Even though we’re entering fresh hop season with a slew of upcoming fresh hops festivals and events, this Saturday, September 8, Zoiglhaus Brewing in Portland is offering something different: its first ever Portland Lager Festival. While “lager” is a broad topic, stylistically speaking, it seems to me to be a great choice going into the changing of the seasons; still warm enough for crisp, cool pilsners and helles lagers, but the cooler evenings speak to bocks and Märzens.

The event takes place from noon to 8pm and looks like it will be a great time; here are the basics:

Craft Lagers are all the rage and we couldn’t be more excited. Join us in the Pop-Up Beer Garden next to the brewery where we’ll be pouring OVER THIRTY lagers from all over Portland and beyond!!

Admission Info
~ Entry into the event is FREE, that means no charge for DD or kids
~ If you want to drink you need to get a wristband at the door and purchase a ticket package
~ $20 gets you a limited edition glass plus TEN drink tickets good for a 4oz pour each (price goes up at the door so snag yours early!!)
~ Additional drink tickets and food will be available for purchase.
~ 12pm – 4pm: All Ages
~ 4pm-8pm: 21+

Raffle Info
~ Every brewery will be featuring a gift basket for the raffle. Super cool swag like hats, shirts, tackers, and more! Raffle tickets will be $1 and 100% of proceeds will go to benefit National Brain Tumor Society.

I’ll just say it: there aren’t enough lagers at most beer festivals, at least in Oregon/the Northwest, so I’m happy to see this taking place. It joins Occidental Brewing’s annual winter Humbug Lager Fest in bringing a refreshing change of pace to the brewfest scene. I suppose you could count Oktoberfest as a lager festival (or many festivals), though this typically focuses on only a small subset of traditional fest lager styles.

I would hope there is a wide variety of lagers on offers on Saturday. Here is the list of participating breweries (though I haven’t seen a beer list):

• Migration Brewing Company
• Ordnance Brewing
• Wayfinder Beer
• Bent Shovel Brewing
• Sasquatch Brewing Company
• Pono Brewing
• Heater Allen Brewing
• Breakside Brewery
• Zoiglhaus Brewing Company
• StormBreaker Brewing
• Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
• West Coast Grocery Company
• Binary Brewing
• Ex Novo Brewing
• Level Beer
• Rosenstadt Brewery
• Klosterbrauerei Andechs
• Ancestry Brewing
• Ecliptic Brewing
• 54-40 Brewing Co
• pFriem Family Brewers
• Modern Times PDX
• Widmer Brothers Brewing
• Old Town Brewing
• Gigantic Brewing Company
• Upright Brewing
• Little Beast Brewing
• Oakshire Brewing Company

Drink packages are available online now for $20, and will cost $25 at the door.

Zoiglhaus is turning the Fest into a community event as well, with a mini flea market, family-friendly events, a comedy showcase, games, and more. All in all this looks like a great event and well worth your time.