We’re now mere days removed from the takeover of Portland, Ore. by more than 10,000 beer industry professionals, all coming from far and wide for the Brewers Association’s annual Craft Brewers Conference.
Inside the Oregon Convention Center next week, attendees will find some of the country’s preeminent industry advocates across the three tiers sharing their wisdom and trying to make sense of this booming trade from hop to truck to glass. Whether retail, distribution or production is your gambit, there will be something there for you. Earlier this week, we even highlighted nine of the seminars that most piqued our interests as information hounds.
While those are helpful and very likely the main reason you’re in attendance, it’s also important not to lose sight of the fact that CBC is, at its heart, about beer. And what is beer if not a vehicle for community? Aside from the myriad educational seminars, there are a number of social events scheduled throughout the week as well where you can shift focus from the business of beer to the drinking of beer.
Selected below, a few that stood out to us on the calendar.
- Who: Ballast Point, Oakshire Brewing, and Fort George Brewery
- What: Weeklong tap takeovers
- When: Monday 11 a.m. – Friday 11 p.m.
- Where: The three Lardo’s Sandwiches locations
Cascade Brewing: Sour & Wild Invitational
- Who: Cascade Brewing
- What: Inaugural Sour & Wild Invitational
- When: Tuesday 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Where: Cascade Brewing Barrel House
Deschutes: Barrels, Bites & Brews
- Who: Deschutes Brewery
- What: Live music, special beer tapping and new release
- When: Tuesday 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Where: Deschutes Brewery & Public House
Widmer Welcome Reception
- Who: Craft Brew Alliance
- What: Live music by The Thermals
- When: Tuesday 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Where: Widmer Brothers Brewery
- Who: 3 Floyds, Solemn Oath, Lost Abbey, Beau’s All Natural, Sun King and Surly
- What: Tap takeover
- When: Wednesday 2 p.m. – all night
- Where: Apex Bar
- Who: Dogfish Head
- What: Beer Live Music Mash Up
- When: Wednesday 7 p.m. – 1 a.m.
- Where Aladdin Theater
- Who: Ninkasi Brewing
- What: Premiere of Ninkasi’s Ground Control, fermented with yeast sent to space
- When: Thursday 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Where: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
- Who: Elysian Brewing
- What: Pinball social
- When: Thursday 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Where: Shanghai Tunnel
- Who: Rogue
- What: Tasting
- When: Friday 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Where: Rogue Hall
- Who: Widmer Brothers
- What: 30th anniversary wrap up party
- When: Friday 3 p.m. – 2:30 a.m.
- Where: White Owl Social Club
Oskar Blues ENCORE
- Who: Oskar Blues Brewery
- What: Official CBC closing part — Pinner IPA happy hour, barcade & live music
- When: Friday 6:30 p.m. — 1:00 a.m.
- Where: The Jupiter Hotel, Doug Fir Lounge
And of course, don’t forget Brewbound will be hosting a Brew Talks event at 10 Barrel Brewing on Thursday at 4 o’clock. The event is sold out, but we’ll be live streaming it here on the website.
Want your CBC event highlighted on Brewbound? Post it to our new Craft Beer Events Calendar!