Pacific Northwest Beer Chick

WHEN: November 28th – December 2nd. Noon to 10 pm Wednesday, 11 am to 10 pm Thursday through Saturday, and 11 am to
5 pm Sunday.

WHERE: Courthouse Square, located at 701 SW Sixth Ave. in downtown Portland, on the MAX
Light Rail line.

How Much: The general admission package at the door costs $30 and includes the 2012 tasting mug and 10 taster tickets. Advance general admission packages cost $30 and include the tasting mug, 12 taster tickets and expedited entry all five
days. Advance VIP packages are available for $65 and include the tasting mug, 28 taster tickets, a bottle of water, access to VIP lines (including special tappings) and express entry all five days. Additional beer tickets can be purchased for $1 apiece. Designated drivers in a party of two or more may purchase a designated driver wristband for $5, which includes Crater Lake Root Beer or bottled water for the duration of the stay.

The Holiday Ale Festival is for ages 21 and over.

Per the press release: “Despite being held outdoors during one of the coldest months of the year, more than 17,000 festival attendees stay warm and dry over the five day festival under clear-topped tents that cover the venue. Gas heaters create a cozy ambiance beneath the boughs of the region’s largest decorated Christmas tree. In addition to beer tasting, the festival also features meet the brewer events, a root beer garden, food vendors, beer pairings with cupcakes & cheese, event merchandise and a coat and bag check that raises funds for the Children’s Cancer Association.

One of the event highlights is often the beer names themselves: this year, look for Frosty’s Revenge, Blitz’n Prancer, Milk & Cookies, Figgy Pudding and Very Ill Tempered Gnome. The marjority of the beers hail from Oregon, but there are also breweries
representing Washington, California, Colorado, Delaware and Montana.

Returning to the event is the ninth annual Sunday Beer Brunch, taking place on Dec. 2 from 11 am to 1 pm on the upper level of Pioneer Courthouse Square. The auxiliary event features European pastries, cured meats and artisanal cheeses to accompany an assortment of exclusive vintage winter beers not available at the festival itself, plus special large format bottles to be shared. Tickets cost $65 and are available at www.holidayale.com.”