Fresh Hops and Cheese Get Festival Treatment

It's a good weekend for beer and cheese fans, as two separate food-focused block parties are scheduled for this Saturday in Portland.

The "Wedge: Portland Celebrates Cheese Festival," organized by the Oregon Cheese Guild, brings a farmer's market-like atmosphere to SE Belmont's Green Dragon between 10am and 4pm Saturday, with more than 35 vendors slicing up samples of local artisan cheese (full list of participants here). A suggested $5 entry fee benefits the guild's efforts, and guests can purchase take-home cuts of their favorite tastes. Also promised on-site: A grilled cheese bar hosted by Rogue Brewing, and four seminars designed to pair cheese with booze (both beer and spirits). More information available at the official website.

Meanwhile, Oaks Amusement Park plays host to the Portland Fresh Hop Tastival between noon and 8pm Saturday, with more than 40 Oregon breweries gathering for the outdoor celebration of their fresh-hop brews. Breweries will pour four-ounce tastes (no official list is available online, though this map may be a good indicator), with food provided by Sellwood cart Curbside Grill and Philadelphia’s Steaks and Hoagies. Admission to the event is free, with tasting packages starting at $10 (for a glass and two tickets; $15 gets a glass and seven tickets). More information available here.
· The Wedge [Official site]
· Fresh Hops Tastival [Official site]