Portland Spoke – The Official Blog of Travel Portland

First came microbrews and Willamette Valley wines; today, Portland is also the epicenter of the craft distilling movement.

The Great American Distillers Festival (Oct. 19-20), now in its eighth year, will attract more than 50 small-batch spirit makers to Portland’s Tiffany Center for a weekend full of wet whistles. Friday night’s cocktail competition lifts everyone’s spirits as bartenders use bottles featured at the event to mix up holiday libations. And over the two days, the event overflows with seminars and tastings — not to mention plenty of handcrafted hootch. A one-day pass to the event costs $15 and comes with five taster tickets, while the two-day pass provides 10 tickets and costs $25.

The annual mixer is a great warm-up for Portland Cocktail Week (Oct. 21-25), an industry event that attracts professional bartenders from around the country to Portland’s lively hotels and bars; evening events let consumers get in on the fun. This year’s schedule is in the works, so check their website for updates.

Lining up in the dark to wrestle crazed shoppers for discounted socks and tree trimmings? No thanks. I’ll be sleeping in on “Black Friday” and then peacefully counting the days until Dec. 12.

That Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m., House Spirits will host its annual Holiday Booze Bazaar — a chance to shop for the tastiest gifts ever, in the form of offerings from a range of local distillers, as well as local cheesemakers and charcutiers. This year’s bazaar is extra-special, because it’s also the official debut of House Spirits’ new whiskey. Add in food carts and a circus tent (?!), and this is definitely the holiday shopping event I’m holding out for. And I have a feeling Santa will be there to pick up a bottle or two for me, too.

Lucy Brennan behind the bar at Mint/820

Note: This is the third in a series of posts about Portland’s craft spirits movement.

The beautiful truth is that many, many Portland bars and restaurants serve locally distilled spirits. Blame it on our local pride and dedication to supporting the “little guy.” Here’s a quick guide to a few of my favorite spots for cocktails mixed with local spirits. If you’d like to recommend others, please add them in the “Comments” section.

Far more than an average hotel restaurant, The Heathman Bar and Restaurant is widely respected for its French Northwest cuisine (available at a deep discount during the recently extended happy hour). The James Beard award-winner helped establish Portland’s reputation as an “eat local” mecca. The Heathman applies the same philosophy to their cocktail list (PDF), employing more than 20 Oregon spirits in drinks — both classic and cutting-edge — that incorporate fresh, local flavors. Try the summer special, Grapes of Wrath, made of pressed Willamette Valley red grapes, fresh lime, sugar and Sub Rosa Tarragon Vodka. (more…)

Note: This is the second in a series of posts about Portland’s craft spirits movement.

House Spirits' Apothecary Tasting Room (image courtesy of House Spirits)

Clear Creek may have a head start of almost 20 years, but relative newcomer House Spirits Distillery is rapidly making a name for itself. Brewers Lee Medoff and Christian Krogstad established House Spirits in 2002, producing the Russian-style Medoyeff Vodka. Next came Aviation Gin, with its distinctive flavor profile, redolent of lavender flowers. Aviation was created to be mixed into cocktails (unlike many of the craft spirits, which are best appreciated on their own). The House boys got it right, because, following its 2006 introduction, Aviation rapidly took its place behind almost every Portland bar, and continues to star in many signature drinks around town. (more…)

Note: This is the first in a series of posts about Portland’s craft spirits movement.

Clear Creek Distillery's Pear-in-the-bottle Brandy (image courtesy of Clear Creek)

Let it never be said that I’m not willing to suffer for my art — when I started working on Travel Portland’s “Liquid Assets” media kit (dedicated to all the beverages we Portlanders create, drink and love), I made it my mission to become the staff expert on locally distilled spirits. Tough job, I know, but somebody has to do it! (And it’s sure as heck not going to be this guy. Not while I’m on duty.)

Anyway, through my thorough and dedicated research, I’ve tasted lots of good stuff, and discovered a few of the best places around town to meet the distillers, learn how they make their products, and — most importantly — sample and procure said products. (more…)