Great American Distiller’s Festival Tips this Weekend
The 6th Annual Great American Distiller’s Festival (GADF) will be held October 23 and 24 at the Tiffany Center in NW Portland. 38 separate distilleries will pour more than 70 gins, vodkas, whiskeys and rums in a celebration of all things “spirited.”
Craft distillers from coast to coast will be attending, including Dry Fly Distilling from Spokane, WA; Kindred Spirits from Miami, FL; and Bullrun Distillery of Portland, OR. Festival Attendees will be able to meet the distiller and sample their products. As part of the Festival ticket price, attendees will be able to experience the 4th Annual Cocktail Invitational presented by the Oregon Bartender’s Guild and Imbibe Magazine. Thirty of the top bartenders from around the country will compete over two days for a $1000 prize sponsored by Tuthilltown Distillery. Second and Third prizes are sponsored by House Spirits and Bullrun Distillery. Included in the weekend’s events are seminars for distillers and tours of Portland distilleries. Seminar presenters include Bernie Kipp Alcohol Compliance Advisor; Japanese Whiskey distiller Yuri Kato, and former master distiller for Maker’s Mark, Dave Pickerell.
This year GADF will host the largest number of distillers and attendees to date, reflecting the growth of craft distilling in the United States and Oregon. Oregon is an established hotbed for craft breweries and wineries, and craft spirits are quickly becoming the third leg of the fermentation stool. Oregon boasts nearly two-dozen distilleries, with at least eight in Portland. Several Portland distilleries have made “distillery row” in South East Portland official by forming a nonprofit organization and offering tours of each distillery at particular hours. Following the trend, the American Distillers Insitute will also hold their annual conference in Portland this April. Sponsors for the 6th Annual Great American Distillers Festival include Oregon Distillers Guild, PCC Saxco, Rogue Spirits, Imbibe Magazine, The Westin, Sterling Coffee, and Glassco.
Tickets for the general public are available at the door. Ticket prices are $10.00 for a one-day pass, which includes three tasting tickets, and $16.00 for a two-day pass and six tasting tickets. The Tiffany Center is located at 1410 SW Morrison St. Portland, OR.
To view a complete schedule and register for the industry events visit: WWW.DISTILLERSFESTIVAL.COM.
