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The heat is on, and the best fests in the Northwest are back.
The all-star precursors to Portland's annual Beer Week (which, by the way, starts June 9), beer events like FredFest and Cheers to Belgian Beers break open nerd's palates with complex modern ales—the best way to prepare their winter-hardened tongues for the plentiful drinking months to come.
But even if you don't plan on attending one of those calendar-circling events, consider this week a good time to try out some of the newer kids on the block before the summer rushes hit.
Because come June, you might not easily be able to grab on that awesome outdoor patio.
Thursday, May 12
P.R.E.A.M. and Ecliptic Beer Dinner
Former pop-up P.R.E.A.M. knows pop-ups—so it shouldn't be a surprise this one looks so good. Right on the heels of John Harris' 30th anniversary of brewing beer, hip-hop pizza shop P.R.E.A.M. will be making beer cocktails from his Ecliptic beers—gin and gose, a tequila-mezcal cocktail with Orbiter IPA—paired still further with cookout fare like a meatball burger, lamb spaetzle and chicken-fried (!) potato chips. No prix-fixe: Just show up and order stuff, like it's a restaurant or something. P.R.E.A.M., 2131 SE 11th Ave. 6 pm. Free.
Friday, May 13
Cheers to Belgian Beers
Do you prefer blondes? Tarts? This is your beer fest, with 70 different Belgian-style beers all made in Oregon, taking over a warehouse for the duration of Friday and Saturday. (Smart people take the afternoon off of work on Friday, dumb ones brave the crowds.) Most of these will use the same yeast strain, with "white fruit esters that are balanced with clove phenolic aromas." Some won't, like Pfriem's Flanders Red. Use your tokens on that Flanders Red nonetheless. It's awesome. The North Warehouse, 723 N Tillamook St. 1-8 pm Friday and Saturday, May 13-14. $20 for a glass and 10 drink tickets.
Tin Bucket Anniversary Keg Tappings
Tin Bucket begins its annual rare keg extravaganza this week, in celebration of its third full year in business. It's a great time to grab a pour of something rare, as the bar will have kegs from Perennial, Russian River, Prairie Artisan Ales, and more available for patrons, who will sing the place's praises even more with each new delicious pint. Tin Bucket, 3520 N Williams Ave. Noon. Free.
Sunday, May 15
FredFest
We'd be lying if we told you that the first FredFest without its namesake Fred Eckhardt will be a solemn affair. With excellent beer, good food, and a boatload of memories of the legendary advocate for better beer, there will be high spirits in the house this afternoon, as Fred looks on with a cheerful smile. What's the best way to honor this year's lost hero, you might ask? Grab a snifter of something dark, and throw some damn M&Ms in your mouth. It's What Fred Would Do. PH. Hair of the Dog Brewery, 61 SE Yamhill St. $65.
Second Annual Ecliptic Beer Mile
Ecliptic Brewing hosts Portland's best annual beer mile, which starts and ends at John Harris' award-winning brewery with a free beer for runners. A test of fitness and drinking ability that seems perfectly suited to the Rose City, this event will feature one heck of a parking lot after-party—if you can avoid all the hoppy vomit you'll pass on the way there. Ecliptic Brewing Company, 825 N Cook St. Free admission.
Hefe Day
In celebration of 30 years of cloudy American hefeweizen, the Brothers Widmer are putting on a downtown drinking party. Featuring live music from Blitzen Trapper, food-cart grub, and a massive number of the brewery's new yellow cans to go around, this may just replace Winter Beer Fest as the best drinking experience you've had in the city center. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave. Noon-5 pm. Free. All ages.
Tuesday, May 17
Stone Cast-Your-Vote Night
Stone pairs up with Fat Head's and Barley Brown's in a political battle of the brews: Its IPA and Imperial Stout against all others on election day. Since Oregon voters don't get the "pleasure" of going to the polls, this is probably the best—and least political—way to scratch that itch. Just be sure to demand a re-pour if your favorite brewery doesn't win. Imperial Bottle Shop & Taproom, 3090 SE Division St. 6 pm. Free.
Wednesday, May 18
The Oregon Brewshed Alliance, a partnership among breweries who support the protection of Oregon's wetlands, wildlife and waters, brings out nearly two dozen specially made beers this evening as part of its annual brewfest. It's all too often that your liver is asked to take one for the team in this city, and—yet again—we hope it won't be complaining tonight. McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Ave. 5:30-9:30 pm. $20-$30.
Willamette Week