2nd Annual Portland Beer Week June 7-17

This is different, it’s unique, it’s Portland Beer Week 2012 Portland Beer Week is presented by: APEX, Columbia Distributing, Deschutes Brewery and Google Places

Portland Beer Week returns to the greatest beer city in the world this June 7 through June 17. After a successful first year, Portland Beer Week has brought together an even more exciting group of events for its second year including a new official beer, a dry-hopped India Red Lager created in collaboration with Deschutes Brewery and Hopworks Urban Brewery — available in both bottles and on draft through this 10-day beer week.

In addition to having more breweries than any other city in the world, Portland enjoys one of the most advanced beer cultures — and a thirst for fun and educational craft beer events. Portland Beer Week aims to celebrate and expand that culture, not just by promoting Portland brewers and breweries, but tap houses, restaurants, food, and underexplored beer styles. Craft beer culture is not just about the beer itself but about the people, food, camaraderie, and education that comes along with this art form.

Festivals are a key component to this week’s Portland Beer Week; the return of the popular Portland Fruit Beer Festival (June 9 & 10) — in its second year, newcomers like the Rye Beer Fest (June 8), and the return of one of Oregon’s most unique events, an Olympics-style Brewers Summer Games (June 16).

Much more than a series of festivals though, Portland Beer Week aims to educate as well as entertain with a series of beer-related seminars, exploring everything from how to taste and evaluate beer, to pairing food with beer, barrel-aging beer, sour beers and blending, and wild and farmhouse-style ales.

Because Portland beer isn’t just celebrated in Beeverana, Portland Beer Week has invited an astounding roster of out-of-town and out-of-state brewers to represent, with a series of state-themed Brewers Nights. Meet Mitch Steele, Brewmaster of Stone Brewing Co., Eric and Lauren Salazar of New Belgium Brewing, Dick Cantwell of Elysian Brewing, Brewers from California’s Beachwood BBQ, Almanac and Drake’s Brewing. Plus the relaunch and debut of 10 Barrel Brewing’s all-star lineup of brewers and reimagined beers with Jimmy Seifrit, Tonya Cornett and Shawn Kelso. That is just for starters, with more brewers joining the lineup over the next few months.

Portland Beer Week kicks off Thursday, June 7 at Spirit of 77 with the release of the 2012 reserve India Red Lager, a mini brewfest and a bracketed Brewers Pop-A-Shot Tourney. Two versions of the official reserve India Red Lager beer will be brewed, with Deschutes brewing the first batch meant for draft sales and Hopworks taking on the beer destined for bottles. Limited quantities of Portland Beer Week India Red Lager will be available at participating bars, breweries and restaurants of Portland Beer Week.

Just like the city itself, this is different, it’s unique, it’s Portland Beer Week!

Portland Beer Week is Presented by:

APEX was founded with the singular goal of bringing the best beers in the world together under one roof. The never ending quest to find the finest quality, most interesting beers available is what drives and defines APEX. Representing the last mile a beer travels before reaching its final destination, your mouth, APEX strives to honor, maintain and protect the quality and integrity of the amazing products found here. The attention to detail and passion for draft quality and beer presentation are hallmarks of the APEX experience and it is our pleasure to share them with you, the discerning beer lover. And we love bikes. www.apexbar.com

Columbia Distributing are proud distributors of beers, ciders and wines for more than 75 years. Named Distributor of the Year by Beverage World in 2011, Columbia’s passion and dedication to the craft brewing industry dates back to it’s infancy in the early 80’s and we are proud to be a part of the second annual Portland Beer Week.

Deschutes Brewery: Located on the banks of the Deschutes River in beautiful Bend, Oregon, Deschutes Brewery is in the business of daring people to expect more from their beer. That’s why we started off back in 1988, selling Black Butte Porter at a time when others were sure a dark beer would never catch on. Our brewers love to buck convention, especially if it makes someone nervous. For us, however, the highest praise is a raised glass and a toast of “Bravely Done!” For more information about Deschutes Brewery and its courageously crafted beers, please visit www.DeschutesBrewery.com, on Facebook or @DeschutesBeer.

Google Places, the new local recommendation engine that connects people with the places they love.

www.pdxbeerweek.com – @pdxbeerweek – Facebook