Known to many as the “Beervana State,” Oregon is home to 172 brewing companies that made 1.4 million barrels of beer last year. According to the Oregon Brewers Guild, the state is ranked number one in breweries per capita, and these breweries employ more than 6,500 individuals.
July is Oregon Craft Beer Month, with more than 450 tappings, tastings, pairings, festivals, and beyond taking place in celebration of the state’s craft breweries. Here are six ways to join the celebration, from near and far.
- Sport the T-shirt. The Oregon Brewers Guild (OBG) sells Oregon Beer T-shirts that support its efforts to promote Oregon’s breweries. Founded in 1992, the OBG is one of the country’s oldest state brewers’ guilds.
- Toast to Don Younger, the legendary founder of Portland’s Horse Brass Pub, on his birthday (July 11). Organized by Rogue Ales, all of the company’s locations across the state will raise a glass in his honor at 5 p.m. Pacific Time. No matter where in the world you are, it’ll be a good day to have a beer in memory of this famous Oregon publican.
- Head to the Lager Festival at the White Owl Social Club on July 19 and 20. More than fifty breweries show up to this event, including Breakside Brewery, The Commons Brewery, Deschutes, Full Sail, Ninkasi, Widmer, Upright Brewing, and Heater Allen.
- Join the fun at the 27th anniversary of the Oregon Brewers Festival, July 23–27. The OBG predicts 80,000 guests for this five-day festival that is one of the nation’s largest outdoor beer events. An infographic in Portland Monthly Magazine says that in 2013, it had a 23.2 million dollar impact.
- Head over to the North American Organic Brewers Festival, (pictured at top) June 26–29 in Portland's Overlook Park. This festival was launched to raise awareness of organic beer and sustainable living. Now in their tenth year, they will be serving up about sixty organic beers and ciders from around the nation. There will also be live music, organic food, and sustainability-oriented vendors and non-profits.
- All hail the hops. Oregon is the second largest hop producing state, with its farmers providing 17 percent of the hops in the country. Even if the beer you’re drinking wasn’t brewed in Oregon, there’s a chance it was made with Oregon hops.
Happy Oregon Craft Beer Month!