Featured image: Berliner Weisse, a tart cherry beer produced by North Coast Brewing Company in Portland. This was the most requested beer at my pouring station at last year’s Portland International Beerfest. Each volunteer at the beerfest pours four different varieties of beer. (photo by Cheryl Landes)*

It’s an annual tradition that brings more than 200 varieties of beer to the historic North Park Blocks of the Portland’s Pearl District. Try hard-to-find beers and ciders from everywhere—yes, from all over the world—for one entry fee for the entire weekend.

A portion of the proceeds from your ticket supports these local animal organizations:

• Animal Aid
• Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon (FCCO)
• Indigo Rescue
• Oregon Spay Neuter Fund

Volunteers from these organizations spend three- to four-hour shifts during the event pouring beer for the thirsty crowd.

Admission is free, unless you want to drink. There are two ticket packages for drinks:

• Regular Entry, $15 per person, which includes 15 beer tickets, a drinking glass, and wristband
• The Big Deal, $45 per person, which includes 30 beer tickets, a drinking glass, and wristband

Ages 21 and older only are admitted to the beerfest. ID will be checked at the entrance.

Only people wearing wristbands are allowed to drink, and the wristband allows free re-entry all weekend. You must wear your wristband when you’re inside the festival grounds and carry your glass to get drinks. Each four-ounce drink has an assigned ticket value. View the list of beers and the number of tickets each cost here.

Portland International Beerfest’s address is 235 NW Park Avenue. The entrance is on the NW Davis Street side, between NW 8th and Park Avenues.

Parking is limited, so taking public transit is the best option. The closest MAX (light rail) stops are northbound on NW 6th Avenue and Davis Street and southbound on NW 5th Avenue and Glisan Street. The Green and Yellow Lines serve both directions.

Plan your trip on the MAX.

Go to www.portland-beerfest.com for more information.

* NOTE: Cheryl Landes, the author of this post, volunteers as a pourer each year at the Portland International Beerfest to support Animal Aid. I am a member of Animal Aid’s Marketing and Events Committees.