Locally made bikes, beer and music on tap for weekend festival

At this weekend’s Bike & Beer Fest, you can drink local beer while
getting to know local bike makers like Eric Estlund of Winter Bicycles.
(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)

What happens when you mash together two of Portland’s best fall bike events into one, big, blowout weekend party? The Handmade Bike & Beer Festival.

Event poster by Karl Edwards Studio.

Yes, the rumors are true: the Hopworks Urban Brewery Biketobeerfest and the Oregon Bicycle Constructors Association Handmade Bicycle Show have come together to form something far greater than the sum of its parts. It’s this weekend and it’s going to be an event you won’t want to miss.

First. There will be bikes. Handmade ones. Crafted by Portland’s excellent crop of bike makers, some of them you’ve probably heard of (like Ahearne Cycles and Breadwinner Cycles) and others who are in the exciting start-up phase (like Machine Cycles and Circa Cycles). In addition to drool-worthy bikes and the people who make them, there will be other bike-related vendors on hand (30 of them to be exact) to stoke your enthusiasm and dress up your existing rig.

And there will be beer. Lots of it. And not just from Hopworks — which we all love, especially here at BikePortland since they’re a long-time advertising partner (thank you!). Like Portland’s bike industry, Portland’s craft beer world is a tight-knit bunch that loves cross-promotion. At this event you’ll find beer from Ex-Novo, Deschutes, Gigantic, Grain Station, Logsdon, Pfriem, Widmer Bothers, and more. And they’ll even have two local cider varieties; Cider Riot! and Reverend Nat’s. Oh my!

How far can you throw a Huffy?

Titanium master Dave Levy of Ti Cycles gave live demonstrations at the 2009 event.

We all know beer goes better with food, so the HUB kitchen will be cooking up sausages, Taco Pedaler will be one hand, and Ruby Jewel Ice Cream will be there for your ice cream and treat cravings.

If beer and cider and yummy food doesn’t thrill you, how about kicking back and enjoying some great live music? There will be four bands spread over the weekend: The Israelites, There Is No Mountain, Bear Water Band, and Shake Up Bluegrass (previously Left Coast Country).

But wait! There’s more!

The Huffy Huck bike-throwing competition will thrill and amaze you, as will the insane moves of the Birth Break Dancers. Add in the Flatlanders BMX stunt crew and a tricycle obstacle course and you’ve got a sure-fire fun time.

After some rain this week, the forecast says it’ll be sunny and warmer on the weekend. There really is no excuse for not making the Bike & Beer Fest a part of your weekend plans.

Tickets are $10 for a basic entry pass, and there are other packages that include drink tickets and official event merch. You can buy tickets, consider volunteering, and learn more about the event on the official website.

See you there!