2013 Oregon Brewers Festival Economic Impact

2013 Oregon Brewers Festival Generates $31.2 Million for Local Economy

PORTLAND, ORE – A recently completed study estimates the economic impact of the 2013 Oregon Brewers Festival (OBF) at $31.2 Million, a 3.5% increase from the 2012 OBF.

Jeff Dense, Professor of Political Science at Eastern Oregon University, and his POLS 316 Politics and Beer class, administered 748 on-site interviews at the event in downtown Portland between July 24 and 27, 2013.

The analysis utilized the IMPLAN (Impact Analysis for Planning) data and software package to estimate the economic impact of the Oregon Brewers Festival on Multnomah County. The 2013 OBF generated an estimated $21.9 million in direct and $9.3 million in indirect (additional input purchases made by local businesses) economic impact.

“The study highlights the significant economic impact of the Oregon Brewers Festival, and craft beer tourism, on the Portland economy,” Dense said.

Respondents were queried on demographic factors, along with estimates of OBF related expenditures in tourism-related categories, including transportation, lodging, meals, gasoline purchases, non-beer related recreation, beer purchased to take home, and expenditures at OBF.

Findings of the study include:

• A majority (52.5%) of OBF patrons were out-of-town visitors.
• Visitors from Washington, California and Canada comprised 27.1% of total OBF patrons.
• 40% of respondents were attending OBF for the first time.
• 36% of attendees were female, a 10% increase from 2012.
• 25% of OBF patrons were 50 years or older.
• The average out-of-town visitor spent $587.
• Lodging ($11.1 Million) accounted for the largest share of OBF expenditures.
• State and local government received $1.5 Million in indirect business taxes.
• Nearly half (45.9%) of OBF patrons utilized mass transit to attend the festival.

This was the third year of the study; 2011 estimated the estimated economic impact of the festival at $23.2 Million, and 2012 came in at $30 Million. A series of methodological adjustments in 2012, along with the full implementation of the IMPLAN software, provided a more robust and accurate estimate of the economic impact.

ABOUT THE OREGON BREWERS FESTIVAL
The Oregon Brewers Festival was founded in 1988 as an opportunity to expose the public to microbrews at a time when the craft brewing industry was just getting off the ground. Today, that industry has flourished, especially in Oregon, which has 137 brewing companies, operating 175 brewing facilities in 59 cities. Portland currently has the most breweries of any city in the world, with 51 breweries in the city proper, and 69 counting the greater metropolitan area. The festival annually takes place the last full weekend in July; 2014 dates are July 23-27. For more information about the Oregon Brewers Festival, visit www.oregonbrewfest.com.

Brewvana Announces Kickstarter Launch & Party

Brewvana Kickstarter Launch & Party

If you have ever spent time at any of Portland's finer beer establishments, or breweries, you have probably run into a Brewvana tour at one time or another.  They have become part of the thriving beer culture Oregon is so well known for.  Well now Brewvana is looking to take their buses to the next level, and possibly expand tours into Washington. They need our help to do this though.  Details are in the press release below. 

Also if you have never been on a Brewvana tour, what's holding you back? There's always time to HOP on. 

From press release

PORTLAND, Ore. (September 16, 2013) - Brewvana Brewery Tours is excited to announce the upcoming launch of their Kickstarter campaign with a party at Hopworks Urban Brewery on Thursday, September 26th 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.

Brewvana has experienced steady growth during their first two years of operation, adding an additional bus, hiring more tour guides and increasing the number and scope of tours. The two-bus fleet is as essential to Brewvana’s business – transporting beer enthusiasts to and from breweries while giving them the ultimate craft beer tour experience – as water is essential to beer. With a successfully funded $10,000 Kickstarter campaign the buses will receive a cosmetic makeover - full decal wraps designed by local graphic artist Cassandra Stemler – as well as some under the hood work. A stretch goal of $25,000 has also been set that would allow Brewvana to obtain the permits and licenses necessary to extend tours into Washington and take longer trips to other beer-centric locals such as Bend and Seattle.

To kick off the campaign a launch party will take place Hopworks Urban Brewery on Thursday, September 26th 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. The all-ages party will be equipped to take donations onsite with donors receiving a raffle ticket for each $5 donated. Owner and founder Ashley Rose Salvitti and the Brewvana team along with the bus designer will be on hand, Kickstarter reward packages will be on display and pints of Hopworks beer will be $3 during the event.

About Brewvana
Committed to embracing the history and culture of the craft brewing industry in Oregon, Brewvana is the Ultimate Craft Beer Tour Experience. Transportation is provided on 14-passenger buses equipped with cup holders, a beer-inspired mural and the Beeriodic Table for reference. Weekly tours are offered Thursday through Sunday. In addition, Brewvana offers Seasonal Tours, Meet the Brewer Tours and private, Build Your Own Tours.