Obviously, these drink focused events are on our list, but this year we’re even more excited than usual. Two of the Drink Tanks this year explore products that have been maligned in the past, but have grown in acceptance and popularity in recent years.

The Aperitifs Ascendant celebrates the rapidly growing world of artisanal vermouths with a panel of experts, including Ryan Magarian, father of Aviation Gin and bar manager at Oven & Shaker and Hamlet; Paul Clarke of Imbibe Magazine; Kate Bolton, one of our favorite new Portland bartenders; and a few others.

 

The Day of Daiquiri explores, unsurprisingly, the Daiquiri, one of Portland’s favorite cocktails, and for good reason. The panel of four will focus on the history, recipes, and reasons for why this drink is so adored and includes the inimitable Mike Shea, whose Rum Club helped introduce the drink to a new generation of fans.

 

Other fun Drink Tanks include a beer vs wine challenge, a look at Washington state wines, a cider forum, and a discussion about Oregon hoppy beers and the current trends of IPAs.

 

New to Feast 2016 are the fun sized events! These aren’t as big as the five main events, but are larger than the Drink Tank. Of these, Peace, Love, and Cocktails is what’s exciting us most.  A dream team of bartenders and distillers will discussing the craft, making drinks, and hanging out, while food is provided by chefs from Nostrana, Oven & Shaker, and Hamlet.

 

Another exciting Fun Sized Event for drinkers is the Cocktail Crawl: Drink Like a Pro. If you find yourself at all intimidated by increasingly arcane cocktail menus, or if you just want to go on a crawl to some of PDX’s best cocktail bars, this is your event. Join Bon Appétit editors for a tour of Downtown Portland’s wild cocktail scene and learn more about how to read and order from one of those menus. Stops include some of the best cocktail bars in Portland: Shift Drinks, Pepe Le Moko, Teardrop Lounge, and the Green Room at the Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library.

The only two-day event, The Grand tasting on Friday, September 16 and Saturday, September 17 is the foundation of Feast. This is where some of the most talented and influential chefs, artisans, and taste-makers gather to show off their products. It’s also an opportunity for winemakers around Oregon and Washington; both days see dozens of participating wineries, and tickets to the Grand Tasting gives you access to all of them. You could spend the entire afternoon simply sampling the different pinot noirs offered. We don’t suggest sampling them all unless you’re ready to bus home afterwards and pass out.