Portland Craft Beer Festival

This was my first time attending the 2025 Portland Craft Beer Festival, and unfortunately, it may be my last. I purchased a general admission ticket expecting access to a full three-day experience of craft beer and community fun. However, the event's re-entry policy was not clearly communicated on the website, in the ticketing process, or in the confirmation emails. When I returned on the second day, I was denied entry because I hadn't taken a selfie with my wristband -- a policy I was not aware of at the time of entry. Staff referenced signage that I hadn't seen the day before, and I wasn't given an option to verify my purchase another way. I was told re-entry would require an additional $10 fee, which hadn't been disclosed during the original ticket purchase. I chose not to proceed and left the event. The overall atmosphere didn't feel on par with past Portland brew festivals. Some of the beer pours were overly foamy, and the energy seemed lower than expected. I've also reached out to the organizers through email and social media but haven't received a response. I was really looking forward to this event, but my experience didn't meet expectations. I hope future festivals improve communication and offer more consistent guest support.

This was my first time attending the 2025 Portland Craft Beer Festival, and unfortunately, it may be my last. I purchased a general admission ticket expecting access to a full three-day experience of craft beer and community fun. However, the event's re-entry policy was not clearly communicated on the website, in the ticketing process, or in the confirmation emails. When I returned on the second day, I was denied entry because I hadn't taken a selfie with my wristband -- a policy I was not aware of at the time of entry. Staff referenced signage that I hadn't seen the day before, and I wasn't given an option to verify my purchase another way. I was told re-entry would require an additional $10 fee, which hadn't been disclosed during the original ticket purchase. I chose not to proceed and left the event. The overall atmosphere didn't feel on par with past Portland brew festivals. Some of the beer pours were overly foamy, and the energy seemed lower than expected. I've also reached out to the organizers through email and social media but haven't received a response. I was really looking forward to this event, but my experience didn't meet expectations. I hope future festivals improve communication and offer more consistent guest support.

The 2024 Portland Craft Beer Festival was in a different park this year. It was on the willamette river so there was less parking and commuting options and away from the hustle and bustle of tourism. There didn't seem as many beer and alternatives this year but it was spacious. It was at Elizabeth Caruthers Park in a highly denser residential district. The cider from Portland was the saving grace because it helped cool me down during the sweltering heat on the first day. I'll be back no matter next year.

A modest-sized multi-day festival highlighting local breweries. $50 (or $35+fees if you order beforehand) gets you 10 tickets for tastings (or 4 tickets for full pours of select beers). Elizabeth Caruthers park itself has enough room for a pleasant stroll and features a water spraying section. The festival also allows free reentry with your cup and wristband, so you can walk along the nearby waterfront park or check out some nearby restaurants if none of the food trucks at the festival strike your fancy. All in all a good way to spend an afternoon sampling local beers.

One of our closest friends live in the apartments right above where this festival takes place. There are both family friendly and adult only hours available. There are a handful of food carts. The dispensing area for the beers is dead center of the activity. Some vendors with face painting, photo booths, and other services are scattered around the beers. They provide free non-alcoholic drinks, cuties, and chips to the kids. There was plenty of seating with umbrellas for everyone who attended. I thoroughly enjoyed the event. Size-wise it is much smaller in comparison to the old brew fest along the waterfront. But it is big enough to be interesting and allow for interactions with the patrons. You can easily spend a couple hours there without getting bored. And even if you do, you're smack dab in the Pearl, and are surrounded by dozens of shops. Would definitely come back again next year. I anticipate that it will only continue to improve over time.

What do you do on a Fourth of July weekend in Portland? Drink duh!?! The first annual Portland Craft Brew Festival started on 3rd of July and goes through Sunday July 5th. Just as long as you keep the bracelet and the mug you can come back each day. They have a few tables with umbrellas and some tents with misters but man this heat wave is killing us! But it's not going to stop our beer loving Portlandiers! Make sure you grab a list of beers after you get your mug to get you to the spots you want. Also come early otherwise they run out of the good stuff ie ciders! We had a good few beers including the Reverend Nat's Cider Revival Hard Cider which was moderately sweet with a bite. The FOTM Brewing Co. Electric Mud which was a chocolate oatmeal stout. Easy to sip like a iced cold alcoholic chocolate drink. The Kölschh from Rock Bottom Brewery claimed to be the best beer we'd ever have and it was. It was really light and easy to drink. We ended with the Ume Umai Lager which was a Plum & Black Rice Beer by Gigantic Brewing and it was light with a nice hop. There are a few food items you can purchase and Stumptown coffee also represented. The music was blasting and it was a great few hours in the 90+ degree heat. What a great way to start our weekend in Portland.

Anything Kristin Regan touches turns to gold. Awesome event! Will was super fun and made my day. I will be back again next year! One thing, have DD option and a root beer or NA beer next time.

How freakin' awesome is it when you're in town for your birthday and..... there's a BEER FESTIVAL?!!!?!? Well...... pretty awesome if you ask me. It's in Fields Park which is cool, the weather was nice at a toasty 85ish all weekend. Plenty of metered street parking in the area. Beers are set up under the tents and you get a handout of where everything is (it's numbered). You can either buy your ticket online ahead of time or pay at the entrance. For $10 more, VIP gets you a bigger pour and extra tickets which is nice. I hit mostly the fruity stuff and sours. They were delicious and it was good to try something I don't have back home. There were various food vendors if you got the munchies: pretzels, pizza, popcorn, etc. I had the pretzel and it was pretty good. They also had games and stuff. Tables are set up under a tent so you can get out of the sun and chill. I had a great time!! However, as the days progressed certain beers ran out. So get there early if you wanna experience it all. Also one thing that was weird was the heavy aroma of sunblock when you first walk into the park. I get that you wanna protect your skin but damn you're supposed to do that BEFORE sun exposure. Nearly gagged there. Don't forget your mug/cup and don't take off your wristband if you're coming multiple days!!!!! I'd definitely come back.

How can there be so few reviews for this? Is it because it's a once-a-year event? I'd have to think that's the reason - either you attend and then instantly relate to the world how freaking awesome it is, or perhaps you're too zonked after the event, or maybe you just can't put it into words. Or maybe you are so backlogged on Yelp reviews that it actually is three months before you find the time. Anyway, the wife and I had had a full morning touring Powell's Books and a nearby doughnut shop. As she wasn't feeling so hot, she let me free that afternoon - I got more than my share of steps by walking across the river to where the Trail Blazers play, then waltzed back, plucked over my 30 smackers, and walked in. Worried about balancing all those suds with grub? No problem! There were a plethora of food carts available, with offerings such as bratwurst, burgers, tacos, and even an array of veggie options. But of course you're there for the beer, and the only true advice I can give you is to not drive there yourself - either exercise them legs of yours, or hire Uber to get you there and back safely. That being said, be sure to make full use of the time you have. 2019 had over 100 types of beer available - you get 10 tickets for your entry, and each is good for a 4 ounce option. Given that a similar recent event in the Bay Area cost 60 bucks, you do get a lot of bang for your buck here. The options themselves are quite varied - IPAs, Stouts, Ciders, Sours, Kolschs, Pilsners, you name it. The strongest beer is the Imperial Milk Stout, at 9.2%, while the Evelyn Sunshine IPA is the most bitter, at 100 IBU. Beyond the booze and grub, there are facilities for games, and I believe even bands make appearances. Plenty of seating, so you can sit down, make a friend, and forget all of life's worries.

Somehow I managed to miss the 1st Annual, last year. I I was impressed with year 2! The set up at Fields Park and the myriad of beer choices were impressive. I also liked the cider, wine and mead options too. There were a few food trucks and music to enjoy. Sunscreen is a must, shade is at a premium, even with the large tent covered tables.