HOOD RIVER — In the Columbia River Gorge, beer flows as mightily as the waters that carve it. Craft breweries define a thriving tourist economy built on leisure, recreation and community, with nearby beer havens Portland, Seattle and Bend keeping the hops growing and the alcohol pouring. You might think the industry is thriving, even expanding, as brewmasters continue to innovate with flavor and fun.
Breweries from around the state will celebrate Oregon’s craft beer scene with the 12th annual Zwickelmania Saturday, Feb. 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Breweries will be opening their doors to the public with tours, tastings, meet-the-brewer sessions, and free samples.
Later this month, beer enthusiasts will be able to get “behind the scenes” at numerous Oregon breweries, including two right here in The Dalles. In February, breweries will participate in the ninth annual “Zwickelmania,” a craft beer celebration sponsored by the Oregon Brewers Guild, a nonprofit trade association representing the state’s independent breweries.
Breweries in the Gorge (B.I.G.) holds the first “Holiday Hangover Brew Fest” Jan. 14 at the Elks Lodge in downtown Hood River — got to say this: weather permitting.
“The area has this sense of raw abundance, with thriving farms and orchards. It’s all so close. Then, when you hit Hood River, there’s an interesting mixture of forward-thinking people. And so much good beer.”
