Preview of McMenamins Inaugural Edgefield Brewfest

Long entrenched in Pacific Northwest craft-brewing history, the Edgefield complex in many ways is one of the pinnacles of the McMenamins mini-empire. The former poor farm (and jail) has been successfully transformed into a bundle of pubs, restaurants, a hotel, brewery, winery, distillery, recreational destination, and concert venue. Now, for the first time in its history, Edgefield will host its own inaugural brewfest on Saturday, June 30, 2018.The McMenamin brothers have a long history in beer in Portland and the wider Pacific Northwest, starting with the original Produce Row Café in inner southeast Portland in 1974. At a time when most beer venues were taverns offering a small single-digit choice of macro lagers, the Produce Row featured more than ten beers on tap, with a mix of local beers, imports, and the occasional rare specialty like Anchor Steam from San Francisco. The brothers went on to open McMenamins Barley Mill Pub on Southeast Hawthorne in 1983, the first pub in what has become the McMenamins chain. More significantly, McMenamins Hillsdale Brewery and Public House became Oregon's first brewpub in 1985.By 1990, the McMenamins had opened a smattering of pubs, some with breweries, scattered around metropolitan Portland. Craft beer was on the rise, and the brothers were looking to expand their vision beyond a network of neighborhood watering holes. The opportunity came in the most unlikely form of a very run-down former poor farm and jail complex out in the eastern fringes of Multnomah County. The brothers saw a vision of something greater in this space, with potential renovated buildings that could house an entire hospitality and recreational complex, and in 1990, the vision began its ascent towards reality.Edgefield today brims with activity: beer drinking, brewing, dining, overnight stays, live music. But up until now, Edgefield hasn't hosted a beer festival. Other McMenamins venues have; now, it's Edgefield's turn.The concert venue will be the site of the inaugural Edgefield Brewfest. The generous grassy space can hold as many as 3,000 thirsty attendees; it's hosted numerous major-artist concerts over the years, and, weather permitting, looks like a near-perfect venue for a big outdoor early-summer brewfest.The festival line-up reads heavy on Oregon beers and ciders, with a smattering from the North Bank of the Columbia River. McMemanins own breweries will be featured, of course, but of the more than 100 beers and ciders, the great majority will be from other independent craft breweries across the state. IPAs, pale ales, sours, fruit beers, stouts, and more: each brewer and cidery will present one beverage from their range.The Edgefield complex is varied and versatile, and as part of the festival there will be tours. The brewery packs a lot into a relatively small space, making not only beers for the Edgefield bars and restaurants, but for other McMenamins pubs as well.

Give it up for the people who make the beer; the Edgefield Brewfest will be resplendent with the fruits of their labors. Festival admission is $30, including festival glass and ten tasting tokens. Supplemental tokens will run $1.50 each, six for $8, twelve for $18. Tokens and alcohol beverages are for 21 and over guests only. Festival-goers can enjoy a day full of relaxation and live music out on the sprawling lawn from Portland country band, Gary Bennett & The Coattail Riders and vintage rock artists, Rich Layton & The Troublemakers. Kids and dog are welcome too!More info is available at Edgefield's Facebook Brewfest event feed, and tickets are available on-line.McMenamins Edgefield2126 S.W. Halsey St.Troutdale, OR, 97060Tel: (503) 669-8610 or (800) 669-8610