The gates swung open Wednesday for the 30th annual Oregon Brewers Festival, with a parade from Southeast Portland across the Hawthorne Bridge to downtown Portland's Waterfront Park kicking off the five-day festival.
About 80,000 people every year attend the festival, the largest beer gathering on the West Coast. More than 90 beers are being poured in the main festival area, with about 90 more in a limited-quantity specialty tent.
Grand Marshals John DeBenedetti and Mike Moscarelli opened the festival by tapping the ceremonial first keg, an IPA by Hopworks Urban Brewery of Southeast Portland. The two were honored because of their contributions through the F.H. Steinbart Co., a century-old Portland business that serves the craft brewing industry and that is owned by DeBenedetti, whose grandfather founded the company.
Here are details for attending the festival:
Watch the parade here:
-- Andre Meunier
@AndreMeunier13
503-221-8488