Mississippi Street Fair 2012

We had a great experience working at the Mississippi Street Fair last Saturday. It was our first time participating as a vendor. In previous years we hosted breakfast at our house for friends and then walked 4 blocks over to the main event. I will admit, I did miss meandering the street and checking out the sights, but it sure was nice to be under a canopy somewhat protected from the heat of the sun. However, this year’s weather was rather mild compared to the sizzling temperatures that are typically present. No matter how hot it gets though, people still flock to Mississippi Ave. for this special event. It’s definitely one of the best street fairs in Portland! Of course I’m bias, because I live in the neighborhood. Seriously though, with 275+ local vendors, an amazing food selection, great live music on five different stages and a craft beer garden you certainly can’t go wrong. Speaking of beer, since this supposed to be a blog about it, the craft beer garden was selling 16oz. brews for only $4! I was pleasantly surprised as I’m sure a lot of other people were. I was expecting Rose Garden prices.

$4, 16oz. Double Mountain
Vaporizer pre-crowd.

Our whole day was spent talking to our neighboring vendors and the attendees. Everyone was very nice, including the Mississippi Street Fair staff that would stop by every now and then to ask how things were going. Overall, it looked like it was another successful year of celebrating what the Mississippi Avenue neighborhood has to offer. The best part is that a portion of the event’s proceeds went to Boise-Eliot Elementary and the Boise Business Youth Unity Project.

My buddy Mark volunteered to help me out.  Thank
The Lord , and Mark of course!

The Rainier Beers stopped by to say hello with their owners.

First Annual Cans Fest Review

We thought we were going to be late for our volunteer shift at the first annual Cans Fest from unintentionally staying too long at The Mississippi Street Fair, but our lightning fast 3 and 5 speed bikes combined with fuel from The Whole Bowl and a pint of beer got us there with time to spare.  We arrived to be greeted by Jim Austin, the Cans Fest volunteer coordinator.  Jim took us inside the Guild Public House and gave us the 411.  Our task sounded easy enough and as it turned out it was.  We had to check for wrist bands and crack open cans. I will have to say, my right index finger is frickin’ huge now.  It received a great workout and now my other digits envy its size.  Opening cans can be dangerous work too as my lovely Eyeluvbeer assistant found out.  She received a minor cut from the mouth hole of 21^st Amendment’s, Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer. Maybe this guy was to blame?

The biggest feat that I personally accomplished while volunteering at the Cans Fest, was being able to refrain from drinking the beers that sit open in front of me.  Man was that hard.   The most enjoyable aspect of volunteering; the conversation with fellow beer fanatics.

My sexy beer wench serving it up!

Angelo from Brewbuplic enjoying Maui Brewing's, Flyin' HI.P.Hay

After our shift ended, we were rewarded with a tasting mug, (10) tickets and a Public Guild House can koozie.  Not bad I thought for pouring beers for a few hours.  As we headed out to taste, we crossed paths with the Natian Brew crew:  Ian, Natalia and their good friend Pete.  Ian and Natalia always make an appearance wherever their beer is flowing; whether at a festival or at a local pub.  I thought Natian made the Cans Fest even more entertaining by being the only brewery that offered a challenge. They had their lovely La Luz Summer Ale in both cans and in a keg.  For two dollars you got to partake in the taste-off challenge; a challenge that I failed.  I was not successful in determining the keg beer from the can beer.  However, as Ian said, as long as both beers went in my mouth, I was a winner.  Agreed!  My hot pants, supervisor passed the test with no problem…damn her!

The Fab 4: Pete, Wendy and Natian Brewers, Natalia and Ian

We also had the pleasure of meeting Spencer Gotter who is the head brewer at Fort George in Astoria (See our write up on Fort George here).  His dog Sasha actually introduced us.  Sasha is so darn cute.  I think we liked the dog better than Spencer!  Just kidding folks!  Spencer was awesome and we hope to see him and Sasha at future beer events.

Spencer, head brewer from Fort George and his
beautiful companion, Sasha

I was going to present you with a list of beers that I sampled, but that is pretty darn boring, plus I am beginning to realize that no beer is undrinkable (please do not mark my words).  Yes, some beers are better than others, but it all comes down to what one enjoys.

Overall, I think Jesse Cornett and the rest of the gang at the Guild Public House did an excellent job at hosting the Cans Festival.  I expected to see more people in attendance, but Portland’s summer weekends are always bustling with plenty of events. If you were not at the Cans Festival last Saturday, I highly recommend you stop by for what I am sure will be a regular July, Craft Beer Month event.

What to look for if cruising on Burnside.

Can display by:
The Cascade Breweriana Association
Beer Collectibles Club, Est. 1978

As I have said before, drummers rule! I think these guys
were The Eventuals

My view well relieving my bladder.