This year’s Portland International Beerfest kicked off yesterday at 4pm to a large gathering in the Pearl District or Portland, Oregon. The line to enter the fest wrapped around for 3 blocks. Guess the “Matinee Madness” assisted in this higher demand. Entrants receive an extra 5 beer tickets when entering the fest during its first hour of each day.
The beers featured at the PIB include many imports, beers from the Pacific Northwest and a few surprises. Some are being poured from the bottle while others are on draft. On Saturday and Sunday the festival will be pouring some rare beers which is enticing. On Saturday at 2pm will J.W. Lee’s Harvest Ale 2007, aged in Rayoso Dry Sherry Barrel. And on Sunday at noon you can start the day off with a 40 Proof Black and Tan from Dogfish Head. PIB will have their Dogfish Head World Wide Stout (18%) and 120 Minute IPA (21%) to hopefully make a “Heaven & Hells”.
I had a few standouts from the first day. One being the John John Hazelnut by Rogue that is aged in their Rum Barrels. This one had a nice rum aroma to it but surprisingly is only 5%. On the lower side for a barrel aged beer but went well on a nice, hot summer day. Another I enjoyed is the collaborative effort by New Belgium and Elysian, The Trip #1. This Belgian-Style IPA was quite delicious. One that could easily be drank on a nice summer afternoon. The Belgian yeast and its fruity notes goes quite well with the hoppy floral aroma, definitely worth trying. And for the Belgian beer fans out there you must check out the Cantillon beer, a great sour beer that leaves your taste buds extremely challenged.
PIB continues Saturday and Sunday starting at noon each day.
