14th Annual Spring Beer & Wine Fest
PORTLAND, OR — What does an education taste like?
Find out at the 14th annual Spring Beer & Wine Fest, it might be the sublime flavors of a bite of blue cheese paired with a sip of an India Pale Ale or the tantalizing tastes of perfectly grilled salmon with an Oregon pinot gris. No matter what tastes you discover, you’ll get schooling at the Spring Beer & Wine Fest, March 21 & 22 at the Oregon Convention Center. With the motto “A Taste of the Best,” the Fest is a sampler of the finest among local and regional wine, beer, spirits and food.
“The essence of the festival is mixing entertainment with educating taste buds,” says event promoter Steve Woolard.
A success in its first year, the Tour de Cheese has expanded, and features tempting samples from world-class cheese makers. Festival-goers are encouraged to find their favorite flavor combinations by trying different cheeses with their beverage samples.
Click Here for the impressive list of breweries.
Looking for some extra credit? Check out the Chef’s Stage, where you can watch special demonstrations on cooking with wine, beer or spirits — and eat the tasty results from the class. Or, sit in on a seminar. Several will be held each day, including a repeat of last year’s standing-room-only Cheese Smackdown, a “battle” between wine and beer experts as they match their beverages with selected cheese — and let the audience decide which pairing is best.
“It’s kind of like the American Idol of food,” says fest Marketing Director Lisa Morrison, adding that other seminars include Chocolate 101, Classy Cocktails With Indie Spirits and a panel discussion on beer and food pairings with some of the industry’s brightest luminaries.
The Spring Beer & Wine Fest also is a competition for both wineries and breweries, with experts judging entries either ahead of the festival, as is the case with wineries, or during the fest, which what happens for breweries. Winners are announced at the fest, which can help attendees discover something new to sip. Fest-goers also are encouraged to participate in the People’s Choice awards and name their favorite quaffs at the fest!
Even the most studious of classmates wants a break once in a while, which is why the Music Stage will be kicking it up with some of the Northwest’s hottest bands, including The Insomniacs and Eric Hatcher and the Worker Bees, Ty Curtis and Sweet City Slang.
“The festival encourages responsible drinking by additional features such as cooking demonstrations, outstanding live music with a dance floor and our Food Court, offering gourmet items from local restaurants,” Woolard says. “Even our vendors and exhibitors have products and services — including arts and crafts, jewelry and massages — for those looking for more to do.”
So sharpen your wits and your taste buds, because glass is in session at the Spring Beer & Wine Fest. An education never tasted so good!
CONTACT: Steve Woolard, 503-238-3770
Lisa Morrison, 503-233-7947
Web site: www.springbeerfest.com
