Start the holidays off right with the 20th annual Holiday Ale Festival at the Pioneer Courthouse Square. This 5-day festival runs from December 2-6. Get into the holiday spirits at this outdoor festival under a clear top tent with gas heaters that create a cozy, festive atmosphere under one of the city’s largest decorated Christmas trees.

One of the festival’s highlights is actually at the end of the event. The Sunday Beer Brunch takes place on December 6 from 11 AM to 1 PM upstairs at the Sky Bar Tent. The brunch features a special European-style food menu and includes a lineup of exclusive beers that won’t be found anywhere else. Tickets for the brunch are on sale now. Check the festival’s website for the food and menu list.

Tickets to the festival are $35 per person in advance and include a souvenir mug and 14 beer tickets for tastings. Additional beer tickets can be purchased for $1 each during the festival. Also, guests are allowed to re-enter the event all five days of the festival as long as they have the current year’s tasting mug and still have their wristband on. Previous years’ mugs will not be filled. Tickets purchased at the door are also $35, but guests will only receive 12 beer tickets.

VIP tickets sold in advance will not only receive the souvenir mug, but will also receive 30 beer tickets, express entry for all five days of the festival (with wristband and current mug), a bottle of water, as well as access to VIP beer lanes, including limited release and lounge tappings, and special VIP-only Vintage Bottle/Draft selections. VIP tickets are $100 per person.

Designated Drivers in groups of two or more may purchase a Designated Driver entry for $10 at the door only. DD ticket holders will receive free non-alcoholic sodas courtesy of Crater Lake Sodas or bottled water for the duration of their stay. Keep in mind, any Designated Driver who tastes any alcohol will not only get kicked out of the event, but will also have that person’s entire group kicked out.

As always, the Holiday Ale Festival is proud to support Children’s Cancer Association, a non-profit Portland organization that works to improve the care and quality of life for seriously ill children and teens throughout Oregon. The festival gives 100% of the following proceeds directly to CCA and the festival will match these proceeds when the event is over. There are three ways guests can help contribute. Guests can use the Coat/Bag Check area for only $2 per item. Crater Lake, which is providing the root beer for Designated Drivers, will have a “tip” jar available with the money going to CCA. Non-designated drivers may purchase root beer for $1 a mug to contribute to the charity. Finally, the “Need Not Be Present to Win” Raffle will sell tickets for a variety of prizes, including beer and brewing items, restaurant gift cards, and sport memorabilia. One raffle ticket is $5 or purchase five tickets for $20.

The event runs from 11 AM to 10 PM Wednesday through Saturday, December 2-5, and from 11 AM to 5 PM on Sunday, December 6. Food will also be available for purchase during the event. The Westin Portland is offering special festival hotel rooms. Visit the website for more details. Pioneer Courthouse Square is located at 701 SW Sixth Ave.

Photo via Holiday Ale Fest

Add to Calendar 2015-12-02 11 AM 2015-12-02 10 PM 6 Its the Ho, Ho, Ho Holiday Ale Festival in Portland, Dec 2-6 Website: http://holidayale.com/index.php Pioneer Courthouse Square false YYYY-MM-DD
Event Date: 12/02,12/03,12/04,12/05,12/06
Event Time: 11 AM - 10 PM
Location: Pioneer Courthouse Square
Price: $35 GA, $100 VIP
Type: Beer,Food,Fundraiser,Prizes
Website: holidayale.com/index.php