July to be Oregon Craft Beer Month as declared by Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski
Oregon, the second largest craft beer market in the US and the second largest producer of craft beer, is well on its way to becoming the craft beer capital of the world. Craft beer has become one of those products that is distinctly recognized as part of Oregon's brand image, and is a significant economic driver as well. Craft breweries can be found throughout Oregon, and especially in the city of Portland, which is the largest craft beer market in the US. Portland has more breweries than any other city in the world.
Oregon isn't just known for the finished product, but is a major producer of hops, in fact only one state grows more hops than Oregon. Oregon hop growers produced over 8,000,000 pounds of hops in 2005.
In 2006, Oregon's beer production grew at a rate of more than 16 percent, with 4,200 brewery workers producing 263 million bottles of beer. Oregon beer drinkers know a good thing when they see it, 11 percent of all beer consumed in Oregon is Oregon Brewed craft beer, the highest percentage of local craft beer consumption in the country.
Oregon Craft Beer month is celebrated through many events and promotions around the state. The largest Craft Beer Month Event is the 20th Annual Oregon Brewers Festival, being held July 26th through July 29th at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The festival hours are Noon to 9 pm Thursday-Saturday and Noon to 7 pm on Sunday. The festival has 55,000 participants annually and there are over seventy breweries participating in the 2007 festival. Admission for entry into the festival grounds is free. A 2007 souvenir mug, required for consuming beer, costs $4 and is good for all four days; mugs from previous years will not be filled. All beer is purchased with tokens, which cost $1 apiece. Visit the Oregon Brewers Festival site for more information.
The Oregon Brewers Guild is a trade organization that was formed in July of 1992 to promote craft beer brewed in Oregon. The Brewers Guild provides information to the public about Oregon craft beers. They provide a point of contact between the brewers themselves, suppliers, retailers and customers. Visit the Brewers Guild site for more information.
Oregon, the second largest craft beer market in the US and the second largest producer of craft beer, is well on its way to becoming the craft beer capital of the world. Craft beer has become one of those products that is distinctly recognized as part of Oregon's brand image, and is a significant economic driver as well. Craft breweries can be found throughout Oregon, and especially in the city of Portland, which is the largest craft beer market in the US. Portland has more breweries than any other city in the world.
good for all four days; mugs from previous years will not be filled. All beer is purchased with tokens, which cost $1 apiece. Visit the