I’m a little disappointed that the event has the name NAOBF when OrBF is a great spoof of the traditional Oregon Brew Fest (OBF). But, besides the rain, that’s all I was disappointed with. The event was great fun, and the rain actually kept the crowds modest like the first Organic Brewers Fest a few years back. The quality of the beers seems to improving, though this year there were so many brewers and varieties that I can’t honestly say I had a full sampling.
Ella joined Scott, Stephanie, Joe, Lindsay and I for an afternoon of beer talk and exploration, and she seemed quite content given the less than ideal weather. In fact, her presence allowed me to engage with a few strangers, including one of the organizer’s mothers.
Christian Ettinger of the any-day-now Hopworks Urban Brewery was representing for his beer so we picked his brain about where they had brewed this surprise entry, the future lineup, organic ingredients and more. The graphic designer has done an excellent job with the banner and the business card Ella took was tasty.
I was really pleased with all of the IPAs which I sampled. I have to agree with Scott and Joe that Alameda’s El Toro was probably the finest of the bunch, but they were all quite good. The surprises I thought were Root’s Chocolate Habanero Stout, McMenamins’ Saison and the mead – the first I’d had which didn’t stink.
Each year this event has been at a different place, but the last two years were probably the nicest. I personally hope Overlook Park sticks as it’s proximity to my home and the atmosphere of the park were very pleasant. Until next year!
Good Times!