Fire & Brimstone Festival: a Celebration of Chili and Smoke Beverages

Fire & Brimstone 2014, official poster image by Blaine Fontana
Fire & Brimstone 2014, official poster image by Blaine Fontana

One of my favorite beer festivals in Portland is back for its fourth year in just 2 weeks!. The Fire & Brimstone Festival is hosted by both Hop & Vine and Saraveza, which are conveniently only a half mile walk from each other (about a leisurely 10 minute walk, with Sarevaza at 1004 N. Killingsworth St. and The Hop & Vine at 1914 N. Killingsworth St.). Both are reachable by the Max Yellow Line N Killingsworth stop.

Each venue will have chili and smoke beers, a smoked or chili cider and a mini-cocktail special. Both will also have special food to match with the smoky or chili beverages. For instance, Saraveza is offering their ENORMOUS Bamberg onions & smoked skewers and Hop & Vine is dishing out tacos. Of course, the regular menus will also be available and many of those items will compliment the beers in their own ways so you aren’t limited in food options. For instance, from previous visits I can’t resist getting the popcorn at The Hop& Vine, and they have a very tasty grilled cheese sandwich. You can’t go wrong with the classic cheese and charcuterie plate either.
Smoked and Chili beers at the Fire & Brimstone event at Hop & Vine Parmesan and pepper popcorn to snack on at The Hop and Vine, Portland. Charcuterie plate at Hop & Vine Grilled cheese and tomato soup at Hop & Vine

This year, the Fire & Brimstone Festival falls on July 26 and 27th, with the Festival Hours Saturday and Sunday 11 AM -10 PM. Both venues will also be open for regular business if you choose not to partake and/or you want more food or beverages off their regular menu.

Admission is free, but to taste the cost is $20 for 10 taster tokens, with additional tokens at $1.50, and the tokens can be purchased and used at both Hop & Vine and Saraveza, and can be used both Saturday and Sunday. A sample 5oz pour will cost 1 token.

Last year there were more than 15 smokey or spicy beverage samples to select from, so there is definitely a lot to try. This year it seems there could be a total of 20 items available between the two locations. Several of these offerings will be beverages created especially for this festival, so they are truly one of a kind opportunities to taste some of these flavors!
Image courtesy of Drew of The Hop & Vine
Image courtesy of Drew of The Hop & Vine

Featured Breweries & Cideries Include

At Saraveza

  • Agrarian Ales – Smoked Chili Porter
  • Alaskan Brewing Company – 2013 Smoked Porter
  • Ballast Point – Habanero ‘Sculpin’ IPA
  • Base Camp Brewing Co. – “Smoooke on the Weisse Beer” Beechwood Smoked Wheat
  • Breakside Brewing/Ned Ludd “36 Chambers” Sage Smoked Honey Golden Ale
  • Flat Tail Brewing “El Guapo” Blonde Ale w/Cucumber, Lime & Habanero
  • New Belgium/Cigar City – 2013 Ale Brewed w/Anaheim & Marash Chilies, Aged on Spanish Cedar
  • Oakshire Brewing – “Smokin’ Hell Extra” Smoked Helles Lager Infused w/Serrano, Chulaca & Habanero Peppers
  • Occidental Brewing Co. – Rauchbier
  • Two Towns Ciderhouse – “Cot in the Act” Apricot Cider w/Ancho, New Mexican & Chipotle Chilies
  • “Whiskey Inferno” cocktail with house-Infused Ginger, Jalapeno & Honey Whiskey w/Cock & Bull Ginger Ale and a Jalapeno “Hot Rock” w/Smoked Sea Salt Rim.

At Hop & Vine:

  • Breakside Brewing “Passionfruit Sour” w/ Habanero Chiles
  • Dogfish Head “Festina Peche” – peach berlinerweisse – via Thai Chiles in a randall infuser
  • Epic Brewing “Smoked & Oaked” Belgian Strong
  • Fort George “Hellcat” – belgian strong pale w/ Anaheim, Pasilla, Jalapeno, & Habanero Chiles
  • Gigantic “Firebird” – Smoked Hefeweizen – via Grilled peaches and habanero chiles in a randall infuser
  • New Belgium/Three Floyds “Gratzer” – Polish-style smoked dark wheat ale
  • Reverend Nat’s “Smokey Pineapple Bhut” – smokey Tepache w/ Ghost Chiles
  • Stone Smoked Porter
  • Widmer Brothers Brewing SxNW ’12 – dark strong w/ chiles, cinnamon, & pecans – aged in Tequila Barrels
  • Hi-Wheel Habanero Lime – spritzy fermented fruit wine w/ habanero extract
  • a spicy & sweet “Hell in a Handbasket” cocktail with muddled Serrano Chile, Tequila, Mezcal, House Watermelon Shrub, & Lime Juice w/ guajillo-salt rim
  • “Blood & Smoke” cocktail – Famous Grouse, House Smoked Peach Shrub, OJ, Cherry Heering, Bitters
  • “Ghost Rider” – craft jello shot – Novo Fogo Cachaca, Lime, Terragon Simple, Serrano Juice

Final Draft List and more details to follow as I keep my eye on the Fire & Brimstone Facebook event page!

Images from previous Fire & Brimstone: At The Hop & Vine, they will probably continue having a few beers available at the bar, and more available on the back patio for the event. My favorite pairing of fire and brimstone and food that they have done was when they had specials of a Jalapeno Pecorino biscuit with smoked pork gravy and fried egg and Flourless chocolate cake with smoked chili ice cream, at Hop & Vine Fire & Brimstone version 2012. That was the first year I had the pairing from Saraveza, which was the Smokin’ Bamberg Onion Plate, a traditional Rauch beer meal, that consisted of a Bamburg Onion, Mashed Potatoes w/ Schlenkerla gravy, salad, side of vegetables and a Sugar Pimp Peach-chili dessert.
Hop & Vine, which offered 4 beers inside from their taps and 6 outside from kegs Jalapeno Pecorino biscuit with smoked pork gravy and fried egg, a special at Hop & Vine, Fire & Brimstone version 2012 Flourless chocolate cake with smoked chili ice cream, at Hop & Vine, Fire & Brimstone version 2012   Saraveza's Flight of Five Chili and Smoked Beers for Fire & Brimstone 2012 Saraveza's Flight of Five Chili and Smoked Beers for Fire & Brimstone... Burnside Sweet Heat always glows in the glass it seems (front right) Saraveza Fire & Brimstone 2012 food pairing of the Smokin' Bamberg Onion Plate, a traditional Rauch beer meal, that consisted of a Bamburg Onion, Mashed Potatoes w/ Schlenkerla gravy, salad, side of vegetables and a Sugar Pimp Peach-chili dessert Saraveza Fire & Brimstone 2012 food pairing of the Smokin' Bamberg Onion Plate, a traditional Rauch beer meal, that consisted of a Bamburg Onion, Mashed Potatoes w/ Schlenkerla gravy, salad, side of vegetables and a Sugar Pimp Peach-chili dessert

Have you had smoke or chili beers before?

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Drink Portland Brewing ZigZag River Lager in July

This entire month of July, Portland Brewing is donating a portion from every case or growler of Portland Brewing ZigZag River Lager (growlers must be purchased at the Portland Brewing Co Taproom, cases must be purchased in the state of Oregon) sold right back to our Northwest waters via Sandy River Basin Watershed Council.

The Sandy River Basin Watershed Council is an independent non-profit organization that works cooperatively with volunteers, agencies, businesses and community groups to improve the health of the watershed for fish, wildlife and people. The Council coordinates efforts among many public and private partners to produce the greatest benefits for the watershed.
This entire month of July 2014, Portland Brewing is donating a portion from every case or growler of ZigZag River Lager (growlers must be purchased at the Portland Brewing Co Taproom, cases must be purchased in the state of Oregon) sold back to our Northwest waters via Sandy River Basin Watershed Council. This entire month of July 2014, Portland Brewing is donating a portion from every case or growler of ZigZag River Lager (growlers must be purchased at the Portland Brewing Co Taproom, cases must be purchased in the state of Oregon) sold back to our Northwest waters via Sandy River Basin Watershed Council.

This means you can enjoy a refreshing lager to cool you down while also supporting a good cause! If you are looking to bring some beer to a party, or for your own get together, consider stopping by for some of the Portland Brewing ZigZag River Lager.

This entire month of July 2014, Portland Brewing is donating a portion from every case or growler of ZigZag River Lager (growlers must be purchased at the Portland Brewing Co Taproom, cases must be purchased in the state of Oregon) sold back to our Northwest waters via Sandy River Basin Watershed Council.

I was invited to visit Portland Brewing back in April as they were first launching Zig Zag River Lager. I was able to taste then how fresh and balanced the flavors of this beer are with the blend of pale, wheat and very malty Munich malts and the spicy Tettnang hops with hint of caramel notes. Let me assure you that it is perfect for the hot days ahead this month to refresh you.

This entire month of July 2014, Portland Brewing is donating a portion from every case or growler of ZigZag River Lager (growlers must be purchased at the Portland Brewing Co Taproom, cases must be purchased in the state of Oregon) sold back to our Northwest waters via Sandy River Basin Watershed Council. This entire month of July 2014, Portland Brewing is donating a portion from every case or growler of ZigZag River Lager (growlers must be purchased at the Portland Brewing Co Taproom, cases must be purchased in the state of Oregon) sold back to our Northwest waters via Sandy River Basin Watershed Council.

While there, I also tasted the Oregon Honey Beer brewed with Oregon-sourced white clover honey and Willamette hops, also a wonderful summer beer choice and Portland Brewing even shared a recipe for Oregon Honey Beer Marinade for grilling. You can drink and eat from your growler! Not to be outdone, maybe pair that with their recipe for ZigZag River Lager Beer Cheese.

So let’s raise a glass or bottle of Portland Brewing ZigZag River Lager to the Sandy and give back to the Sandy together! Visit The Portland Brewing Beer Finder to use the search and map tool there to find where you can get some Portland Brewing near you, or visit the Portland Brewing Taproom.

Portland Brewing Company Taproom Portland Brewing Company Taproom

If you do stop by the Portland Brewing Taproom at 2730 NW 31st, make sure you also check out the really cool Copper Brewing Vessels. You probably already saw a peek of them from the outside, but they are right there to your left when you walk into the tasting room.

Portland Brewing Company Taproom

The copper vessels were acquired all the way from Germany and Portland Brewing actively uses them in their brewing during their boiling part of the process.
Portland Brewing Co Taproom Copper Brewing Vessels, acquired all the way from Germany and actively used by Portland Brewing in the boiling part of the brewing process! Portland Brewing Co Taproom Copper Brewing Vessels, acquired all the way from Germany and actively used by Portland Brewing in the boiling part of the brewing process! Portland Brewing Co Taproom Copper Brewing Vessels, acquired all the way from Germany and actively used by Portland Brewing in the boiling part of the brewing process!

I also got a little tour of the brewing facility narrated by none other than Portland Brewing head brewer Ryan Pappe himself, so I got a better look at the Copper Brewing Vessels being used and the super cool controls for the vessels. How sci fi steampunk awesome are these!!

If you’d like a look yourself, Portland Brewing does free brewery tours every Saturday from 12pm – 3pm with three complimentary samples of beer and a PBC bottle opener, but you have to be wering closed toed shoes and they will also have you wear those stylish goggles you see Ryan modeling.
Portland Brewing Co Taproom Copper Brewing Vessels, acquired all the way from Germany and actively used by Portland Brewing in the boiling part of the brewing process! Portland Brewing head brewer Ryan Pappe tells us the details Portland Brewing Co Taproom Copper Brewing Vessels, acquired all the way from Germany and actively used by Portland Brewing in the boiling part of the brewing process!

While at the Portland Brewing Taproom, besides the handful of Portland Brewing beers (including possible experimental recipes only available at the Taproom), you will also be able to try some beers from Pyramid Breweries who purchased it and dubbed it “MacTarnahan’s Brewing Company” for a while until Pyramid was purchased and last year MacTarnahan’s Brewing Company returned to the original Portland Brewing name of today.

Whatever the history, the end result is that combined with the Pyramid beer and Portland Brewing beer there are more than a dozen beers for you to try here! The Portland Tasting Room is also a restaurant so feel free to linger here for a bite to eat. The menu suggests beer pairings with several dishes, and if you come for happy hour (3PM – 6PM and 9 PM – close, daily!) there are a dozen bites $5 or less for you to enjoy, and also a handful of desserts also $5 or less.

Other specials they have on their Event Calendar include getting a burger &  fries and pint of beer for $10 every Wednesday, getting a free Portland Brewing pint glass when you buy a pint of beer on Tuesdays, and on Sundays kids 12 and under get a free kids meal with purchase of an adult dinner AND they have live music every Sunday in July, and more! Next weekend on July 19 Portland Brewing is also doing a mini festival of Oregon Honey Beer.

This taproom is such a hidden gem.

For extra credit, consider visiting tomorrow, Friday July 11, which is when Portland Brewing Taproom will be doing an Outdoor Movie Night! The movie starts at 9pm and they will be showing “Beerfest” will be on the big screen. There will also be Raffles, Prizes, and Beer and German Food Specials. Of course you can get some Portland Brewing ZigZag River Lager in your glass too.
consider visiting tomorrow, Friday July 11, which is when Portland Brewing Taproom will be doing an Outdoor Movie Night! The movie starts at 9pm and they will be showing Beerfest on the big screen. There will also be Raffles, Prizes, and Beer and German Food Specials. Of course you can get some ZigZag River Lager in your glass too.  The $5-10 suggested donation will benefit CASA for Children Multnomah and Washington Counties, aka Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children who advocate for the children who have been abused or neglected and are going through the trauma of the court system and foster care system.  So you'll be enjoying beer, having a good time, and contributing to TWO WORTHWHILE CAUSES at once.

The $5-10 suggested donation will benefit CASA for Children Multnomah and Washington Counties, aka Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children who advocate for the children who have been abused or neglected and are going through the trauma of the court system and foster care system.

So you’ll be enjoying beer, having a good time, and contributing to TWO WORTHWHILE CAUSES at once.

I hope to see you raising a glass or bottle of Portland Brewing ZigZag River Lager this month!

Disclosure: This tasting of the beer at the Portland Brewing Brewery Day Celebration was complimentary, but I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment of all products and experiences I may be given and I have visited them before this event and will certainly be visiting them again in the future. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own.

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