PORTLAND, OR.—Tickets for FredFest 2013, a birthday celebration for beer writer Fred Eckhardt, are now on sale.
The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 5 from 2-6 p.m. at Hair of the Dog Brewing Co.
The event, which always sells out, is highly anticipated in the craft beer community, with fans flocking from across the country to attend and pay homage to Eckhardt, who turns 87 on May 10.
What started as a surprise 80th birthday party for the world-renowned Portland beer writer, FredFest has become a significant fundraiser for the nonprofit organizations of Eckhardt’s choice—a different one each year. Eckhardt has selected the American Diabetes Association Oregon/SW Washington chapter and the Hair of the Dog house charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind, as this year’s official fundraising recipients. The event is all volunteer-driven, which means that 100 percent of this year’s proceeds from FredFest will be donated to both of those charitable organizations. Dubbed “the littlest big-beer festival in the world—or at least in Portalnd,” FredFest has raised upwards of $100,000 for Eckhardt’s selected nonprofits.
In a quest to answer the timeless question: “What Would Fred Drink?” lucky Fred fans and brewers will gather at the Hair of the Dog, where they will be treated not only to a rare assortment of hand-selected beers, but also light fare—and, of course, birthday cake, complete with a round of the “Happy Birthday” song for Fred. Cheeses, chocolate, candy and even cereal will be offered in abundance so attendees can experience some of Fred’s more infamous beer-and-food pairings.
Tickets are $75 advance only. The price of admission also includes a souvenir glass, free ticket for a raffle (more raffle tickets available at FredFest), plus four hours of sampling, sipping, singing and storytelling with the inimitable Fred.