Cider Summit PDX returns to Portland June 16 & 17

Region’s largest cider tasting festival kicks off Oregon Cider Week

The seventh annual Cider Summit PDX, the region’s largest hard cider tasting festival, will take place June 16 and June 17 at The Fields Park, 1099 NW Overton St. in the Pearl District. Event hours are June 16 from 3pm to 8pm (VIP session starts at 2pm) and June 17 from Noon to 5pm. The last pour is 15 minutes prior to the close of each session.

Cider Summit PDX will showcase more than 150 ciders, including regional favorites and international classics, from the industry’s leading cidermakers, many of which will be on hand to inform and guide guests through the tastings poured into the commemorative festival glassware. The event also serves as the official kick-off to Oregon Cider Week.

“Artisanal cider has become one of the fastest growing segments of the craft beverage market in recent years,” noted event co-founder, Alan Shapiro. “The Cider Summit exposes thousands of cider lovers and the cider curious to these artfully crafted beverages.”

The event will feature a variety of food vendors, a Dog Lounge, and live music featuring several of Portland’s legendary blues artists.

Tickets are now on sale at http://www.cidersummitnw.com/portlandtickets.html. General admission includes a souvenir tasting glass and six tasting tickets and costs $25 prior to June 1, $30 prior to June 16, or $35 at the gate. GA tickets will also be available starting June 1 at World Foods (NW), World Foods (SW), Cider Bite Taphouse (Pearl), Umpqua Bank (Pearl), and selected bottle shops throughout the City.

VIP tickets include a souvenir tasting glass, exclusive entry from 2pm-3pm on June 16, and 10 tasting tickets; VIP tickets cost $35 prior to June 1 or $40 prior to June 16. VIP tickets are available online only, with limited quantities.

Designated Driver tickets are available at the gate for $5 and include a bottle of water. No alcohol may be consumed with a Designated Driver ticket. All tickets allow re-entry on Friday and Saturday with a wristband and the tasting glass.

Once inside, most cider samples cost one ticket for a 4-oz. sample; select ciders may cost extra. Additional tasting tickets are available onsite for $2 each. Minors are not allowed at the festival, no exceptions.

Several of the cidermakers will participate in the third annual Oregon Fruit Products Fruit Cider Challenge, creating pilot batch fruit ciders using Oregon Fruit Product’s puree; attendees vote on their favorites via text, and the winners are announced at the conclusion of the event on Saturday.