Dave Knows Portland

BelgianFest 2015

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Bailey's Taproom BelgianFest 2015

Tired of IPAs? No? Well I am – which is why I’m heading to Bailey’s Taproom (213 SW Broadway) on Saturday, 14 November. It’s time for the annual BelgianFest 2015.

As any beer snob worth his candi sugar knows, the gamut of Belgian styles is a veritable who’s who/what’s what of the best in beer. With exceptional esters derived from unique yeast strains, Belgian brews evoke flavors that break the mold and redefine the concept of everyone’s favorite beverage.

We’ll be pouring everything from sessionable white ales to herbal farmhouse beers, puckering sour ales and rich, potent dubbels and tripels, all with the trademark Northwest twist you’d expect from your favorite local breweries.

The fest runs during the regular hours, noon until midnight, and admission is free. It’s more of a tap takeover than a beer fest – pay for what you order, no taster glasses or tokens.

For more details, including participating breweries, visit the Bailey’s Taproom website.

Portland Weekend Amusements (6-8 November 2015)

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The Wild Bunch, books, and broadcast sports – some indoor activities for an otherwise sleepy weekend.

All Weekend

The Wild Bunch – in 70mm

The Wild BunchThe Hollywood will offer three 70mm screenings of the 1969 classic western, starring William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, and Robert Ryan, from Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 8 at 7:00pm.

THE WILD BUNCH marks the third 70mm outing for the Hollywood in 2015. Earlier this year, 70mm presentations of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY in March and Alfred Hitchcock’s VERTIGO in July were smash hits, selling out each screening. The Hollywood Theatre is proud to have brought 70mm back to Oregon in 2015. The premium film format, which reached its pinnacle in the 1960s and ’70s, features a greater aspect ratio and higher resolution than traditional 35mm film and is considered by many cinephiles to offer the best movie viewing experience available. The Hollywood Theatre is currently the only film venue in Oregon able to screen 70mm and plans to offer 70mm screenings as a regular part of its year-round programming.

Saturday

Wordstock, Portland’s Book Festival

WordstockThe festival will include author discussions and activities for readers of all ages, an extensive book fair, pop-up readings and concerts, a beverage garden and local food trucks. Wordstock is also offering a series of workshops, and tuition includes admission to the festival. The weekend of literary celebration will kick off with a special Friday night opening event, the Bookmark Ball.

Sunday

Timbers Playoffs Viewing Party at The Crystal Ballroom

Portland TimbersMLS Cup Playoffs continue Sunday as the Portland Timbers face Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Leg 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals (7pm PT, FOX Sports 1). Join us for a special playoff viewing party at the Crystal Ballroom in downtown Portland for the match.

The viewing party is FREE and open to fans of all ages. Come meet Timber Joey and enter to win Timbers memorabilia. Plus, the first 200 get a free adidas Employee Store pass. Doors open at 5pm PT; kickoff is 7pm PT.

Wordstock, Portland’s Book Festival (7 November 2015)

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Wordstock

Literary Arts is relaunching Wordstock, Portland’s Book Festival this Saturday, 7 November 2015, at the Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park).

The festival will include author discussions and activities for readers of all ages, an extensive book fair, pop-up readings and concerts, a beverage garden and local food trucks. Wordstock is also offering a series of workshops, and tuition includes admission to the festival. The weekend of literary celebration will kick off with a special Friday night opening event, the Bookmark Ball.

Wordstock runs from 9 AM to 6 PM. Visit the Wordstock website for more details, including ticket options.

Portland Fermentation Festival (27 October 2015)

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Portland Fermentation Festival 2015The 6th annual Portland Fermentation Festival takes place Tuesday, 27 October 2015, at Ecotrust’s Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center (721 NW 9th) from 6 PM to 9:30 PM. .

Bring your own homemade fermented foods – everyone can share. Nothing at this food fest is for sale – it’s all about sharing tastes, and knowledge. Plus there are doors prizes, give-aways and Fermentation Festival souvenirs!

Sample pickles, sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, miso, and more from 30 different amateur and professional fermenters! On the rooftop enjoy beer, hard cider, and Bingo Sandwiches.

Admission is $10 for the 7 PM to 8 PM tasting sessions, or $20 for the session plus the 6 PM expert panel tasting – visit the Portland Fermentation Festival website for advance ticket information.

Local food writer Liz Crain, co-organizer of the festival with George Winborn and David Barber, shares more details and highlights of the 2011 event at Food Lover’s Guide to Portland. There’s a nice review of the 2014 event at Cooking up a Story.

Portland Weekend Amusements (23-25 October 2015)

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If you enjoy walking, craft beer, artisan spirits, books, and the Timbers – you’re in for a treat or three this weekend!

All Weekend

Friends of the Library Fall Used Book Sale 2015

Friends Of The LibraryThe annual Friend of the Library Fall Used Book Sale takes place October 23-26, 2015 at the Lloyd Center DoubleTree Hotel Exhibit Hall (1000 NE Multnomah).

“100,000 Donated Books and Materials – Well Sorted

Gently Used Books
Children’s books, pocket-sized paperbacks start at $0.50
Hardcover books and large paperbacks start at $2.00

Saturday

BoozeGreat American Spirits Festival

The Great American Spirits Festival takes place Saturday, 24 October 2015 from 2 PM to 10 PM at the Tiffany Center (1410 NW Morrison).

Over 40 distillers will be on hand – including 20 from Oregon – offering tastings, cocktails, and sharing recipes.

Killer Beer Fest

Killer Beer Fest 2015Brewpublic tops off the 7th annual Killer Beer Week with the Killer Beer Fest at Bailey’s Taproom (213 SW Broadway) on Saturday, 24 October 2015 from noon until 11 PM.

The beer list includes:

Finn River: Black Oak
Gigantic: Ginormous
Vertigo: Coconut Porter
Trinity: Menacing Huckleberry
Upright: Oregon Native . . .

Sunday

McMenamins’ 30th Anniversary of the First Brew

McMenaminsOn October 25, 1985, McMenamins’ first beer was brewed in a small copper kettle at Hillsdale Brewery. It was a liquid malt extract brew, highly hopped for the era, brewed by the Hillsdale’s first brewer Ron Wolf and dubbed “Hillsdale Ale.” Falling loosely in the ‘Special Bitter’ classification of beer styles, Hillsdale Ale became McMenamins first bona-fide company standard beer, pre-dating Terminator, Hammerhead and Ruby.

Match Day: Portland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids

Portland TimbersAfter an exhilarating two match 6 points road trip, the Timbers return to Providence Park to host the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, 25 October 2015 for an afternoon match.

Though tied on points with the 3rd place team in the West, the Timbers are not yet assured of a playoff spot – a win Sunday could seal the deal.

Ongoing

Walktober

WalktoberWalktober 2015, the greatest walking holiday of the year takes place in Portland throughout October.

“Walk anywhere, everywhere, for any reason, or for no reason at all. This is Walktober: walking fun October 6th through Halloween (the greatest walking holiday of the year).”

Inspired by Pedalpalooza, three weeks of bikey fun in Portland held every June, the Oregon Walks conceived Walktober to promote walking as a fun, healthy, ubiquitous activity in the Portland metro region.