Fall Event Watch

October 16, 2013

Transitioning into the fall season just got a lot more fun. There’s a lot going on for imbibers across the country, but here are three events we’re especially excited about this month and next.

Portland Cocktail Week
October 19-24 | Portland, OR
portlandcocktailweek.com

With the tagline “By Bartenders, For Bartenders,” you know Portland Cocktail Week is going to be good. Now in its fourth year, Portland Cocktail Week continues to gain momentum, and hundreds of the country’s top bartenders descend on the city for the week’s activities. As a nod to its roots in bartender education, this year’s festival adopts a stronger emphasis on learning with the launch of the Portland Bartender Institute. Teardrop Lounge’s Sean Hoard and Daniel Shoemaker, Jeffrey Morgenthaler of Clyde Common, Imbibe’s own Karen Foley and Ryan Magarian of Aviation Gin developed curriculum that aims to provide bar pros with top-level education.

Once again, we’re excited to be partnering with The Bon Vivants to bring you the 2nd annual Swig N Swine—aka: Pig N Punch on the road. This year’s festivities kick off on Saturday with a volunteer day at Self Enhancement Inc. Then, Sunday brings an epic pig roast and punch party at the Jupiter Hotel at 2 PM, with ALL proceeds benefiting Self Enhancement Inc. To RSVP to Sunday’s event, please click here. You won’t want to miss it.

Art of the Cocktail
October 26-28 | Victoria, BC
artofthecocktail.com

Victoria is becoming one of Canada’s coolest cocktail towns, so it’s no surprise that Art of the Cocktail has edged its way onto the hit list of cocktail festivals worldwide. It celebrates every facet of cocktail culture over three days of events: workshops, demos, competitions, tastings—you name it, they’ve got it. This year, we have our eye on Dave Wondrich’s seminar “Cocktail Archeology,” during which he’ll decode several fragmented and obscure recipes on the spot, then mix them up for the audience. For tickets to this and more Art of the Cocktail events, visit the website.

Thirst Boston
November 9-11 | Boston, MA
thirstboston.com

Thirsty, Boston? You’re in luck. Thirst Boston is just around the corner and is promising to serve up a weekend that will keep your glasses full. Don’t miss Blender Blender, a battle between 12 bartenders and their secret weapon … the blender, or Stars, Stripes and Swig, a party honoring Armistice Day complete with live music, swing dancing and classic cocktails from the lovely ladies of LUPEC. Check out all things Thirst here.