Oregon has a long affinity with whiskey. Even before Prohibition became national law, Oregon was considered a “dry state,” allowing an infrastructure of underground distilling to become well established by the time the Eighteenth Amendment rolled around.

(Luckily) Prohibition didn’t last forever, and almost immediately after the repeal, the legitimate business of Hood River Distilling opened in 1934, and went on to become one of the largest distributors, producers, and importers of distilled goods in the state.

82 years later, our love of whiskey hasn’t diminished a bit. Case in point: Portland's Luna Foundation will host its second annual charity event, Whiskeyfest NW, this weekend, May 9-10. The spirited party will take over Block 15 at NW 11th Ave & NW Overton St for two days of all things whiskey.

This year’s festival features over 150 labels, a “secret” VIP library presented by the Multnomah Whiskey Library, food from the likes of Pok Pok, Ataula, Bunk, Pacific Pie, and Olympic Provisions, live music from Boy & Bean the Freak Mountain Ramblers, and a mechanical bull named Tipsy. Saturday will also feature a cocktail competition pitting some of the greatest bartenders in the city against each other. Proceeds from the festival will go to benefit the Oregon Active Foundation, which provides Adventure Therapy for people with disabilities. We'll drink to that! 

Leading up to the event, PDX Whiskey Week will feature whiskey tastings and pairing dinners around town:

• May 3 – Hall Street Grill // Kentucky Bourbon Dinner Get Tix!
• May 4 – BRIX Tavern // Whiskey Brunch Get Res!
• May 5 – Clyde Common // Nikka Japanese Whisky Dinner Get Tix!
• May 6 – Smallwares // Japanese Whisky Dinner Get Tix!
• May 7 – Morton’s // Scotch Whisky Dinner Get Tix!
• May 8 – Simpatica // Sazerac Whiskey Dinner Get Tix!

More details available at the Whiskeyfest NW website.