Anniversaries are occasions to celebrate. Tuesday, May 8, local food and drink enthusiasts will raise several thousand glasses at Taste of the Nation Portland, as the city’s premier tasting event turns 25.

Jeld-Wen field is the home of the Portland Timbers and the raucous Timbers Army, but this event (created by national organization Share Our Strength), will feature a different variety of local spirit. Bridgetown’s most buzzworthy chefs, wineries, brewmasters and distillers will be on hand to chat and educate attendees on signature dishes and specialty sips. This 21+ party also features live music and a silent auction.

One might typically be tempted to feel guilty about such indulgence, but this event is as much about good deeds as is is about good drinks and eats. Proceeds benefit the Oregon Food Bank, Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, St. Vincent de Paul Food Recovery Program and Klamath-Lake Counties Food Bank, all of which work tirelessly to end childhood hunger in Oregon. Each ticket purchased also supports Share Our Strength’s efforts in eliminating childhood hunger.

General admission tickets are $85 each if purchased in advance online (they'll be $95 at the door as space allows); VIP admission ($135 or $145 at the door) grants ticketholders early entrance at 5:30 PM, and exclusive tastes from premium GEMS restaurants. LUXE tickets are $185, and provide the earliest access (5 PM), special parking, access to exclusive GEMS restaurants, and admittance to the Luxe lounge and interactive demos, which feature cooking demos and specialty cocktails. Quantities are limited at all price levels and sell-outs are common, so purchase soon.

We dare you to miss this event after scanning this prime list of participating local breweries, wineries and distilleries:

2012 Gem Wineries

Bergström Wines
Owen Roe
Sineann Wines

Wineries

Adelsheim Vineyard
Anne Amie Vineyards
Apolloni Vineyards
Ardiri Winery and Vineyards
Argyle Winery
Cana’s Feast Winery
Carlo & Julian Winery
Coleman Vineyard
Cooper Mountain Vineyard
Cristom Vineyards
Elk Cove Vineyards
llahe Vineyards & Winery
Lange Estate Winery & Vineyard
Le Cadeau Vineyard
Methven Family Vineyards
The Mitchell Wine Group
Montinore Estate
Oak Knoll Winery
PDX Urban Wineries
Torii Mor Winery
Vercingetorix - VX Vineyard
Willamette Valley Vineyards
Youngberg Hill Vineryards

Beer, Cider, and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Burnside Brewing Co.
Captured by Porches
Crater Lake Soda
Deschutes Brewery
DRY Soda Co.
Finnegan Cider
Full Sail Brewing Co.
Laurelwood Brewing Co
Oakshire Brewing Company
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Smith Teamaker
Volcanic Mineral Refresher
Widmer Brothers Brewing

Photos via Taste of the Nation by Andie Petkus Photography

Event Date: 05/08
Event Time: 6:30-9 PM
Location: Jeld-Wen Field
Price: $85-$185
Type: Beer,Food,Spirits,Wine
Website: www.portlandtaste.org