Perfect summer storm: Heat wave, Ore. beer festival both arrive

PORTLAND, Ore. – For many Oregonians, there are few ways to better beat the heat than with a frosty, small-batch, locally brewed, flavor-filled beer.

So this weekend, it may seem like heaven on Earth for many people in the Portland area as the 22nd annual Oregon Brewers Festival kicks off at the same time hot summer weather saturates the region.

The annual celebration of hop fermentation features entrants from most all of the dozens of microbreweries around Oregon as well as samples from non-local and international breweries.

Entry to the festival is free but the beer samples cost tokens, which can be purchased at the festival.

The fresh-tapped suds will certainly be a relief from temperatures that will be in the 90s through the weekend and may climb to 100 or more on Monday and Tuesday, which currently has a forecasted high of 102, according to KATU Meteorologist Rhonda Shelby.

Highs in the 90s will persist until Thursday according to the latest forecast.

The hot weather, beer fest and myriad summer activities have police, rescue personnel and city officials calling on the public to exercise caution when trying to keep cool.

Health officials are advising people to drink water to stay hydrated during hot weather. They say soda pop, coffee, tea, many energy drinks and most all alcoholic beverages (that would include micro brews) actually rob the body of water rather than re-hydrating you.

Drinking the above beverages instead of water can lead to critical dehydration and heat stroke, which can be fatal.

Health officials also advise strenuous outdoor activities be kept to a minimum during severe heat.

Search and rescue crews are gearing up for a weekend of large crowds at Oregon’s numerous rivers and ocean beaches.

They are reminding swimmers that rivers are still running very cold and fast. Swift currents and invisible underwater hazards such as sunken logs, sinkholes, and rocks can pull swimmers under or injure those diving from shore.

They recommend that anyone getting into a boat, raft or inner tube wear a flotation device in case they are dumped into the water.

Meanwhile, vendors at the Brewers Festival are limited to 15 kegs of beer per day. While that may sound like a lot of brew to be doled out in small plastic cups, large crowds on a hot weekend means it’s possible the taps could run dry at some point during the day.

For more information about the Oregon Brewers Festival, click here.