Dave Knows Portland

April 2-3: Spring Beer & Wine Fest 2010

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Spring Beer and Wine Fest 2010The 16th annual Spring Beer & Wine Fest takes place at the Convention center (777 NE MLK) on Friday and Saturday, April 2nd and 3rd.

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).

December 12: Holiday Booze Bazaar

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Whiskey!Really, the 4th Annual Holiday Booze Bazaar is the only bazaar you need – who doesn’t like booze?!

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!

December 5: Season’s Eatings at New Deal Distillery

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SeasonsEatingsSeason’s Eatings, a local artisans food, wine and spirits market, takes place Saturday, December 5th from noon to 5pm at the New Deal Distillery and Tasting Room (1311 SE 9th).

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.

November 14-15: Hair of the Dog Dock Sale, Keep Portland Weird Fest, and Cheese Anniversaries

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Not a whole lot going on this weekend, but it’s quality we’re after, not quantity. Right?

Well sometimes.

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

Hair of the DogHair 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 FestivalKeep 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 and DobbsSteve’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]

November 15: Steve’s Cheese and Foster and Dobbs anniversary parties

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Steve's Cheese logoOn 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.

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.

Foster and DobbsCoincidentally, 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!