Grodziskie, or Gratzer, is a Polish-style of smoked and low abv wheat beer that was resurrected from near extinction in the 2010’s by small craft brewers and has enjoyed a small cult favorite following since. In 2019 Threshold Brewing & Blending opened in SE Portland’s Montavilla neighborhood, and entered the Grodziskie world with an extra dedication to authenticity as owner/brewer Jarek Szymanski hails from Poland where the style originated. Jarek and co-owner/wife Sara Szymanski have been torch bearers in Portland for the style ever since, and after years of spreading the gospel of Gratzer, they are pleased to present the first ever Grodz Day, happening at Threshold on Saturday, April 27, 2 - 6 p.m.! 

Making the inaugural Grodz Day are Polish guests from Browar Grodzisk and Polish Hops, who will also be joined by White Labs Yeast Laboratory representative, as well as beer journalist and author Jeff Alworth of the Beervana Blog and The Beer Bible.

The Grodziskie style has remained a Portland staple occassionally making appearances at small breweries around town, Threshold Brewing speculates this is perhaps because of a greater international and more sessionable beer interest. Expect an exciting afternoon centered on this centuries-old Polish beer style, featuring a panel discussion, introduction to the brand new White Labs Grodziskie yeast strain, Polish hop sensory and guest taps featuring select Portland-brewed Grodziskie.

Grodziskie
Pronounced “grow-JEES-kee-uh”, a light oak-smoked wheat ale style originating in the Polish town of Grodzisk in the mid-15th century. The style is also known as Grätzer (pronounced “GRATE-sir”) in German-speaking countries, due to the partitioning of Polish territory and Prussian rule over the centuries. 

Special guests: 

Browar Grodzisk head brewer Marcin Ostajewski

Browar Grodzisk is THE grodziskie brewery in Poland, credited in part for reviving the centuries-old style both nationally and abroad. Head brewer Marcin Ostajewski and his team will be brewing with us here in Portland on April 26th. On top of that, they've been working with White Labs San Diego to release a new and specifically Grodziskie yeast strain, which will have just been officially announced at CBC (April 20-25).

Polish Hops is another exciting guest, on the cutting edge of Polish hop cultivation and breeding and with a selection of new wave hops you've never seen before. We met them on our most recent trip to Poland in December 2023 and were honored to include their Zibi and PL01 hops in our Polish IPA 'Homegrown.' They'll be joining us to introduce their varieties and (fingers crossed) conducting a hop rub on site!

Jeff Alworth, the Portland author of The Beer Bible and Beervana Blog will be joining for a panel discussion on the cross-influence of American and Polish craft beer. Jeff has seen Poland's craft beer scene first hand and was the 2024 keynote speaker at the Central European Craft Beer conference in January in Budapest. His most recent Beervana podcast episode was on the topic of Grodziskie, conducted in Budapest with Marek Kamiński, co-founder and president of the Polish Craft Brewers Association and owner/brewer/founder of Browar Kingpin. 

GRODZ DAY

Saturday, April 27, 2 - 6 p.m

Threshold Brewing & Blending, 403 SE 79th Ave Portland, OR 97215
www.threshold.beer