FredFest 2007

This just in From Lisa Morrison, local beer goddess and all-around great person:

FredFest 2007 Promises Great Beer, Good Cheer

PORTLAND, Ore. - What started last year as a surprise 80th birthday party for world-renowned beer writer Fred Eckhardt is coming back around this year as a fundraiser to assist a longtime friend and supporter of the state's craft-beer community.

At least a dozen rare and unusual beers created by Oregon breweries will be featured at FredFest 2007. The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 12 at Hair of the Dog Brewing, 4509 SE 23rd Avenue in Portland.

The beer menu is still being firmed up, but organizer and beer wrangler Preston Weesner says he has been asking Oregon brewers to pony up something special for the event -- and many already have answered the call.

"I've just been telling them to share something that Fred would like," Weesner says.
Attendees will be treated not only to a selection of hand-selected beers, but also light fare including barbecue and snacks -- and a birthday cake for Eckhardt. Cheeses, chocolate, and even cereal will be on hand so attendees can experience some of Eckhardt's famed beer-and-food pairings.

Cost for the event is $20 in advance or $25 at the door and includes a souvenir glass. To get on the list for advance-purchase tickets, e-mail fredfest@comcast.net.

Eckhardt requested that proceeds from the event go to help longtime craft-beer supporter Merle Gilmore, who has been battling leukemia and faces astronomical medical and prescription bills. Gilmore has been an inexhaustible volunteer at beer fests and often assisted Hair of the Dog owner Alan Sprints in bottling and other duties around the brewery. He is well known for providing his specially made hot-pepper fudge for Eckhardt's beer-and-chocolate tastings, and hopes to have a couple of batches available for FredFest 2007.

When asked to choose a charity for this year's FredFest, Eckhardt suggested that the proceeds go to Gilmore.
"Let's keep it in the family," Eckhardt said.

Stay tuned for specifics on the beers as soon as more information is released.