About Us

Forging the heartbeart of Oregon Beer Country, the history of brewing in our great state runs deep. Reaching as far back as 1852, when Henry Saxer established the Liberty Brewery in Portland, Oregon to the current operation of over 139 brewing facilities in 55 cities across the state, our beer culture is incomparable. Rich in tradition and full of appreciation for great beer, Portland, Oregon is home to 48 breweries - more than any other city in the world. Oregon's brewers, distributors, pub & bottle shop owners, home brew shops, beer media, beer bloggers and fans create a unique microcosm of beer culture. Highlighting the delightfully varied culture, quirky and natural resources of the region, and the unique interplay of all beer lovers in Oregon, our site is maintained by of a handful of enthusiastic, beer adoring residents. If it's beer, you'll find it here.

Oregon Beer Country supports travel and tourism across the entirety of Oregon’s beer rich & beautiful landscape; striving to promote this singular beer culture, we educate tourists and residents alike as we celebrate Oregon as one of the United States' premier beer destinations. Many breweries are quite generous about brewery tours and talking to patrons about their facilities, beer, and brewing philosophy on a regular basis. Zwickelmania (a one day celebration hosted by the Oregon Brewers Guild) is especially popular, with over 70 breweries across the state opening their doors to the public for beer tasting and a behind the scenes look at their facilities. While there are myriad festivals, events & beer-centric activities throughout the state year round, Oregon Beer Country celebrates each in its entirety as opportunities for citizens and visitors alike to learn about and love Oregon beer.

Our temperate climate, the sparkling mountain water and rich soil combine, creating lush opportunities for hops and barley in our agricultural regions. Our dedication to sustainable living, protection of natural resources, and passion for outdoor adventures truly embody Beervana. Oregon Beer Country enthusiastically supports beer as a multifaceted and versatile beverage. Dress it up or dress it down; beer has a role in every occasion, and is sublime when paired with the delicious foods of the Pacific Northwest. From haute cuisine to down home cooking, sophisticated nightlife to outdoor activities like hiking, biking, backpacking and boating, Oregon Beer Country embodies a beer lover's heaven on earth.

Oregon Beer Country is the only site exclusively dedicated to the riches of Oregon's Beer Bounty. Whether you're a Native Oregonian, a vacationer, visitor, or possible emigrant, we've got something for you. So relax; grab a beer, and explore.

Welcome to Oregon Beer Country. We're glad you're here.

Emily Engdahl

It doesn't much matter if you're a transplanted resident, possible emigrant, vagrant, visitor or native Oregonian... One thing that rings true around the Pacific Northwest is that we're glad you're here, and if you've come for beer, you've come to the right place.

As an Oregonian atomically rooted to the state in which we live, I take pride in being a living piece of history, a recorder of time, and a repository of our Pacific Northwest culture. I'm raising my children on the same block in the same neighborhood, where my grandmother set up house in the 1950's. My children are fifth generation Northeast Portland residents. I have many interests, but avid homebrewing, writing, and voracious reading top my list while I enjoy my funny children, plot my sustainable mini-farm, work on freelance graphic design, and make people laugh.

I credit Ninkasi Brewing's Tricerahops as the catalyst for my love of craft beer. I took my first sip in 2007, and since then, I've created Oregon Beer Country, co-founded #pdxbeergeeks, joined Women Enjoying Beer as the Event Development Coordinator, published several articles in Craftbeer.com, I've been published in the Oregon Beer Growler, and am the resident Beer Geek at Milwaukie Rules! I am incredibly grateful - without the overwhelming generosity and friendship found within the beer community in Oregon, I wouldn't be living my life dream today.

I don't just observe or participate in the Oregonian way of life, I feel it in every vibration of my soul. The craft beer culture of the Pacific Northwest is unlike any other in the world. They are my tribe, my family, and my friends; I hope you will come to feel the spirit of the Pacific Northwest as it beats in Oregon. We're glad you're here.

Dan Vandervort

Dan Vandervort joins the crew of Oregon Beer Country by way of Pennsylvania, where he was born and spent many formative years exploring the Pocono Mountains. Joining his brother Keith in Oregon in 2012, the two began Hikes & Pints, an Oregon adventure company providing guided hikes followed by refreshing stops at pubs and breweries. While he misses many of his favorite East Coast breweries, he's fond of all that Oregon has to offer, including hoppy IPAs from breweries like 10 Barrel in Bend, Portland's Breakside, and the newly opened Pfriem in Hood River. When not scouting new venues for the crew of Oregon Beer Country to explore, he serves as the official Beer Country Recreation Officer, with frequent reminders to relax and enjoy the scenery, and as the Photo Wrangler, taking gorgeous photos of our beautiful countryside. Dan can be spotted playing disc golf, rooting for the Steelers, and exploring his neighborhood in St. Johns in his off hours.

Shana & Shawn Hampton

Shana and Shawn are recent Oregon transplants who discovered Zwickelmania a few weeks after their move from Chicago. Although the Midwest loves its beer, it does not have a holiday devoted to it. They knew they were in the right place.

Shana is a full time crafter, part time freelance baker, wannabe writer and an expert cat herder, after a decade as a non-profit administrator. Her current favorite beer is Deschutes Twilight Summer Ale.

Shawn is the bass player for the Harvey Girls, a saxophonist for Love Bomb Go Go, a part time artist and a reluctant web developer. His current favorite beer is Boneyard IPA.

Welcome to Beer Country We're glad you're here.

About Us