We are thrilled to finally announce our fall schedule for 2016! After over a year of conversation, hours on the phone and countless emails, we’re excited about the breweries who are on board for our inaugural season. It’s been fun getting to know these brewers and business people, and Seth, Drew and I have been amazing at how incredible they are. Not just for saying yes and taking a risk on this crazy idea, but for genuinely supporting what we’re about.

The Oregon Brewery Running Series is all about running and beer. Simple, right? Really, it’s what happens in the space between. When friends get together to enjoy whatever it is they love, and connect on a deeper level. We also love Oregon (Portland especially, though we do plan to expand to other great beer towns eventually), and are excited to showcase the uniqueness of the various neighborhoods. While many of the breweries aren’t necessarily “neighborhood” breweries per se, their geography does offer something a bit unique to those who visit.

At each of these brewery running events, we are working hard to connect you, the runners/beer drinker, with local artists, musicians, gear and running product vendors, chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and others who share many of the same values we do. Since our events begin and end at the breweries, we are creating a mini street-fair with each of these runs.

Small Size Creates Community

Our series focuses heavily on creating community. We’re limited at each event by the capacity of the brewery. Some as small at 75, some as large as 300. This is great, since it lends itself to not only a more relax and (some say enjoyable) run experience, but a better chance to chat with friends, or perfect strangers. These aren’t your typical 5k races that shut down major thoroughfares and speedy racers blast to the finish line. They are un-timed, and we don’t even close the roads. Our team works with brewery staff to create a casual, comfortable environment for runners and beer drinkers alike, celebrating healthy lifestyles.

Join us at the Kickoff!

Since we’re all about the party, we’re kicking things off with a great one on Saturday, August 20, from 7-9 p.m. Our good friends at Portland Running Company, have graciously offered to host, and are offering great deals on running gear. There, you’ll also get to sample some beer from the breweries participating in the series. It’s all totally FREE, but you do need to register so we know how to plan.

We will also be announcing a few community partners at the kickoff.

The 2016 Schedule

If you haven’t already seen the schedule, here it is again.

• Base Camp Brewing – October 8
• Migration Brewing – October 15
• Upright Brewing – October 22
• Baerlic Brewing – October 29
• Laurelwood Brewing – November 5
• Ecliptic Brewing – November 12

Registration is $30 per event, which is kind of a steal compared to other running events around. Your registration entitles you to one beer from the brewery (you can always purchase more), seasonal merchandise, collector’s glassware and possible a brewery tour, product demos from sponsors, special giveaways, and more.

At each event, we will also have live music, food trucks (food for purchase), yard games, and a lot more.

It’s all about Partnerships

In addition to supporting local breweries, we are committed to supporting the community through local nonprofits. This is a huge, founding value to use. We believe it’s important to give back, and make the community we live in better. Our founder, Nate Herrington, started this whole idea in Minneapolis back in 2012. He says,

“Our events are designed to help grow the sport by reaching new audiences and are inspired by our philanthropic, fun and creative local supporters.”

Proceeds from all Oregon Brewery Running Series events benefit the Portland Parks Foundation and Oregon Brewshed Alliance. If you really want to up your philanthropic game, you can register as a “GOLD Participant” and pay a $100 registration fee, which gets donated directly to the participating nonprofit of your choice.

We can’t wait to see you there! Be Active. Have Fun. Give Back!

Your Breweries

Do you have a favorite Oregon brewery? Share in the comments below.