewers Festival Blind Tasting & Test, a benefit for theOregon Blind Commission, will take place on July 26 from 5 to 9 p.m. on thefestival grounds at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Tickets cost $40, whichincludes the 2006 souvenir festival mug, and are limited to 5,000. Theevent is for ages 21 and older. The Blind Tasting & Test is a prelude tothe famed Oregon Brewers Festival, which will run July 27 through 30. "The Blind Tasting & Test showcases the complexity and quality of Oregoncraft beers, and we are excited to add the event to our festival lineup,"stated founder Art Larrance. "The best part is we have pledged $5 for everyticket sold to the Oregon Blind Commission, with an overall goal of donating$20,000 to the charitable organization." The Blind Tasting & Test begins with the tasting portion, in which a totalof 24 different beers will be served: 12 IPAs brewed in Oregon, and 12 PaleAles brewed in Oregon. Beers will be served on a tasting tray in two-ouncesamples. Patrons will be encouraged to vote for the "People's Choice," onevote for each of the two styles. Following the tabulation, the winningbrewery from each beer category will be announced, with the two winnersreceiving a trip to a European Beer Festival for the brewer and a guest. For the Blind Test, patrons will be asked to identify each of the 24 beersserved. Votes will be tabulated, and a winner from each category will beselected. The two winners of the identification test will also receive atrip each to a European Beer Festival for themselves and a guest. At the conclusion of the blind test, all 24 of the beer taps will be openedand the attendees will be invited to sample beer in their souvenir mugsuntil the taps close at 9 p.m. The Oregon Brewers Festival will open its gates the following day, July 27,from 4 to 9 p.m. The event will continue Friday through Saturday from Noonto 9 p.m., and Sunday from Noon to 6 p.m. Admission for entry into thefestival grounds is free. A one-time purchase 2006 souvenir mug costs $4and is required for consuming beer. Mugs from previous years will not befilled. Tokens are required for purchase of beer. Tokens cost $1 apiece.Patrons pay four tokens for a full mug, or 1 token for a taste. Seventy-two breweries present as many handcrafted brews during the OBF,which is regarded by many industry experts and beer fans alike as the finestcraft beer festival in the nation. The non-judging event allows the publicto sample and savor brews from some of the nation's finest breweries. In addition to beer, there are industry exhibits and demonstrations; foodbooths; vendors; live music; and a complimentary rootbeer garden for minorsand designated drivers. Alternative modes of transportation are encouraged,with free bicycle parking available each day courtesy of the BicycleTransportation Alliance. The main entrance to the event is located oneblock from the MAX Light Rail line. Minors are permitted at the event whenaccompanied by a parent. Only ADA animals are allowed on the festivalgrounds. The Oregon Brewers Festival takes place during Oregon Craft Beer Week, aweek long celebration of craft beer by Oregon's specialty breweries. Thisyear's Oregon Craft Beer Week begins July 22 and features a variety ofspecial events taking place at craft breweries throughout the state,culminating with the Oregon Brewers Festival. The popular Oregon BrewersDinner, a ticketed prelude to the festival, will take place at the festivalgrounds on July 25. The Oregon Brewers Festival was founded in 1988 as an opportunity to exposethe public to microbrews at a time when the craft brewing industry was justgetting off the ground. Today, that industry has succeeded, especially inOregon, a state that has more craft breweries per capita than anywhere elsein the nation. The Marriott Portland City Center is the festival's host hotel. Reservationscan be made directly at www.marriottportland.com or call 800-228-9290. Forvisitor information or other hotel reservations, visitwww.travelportland.com or call 1.87.PORTLAND (1.877.678.5263). For more information about the Oregon Brewers Festival Blind Tasting & Test,the Oregon Brewers Festival, or Oregon Craft Beer Week, visitwww.oregonbrewfest.com or call 503-778-5917. ### Note to Editor: Digital Images Available Upon Request MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Crabb, 503.314.7583 or chrisc@oregonbrewfest.com |
