As we get set to celebrate President’s Day on Monday, February 20th, this also means that its time to celebrate Zwickelmania. Hosted by the Oregon Brewers Guild, this yearly tradition of brewery tours and much more returns on Saturday, February 18 in the Portland metro area and also the following Saturday, February 25 to all other areas of Oregon.
But it’s not just all zwickels this weekend as there will be a few mini-fests including The Original Dark Brews Festival at John’s Marketplace – Powell and the Inaugural FINEX Chili & Beer Fest at FINEX Cast Iron Cookware in Northwest Portland. There will also be a few Great Notion Brewing collaboration releases, one with McMenamins and another with Fracture Brewing.
Get all the details on these events and more from our Weekend In Beer all listed below!
Buoy Beer Tap Takeover
Thursday, February 16 – 5:00-8:00pm
Buoy Beer will bring its Astoria brewed beer to Cascadia Taphouse on Portland’s westside. According to Cascadia Taphouse, Lauren from Buoy Brewing and CTH Rich have gone “Overboard” with this tap takeover! Look for Love Lost as Sea a Barrel Aged Barleywine, Gale Double IPA, and Helles Lager on tap!
Cascadia Taphouse – 13619 NW Cornell Rd – Portland, OR
McMenamins & Great Notion Collaboration Release
Friday, February 17 – 4:00-6:00pm
For the second year, McMenamins and fellow Oregon brewery, Great Notion Brewing, are partnering up to do their own take on the other’s beer recipe. On this go-round, McMenamins has brewed up two different takes on a Great Notion Beer – What’s Colder Than Cold Double IPA and the Ice Cold Triple IPA (only available at select locations), while Great Notion was inspired by a McMenamins classic and will release Ruby Jammin’.
Here are descriptions on each of the beers that have been provided by McMenamins.
- McMenamins What’s Colder Than Cold Double IPA: This special recipe was inspired by Great Notion’s Juice Box Double IPA but has a twist with lager yeast for a super smooth mouthfeel and crisp finish. With aromas of mango, passion fruit and citrus, this canned brew comes in at 8% alc./vol
- McMenamins Ice Cold Triple IPA: Similar to the DIPA, this beer is also modeled off Great Notion’s Juice Box however it’s spent some time chillin’ in the ice box, condensing its flavors into the intense notes that Mosaic hops are known for and making it quite a bit stronger with 13.9% alc./vol. Because McMenamins is also a distillery and has their distilling license, this powerful beer was able to be bottled.
- Great Notion Ruby Jammin’: To show their love for a PNW staple, Great Notion took McMenamins Ruby Ale and dressed it up with their Jammy Pants to create a tart ale with flavors of raspberry, vanilla and lime – YUM. It’s a delicious sour with 7% alc./vol.
The beers will be available for sale and on tap at select McMenamins and Great Notion locations starting Friday, February 17. All three will be available at the McMenamins 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop.
McMenamins 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop – 2290 NW Thurman St – Portland, OR
The Original Dark Brews Fest
Saturday, February 18- Noon-9:00pm
Dark beers will take the stage at The Original Dark Brews Fest. This mini-fest will bring together an array of dark beers from some highly regarded breweries.
Admission to The Original Dark Brews Fest is $20 in advance or $30 at the door and includes a custom tasting glass and 8 drink tickets, 4 oz pour per ticket. Advance tickets can be purchased via MercTickets.
Featured Beers:
Fort George: Etymology 2022
Russian River: Shadow of a Doubt 2021
Mikkeller Brewing SD: Beer Geek Peanut Butter Shake
Fremont Brewing: Bourbon Barrel-Aged Party Like 2022
The Rare Barrel: Ensorcelled 2022
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.: 16th (XVI) Anniversary Ale
Reuben’s Beer: Stone the Crows 2020
Crux Fermentation Project: Tough Love [BANISHED] 2018
And to help with your hunger cravings, meander through The Original Food Carts to grab some food. This pod includes Jojo’s, Azul Tequila Taqueria, Matt & Mamere’s, Noah Halal, NW Sushi, Cheese Mac’n Me Crazy, Bobablastic, Super Bowl, and Smoke Squad BBQ.
John’s Marketplace – 3560 SE Powell – Portland, OR
2023 Zwickelmania – Portland Area Breweries
Saturday, February 18 – Noon-4:00pm
The annual day of Portland, Oregon area breweries opening their doors for exclusive tours and tastings, some directly from the zwickel, is officially here.
Here’s a rundown on participating breweries.
- Away Days Brewing – Family friendly, Food specials, Free samples, Cask beer! Three cask offerings, one from a counter-top pin.
- Baerlic Brewing Co. – Portland – Family friendly, Free samples, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer
- Binary Brewing – Family friendly, Food specials, Guided brewery tours, Zwickel samples
- Breakside – Slabtown – Free samples, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer, New beer release
- Breakside – Dekum – Free samples, New beer release, Specialty Taster Tray
- Beakside – Milwaukie – Free samples, New beer release
- Brewery 26 – Dog friendly, Family friendly, Food specials, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer, Introducing a new head brewer
- Cooper Mountain Ale Works – Dog friendly, Family friendly, Food specials, Guided brewery tours, Live music, Meet the Brewer, New beer release
- Deschutes Brewery – Portland Pub – Family friendly, Food specials, Free samples, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer, New beer release, Raffle/giveaways, Zwickel samples
- Ecliptic Brewing – Dog friendly, Family friendly, Free samples, New beer release, Self-guided brewery tours, Zwickel samples
- Ecliptic Brewing – Moon Room – Dog friendly, Family friendly, Barrel-aged beer features and bottle specials. Barrel-aged beer specials on draft and to-go.
- ForeLand Beer – Portland – Dog friendly, Family friendly, Free samples
- Gigantic Brewing Co. – Dog friendly, Free samples, Meet the Brewer, Self-guided brewery tours, Dog friendly front patio only, no dogs allowed in the brewery please
- Gorges Beer Co. – Dog friendly, Family friendly, Food specials, Free samples, Guided brewery tours, Live music, Meet the Brewer, Zwickel samples.
- Ground Breaker Brewing – Family friendly, Food specials, Free samples, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer, Zwickel samples.
- Hopworks Urban Brewery – Free samples, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer, Zwickel samples
- Krauski’s Brewskis – Gresham – Dog friendly, Family friendly, Free samples, Meet the Brewer, Zwickel samples, Specials on Krauski’s Brewskis
- Laurelwood Brewing Co. – Dog friendly, Family friendly, Food specials, Free samples, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer, Zwickel samples, Free Axe Throwing for guests 13 and older!
- Leikam Brewing – Dog friendly, Family friendly, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer, New beer release, Raffle/giveaways, Well behaved dogs welcome on the outside patio
- Migration Brewing – Gresham – Dog friendly, Family friendly, Food specials, Free samples, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer, New beer release
- Migration Brewing – Glisan – Dog friendly, Family friendly, Food specials, Free samples, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer, New beer release
- Montavilla Brew Works – Dog friendly, Food specials, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer, New beer release, Raffle/giveaways, Zwickelmania Collab Beer Participant, Zwickel samples
- Pono Brewing – Family friendly, Food specials, Free samples, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer, New beer release, Zwickel samples
- StormBreaker Brewing – Dog friendly, Family friendly, Food specials, Free samples, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer, New beer release, Zwickel samples
- Three Mugs Brewing – Dog friendly, Family friendly, Food specials, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer, New beer release, Raffle/giveaways, Zwickel samples
- Threshold Brewing & Blending – Dog friendly, Family friendly, Food specials, Free samples, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer, New beer release, Raffle/giveaways, Zwickel samples
- Unicorn Brewing – Family friendly, Free samples, Guided brewery tours, Meet the Brewer, Zwickel samples
- Zoiglhaus Brewing – Family friendly, Food specials, Free samples, Guided brewery tours, Live music, Meet the Brewer, Raffle/giveaways, Zwickel samples
Then come next weekend, the rest of the state of Oregon will host Zwickelmania.
Inaugural FINEX Chili & Beer Fest
Saturday, February 18 – Noon-3:00pm
The 2023 FINEX Chili and Beer Fest will be a warm and hearty celebration featuring five of the city’s finest chefs serving up their unique version of chili, with attendees voting for their favorite, plus beer pairings from five of Oregon’s best craft breweries!
On top of the delicious chili and beer to be had, the FINEX Chili & Beer Fest is a free event. Simply RSVP in advance here to attend. Your RSVP will also automatically enter you for a chance to win a FINEX 7 Qt. Dutch Oven and 12” Skillet. No purchase is necessary, but you must be present at the event to win.
Participating Chefs:
- Luna Contreras of Chelo
- Melissa McMillan of Sammich
- Aaron Barnett of St. Jack and La Moule
- Shannon Feltus of Mason Hill Cattle
Participating Breweries:
- pFriem Family Brewers
- Xicha Brewing
- Fracture Brewing
- Great Notion Brewing
In addition to the beers, there will be a few non-alcoholic beverages available from Happy Mountain Kombucha and Pelican Brewing.
FINEX Cast Iron Cookware — 2236 NW 21st Ave – Portland, OR
Fracture Brewing x Great Notion Collab Release BRUNCH
Sunday, February 19 – 11:00am-8:00pm
Visit the Fracture Brewing Taproom for the release of Fracture Brewing’s Imperial Stout collaboration with Great Notion! The two Portland breweries created a decadent, rich, Imperial Coffee Stout brewed with Vietnamese Arabica coffee from Portland Roasters Ca Phe, and TCHO cocoa nibs. It’s described as being full-bodied, complex, and fudgy. The food carts outside at Lil’ America will be serving special hot brunch dishes for the occasion.
Fracture Brewing Taproom – 1015 SE Stark – Portland, OR
About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.
