When is the NAOBF held?
The NAOBF is always held the last weekend in June (This year it is June 27 – 30).
What does it cost to attend?
Admission into the event is free. The purchase of a $6 reusable, compostable cornstarch glass is required for tasting beer, as are tokens, which sell for $1 apiece. A full glass of beer costs four tokens and a four-ounce taste costs one token (select beers cost double tokens). Patrons receive a $1 discount toward the tasting glass with one of the following: a validated Tri-Met ticket, a ticket from the on-site fenced bike corral, or three cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank.
Where is the NAOBF held?
The NAOBF is held at Portland’s beautiful Overlook Park at the intersection of N Fremont St and Interstate Ave in North Portland.
How do I get to Overlook Park?
Festival attendees are encouraged to use the MAX, walk, or bike to the event to reduce the carbon-impact of the event. There is No Parking provided for this event. Show your validated Tri-met ticket, Bike Parking Ticket, or three cans of food (preferably organic) for $1 off your biodegradable cornstarch Tasting Cup.
Is there a place to park my bike?
Ride your bike and park it in the Hopworks Bike Corral, where volunteers from Rotary Cycling 2 Serve will watch over your wheels while you savor some of the country’s best organic brews. Bicycle parking is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Donations will benefit Rotary International’s “End Polio Now” efforts to eradicate polio worldwide.
What’s the closest Tri-Met line?
Take MAX – Yellow Line (Portland’s Light Rail System):
The Interstate MAX/Yellow Line “Overlook Park” Station is directly across from Overlook Park and is the second stop from the Rose Quarter transit mall, heading North. Use the Tri-Met website for directions from your door to Overlook Park (1301 N. Fremont St. Portland, OR 97227).
If You Must Drive
Please Drink Responsibly and bring a Designated Driver. Also please be aware that there is No Parking provided for this event, making responsible transportation choices the easiest way to reach the event.
Northbound from Interstate 5:
- Take Exit 303 (Swan Island) and proceed over viaduct to first light.
- Turn left and proceed .3 miles on Interstate Avenue.
- As you search for a parking spot please be respectful of the parks neighbors.
Southbound from Interstate 5:
- Take Exit 303 (Swan Island).
- At first stop sign (Alberta Street) turn right.
- At first light (Interstate Avenue) turn left and proceed .5 miles.
- As you search for a parking spot please be respectful of the parks neighbors.
DO NOT park in Kaiser Permanente parking lots or parking garages; you will be ticketed!
Where can I find parking?
There is NO PARKING provided for this event. DO NOT park in Kaiser Permanente parking lots or parking garages; you will be ticketed. Please be considerate of the neighborhood when parking for the event – these people live here and are generous enough to allow us to host this event every year.
Overlook Park is big – where is the main entrance?
The Main entrance is on the South side of the park
Is there a line to get in?
Possibly, depending on the time of day. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) requires us to check the identification of all who enter the festival to ensure they are of proper drinking age. So if you want the entry line to move quickly, you can help. Have your ID ready, and make sure it is one of three acceptable types in the state of Oregon.
What is appropriate identification to get in?
No matter what your age, please be prepared to show proper identification as proof of age in order to gain access to the festival. Valid ID includes a valid state driver license with a photo; a valid ID card issued by a state with photo, name, date of birth and physical description; a valid passport; or a valid United States military identification card. We are unable to accept any foreign driver’s license (with the exception of Canada). Note that the identification cannot be expired at the time of the festival.
Can I bring my child?
YES! If you are a parent and want to bring your child to the festival with you, this is allowed and encouraged. Children aged 20 and under will only be admitted with parents. Guardians – including boyfriends, girlfriends, cousins, etc. are not acceptable.
Can I bring someone under the age of 21 as my designated driver?
No, our OLCC license only allows for minors when accompanied by a parent.
Can I bring my pet?
Animals are not allowed on the festival site except for service animals while performing their qualifying services. If you bring an animal that does not qualify, you will be asked to remove the animal. Thanks for understanding!
Is the event ADA accessible?
The NAOBF is located close to accessible public transportation (immediately on a MAX Light Rail stop on N Interstate Ave). An accessible paved route is available from the public transportation stop to the event; there is also accessible paved parking available with ADA tags on Fremont St – however, these are first come, first serve, so we cannot guarantee availability. There is an accessible paved route from the parking area to the activities.
The event takes place in a grassy park with no pavement. There are no stairs or steps to navigate within the park. There are accessible ADA restrooms available. For the beer, there is accessible ADA service available and marked at each of the beer trailers with beer runners provided to get beers. Food and other beverage options are located on an accessible route, and all self-service items are available from a seated position. We have accessible tables that provide knee space, and companion seating is available in the same area.
Can I bring my own tasting cup?
There are no other cups allowed at the festival. If you wish to sample beer, you must purchase the official tasting cup on sight.
How do the tasting cups and tokens work?
In order to consume beer at the NAOBF, you must have a current year’s tasting cup. These compostable cornstarch cups cost and are good throughout the event weekend, so if you’re going to return, be sure and bring your cup with you.
Once you have purchased your tasting cup, it will cost you tokens to get it filled. Beer servers do not accept cash. Tokens cost $1 each and it takes four tokens to fill your cup, or one token for a taste(certain beers may cost more).
Tokens are non-refundable, but may be used at future festivals. There is only one token/cup sales booth in the festival, located just inside the south (main) entrance.
Does the NAOBF accept credit cards or checks?
The festival is cash only.
Is there an ATM on site?
Yes, they are located near the token sales area.
What time do taps close?
Taps close at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and at 5 p.m. on Sunday. That means no more beer is poured after those times. You can hang out for a little while after that, but security will do a sweep about one-half hour after the taps close asking you to leave.
Will any of the beers run out?
We may run out of a beer on one of the days and depending on stock and what hour the festival is at, we will not put another keg on until the next day. We order accordingly for the festival.
Is there any food on site? Can I pay with tokens?
There are on-site food vendors offering a number of organic options. These restaurants do accept cash but DO NOT accept tokens.
Smoking?
Smoking is allowed on-site only in designated areas.
How can I book a hotel room?
http://www.travelportland.com/visitors/index-lodging.html
I have a food cart, can I be at the festival?
We are full and are not accepting any more applications for food vendors for the 2013 event.
Are you accepting craft/commercial vendors?
We are full and are not accepting any more applications for onsite vendors for the 2013 event.
I’m a musician, how can I play the event?
Please contact our stage coordinator, music at naobf.org
Don’t see the answer to your question here? Email [email protected]