While Washington spends the weekend tasting wine at the largest single-region tasting event in the nation, Oregon is playing host to its own record-size event — the largest gathering of craft distillers in North America (and maybe on the planet). That’s an impressive statement for a festival only in its third year, but TOAST is up to making it happen.
“Toast was designed to introduce spirits fans and would-be spirits fans to some of the best craft spirits in the world,” says creator Ryan Csanky. The event is put on by the Oregon Distillers Guild, the first such guild in the nation. It encompasses local and international distillers, all of whom work in small batches. Such small-scale production means copious room for experimentation, and one of the joys of that experimentation — for distillers and aficionados alike — is sharing the results. Over 150 liquors are available for tasting, from vodka, gin and whiskey staples to relative obscurities like absinthe and aquavit. Try them all as you talk to the people who made them, and don’t forget that bottles are available for purchase at the venue.
Of course it wouldn’t be a proper Portland event without food carts, so the food cart brigade has been called in too. Put it all together and you’ve got the perfect place for drinks with lunch, or with dinner, or with linner, or anytime. And for dessert Portland’s own Moonstruck Chocolates is unveiling their highly anticipated Distillers Collection. Tickets are $20 online or $25 at the door.
Friday — Saturday, March 22 & 23 || Friday 5:00—10:00 pm, Saturday 1:00—10:00 pm || Two World Trade Center, 121 SW Salmon Street, Portland
