North American Organic Brewers Festival in Portland

With the motto to "Drink Organic, Save the Planet, One Beer at a Time," the North American Organic Brewers Festival will host its eighth annual event from 29 June 2012 to 01 July 2012 at Portland's Overlook Park. More than 18,000 beer lovers are expected to gather at the event, billed as the most earth-friendly beer festival in the USA, the organisers report. (Picture: a former edition of the festival)
 

Designed to raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living, the festival serves up more than 60 organic beers and cider from 39 different breweries. There's also live local music, organic food, sustainability-oriented vendors and non-profits, a soda garden with complimentary Crater Lake Root Beer for minors and designated drivers, and a children's area with face painting and activities. "While this is a beer festival, we're also raising awareness about the environment," explained director Craig Nicholls. "Events generate a lot of waste, and we're doing our part to minimise that. Last year, we kept nearly 90 % of the waste generated from going into the landfill through recycling and composting efforts, and this year we're striving for an even better rate."

Festival attendees sample beer from reusable and compostable cornstarch glasses made from domestically grown corn by a zero-waste, solar-powered company. Onsite composting and recycling stations are provided for festival waste and are supervised by recycling experts. Food vendors are required to use compostable cutlery and plates and employ sustainable practices. Electricity needs are met with a combination of biodiesel and solar generators. Volunteers wear organic cotton and hemp t-shirts, and all event signage is reusable.

North American Organic Brewers Festival