The Eugene area’s largest beer event is back! KLCC Brewfest hasn’t happened since February of 2020, when the specter of the pandemic was barely darkening our doors. This year, the Lane Events Center hosts the fest again on February 10-11, with 80+ breweries and over 200 beers to sample, plus live music.

In the Brewfest tradition, the local brewery collaboration and homebrew competition add extra dimension to the radio station’s biggest fundraising event. There are some changes to the fest this year, with the notable absence of the record sale and the adoption of a code of conduct.

As in years past, Eugene’s brewing community put their heads together for an engaging collaboration booth, which will have its own cozy corner of the fest at Viking Braggot Company’s mobile tap trailer. A few brewers will always be on hand to answer questions and clink glasses.

Always bucking the trend, this year’s theme is “Classic Styles.” Nope, no smoothie sours, and I daresay the brewers are fine with that. This is the first year for Arable Brewing, Drop Bear, Xicha, and Coast Fork (from Cottage Grove) to participate in the fest. Here’s the list of collaborations, with the hosting brewery listed first:

-Plank Town / Alesong / The 3 Legged Crane – Record Sale Saison
-Gratitude / Arable / Claim 52 / Sunriver – Sasquatch Hunters Alliance Porter
-McMenamin’s High Street / Manifest / Cascade Brewers Society – From Mars with Love Stout
-Viking / ColdFire / Drop Bear – Blind Duck IPA
-Falling Sky / Hop Valley / Coast Fork – Hygge Schaka Pilsner
-Covered Bridge / McKenzie / Xicha – Ahora Si Dunkel
-Ninkasi / Oakshire / The Wheel – Ice Raptor American Barleywine

For the first time, KLCC is hosting a VIP Learning Lounge. Available to all fest-goers, this is an opportunity to “connect with people advancing craft beer in Oregon.” VIP speakers include Dana Garves (Oregon Brew Lab), Tim Shaner (poet and author of Noch Ein at the Stein), Matt van Wyk (Alesong), Christina La Rue (Exec. Director, Oregon Brewers Guild), Ricardo Antúnez (Chef, Xicha Brewing), Chiefs Brew House, and Teri Fahrendorf (Pink Boots Society, etc.)

The Homebrew Competition awards will be announced by Tripp Sommer at 5pm on Friday 2/10.

There is only one brewery missing from the fest and collaboration – Elk Horn Brewery could not find a brewery to partner with, likely due to the business owner’s welcoming a Proud Boys gathering, initiating a derogatory anti-homeless campaign, and eroding the respect and trust of their former brewers and the local beer community. He even issued a call for help finding a collaborator on Facebook (which was deleted within hours). That inexplicably didn’t work out, and the business eventually dropped out of the fest entirely. Who needs that nonsense at a fun, welcoming community event, anyhow?

On with the show!

February 3

Oakshire’s Dark Days of February
Taproom release of four dark and delicious beers: Hellshire XII, Heart Shaped Box 2023, Overcast Café: Mexican Mocha, and Visit Munich Doppelbock

Alesong – Winter Blender’s Circle Release

Claim 52 Kitchen, 3pm – Fluffier Hazy Double IPA, Thicc: Blueberry Pie Release

February 5

The Bier Stein – Brunch in Hell w/ Oakshire SOLD OUT

February 6

Alesong on 5th, 2/6-2/9 – Winter Club Release Pairings (for Blender’s Circle Members)

PublicHouse – through February 12 – Inaugural Bourbon Street Fest
This event will feature 7 days of New Orleans-style food specials, Bourbon Street cocktails, specialty Bourbon Barrel-Aged Beers and Bourbon Street Inspired live music. Bourbon Street is known for some of the most delicious tastes, and our teams at PublicHouse are putting together flavors that will transport you right to the Heart of the French Quarter.

February 8

Oakshire Inspires: Independent Environments, Inc.
Join us on Wednesdays as we donate $1/pint to a local nonprofit

Feb 10-11 – KLCC Brewfest

When: Friday, February 10th & Saturday, February 11th, 2023
Where: Lane Events Center in Eugene | 796 W. 13th St.
Why: To raise our glasses and funds for KLCC. Brewfest is our largest fundraising event!

TICKETS
Click here to purchase tickets to KLCC Brewfest.
Advance Ticket Prices (Admission includes souvenir glass and two beer tickets)
Single day – $20
Two day – $30
Designated Driver – $10

At the Door Ticket Prices (Admission includes souvenir glass and two beer tickets)
Single day – $25
Two day – $35
Designated Driver – $10

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER
This event is only possible because of our volunteers! To learn more and register as a volunteer, please fill out the Volunteer Registration Form or email us at brewfestvolunteers@klcc.org. Thank you!

Are you a beer industry events coordinator? Make sure your events are listed here, click the Contact link!