Organic Beer for 3 Days at Organic Brewers Festival 2008
Wednesday, January 16th, 2008
Portland, Oregon-The world’s largest gathering of organic brewers, the North American Organic Brewers Festival will be June 27-29th at Overlook Park in Portland, Oregon. In response to the success of last year’s festival, with more than 50 organic microbrews, which drew over 7000 attendees, event organizers have added a Sunday tasting session.
The NAOBF, presented by Roots Organic Brewing Company is in its fourth incarnation, and promotes organic beer and sustainable living. The non-profit event benefits the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, and the Oregon Food Bank. In addition to brewers, local organic and sustainable restaurants, and sustainability oriented vendors will be on site. A diverse program of music runs throughout the event, and a new children’s area will provide activities for youngsters. Compostable corn-starch cups are a new addition to the festival this year, replacing the plastic mugs commonly used at beer festivals.
Last year the North American Organic Brewers Festival featured beerstyles from pilsner to porter, amber ale to Belgian wit, and plenty of Northwest India Pale Ales. With over 30 breweries from across North America, England, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, the festival showcased some of the finest organic beers on the planet. Over the last decade organic brewers have carved out a solid niche within the craft brewing movement, with organic beer sales growing from $9 million in 2003 to $19 million in 2005.
“I see organic as the next step in the craft brewing revolution’s return to traditional beer ingredients and brewing methods,” says festival organizer Abram Goldman-Armstrong, of the growing popularity of organic beer.
The festival includes an Organic Brewers Symposium, allowing brewers to share information about ingredients and techniques.
The NAOBF will be open from the public 3-9pm Friday June 27, 12-9pm Saturday June 28, and 12-5pm on Sunday June 29. A tasting glass is $5, and 4 oz. tastes of beer are $1 each.
The NAOBF was first held in 2003 at Port Halling Brewing Company, and since 2006 has been an annual event in Portland, Oregon, one of the greenest cities in North America. Portland is home to two all-organic breweries, NAOBF presenter Roots Organic Brewing Company, and Hopworks Urban Brewery, which debuted its beer at last year’s NAOBF. A number of other brewpubs in Portland produce significant amounts of organic beer, including Laurelwood, Lucky Lab, and Alameda Brewhouse. Portland also tops the list of bicycle-friendly cities, and is a leader in green building. It is also home to more breweries than any city in the world.
Overlook Park, between Fremont and Overlook Streets on North Interstate Avenue is located on the Yellow Line MAX, Portland’s award winning light-rail system, two stops from downtown Portland. Festival attendees are encouraged to use the MAX, walk, or bike to the event to reduce the carbon-impact of the event. There is no on-street parking at the site, making responsible transportation choices the easiest way to reach the event.
The event’s website may be found at www.naobf.org
–Abram Goldman-Armstrong
Root’s Jason McAdam on the Craft Brew Cast
