For fans of quality craft beer, there may be no finer time of year than September and October.
End-of-summer hop harvests lead to tap lists laden with fresh-hop beers and a calendar that's chock-full of local Oktoberfest celebrations: You'll find most breweries churning out smooth-drinking seasonal lagers, including dunkels, Märzens, and more. (And, of course, pumpkin beers have their fans.)
So if you're looking to enjoy the seasonal bounty—whether at a local Oktoberfest celebration, broader beer festival, or local biergarten—here's a guide to making the most of fall throughout the Willamette Valley.
When: 11am-8pm Sun. and Thurs., 11am-9pm Fri.-Sat. through October 2023
Where: TopWire Hop Project, 8668 Crosby Road NE, Woodburn
In 1900, Albert Crosby planted his first hops on a plot of land near Woodburn; more than 120 years later, his company—Crosby Hop Farm—remains a leader in local hop production.
In 2020, the farm opened TopWire Hop Project—a summertime beer garden where visitors can hang out in the midst of a hop field while sipping brews crafted from ingredients grown on that very farm. Learn more about TopWire Hop Project and the history of growing hops in the Willamette Valley.
When: 12-7 p.m. Sept. 23, 2023
Where: Wilsonville Old Church & Pub, 30340 S.W. Boones Ferry Rd., Wilsonville
Every year, farmers pick hops at the peak of freshness and, within 24 hours, brewers incorporate those crops into new ales and lagers. The resulting brews are called fresh-hop beers, typically boasting notes of citrus and pine—and only available for a few short weeks each summer and fall.
This year, enjoy 10 fresh-hop beers from McMenamins at the second annual Fresh-Hopped Fest, which celebrates the annual tradition. Portland rock band MEEEB will perform at the event.
Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery is brewing two fresh-hop beers with Willamette Valley-grown Crosby Farm hops—and will also have special, Oktoberfest-inspired lagers on draft and in cans throughout September.
Enjoy it all on the brewery's outdoor "biergarten", featuring outdoor heaters, a fire pit, and a pellet stove for warmth—all surrounded by hop plants and views of the on-site hazelnut orchard.
Photo by Molly Bermea and courtesy of Visit Corvallis
2 Towns Ciderhouse celebrates yet another fall season with its annual Harvest Party on October 14, 2023, in Corvallis.
Visitors can choose among more than 55 craft beverages on tap—including cider, cocktails, hard tea, seltzer, and more—while enjoying live music, fresh fare from local food trucks, cidery tours, and other fun attractions (like a photo booth and raffle).
To celebrate the changing season, Block 15 Brewing will host its Blocktoberfest event on Oct. 6-7, 2023, in the heart of downtown Corvallis.
Admission to the weekend-long festival includes live music, German-style beer from Block 15, games and contests, German fare and cuisine from local food carts. It all takes place under a tent to protect festival-goers from the elements.
Photo by Isabella Medina and courtesy of Visit Corvallis
The Vintages Trailer Resort, home to 36 fully restored travel trailers in Dayton, is hosting its first-ever Oktoberfest on Friday evenings throughout October 2023.
As part of the fun, overnight guests can enjoy pours from local craft breweries (including McMinnville's Heater Allen Brewing) from 5-7 p.m. on Fridays all month long in the resort's private clubhouse.
