Oregon State University professor of Food Science and Technology Lisbeth Goddiki, Ph.D. presents The Cheese Stands Alone: The Science Behind Oregon’s Acclaimed Artisan Cheeses.

Oregon wine is mighty fine, but, increasingly, no one does cheese like the Beaver State, either. In recent years, Oregon’s specialty artisan cheeses have achieved international acclaim. Oregon’s Rogue River Blue, for instance, was named Best of Show in 2009 in the prestigious American Cheese Society’s annual artisan cheese competition, beating out more than 1,300 other entrants. Oregon cheeses took a jaw-dropping 22 prizes overall in the competition. Business for our cheese makers, even in a down economy, is booming.

What’s so special about the way we separate the curds from the whey? What’s different for manufacturers today as they approach the ages-old craft of cheese making? What do they know that you can benefit from in shopping for and/or making your own cheese?

Science Pub runs from 7 to 9pm, but arrive early (5pm doors open) to secure your beer, grub, and a seat! There’s a $3.00 suggested donation/cover charge.

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A firkin, for those unfamiliar with the term, is an old English unit of volume.

For beer and ale a firkin is equal to nine imperial gallons, seventy-two pints, or a quarter of a barrel (40.91481 litres). Casks in this size (themselves called firkins) are the most common container for cask ale.

Now you know.

The Firkin Fest features firkins of beer from twenty Oregon breweries, artisan cheeses and chocolates, and is structured quite differently from most local beer festivals. This beer fest ain’t cheap ($30!), and you have to buy tickets ahead of time (at Rogue.com, or at the Green Dragon by phone or in person). But, the crowding won’t be quite as ridiculous as at some beer fests because attendance is split into two sessions, with only a limited number of tickets sold for each (last year it was 200 per session).

Heather and I attended last year’s event, and thought there were not enough places to sit or lean and prop your pint, there were no lines for most of the beers most of the time, which was a pleasant departure from most beer festivals.

The $30 admission gets you a souvenir glass, eight 6 ounce taster tickets, and two food tickets. The first session runs from 11am to 2pm, and the second from 3pm to 6pm.

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Festival-goers will enjoy samples of more than 80 craft beers, 30 regional wineries and many local artisan spirits, plus delectable tastes of specialty cheese and handcrafted chocolate, all while mingling with brewers, winemakers and other craftspeople. In addition, the festival will also offer a global shopping marketplace, cooking demonstrations and educational seminars on the Chef’s Stage, and live music featuring Northwest bands including Keegan Smith & the Fam.

This is perhaps the only regularly occurring local beer festival that I have not ever visited . . . and dangit, I’m going to miss it again this year (I’ll be out of town). Maybe next year! Some of the stuff I’ll be missing:

There are about a million vendors (okay maybe I exaggerate a bit – but there are a lot), beer and wine competitions, a Tour de Cheese and Chocolatiers, and live music.

Both days the fest runs from noon-11pm. Admission is free the first two hours each day, but $5 after 2pm. For $20 you get a tasting glass or plastic beer mug and 10 tokens (standard $1 each for extras). Kids are welcome, with accompanying adults of course, until 7pm (under 12 get in free).

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I know what I’m doing Saturday.

Hosted by House Spirits Distillery (2025 SE 7th) from noon until 5pm Saturday, December 12, their new whiskeys will be available to taste, and to buy.

We will be releasing 3 different whiskeys, all 100% malted barley:
-56.79% (cask strength) straight malt whiskey in 375ml (limited amount)
-50% white dog (unaged) in 375ml (limited amount)
-44.93% straight malt whiskey in 750ml

But that’s not all! The local shops below will be hawking their wares as well: Chop Butchery, Garden State, Imbibe Magazine, Jacobs Creamery, Joyas de Panama Cigars, Rogue Creamery, Xocolatl de David, Koi Fusion, Cellar Door Coffee Roasters, and Whiffies Fried Pies.

If you made it to last weekend’s Season’s Eatings at New Deal you get the idea. But this event has more food carts!

Admission is free, must be 21 or over. Hours are noon until 5. See you Saturday!

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Participating artisans include:

Xocolatl de David
Monteillet Fromagerie
Little Red Bike Cafe
Organics to You
Tails and Trotters
Cafe Velo
River Wave Foods
Nonna’s Noodles
Random Order Coffeehouse and Bakery
Black Sheep Bakery
Pacific Pie Company
New Deal Distillery
Patton Valley Vineyards

A benefit for the Oregon Food Bank, some of the region’s best chocolates, cheeses, wines, spirits, charcuterie, baked goods, and pasta will be available to sample and to purchase.

Admission is free with one non-perishable food item or cash donation.

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This is one of those weekends. Beer, weirdness, and cheese!

Hair of the Dog 16th Anniversary Dock Sale

This is one of the most anticipated events of the year for Portland beer fans.

The Hair of the Dog 16th Anniversary Dock Sale is this Saturday, November 14 from 10am-4pm at the brewery (4509 SE 23rd Ave).

A new Flanders Red called Michael, in memory of the late Michael Jackson [the beer writer], will make its debut at this year’s sale. [More ]

Keep Portland Weird Festival 2009

This whole Keep Portland Weird thing is trite and unoriginal. Never the less, the Keep Portland Weird Festival 2009 this upcoming Saturday, November 14 at the Central Library (801 SW 10th) looks like it will be a fine time. [More]

Steve’s Cheese and Foster & Dobbs anniversary parties

On Sunday, November 15 Steve’s Cheese (2321 NW Thurman Street), home of one of the best selections of cheeses in town, and also the best logo in the cheese mongering business, is hosting a Fourth anniversary party . . .

Coincidentally, one of Portland’s other premier cheese mongers, is also celebrating its Fourth Anniversary: Foster and Dobbs (2518 NE 15th) this Sunday, November 15th. [More]

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According to the Pacific Northwest Cheese Project, last year’s event included a cast of cheese and chocolate makers, food artisans, and wine from Square Deal Wine.

I haven’t found many details on this year’s event besides the hours (1pm to 5pm), and that Square Deal Wines will be breaking out some bottles and everyone is welcome to come help us celebrate the great paring for wine and cheese under one roof.

As I learn more I will update this post.

Coincidentally, one of Portland’s other premier cheese mongers, is also celebrating its Fourth Anniversary: Foster and Dobbs (2518 NE 15th) this Sunday, November 15th. And here are the details from the Cheese (B)Log:

From 1-4pm on Saturday, November 14th we’ll be tasting new releases from Owen Roe and Sineann, new chocolates from Xocolatl de David, and the Obamas’ favorite treats, Fran’s Grey Salt Caramels in Dark Chocolate. Plus, Ellen Jackson and Piper Davis will be here offering delicious samples and signing copies of their new cookbook, THE GRAND CENTRAL BAKING BOOK: Breakfast Pastries, Cookies, Pies and Satisfying Savories from the Pacific Northwest’s Celebrated Baker. There will also be samples of tasty jams (including Ayers Creek newest crop), honeys, olive oils, cheese, and live music! It’s our birthday party and we hope to see you here!

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Greek Festival 2009

The 58th Annual Greek Festival takes place this weekend, Friday, October 2nd through Sunday, October 4th at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (NE 32nd and Glisan).

Festival organizers predict over 15,000 people will be in attendance to enjoy the greek food (feta, lamb, souvlaki, spanakopita, koulourakia, diples, bougatsa, etc.), cooking demonstrations, crafts, and of course beer and wine!

2009 H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival and Cthulhucon

Come for the cosmic horror, stay for the unnameable fear; yes, the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival and Cthulhucon returns to the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy) this weekend, Friday, October 2nd through Sunday, October 4th.

Wax Broker Riot

Hall of Records will be hosting a Wax Broker Riot this Friday, October 2nd, at It’s a Beautiful Pizza (3342 SE Belmont) from 7-11pm.

The Wedge

The Wedge: Portland Celebrates Cheese Festival brings over 30 cheesemakers to SE Portland to share (and sell) their artisan and farmstead cheeses.

Hosted by The Green Dragon Pub (928 SE 9th), the farmers market style event takes place on SE 9th between Belmont and Yamhill from 10am to 4pm. Activities include seminars on pairing cheese with distilled spirits, demonstrations on how to make cheese at home, and contests and prizes for the kids.

Portland Bacon Fest 2009

As the cheese fest winds down, head over to the EastBurn (1800 E Burnside) to celebrate another fantastically arteriosclerotic food: bacon. The 2009 Portland Baconfest, a Bacon Extravagana for the Masses runs from 3 to 10pm.

Timbers vs. Vancouver Seminfinal Match

The Portland Timbers face the Vancouver Whitecaps in the USL Division 1 semifinals. The first leg of the 2 game series begins Thursday, October 1st in Vancouver B.C.

The teams face again in Portland on October 4th at 4pm at PGE Park in the second leg. Buy your tickets now!

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Hosted by The Green Dragon Pub (928 SE 9th), the farmers market style event takes place on SE 9th between Belmont and Yamhill from 10am to 4pm. Activities include seminars on pairing cheese with distilled spirits, demonstrations on how to make cheese at home, and contests and prizes for the kids. Visit the website for more details.

As the cheese fest winds down, head over to the EastBurn (1800 E Burnside) to celebrate another fantastically arteriosclerotic food: bacon. The 2009 Portland Baconfest, a Bacon Extravagana for the Masses runs from 3 to 10pm.

Yes, there will be bacon eating contests! Other bacony activities include a bacon dance off, a bacon confessional, and count the bacon.

This event is sponsored by PDX.fm and The Meat Show, and is a benefit for the Oregon Food Bank and Outside In. 21 and over only, $5.00 + 2 cans of food gets you in.

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To celebrate this auspicious anniversary, the folks from Tillamook are throwing their 100th Anniversary Celebration at Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square Friday, July 31st from 10am to 4pm.

Tillamook’s mascots, Tillie the cow and Loafy, will be there scaring the kids, and Tillamook ice cream cones will be available for a small donation to Union Gospel Mission. From 11am to 3pm they’ll even be frying up some grilled cheese sandwich “bites” for the crowd. From noon to 4pm experts will be demonstrating how to pair wine and beer with Tillamook cheeses, and cheese curds will be available (which you usually have to travel to the coast for).

Speaking of the coast, if you don’t get enough cheese Friday, head down to the Tillamook Cheese Factory in Tillamook Saturday, August 1st for another 100th anniversary celebration. From 10am to 6pm they’ll be serving up ice cream, grilled cheese sandwiches, etc. There will be live entertainment and a petting zoo too.

Cheese Wonderland in Tillamook*

Unfortunately, though, no cheese eating contests at either the Portland or Tillamook event.

* Photo courtesy Mile73.com!

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