I’d Tap That
Zwickelmania is for brew believers
Posted by: John Chandler on Feb 10, 2010 at 09:00AM
6 Comments
It’s a recurring dream: I’m being escorted through a brewery. Suddenly, I scream “May Day! May Day! I’m going down!” I then scale a nearby ladder and execute a perfect one-and-half into a beckoning vat of crisp, pure, virgin beer. And I never surface. News of my demise spreads quickly and Salma Hayek enters a convent. Sigh. Such a lovely vision.
Imagine my giddy excitement at the thought of my firkin fantasy becoming a reality. OK, there will be no diving and I suppose Ms. Hayek is utterly indifferent, but nonetheless, this Saturday between 11-4, ale aficionados can get a gander inside some of the state’s top craft breweries at the Zwickelmania Statewide Brewery Tour, sponsored by the Oregon Brewer’s Guild. Meeting the brew barons and the sampling of suds are definitely on the itinerary.
Here in Portland you can jump on a chartered bus that will roll to such malty meccas as Amnesia Brewing, Hopworks Urban Brewery, Lompoc Brewing, Rogue Distillery and Public House, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Laurelwood Public House, BridgePort Brewing, and many more.
Brewer’s Guild executive director Brian Butenschoen notes that nearly 10,000 folks went on the tour last year, so it pays to research your destinations. And it’s all free, baby.
Fun fact: Zwickel is the name of the sample valve found on the outside of the fermentation or conditioning tank used by brewers to track and taste the beer throughout the brewing process. And Salma, if you’re reading this, I’ll be the taller, Hugh Jackman lookalike sitting in the back of the bus.
Tags: Beer Beer Festivals Events Craft Beers
If SOMEONE brings flowers, SOMEONE ELSE might be all over a valentines Zwickelmania celebration. Sounds like fun! and thanks for the definition.
My aim has always been to bring lovers together—lovers of booze, that is.
If beauty is in the eye of the beer holder, I am glad you’re my friend. Happy V Day.
Beer crawl by bike is best, but just like the car, one must “drive” responsibly.
Selma in a convent! Oh you ARe a hoot! Still this sounds pretty fun, if I pound some coffe and a big breakfast I can still make it!
Selma in a convent? Oh bar pilot you ARE a hoot! Still, this sounds mighty intriguing, if I pound some coffee and a big eggy breakfast I can still make it!