2021 Oregon and SW Washington Beer Festival Calendar Guide
(Article updated on 8/25/2021, first published on 7/7/2021)
When we first published this article on July 7th we announced “Beer festivals are back! kind of” and that is now more true than ever. At the beginning of the year beer fests seemed unlikely, but by the late Spring months as people got vaccinated many new ones were announced and that spurred this article. Six weeks later the brewfest calendar is wavering, some would say teetering over the edge of oblivion. In the past few days, some of the most prominent events scheduled for this fall have pulled the plug after the rise of the Delta variant of COVID-19 and new indoor mask mandates. However, all is not lost and there are still many great beer festivals still on the calendar. Let’s take a look at our updated 2021 Oregon Beer Festival calendar guide listings….
2021 Beer Festivals (organized by date)
August 20 - 29th
PDX Beer Week is back, albeit in a truncated form, still with more than 2 dozen events taking place at locations city-wide over 10 days. The events run the gamut from tap takeovers to mini lager and IPA fests, fresh hop seminars, ballgames, new brewery showcases, beer and food pairing events, and much, much more. Events are still being announced with the calendar now live but being updated at pdxbeerweek.com and social media.
August 21 - 22
CANCELED - 2 Towns Harvest Party
Location: 2 Towns Ciderhouse, 1749 Airport Avenue Corvallis, OR 97333
Even with numerous safety protocols like reserved tables and seating, and touchless QR code ordering for samples, the popular Corvallis cidermaker has canceled their annual Harvest Party for the second year in a row.
August 28
CANCELED - Hayday at the Coast
Location: Cannon Beach, OR
Update: this event has been canceled due to the rise of the COVID-19 Delta variant.
Cannon Beach, Oregon’s Public Coast Brewing is bringing back their Hayday beer, music and food festival on Saturday August 28. Enjoy LIVE MUSIC by a Cannon Beach favorite, Floating Glass Balls, and FANTASTIC EATS from The Wayfarer Restaurant team. The festival runs from 3-7:30 pm (last call at 6:45 p.m. and last beer served at 7 p.m.) at Haystack Gardens in Midtown Cannon Beach. Tickets are on sale for $30 for this years event with a special beer experience ticket for $75 both available here bit.ly/3jpWDmh.
August 28th
Location: 1200 SW Avery Park Dr. Corvallis, OR97333
Update: this event has been canceled due to the rise of the COVID-19 Delta variant.
Join Heart of the Valley Homebrewers among the trees of Avery Park in Corvallis, Oregon, for the annual Septembeerfest together and in-person. Details other than the dates and times 1-7pm have not yet been announced but in past years this festival features 60+ beer, cider and meads with live music and a free shuttle to and from town. Follow the Septembeerfest facebook page for updates on what this years fest will look like as their website is not yet updated.
August 28th
CANCELED - The Gorge Hops & Hogs Fest
Location: Lewis & Clark Festival Park, W 1st St, The Dalles, OR 97058
UPDATE: This festival has been rescheduled for June of 2022.
Mark your calendar for the 3rd Annual Gorge Hops and Hogs Festival. BBQ and Craft Beer enthusiasts will fill this park west of Hood River in The Dalles to enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of summer. The extravaganza will feature a BBQ competition, People's Choice BBQ tasting, regional Craft Beer & Cider, beer yoga, live music, food trucks, vendors, backyard games, a kids' zone and more. The fest is family-friendly but not pet friendly. Tix on sale soon, $25 includes 10 tokens and Commemorative Mug (21+) $5 General Admission (children 3 and under free)
August 29
Location: Portland Cider Co. taproom and Portland Cider House
This year’s Portland Cider Co. presented “fest” will be served in Cider + Donut Flights at seated tables at both their location in Clackamas and southeast Portland’s Hawthorne taproom. For the safety of our community and staff, this year’s Cider + Donuts event is a paired flight served to attendees at their individual tables. Each flight will include six different 3-ounce cider samples and donut morsels.
FEATURES 6 DONUT & CIDER PAIRINGS:
- Kyra's Donuts, pairing with Portland Cider Co. (Gluten-Free & Dairy Free)
- Gluten-Free Gem, pairing with Swift Cider (Gluten-Free & Vegan)
- Mikoko Mochi Donuts, pairing with Bauman’s Cider (Gluten-Free)
- Blue Star Donuts, pairing with Alter Ego Cider
- Nola Doughnuts, pairing with La Familia Hard Cider
- CoCo Donuts, pairing with Square Mile Hard Cider
September 3 - 4th
The Little Woody
Location: Deschutes Historical Museum, 129 NW Idaho Ave, Bend, OR 97701
This semi-annual central Oregon event is all about the small batch wood aged beers in a variety of styles and barrels combined with good ol’ fashioned whiskey from the oak. They also don’t leave out cider, if it’s aged in wood it counts. All tickets will allow admission for either Friday or Saturday. If you want to attend both days, you will need to hang on to your tasting glass and wristband from Friday to enter the festival on Saturday. Advanced tickets are likely necessary, so purchase while you can.
September 4
Location: 54-40 Brewing, 3801 S Truman Rd, Washougal, WA
Washougal’s favorite brewery is holding their own mini-Oktoberfest celebration, join them at the taproom for a night of music, stein holding and bag tossing.
September 16-19
Location: 5 N Garfield St, Mt Angel, OR 97362
Oregon’s largest German Oktoberfest celebration will return to downtown Mount Angel this fall while closely observing safety precautions and COVID restrictions. The organizers promise live music from atleast three bands, a kick-off dinner, food and beers in the streets again! Tickets will go on sale in August.
September 16 - 25
Location: various participants around SW Washington.
Northbank Beer Week is a celebration of Southwest Washington Beer that covers the area from North Jetty Brewing at the mouth of the Columbia to Everybody's Brewing upstream in White Salmon, WA & Loowit Brewing at the Interstate Bridge Crossing to Dick’s Brewing Co. in the shadow of Mount St. Helens.
In it’s 6th year, Northbank Beer Week has 10 days packed full of events from the ever-competitive Beer Can Derby Races, Oktoberfest at Barlow’s Public House, Run The Haze at Trap Door, and capped off the with the Brewing Bridges Collaboration Festival. Also, be on the lookout for the the annual mega-collab Northbank beer hosted this year by Barlows Brewery . It will be featured at taprooms and breweries all over Washington State!
September 17 - 18
Barlow’s Oktoberfest
Location: Barlow’s Public House, 705 SE Park Crest Ave Suite 430 Vancouver, WA 98683
The brewpub on Vancouver’s new Waterfront strip is throwing their own mini-Oktoberfest featuring their own beer and others from Northbank brewers. For $20 you'll get your own keepsake Barlow's .5L stein and 2 fills of Oktoberfest-style beers. The kitchen will also have a special German-style food menu to enjoy both days of the celebration.
September 18
Location: Bill Collier Ice Arena, 5075 Fox Sparrow Dr, Klamath Falls, OR 97601
The second annual Klamath Basin Oktoberfest is a showcase for Southern Oregon’s top makers with live entertainment, locally grown food selections, vendors, and a family friendly atmosphere with activities for all ages.
Hosted by the Klamath County Economic Development Association (KCEDA) to give tourists and area residents an opportunity to enjoy the many excellent offerings produced by locals like Skyline Brewing Company, and more. Additionally, the Klamath Basin Oktoberfest has been designed to gather many of the basin’s tastiest food options for people to come out and savor, showcasing some of the top Klamath County restaurant vendors, including delicious offerings from the Ruddy Duck.
Unlike many events of this type, the event is designed to be inclusive to people of all ages, serving as a family friendly environment that will have lots to do and see in terms of games, activities, and live entertainment such as Fleischklopfer, and Nephilim. A major hallmark of Oregon culture is its amazing outdoor living and exemplary brewing industry, where event hosts, KCEDA, are inspired to have this event be an opportunity to celebrate the many things that make Klamath County special, bringing together the people and businesses that make the beautiful, northwest community unique.
Non-drinkers may enter for $5, but to drink some beer a $20 tasting package is required which includes a beer mug and 5 beer tickets.
September 18-25th
Location: downtown Bend, OR
Not your usual fest, the Bend Oktoberfest is a week long passport based festival that encourages guest to go to select breweries and eat, drink and shop at participating downtown Bend businesses. There are activities, games and a live music stage for things like Weiner dog race, stein holds, tricycle races, hammerschlagen competitions, costume contests & more. Purchasing a beer passport gets you tokens that are exchangeable at breweries for beers and there will be a culminating main event on the 25th. Details are still being announced on the website.
September 24-26
CANCELED - Westside Beer Fest
Everyone was excited when Oregon Brewers Festival owners/management announced a new beer festival to take place in Hillsboro this Fall. But just 8 days after announcing the Westside Beer Fest, the organizers have canceled the event based on feedback from concerned breweries and festival-goers thanks to the indoor nature of the event with rising COVID-19 cases.
September 25
Location: Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E 5th St, Vancouver, WA 98661
Join us for the Northbank Brewers Alliance's 3rd annual Brewing Bridges Collaboration Beer Festival. SW Washington brewers and Oregon brewers will bridge the Columbia River and create unique new collaboration beers.
With views of the reserve, Officers Row and Fort Vancouver, the festival will be held at the historic Pearson Air Museum and Hangar in Vancouver. We will have a local food truck, live music, brewery cornhole and MANY collaboration beer exclusive releases. Representatives from each participating brewery will be in attendance.
Unlike many festivals, there are no tokens and nothing more to purchase. Your keepsake glass and wristband is your ticket to experience, enjoy and drink responsibly. Alcohol monitors and security reserve the right to cut off anyone who appears intoxicated.
This event is ages 21+ only. Get tickets for $49 here
September 25
Location: Stickmen Brewing Tualatin Beer Hall, 19475 Southwest 118th Avenue #STE 1 Tualatin, OR 97062
Lake Oswego founded Stickmen Brewing is throwing a mini beer festival at their production space and beer hall in Tualatin, Oregon. This year they will have German-style beers, German food, axe throwing, and live music.
Custom 14oz glass mug + 5 Drink Tickets = $20. Drink Ticket = 7 oz pour or can be used towards wine or food specials. Extra tickets: $2.50/each (available at check-in table)
Live music (1:30-8:00 pm)
Celtic Axe Throwing specials! $5 for 5 throws and $10 to throw throughout the day
September 25
Location: Jerry Willey Plaza 943 NE Orenco Station LoopHillsboro, Oregon 97124
The city of Hillsboro is throwing their own family-friendly harvest festival again after taking last year off due to COVID. Held at Jerry Willey Plaza at Orenco Station in central Hillsboro, this is a partnership with vendors and artisans from the regularTuesday Night Market. The beer will come from a Beer Garden by Golden Valley Brewery, kids’ activities by Evergreen Christian Center, and live music all day long!
The Bavarian flavor of this Oktoberfest-style event means German music, German food, and a traditional “Masskrugstemmen” beer stein holding contest at 3:30 pm. Contest entry is $20 and may be purchased onsite—no advance sales.
Parking is very limited here, so it’s recommended to walk or take public transportation. The MAX line is located nearby.
September 25
Location: Three Creeks Brewing Production Facility, 265 E. Barclay Dr Sisters, OR
The Sisters Fresh Hop Festival showcases fresh hop beers from 20+ Oregon breweries alongside live music, food carts and more. As a charity event, previous years raised over $10,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities. Join us to enjoy good times, great beers and help support essential programs working with children and families in our local communities. This event welcomes kids, however the tent where the stage and beer are pouring will be 21+.
September 25
Location: Claremont Golf Course, 15800 NW Country Club Dr, Portland, OR 97229
A nationally touring hard seltzer festival is coming to Claremont Golf Course on Portland’s westside. Attendees are invited to leisurely walk the course while sampling from over 100 flavors of hard seltzer that promises leading brands like White Claw, Mike's Hard Lemonade Seltzer, Vizzy, Playamar (Jose Cuervo Seltzer), Basic and Coors Seltzer. Tickets for this are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting, www.seltzerland.com.
September 25
Widmer Oktoberfest
Details have not yet been announced, but the New School confirmed that the 2021 Oktoberfest will go back to what made the event great in the past and be similar to 2019 with lots of beer, live music, food trucks, with a family friendly event setup.
October 1 - 2nd
The Oregon Brewers Guild produced Portland Fresh Hops Festival is back this year, but moving from Oaks Park to the Glendoveer Golf Course on the opposite side of town. This year will also be VACCINATED ONLY. More details here.
October 2nd
Hood River Hops Fest
We were previously told that Hood River’s great fresh hop festival was again canceled in 2021, but we have good news because it’s back on! Presented by Jacob’s and awarded the silver medal for 'Best Beer Festival' from the Willamette Week, Oregon Beer Awards, the Hood River Hops Fest is an annual celebration of beer’s bitter friend, freshly harvested hops.
Hood River County is surrounded by world-renowned hop-growing regions, and since 2003 brewers have gathered downtown Hood River to share their fresh-hop beer creations.
The family-friendly event features more than 30 breweries with more than 40 fresh-hop beers, plus a variety of food vendors, live music, and an awesome collectible mug.
TICKETS
- Entry ticket with glass and 5 tasting tokens
$20 + fees in advance,
$30 at the gate (if available)
Entry into event, commemorative glass mug, 5 tasting tokens – more tokens may be purchased inside the event. Kids are free until 6 pm, non-drinkers are still $10 to enter, 21+ only after 6pm.
November 20
Location: Leftbank Annex, 101 N Weidler St, Portland, OR 97227
The world’s largest rare beer charity fundraising event is delighted to return in 2021 for a safe and rescheduled 10th anniversary main event. This combination of rare beer tasting and auction raises funds for at-risk and homeless youth via the organizers at New Avenues for Youth. Typically held in August, organizers have pushed this years event back to late November but will return to the same beloved venue at the Leftbank Annex with a few extra COVID safety measures in place.
Instead of a VIP session and then a larger General Admission event, there will be two separate VIP-type sessions with limited attendance, silent and live auctions, the wall of beer, special guests, and carefully curated draft and bottle pour selections at each. Expect special guest brewers and beers from The Referend, Great Notion, and Modern Times - with exclusive collaborations from them and others.
Complementary side events the Brewers Dinner will return on Thurs. November 18th and the Oyster & Gueuze Social will be back on Friday, November 19th. Both to be held at the Leftbank Annex. Stay up to date on when tickets go on sale by following the event on the socials.
December 3 - 5th
Holiday Ale Fest - TBD
Location: Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97204
The logistics to holding the 2021 Holiday Ale Festival in it’s regular pre-pandemic setup at downtown Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square still prove to be a challenge even with restrictions lifting. If this annual favorite winter beer fest can return as normal they plan to do so December 3-5th and would typically serve up 50+ craft beers & ciders, all of which are created specifically for the event. It is still unknown if the festival can return with the high cost of the venue and safety precautions, plus the limited time left to organize a carefully curated event. But, organizers have issued a TBD save the date for ugly christmas outfits under clear-topped tents below the christmas tree, and boozy and strong winter warmers under the colorful lights at the most festive time of year. Stay tuned to the HAF social media for updates.
Did we miss one? Send us a note to newschoolbeer@gmail.com
CANCELED EVENTS
Bend Brewfest
Westside Beer Fest
Cider Summit PDX
Modern Times Festival of Dankness
Oregon Brewers Festival
Portland Craft Beer Festival
Portland International Beerfest