Brewstillery Festival

Most of you know I enjoy beer – I’ve covered other beer events like festivals and beer pairing dinners in the past. Usually this world is completely separate from spirits – it’s like Mars and Venus with F having a beer while I have a cocktail at a happy hour. We might sip a taste of each other’s drink, but they never go together or are related in any way. The closest you might get would be a beer back after a whiskey or boilermaker or shots in beer, but whatever way it isn’t usually something where you savor the beer and liquor together.

Yet, brewers love acquiring the barrels from distillers to make barrel-aged beer. It seems like there could be more to the relationship than beer only absorbing flavors from the containers that used to hold the spirit,  but having nothing to do with the spirit itself.

Well, the great divide is closing, and to help promote and celebrate that is the upcoming Brewstillery Festival, a new festival coming to us on Saturday February 28th. The goal of the festival is for breweries and distilleries to team up to create perfect pairings, which means beers paired with a whiskey, scotch, or rum, etc. that are intended to be enjoyed together.

Advance tickets are now on sale for $20 (the cost of admission is $25 day of event), which includes tasting glass and 10 tickets. Each ticket gets approximately either a 4 ounce taster of beer or 1/4 ounce taster sample of a spirit.
Brewstillery Festival

This new festival is being hosted by StormBreaker Brewing which purchased the Amnesia Brewing space on North Mississippi last year at 832 N Beech. They plan to be using their inside and outside space as home base for this festival. This is pretty exciting as it is the first big beer fest event StormBreaker has held since taking the reigns. You can see StormBreaker Brewer/Owner Rob Lutz is pretty excited about the festival too, modeling a festival shirt that showcases anthropomorphic kettles from a brewery and a distillery that to me look like they have faces like something out of a steampunk robot graphic novel. Or maybe that’s just me.
StormBreaker Brewing at 832 N Beech, Portland StormBreaker Brewing at 832 N Beech, Portland StormBreaker Brewing at 832 N Beech, Portland StormBreaker Brewing at 832 N Beech, Portland StormBreaker Brewing at 832 N Beech, Portland StormBreaker Brewing at 832 N Beech, Portland StormBreaker Brewing at 832 N Beech, Portland Rob of StormBreaker who set up the Brewstillery Festival preview I attended and was already proudly wearing the festival shirt Brewstillery Festival 2015

I was fortunate enough to attend a media preview of the event and sample a few of the pairings. A few pairings really stood out to me.

A pairing called “The Devil’s Coat” was the pairing in mind by StormBreaker in founding the Brewstillery Festival, and paired their limited edition Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Coat with Bull Run Distilling’s Temperance Trader bourbon whiskey. Winter Coat is their Winter Ale which has already spent 2 months aging in Bull Run Distilling Temperance Trader Bourbon Barrels, and bringing the barrel aged beer back with its original barrel inspiration spirit brought out new flavors in each of them. The beer started to have more pronounced spicyness and vanilla and chocolate flavors, while the bourbon seemed to have stronger caramel tones.
Brewstillery preview of a beer and whiskey pairing

Another pairing called “Gin & Juice Gose” brought together Breakside Brewery‘s collaboration beer with Fat Head’s, a Juggling Salted Plums Gose using Umeboshi (a fermented Japanese Salt Plum) with House Spirits’ Aviation gin. They together made a savory flavor combination that highlighted coriander notes and seriously was as good as a craft cocktail. I love both Breakside and Aviation so I was super pleased as I saw fellow attendees gush over how delicious Aviation gin is and how they would even just drink the gin straight – even from one guest who doesn’t usually do spirits at all. To me, that’s part of what Brewstillery is about, the great potential for delicious discovery.
Brewstillery preview of a beer and whiskey pairing> Brewstillery preview of a beer and whiskey pairing

Ex Novo Brewing Company demonstrated that a beer and spirit together can go further than complimenting each other. Thheir At Her Majesty’s Pleasure Brown Ale with Oregon Spirits Distillery’s Otis Webber Wheat Whiskey joined powers and combined to bring out more toast then either had and further upgrade it to that perfect golden crispy toast at breakfast that makes a scratchy sound but doesn’t break or smush as you butter it but isn’t hard like a crouton either. Oh, but that Whiskey makes sure it isn’t just plain butter on that perfect toast- it’s a hint of honey butter.

At the preview event, I further had the pleasure of meeting Stuart MacLean Ramsay, a whisky and craft beer expert who also happens to be the founder of the idea of WhiskyBack Beer. This family of beers currently consists of three beers which are brewed at Coalition Brewing’s location but take Stuart’s recipes.

All the beers are inspired by the flavors and ingredients of whiskies.  Although they  are designed to compliment whisky, of course you can also drink this beer alone or pair it with food. As he explained, he “want to make a very complex beer for a very complex whisky.”
Brewstillery Festival preview and meeting Stuart Ramsay and trying his WhiskyBack beer Brewstillery Festival preview and meeting Stuart Ramsay and trying his WhiskyBack beer

The WhiskeyBack Red I sampled had a lot of malty, herbal and grassy not bitter hop with a hint of spice in the flavor profiles. This is intended to highlight barley based whiskies’ own grain and malt characteristics (which it did with Monkey Shoulder).

Meanwhile, the WhiskeyBack Gold paired with a Jim Beam Black was smooth and brought out more sweetness together than either of them had alone. The third beer, a WhiskeyBack Black is not ready yet but that’s the one I’m excited about, since I prefer smokey whiskeys and dark beers and that’s what WhiskeyBack Black promises.
A beer and spirit pairing with WhiskeyBack beer, preview for Brewstillery Festival

There are more pairings on the list they are putting together, and flavors vary from Baerlic Brewing‘s Noble Stout working to be a dessert like treat with EastSide Distillery’s Cherry Bomb Whisky to Cascade Brewing 2013 Apricot with Indio Spirits‘ Hopka to Deschutes Brewery Dissociator Doppelbock pairing with the elusive (usually sold out in 20 minutes) Clear Creek Distillery McCarthy Oregon Single Malt Whiskey (I was swooning over the peat flavors – they import peat from Scotland to make them in copper stills and everything is on site in Oregon) and more!

For a list of all the pairings, check out the blog Portland Craft Beer’s post “Stormbreaker Brewstillery Preview”.

The 18 Participating Breweries of Brewstillery:

  • Amnesia Brewing
  • Baerlic Brewing Co.
  • Base Camp Brewing Company
  • Breakside Brewery
  • Cascade Brewing
  • Coalition Brewing
  • The Commons Brewery
  • Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House
  • Ecliptic Brewing
  • Ex Novo
  • Hair of the Dog
  • Hopworks Urban Brewery
  • Humble Brewing
  • Laurelwood Public House & Brewery
  • Migration Brewing Company
  • Stormbreaker Brewing
  • Upright Brewing
  • Widmer Brothers Brewing

The 12 Participating Distilleries of Brewstillery:

  • 4 Spirits
  • Bull Run Distillery
  • Big Bottom Whiskey
  • Clear Creak Distillery
  • Eastside Distilling
  • Indio Spirits Distillery & Tasting Room
  • Stein
  • Parliament
  • House Spirits Distillery
  • Dry Fly
  • Oregon Spirits Distillery
  • Stone Barn Brandy Works

Don’t worry, there’s food available as well from the StormBreaker kitchen, with goodies such as their Pickle Jar of spiced pickled beets, sweet pickle chips, moroccan cauliflower and more; Warm Kale salad with bacon, aged gouda, almond and seed brittle, soft egg, all in a balsamic brown butter dressing; spiced peanuts; almond and seed brittle; house potato chips; and the $14 StormBreaker Smorgasboard, which is a Cheese Plate combined with their Meat Plate that includes selections of Cheeses with Olympic Provisions meats and mousse and sliced bread that adds a soft boiled egg and simple salad
Brewstillery Festival preview, StormBreaker showed off their Pickle Jar of spiced pickled beets, sweet pickle chips, moroccan cauliflower and more Brewstillery Festival preview of the StormBreaker Warm Kale salad with bacon, aged gouda, almond and seed brittle, soft egg, all in a balsamic brown butter dressing Brewstillery Festival preview, StormBreaker showed some of the snacks available such as spiced peanuts, almond and seed brittle, and chips Brewstillery Festival preview, the StormBreaker almond and seed brittle Brewstillery Festival preview of some of the snacks available such as Stormbreaker's house chips Brewstillery Festival preview of the StormBreaker Smorgasboard, a Cheese Plate combined with their Meat Plate that includes Olympic Provisions Selection meats and mousse and sliced bread that adds a soft boiled egg and simple salad, all for $14
What do you think of the idea of pairing spirits and beer, have you ever had both together? What style of beer and what kind of spirit do you think you might try together?

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Taste of the Nation Portland 2014 Recap and Upcoming Blogger Bake Sale #NoKidHungry

Disclosure: I attended the Portland Taste of the Nation as a media member, but I am not being compensated for this post. I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment of all products and experiences I may be given. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own. 

Earlier on April 29 (my birthday!), I was proud and happy to spend it at Taste of the Nation Portland, helping to raise awareness through social media for such an important cause, and continuing to do so today.

As I mentioned in my previous post and giveawayTaste of the Nation is a series of culinary events throughout the US and throughout the year to raise money for Share Our Strength, a national organization working to end childhood hunger in the US. 100% of ticket sales support the efforts of the Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign.

Taste of the Nation Portland, Team No Kid Hungry Taste of the Nation Portland, Team No Kid Hungry Taste of the Nation Portland

This is a very meaningful cause for me. If you enjoy food and think of yourself as a food lover in any way, I consider it part of our duty to also give back in fighting against hunger. We should be thankful of what we are able to enjoy while also being aware not everyone is blessed with the access and plenty that we have and that we have the means, however large or small, in helping to ease that burden. I was fortunate in that I have never known true hunger, and it breaks my heart to think of children crushed when there is not a school day because it means missing a meal, or not being able to concentrate and learn because they are hungry. As little as $1 can connect a child to 10 meals – so feel free to sign up as I did to donate on a monthly basis and take the pledge.

Feel free to learn more at the No Kid Hungry campaign at their official website and also Twitter @NoKidHungry.

No Kid Hungry Logo, Share Our Strength

I have been watching the feeds as the events in DC, Philadelphia,  and San Francisco kicked off, and the one in Portland here coincided also with the one in Boston, though a few hours later because of the time difference. The caliber of the events have been amazing, and so was the one here in Portland. I’ll get to my recap and photos in just a minute!

Gorgeous display by Portland Taste local sponsor Charlie's Produce Gorgeous display by Portland Taste local sponsor Charlie's Produce

Gorgeous display by Portland Taste local sponsor Charlie’s Produce

This year the event was held at the McMenamins Crystal Hotel & Ballroom. The proceeds are going directly to No Kid Hungry Oregon non-profit allies of Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, Oregon Food Bank and St. Vincent de Paul Society and Klamath/Lake Counties Food Bank. The tickets to the VIP admission sold out a week before, and then the General Admission tickets sold out 2 days before the event… so remember that for next year to not wait for the last minute to buy your tickets!

There is still an upcoming opportunity to support No Kid Hungry though- and that’s with the National Blogger’s Bake Sale Portland Edition this upcoming Saturday May 3, 9am-1pm, at Powell’s Book Store, near Couch/11th Ave. I’ll be there after my workout to help support them even though I am planning on purchasing/consuming and not baking anything, or you can also visit the page and click the link to donate towards the Portland fundraising goal!

National Bloggers Bake Sale for No Kid Hungry, Portland Edition 2014

You CAN help make a difference!

Ok, now onto the Taste of the Nation Portland 2014 Recap. First, a huge round of applause to all the chefs, restaurants, wineries, breweries, spirits, other beverages, and other sponsors who participated. I was really impressed with how prepared everyone was- there was rarely a line to get food because of how prepared everyone was to handle the many excited and hungry supporters of this cause that evening. And there was definitely a serious number of people who are serious about fighting hunger at this event:

Taste of the Nation Portland 2014 at McMenamins Crystal Hotel & Ballroom Taste of the Nation Portland 2014 at McMenamins Crystal Hotel & Ballroom

Some of my favorite samplings of the event included:

  • Mediterranean Exploration Company (coming soon from John Gorham, of Toro Bravo, Tasty n Sons/Alder) offered this delectable house canned Albacore Tuna board with Mediterranean accompaniments. I can’t wait for this to open in the former Riffle space (in the Pearl District) in July!
    Taste of the Nation Portland, During VIP hour, Mediterranean Exploration Company (coming soon from John Gorham, of Toro Bravo, Tasty n Sons/Alder) offered this delectable house canned tuna board Taste of the Nation Portland, During VIP hour, Mediterranean Exploration Company (coming soon from John Gorham, of Toro Bravo, Tasty n Sons/Alder) offered this delectable house canned tuna board
  • The Country Cat‘s offering of fried chicken lollipops & honey, and also of a vanilla hot fudge sundae! I was a little intimidated to pick up the big drumstick but it was well worth the sticky fingers.
    Taste of the Nation Portland, During VIP hour, The Country Cat's offering of fried chicken lollipops & honey Taste of the Nation Portland, During VIP hour, The Country Cat's offering of fried chicken lollipops & honey Taste of the Nation Portland, During VIP hour, The Country Cat's offering of fried chicken lollipops & honey
  • Multnomah Whiskey Library with their Sazerac Punch with James Oliver Rye, Oleo Saccharum, Peychaud Bitters, and Anise spiked Sparkling Wine, a nice updated twist but still classic
    Taste of the Nation Portland, During VIP hour, Multnomah Whiskey Library with their Sazerac Punch with James Oliver Rye, Oleo Saccharum, Peychaud Bitters, and Anise spiked Sparkling Wine
  • Pok Pok‘s Khano Niaw Sangkhaya Bai Toei, a sweet sticky rice with duck egg pandan coconut custard wrapped and steamed in banana leaves was a little bit of sweetness that was a great followup after a sip of Moet, I definitely could have had more of these!
    Taste of the Nation Portland, During VIP hour, Pok Pok's Khano Niaw Sangkhaya Bai Toei, a sweet sticky rice with duck egg pandan coconut custard wrapped and steamed in banana leaves Taste of the Nation Portland, During VIP hour, Pok Pok's Khano Niaw Sangkhaya Bai Toei, a sweet sticky rice with duck egg pandan coconut custard wrapped and steamed in banana leaves
  • No photo from the event, but the Imperial potato latke topped with salmon pastrami, sour cream and dill cooked in duck fat that I first sampled at the Taste of the Taste preview (and my photo is from that). In addition, Imperial Bar Manager Brandon Wise made two sample cocktails utilizing Dogwood Distilling Union Gin and Franklin Vodka and since it’s from Brandon of course both were excellent.
    A taste of Taste of the Nation- a taste of potato latkes with steelhead pastrami, sour cream, and dill from Imperial Taste of the Nation Portland, During VIP hour, Imperial Bar Manager Brandon Wise made two sample cocktails utilizing Dogwood Distilling Union Gin and Franklin Vodka Taste of the Nation Portland, During VIP hour, Imperial Bar Manager Brandon Wise made two sample cocktails utilizing Dogwood Distilling Union Gin and Franklin Vodka
  • Renata offered My Pharm Rabbit N’duja with pickled carrots and pea shoots, a medley of textures between the crispy crostini and the rich creamy rabbit
    Taste of the Nation Portland, During VIP hour, Renata offered My Pharm Rabbit N'duja with pickled carrots and pea shoots Taste of the Nation Portland, During VIP hour, Renata offered My Pharm Rabbit N'duja with pickled carrots and pea shoots
  • I really enjoyed the St Jack chilled Stinging Nettle Vichyssoise with crispy chicken skin and chili oil, it was definitely one of the top tastes of the evening for me
    Taste of the Nation Portland, St Jack's Aaron Barnett offered chilled Stinging Nettle Vichyssoise with crispy chicken skin and chili oil Taste of the Nation Portland, St Jack's Aaron Barnett offered chilled Stinging Nettle Vichyssoise with crispy chicken skin and chili oil Taste of the Nation Portland, St Jack's Aaron Barnett offered chilled Stinging Nettle Vichyssoise with crispy chicken skin and chili oil
  • I know it’s simple, but I confess I had two samples of the Grassa Lumache Cacio e Pepe. I thought it made up for the fact that I resisted the Griddled Mortadella with Provolone, Mama Lil’s Peppers and Mustard Aioli mini sandwich across the way at the Lardo table since I had it during the Taste of the Taste event (with photo of it from then)
    I know it's simple, but I confess I had two samples of the Grassa Lumache Cacio e Pepe I know it's simple, but I confess I had two samples of the Grassa Lumache Cacio e Pepe A taste of Taste of the Nation- example taste from Lardo of Lardo's griddled mortadella with provolone, marinated peppers and mustard aioli
  • I also admit I went back twice for Laurelhurst Market‘s baked macaroni and cheese with house-smoked hot dog and potato chip crust. Of course Mac and Cheese was a perfect snapshot of the theme this year, What My Family Ate and comforting food memories
    Taste of the Nation Portland, Laurelhurst Market's baked macaroni and cheese with house-smoked hot dog and potato chip crust
  • Bamboo Sushi, Jin Soo Yang, Kalbi Ssam House Kimchee Grilled Short Ribs with Lettuce and Rice was a bright bite of lots of flavors. I wish I could have grown up with this!
    Taste of the Nation Portland, Bamboo Sushi, Jin Soo Yang, Kalbi Ssam House Kimchee Grilled Short Ribs with Lettuce and Rice Taste of the Nation Portland, Bamboo Sushi, Jin Soo Yang, Kalbi Ssam House Kimchee Grilled Short Ribs with Lettuce and Rice
  • Many loved smallwares and their taste of Beef Tataki with Kimchi, Blue cheese, Thai basil, and Pickled pear- a very mature and complex medley of flavors that I wish everyone would demand was regularly on their menu
    Taste of the Nation Portland smallwares and their taste of Beef Tataki with Kimchi, Blue cheese, Thai basil, and Pickled pear Taste of the Nation Portland smallwares and their taste of Beef Tataki with Kimchi, Blue cheese, Thai basil, and Pickled pear
  • Aviary, soup dumplings that explain why they are planning a Soup Dumpling pop-up at $35/person on May 20th- check their website for more details!
    Taste of the Nation Portland, Aviary, soup dumplings
  • Batch PDX Jeremy Karp impressed so many of us with his assorted chocolates that included so many interesting combinations of flavors like chocolate with Vietnamese coffee or Thai Ice tea or Earl Grey tea, flavors of Pina Colada and Margarita, this was definitely one of the surprise finds of the evening!
    Taste of the Nation Portland Batch PDX Jeremy Karp impressed so many of us with his assorted chocolates that included so many interesting combinations of flavors like chocolate with Vietnamese coffee or Thai Ice tea or Earl Grey tea, flavors of Pina Colada and Margarita Taste of the Nation Portland Batch PDX Jeremy Karp impressed so many of us with his assorted chocolates that included so many interesting combinations of flavors like chocolate with Vietnamese coffee or Thai Ice tea or Earl Grey tea, flavors of Pina Colada and Margarita
  • The bar up at the mezzanine included quite a few cocktails, including this Pegu Club with Aria Gin, Orange Liquor, Fresh Lime, and Angostura Bitters, as well as you call it cocktails made from Bull Run Distillery liquors and DRY soda
    Taste of the Nation Portland, the bar up at the mezzanine included quite a few cocktails, including this Pegu Club with Aria Gin, Orange Liquer, Fresh Lime, and Angostura Bitters, as well as you call it cocktails made from Bull Run Distillery liquors and DRY soda

And here are a few other excellent tastings that evening to give you a feel for why you should go next year if you aren’t convinced already:

  • Gregory Gourdet of Departure was there, glowing and smiling as always, hands on as they gave samples of chicken stewed with peppers, pickled chilies, and ripe plaintain
    Gregory Gourdet of Departure was at Taste of the Nation Portland, glowing and smiling as always, hands on as they gave samples of chicken stewed with peppers, pickled chilies, and ripe plaintain Gregory Gourdet of Departure was at Taste of the Nation Portland, glowing and smiling as always, hands on as they gave samples of chicken stewed with peppers, pickled chilies, and ripe plaintain
  • Smokehouse 21 was calling my name with this Smoked Land and Sea tasting with pork and eggs. Also bonus points as I watched the man crack half a dozen soft boiled eggs perfectly and speedily. Minus points for what sea are you talking about, what kind of eggs were those…
    Taste of the Nation Portland, Smokehouse 21 was calling my name with this Smoked Land and Sea tasting with pork and eggs. Taste of the Nation Portland, Smokehouse 21 was calling my name with this Smoked Land and Sea tasting with pork and eggs.
  • Produce Row Cafe offered a vegetarian winner with their crispy chickpea fritter, harissa, and cultured cream
    Taste of the Nation Portland, Produce Row Cafe offered a vegetarian winner with their crispy chickpea fritter, harissa, and cultured cream Taste of the Nation Portland, Produce Row Cafe offered a vegetarian winner with their crispy chickpea fritter, harissa, and cultured cream
  • Black Rabbit offered “Ham and Eggs” with black truffle custard, Marsala braised duck “Ham” Fennel Jam on a parmesan crostini
    Taste of the Nation Portland, Black Rabbit offered 'Ham and Eggs' with black truffle custard, Marsala braised duck 'Ham' Fennel Jam on a parmesan crostini
  • Irving Street Kitchen refreshed the palate with a smoked Albacore Tuna crudo with charred padron pickle and creamy tonado
    Taste of the Nation Portland Irving Street Kitchen refreshed the palate with a smoked Albacore Tuna crudo with charred padron pickle and creamy tonado
  • I always love the charcuterie of Olympic Provisions
    Taste of the Nation Portland, charcuterie of Olympic Provisions
  • It was nice to take a break from so much meat with Biwa‘s Ohitashi of asparagus steeped in a dashi base sauce
    Taste of the Nation Portland, Biwa's Ohitashi of asparagus steeped in a dashi base sauce
  • Boke Bowl brought the heat with their crawfish and pork in spicy black bean sauce over rice tots
  • Zeus Cafe had a big serving of pork belly and kimchi croquette with black vinegar aioli and herbs.
    Taste of the Nation Portland, Zeus Cafe had a big serving of pork belly and kimchi croquette with black vinegar aioli and herbs.
  • Gracie‘s taste was a stuffed Medjool date with spicy marcona almond and local goat cheese wrapped in pancetta
    Taste of the Nation Portland, Gracie's taste was a stuffed Medjool date with spicy marcona almond and local goat cheese wrapped in pancetta Taste of the Nation Portland, Gracie's taste was a stuffed Medjool date with spicy marcona almond and local goat cheese wrapped in pancetta
  • I stopped by for some Strawberry rhubarb pie from Pacific Pie, though they also offered their popular staple Chocolate Bourbon Hazelnut. I had to try the Strawberry Rhubarb though, especially after I saw their cute segment about making it on TV the week before
    Taste of the Nation Portland I stopped by for some Strawberry rhubarb pie from Pacific Pie, though they also offered their popular staple Chocolate Bourbon Hazelnut Taste of the Nation Portland I stopped by for some Strawberry rhubarb pie from Pacific Pie, though they also offered their popular staple Chocolate Bourbon Hazelnut Pacific Pie Sarah Curtis-Fawley promoting Taste of the Nation Portland
  • Xocolatl de David‘s Fluffernutter and Chocolate Milk! Great idea for the theme of memories from family time!
    Taste of the Nation Portland, Xocolatl de David's Fluffernutter and Chocolate Milk
  • Raven & Rose offered a few desserts of delicious simplicity
    Taste of the Nation, Raven & Rose offered desserts with delicious simplicity
  • Moet & Chandon flowing during VIP hour
    Taste of the Nation Portland, Moet & Chandon flowing during VIP hour

There was more I missed- with more than 60 possible participating restaurants and beverage providers to visit, there were more tastes than I or anyone could have in one night. I took all my photos and ate and when that was done (because I was getting really full, not because I managed to visit everyone!), that’s when I put my camera away and went beverage tasting, so there are many distilleries and wineries that are not in this recap. Amazing vendors right??

I also was outbid on silent auction they were holding, but they had some really unique baskets and experiences- examples were

  • Summer School that included 4 tickets to an Around the World rum tasting with Blair Reynolds of Hale Pele, tiki mugs, mai tai glasses, and syrups/mixers, and four weekend passes to Tiki Kon;
  • French Mathematics that included champage tasting for 12 from David Speer of Ambonnay; Chemistry Tutor with cocktail tutoring for 10 with appetizers with Kasey Kasten of Saucebox;
  • various baskets of impeccable wines (donated by wonderful wineries, or one package in which 12 famous Portland chefs each picked a wine and included a pairing recipe suggestion for the wine!);
  • and my favorite, a Hall Pass that offers the opportunity to cut to the front of the line at hot spots like Toro Bravo, Salt & Straw, Mother’s Bistro, Pok Pok, Tasty N Sons, Besaws and Multnomah Whiskey Library – WOW!

Taste of the Nation Portland Silent AuctionTaste of the Nation Portland Silent AuctionTaste of the Nation Portland Silent Auction

Remember to support No Kid Hungry at the National Blogger’s Bake Sale Portland Edition this upcoming Saturday May 39am-1pm, at Powell’s Book Store, near Couch/11th Ave. Say hi to me as I drop by around 11:30 Saturday after my workout and squee at the beautiful blogger baked goodies with me, or you can also visit the page and click the link to donate towards the Portland fundraising goal!

Change starts with you. When you step up, you invite others to step up, too. Mandy Hale. No Kid Hungry, Share Our Strength.

Disclosure: I attended the Portland Taste of the Nation as a media member, but I am not being compensated for this post. I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment of all products and experiences I may be given. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own. 

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Eat Mobile 2014 is Sun April 27!

Have you heard of Eat Mobile before? It’s a food cart festival that is located in the parking lots outside of OMSI. More than 30 food carts are in attendance, offering samples of their foods. Several carts offer more than one sample item. It’s a great way to try food carts that are usually all over the city, all gathered together conveniently in one place for you, and offering you samples to help you know what they are each about with the hope you will visit them in the future!

This year, it is being held on April 27, which is a Sunday. You can buy tickets now and they are $50 Pre-Tasting Sold Out! (this gets you early admission and free beverages for that pre-tasting time of 1-2:30pm before continuing to eat until the end at 6pm) or $30 General Admission (eating time from 2:30-6pm). All the food samples are included in the price of admission, but alcoholic beverages are on your own.

I personally always buy the pre-tasting because if you are fast, you can hit most of the carts even before the General Admission crowd enters, and so you won’t be waiting in line as much. I call that well worth the price. According to the FAQ this year they are calling it a “carefully curated roster of Willamette Week’s favorite food carts”, so I’ll report back if anything has changed. In all my previous years though, all the carts were open and giving samples during the pre-tasting.

Attending Eat Mobile is a great way to get to know all the up and coming carts- there have been several times that’s how I got introduced to places that later became brick and mortar, such as Lardo and Fifty Licks and Cheese & Crack, to name a few. According to the list at Willamette Weekly, the carts signed up to participate include

  • 808 Grinds
  • Bamboo Café
  • Bardo’s Grill
  • Bro Dogs
  • Creperie du Lys
  • Dalo’s Food Cart
  • Fifty Licks
  • Gonzo
  • Hapa Ramen
  • Hungry Heart PDX
  • Kalua Pig PDX
  • Kesone Asian Fusion
  • KOI Fusion
  • Little Boba Truck
  • Love Belizean
  • Maine Street Lobster Co.
  • Mama Chow’s Kitchen
  • Masala Pop
  • Mildred’s Sweet Treats
  • Mix N Match Creamery
  • Moberi
  • Momo Cart
  • Native Bowl
  • PDXSliders
  • Sila Thai Food, LLC.
  • Sivad’s House of Soul
  • So Cold
  • Southern Belle’s
  • Taqueria La Merced
  • Thick Deep Dish Pizza
  • Thrive
  • Topped ICK

I also promise you, you will get very, very full. I actually want to try a lot of carts so endeavor to only take 2 bites of every sample, and carry a little tote bag with ziploc bags when samples are bigger so I can enjoy them over the next couple days too!

Map of Eat Mobile 2012 layout
Map of Eat Mobile 2012 layout

Here are a few photos from previous Eat Mobile years to give you a glimpse of the atmosphere and samples of food, and also a link to my previous recaps if you want to learn more about what might be available!

Will you be there? This is one of my favorite food events in Portland all year!

Eat Mobile 2014 

Sunday April 27, located in the parking lot outside of OMSI

$30 General Admission (2:30-6pm)

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