Since 2015, I’ve created & produced “niche beer festivals.” Since 2021, I’ve been hired to create events for breweries, beer halls, and beer clubs. And I’m available for private events including beer dinners and educational tastings. (I can talk your team’s ears off about many, fun facets of beer while simultaneously leading a tasty tasting panel). Grand Craft Beer has curated tatings/events for groups from 4 to 74. Curious? Contact me.
Grand Craft Beer is also the name of Bend’s premiere/only beer podcast. Find the latest episodes here.
Upcoming public events:
May 11, 2024: The 8th Annual Baker’s Dozen Fest in Portland returns to its birthplace, Culmination Brewing, and as always will feature 13 brewers. 13 roasters. 13 bakers.
April 6, 2024: The World On Tap, at On Tap-Bend, celebrates worldwide beer styles, international cuisine, and a global sugar shack with chances to win travel $100 vouchers.
Stay tuned for returning and debuting beer experiences including the return of Flannel Fest (Feb 2024), The Rural Brewer, something smashing, something bringing you the world on tap, and a major update to Kriekfest.
Past Events:
February 3, 2024: Flannel Fest celebrates two of winter’s best offerings: winter warmer beers and flannel. In addition to welcoming hundreds of guests, the event raises cash, clothing, and food for Bethlehem Inn sheltering homeless families.
Oct. 28, 2023: Beers From the Dead 2: Classic Microbrews back from the grave moved to On Tap (and the official kick-off event for Bend Ale Trail Month).
Oct. 14, 2023: Diff’rent Smokes: Rauchbier & BBQ Festival at GoodLife Brewing.
Sept. 9, 2023: Radler Fest, Inaugural Radler Fest (a radler is 50% beer, 50% soft drink, 100% delicious) und the German word for cyclist!). A 2 mile bike ride through Bend’s Brewers District) to enjoy $6 Sadler’s at 10 Barrel to Craft Kitchen & Brewery to Oblivion to Bridge 99 to Van Henion.
May 20, 2023: The 2nd Annual Baker’s Dozen-Bend returned to Silver Moon Brewing.
April 29, 2023: Every other holiday has been turned into a drinking event so why not celebrate ARBOR DAY by drinking tree beers–yes, beers made with ingredients foraged from trees–at The Ale Apothecary in Bend. First year and it sold out!
April 22, 2023: The 7th Annual Baker’s Dozen Fest in Portland was another sold-out success featuring, again, 13 brewers. 13 roasters. 13 bakers.
February 4, 2023: Flannel Fest celebrated two of winter’s best offerings: winter warmer beers and flannel. In addition to welcoming hundreds of guests, the event raised thousands in cash, clothing, and food for Bethlehem Inn sheltering homeless families.
October 29, 2022: Beers from the Dead, sponsored by Visit Bend and the Bend Ale Trail, revived beloved Oregon brands at Midtown Yacht Club
May 21, 2022: The inaugural Bend edition of Baker’s Dozen Fest at Silver Moon Brewing
March 22, 2022: 6th annual Baker’s Dozen Fest at John’s Marketplace in SE Portland.
Nov. 13, 2021 Diff’rent Smokes celebrates smoke beers–Rauchbiers–while benefitting the Central Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Assoc.
Quarterly, est’d 2019: “Beer Appreciation” and “Cider Appreciation” are tasting and educational classes now offered through Central Oregon Community College and open to the entire community (21+)
Sept 28, 2019: 3rd annual California Brew & BBQ
June 28, 2019: 4th annual Kriekfest now in Portland at Von Ebert Brewing-Glendoveer. And inaugural Kriekfest dinner! Featured 30+ Belgian and Oregon krieks–sour cherry beers (and some ciders, a sparkling cherry wine and a mead)–in the beautiful Columbia Valley Gorge amongst Hood Valley’s cherry orchards.
March 9, 2019: 5th Annual Baker’s Dozen Fest at Eclipse Brewing. A baker’s dozen breweries collaborating with a different, local coffee roaster along with morsels from 13 different doughnut shops.
July 27 October 6, 2018: 3rd annual Kriekfest now in Hood River, OR featured 30+ Belgian and Oregon krieks–sour cherry beers (and some ciders, a sparkling cherry wine and a mead)–in the beautiful Columbia Valley Gorge amongst Hood Valley’s cherry orchards.
March 11, 2018: 4th Annual Baker’s Dozen Fest at Eclipse Brewing. A baker’s dozen breweries collaborating with a different, local coffee roaster along with morsels from 13 different doughnut shops. The new, larger brewery venue means more elbow room and more room in case a button or zipper pops.
June 24, 2017: 2nd annual Kriekfest with Solera Brewery in Parkdale, OR. Thirty-plus Belgian and Oregon krieks–sour cherry beers (and some ciders and even a cherry wine imported from Denmark)–among the cherry orchards in the Mt. Hood River Valley.
May 27-28, 2017: City of Goses, celebrating sour, salted gose-style beers from Stumptown to Saxony. Hosted at Labrewatory, experience 30+ goses as part of the Portland Rose Festival’s first ever sanctioned beer fest.
March 11, 2017: 3rd Annual Baker’s Dozen Fest at Culmination Brewing. A baker’s dozen breweries collaborating with a different, local coffee roaster along with morsels from 13 different doughnut shops. New this year: a morning and an afternoon session.
Dec. 15, 2016: Once again, inspired by the European Christmas Markets in Belgium, Germany, and beyond, it’s again time to welcome this winter warmer tradition to Beervana. 2nd annual Glühbiers at Bazi.
Sept. 25, 2016: Beer for Breakfast in association with event host Great Notion Brewing. When a brewery excels at breakfast beers like Blueberry Muffin and Double Stack, it’s only natural we put together an a.m. event with a three-course brunch spread featuring 12 breakfast-themed beers, half house brewed and half guests.
July 23, 2016: 2nd annual The Rural Brewer Fest at Hawthorne Hophouse. Hit 13 of Oregon’s most off-the-beaten-path breweries all in one day by sampling a beer from each one. Many brewers on hand.
July 9, 2016: Kriekfest in collaboration with Solera Brewery in Parkdale. Enjoy Belgian and Oregon krieks–sour cherry beers (and some ciders)–among the cherry orchards in Parkdale in the Mt. Hood River Valley.
March 12, 2016: 2nd Annual Baker’s Dozen Fest at Culmination Brewing. A baker’s dozen breweries collaborating with a different, local coffee roaster along with morsels from 13 different doughnut shops.
Dec. 18, 2015: Inspired by the European Christmas Markets in Belgium, Germany, and beyond, it’s time to bring this winter warmer tradition to Beervana. Glühbiers at Bazi.
June 24, 2015: Both Laurelwood pubs are joining with Friends of Multnomah County Library for a book driving and fundraiser. Bring a book; get a beer. Join yours truly and many other Portland beer book authors. (I’ll be at the Southeast Sellwood location!) $1 from every book goes to FMCL.
July 23, 2015: In celebration of Oregon breweries located in towns of 10,000 or fewer people (and Oregon Breweries, my new guidebook), The Rural Brewer Fest takes place at Hawthorne Hophouse as part of PDX Beer Week. Hit 13 of Oregon’s most off-the-beaten-path breweries all in one day by sampling a beer from each one. Many brewers on hand replete with a jug band.
April 18, 2015: Brian Yaeger Presents Baker’s Dozen Fest during CBC- Coffee Beer, Coffee, & Doughnuts at Culmination Brewing.
March 14, 2015: Portland Craft beer bar in Vancouver, BC. Perfect place to sign books, eh.
Feb. 7, 2015: Oregon Breweries night at The Jug Shop (San Francisco) for SF Beer Week.
Jan. 17, 2015: Signing at Flat Tail Brewing in Corvallis. Author collab beer Wild Kumquat Wit!
Jan. 11, 2015: Who says there’s no such thing as a pFriem lunch? (Hood River.) Come in for tasty lunch and beers with the whole family at this family-friendly brewpub. Get your book signed by the author…or his kid.
Dec. 12, 2014: Book signing at Sixteen Tons in Eugene with an amazing all-Oregon taplist for the night including a pro/author collaboration by Oakshire, “Orange Mocha Frappuccin’Overcast.”
Dec. 6, 2014: Signing books at Belmont Station (SE Portland) from 1-3 on the patio.
Dec. 5, 2014: Speaking and signing at Powell’s City of Books. Join “Bend Beer” author Jon Abernathy and I for a lively discussion about Oregon suds then tag along on a pub crawl through the Pearl District. Can’t make it? Preorder a signed edition.
Dec. 3-4 & 7, 2014: Signing books at Portland’s 19th annual Holiday Ale Fest.
Dec. 1, 2014: Oregon Breweries book RELEASE PARTY @ BEER. There’ll be a couple rare beers on tap!
Brian Yaeger: Beer Writer 
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