Tag: Jarek Szymanski

Bar, Entertainment, Event, Food and Drink June 19, 2025

Friday Beer Event and Hot Dog Cookoff in Montavilla Plaza

On Friday, June 20th, the second annual “Hop Dogs” event will greet hungry and thirsty guests from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Montavilla Plaza on SE 79th Avenue at SE Stark Street. Last year’s winner, Ruse Brewing, will compete against Grand Fir Brewing, Gold Dot Beer, Foreland Beer, and Threshold Brewing. The brewers will offer the crowd a custom hot dog with creative toppings designed by the team, which people can pair with one of their hoppiest West Coast IPA beers.

Interior view of a brewery taproom featuring a chalkboard menu with various beer options and prices, two staff members serving customers, and a rustic wooden bar with merchandise.

The all-ages venue allows families to participate in this event, presented as part of Portland Beer Week, a City-Wide yearly celebration running from June 13th to the 22nd in 2025. The Montavilla-hosted cookoff features five West Coast IPA brewers bringing their best hot dog recipes to the public in a friendly competition of flavors and brew craft. Drinking-age adults can select beers and hot dogs in several paired combos ranging from full pints, full dogs, half pints, and shorty dogs. A $7 ticket purchased at the event will allow attendees to pick up either one full-size hot dog or one full-size beer, so people can mix and match as they desire. Curious culinary adventures can also choose to purchase a flight of five shorty dogs to sample the range of flavors for three tickets. The cookoff is an open event, with no need to reserve a spot. However, hotdogs will be available while supplies last, starting at 5 p.m.

A colorful graphic featuring four superhero characters, each holding a beer, alongside a golden retriever wearing a cape, amidst a backdrop of hop plants. The words 'HOP DOGS' and 'West Coast IPA & Hot Dogs' are prominently displayed. — *_{Graphic courtesy Portland Beer Week}*

This returning hot dog and brew event is building momentum as more people enjoy the artful pairing. “Hop Dogs is based on a concept I have been kicking around for a few years. The brewers have a ton of fun and enthusiasm for the hot dogs as well as the beers; they can get really into it, even hand-making the toppings themselves. We worked out the kinks last year, where we had a handful of people making all of the different dogs. Last year, we used a large hot dog roller, but this year, Threshold founder and brewmaster Jarek Szymanski will be grilling them himself,” explained Ezra Johnson-Greenough with Portland Beer Week. “Also, this year, there will be individual brewery reps making each dog; this way, they can really get into the groove of that custom hot dog and put it together to perfection.”

Event organizers will conduct a “people’s choice” vote for Best Dog and also Best West Coast IPA, presenting two awards. People should look over the available hot dog options and come hungry this Friday night.

Threshold Brewing – Tropic Thunder: Good Dog Guava Teriyaki Mustard, Kewpy, Mango, Jalapeño and Pickled Onion Chutney, Fried Wonton Crumble
Gold Dot Brewing – Dan Dan Dog: Cream Cheese, Dan Dan Sauce, Yacai, Roasted Peanuts, Green Onions, Sichuan Peppercorn
Grand Fir Brewing – Farmers Market Dog: Heirloom Tomatoes, Pickled Peppers, Whipped Cheese with Poppy Seeds, Green Garlic Ranch Sauce
Ruse Brewing – Michigan-Style Coney Dog: Zesty Meat Sauce, Minced Onions and Yellow Mustard
ForeLand Beer – Der Snack: Obatzda Bavarian Cheese, Beer Mustard, Onions and Chives

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Bar, Event, Food and Drink February 12, 2024

Zwickelmania at Montavilla Breweries Feb 17

On February 17th, Zwickelmania® returns to the region with two Montavilla Breweries featuring Zwickel pours from the fermentation tanks and brewery tours. Montavilla Brew Works at 7805 SE Stark Street starts the celebration this Saturday at 11 a.m., followed two hours later by Threshold Brewing & Blending at 403 SE 79th Avenue.

Zwickelmania® is an annual celebration of Oregon craft beer during Oregon Craft Beer Month organized by the Oregon Brewers Guild. Member breweries open their production facility to the public for a behind-the-scenes view of their operation and to offer unique sampling opportunities. The event’s name stems from the word Zwickel, describing the valve or sample port mounted outside a cask or tank. Brewers use those ports to test the product during fermentation, and this annual event allows people 21 years or older to taste beer from a producer’s perspective.

*_{New cask beer engine at Montavilla Brew Works. Image courtesy Montavilla Brew Works}*

Montavilla Brew Works will offer brewery tours with free Zwickel samples from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests can meet the brewers and purchase special beer releases throughout the day. The brewery owners will unveil their new cask beer engine and pass out special giveaway items to mark the occasion.

From 1 to 4 p.m., Threshold Brewing & Blending will invite attendees behind their roll-up door into the production area with hourly tours and Zwickel pours. Cousins Maine Lobster food truck will sell its crowd-pleasing food from noon to 8 p.m. on the 17th in partnership with Threshold, allowing people to make a day of Zwickelmania® in Montavilla.

*_{Threshold Brewing & Blending owners Jarek and Sara Szymanski. Image courtesy Threshold}*

This weekend’s Zwickelmania® is taking place outside of Montavilla as well. More than 50 breweries across Oregon are participating, including beer producers StormBreaker Brewing and Gigantic Brewing Company, which have sales locations in Montavilla. However, the event focuses on beer production at the brewing location. Consequentially, those brands will greet Zwickel-seeking guests at their primary locations. A complete list of participating locations is available online at the official Zwickelmania® site.

*_{Zwickel sample. Image courtesy Montavilla Brew Works}*

For people who miss this beer-rich opportunity on the 17th, Threshold Brewing & Blending will hold its 5th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, February 24th. That event will offer five beer releases served in exclusive and limited glassware. A line-up of DJs will provide entertainment, and wood-fired pizza from guest food truck Hearth and Soul will feed the hungry guests. February is a good month for exploring Montavilla’s brewing community, and walking to the potentially inebriating events is easy.

Jacob Loeb

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Event, Food and Drink February 17, 2023March 17, 2023

Threshold Celebrates Zwickelmania and 4th Anniversary

This Saturday, February 18th, Threshold Brewing & Blending will invite attendees behind their roll-up door to the inner workings of the Montavilla-based brewery at 403 SE 79th Avenue. Ro’s City BBQ popup will serve smoked pulled pork sandwiches and ribs while people tour the facility and consume Zwickel pours at this Zwickelmania event. One week later, Threshold staff will again celebrate beer and food at their 4th-anniversary party. The February 25th affair will feature special beer releases, a live DJ, and Polish foods.

Zwickelmania is an annual celebration of Oregon craft beer organized by the Oregon Brewers Guild. Member breweries open their production facility to the public for a behind-the-scenes view of the operation and to offer unique sampling opportunities. The event’s name stems from the word Zwickel, describing the valve or sample port mounted outside a cask or tank. Brewers use those ports to test the product during fermentation, and this is a yearly opportunity for the public to taste beer from a producer’s perspective. Threshold’s tours began at noon, with the first hourly Zwickel pour starting at 1 p.m. The last tour will conclude at 4 p.m., followed by the final pour. Ro’s City BBQ will start food service at noon and continue until they sell out.

Threshold’s 10-barrel brewery opened its doors in early 2019 and quickly took a foothold in the Montavilla community. Over the years, the business has grown, with owners Jarek and Sara Szymanski reporting that their brew house capacity increased 60 percent this year, and they’ve tripled staff positions. The brewery continually evolves its offerings. The 4th-anniversary celebration on February 25th will feature an NW-style Pilsner collaboration with ForeLand Beer called FourShadow, and a brand new Polish-style IPA. The IPA is a hoppier beer compared to the Polish Lagers and Pilsners they’ve historically produced. Food will include Threshold’s traditional Polish street food Zapiekanka which joined the Taproom’s menu in 2021. They will offer discounted $4 anniversary Zapiekankas while supplies last.

Both events run from noon to 4 p.m. on the next two consecutive Saturdays. Beer fans and meat aficionados should find something to enjoy at these celebrations. Reservations are not required, but organizers recommend early attendance to ensure all items are available.

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to please consider becoming a paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Bar, Event, Food and Drink June 6, 2021June 8, 2021

Threshold’s Must-Try Food Menu

This weekend, Threshold Brewing & Blending launched their Polish-inspired Zapiekanka menu. This debut marks the beginning of full food service at the taproom with a savory and unique offering. For the past two years, staff mainly served craft beer and appetizers. Expanding into cooked meals is their way to welcome the post lockdown crowds who are already exploring the streets of Montavilla in significant numbers.

Foodservice is a natural fit for the brewery. Their wide selection of beers and other local drinks ensures an extended visit for customers interested in tasting all they offer. However, guests need something to eat between drinks, so growing the menu was an obvious need. “Since day one, people have been asking ‘do you have food?'” Explained Threshold’s co-owner Sara Szymanski. Threshold’s owners wanted to add food that would match their brewed beverages distinctive flavors.

Co-Owner and brewmaster Jarek Szymanski reached into his past to find inspiration for the new dish. When eating out during his formative years in Poland, the zapiekanka was his go-to food. The traditional Polish street food is a perfect rich flavored dish to serve alongside the brewed selections, and it is not a food found elsewhere in the neighborhood. The classic meatless recipe starts with a white-bread baguette topped in a richly spiced mushroom base. Staff melt the Polish Morski style cheese over the top and then add a serpentine stripe of Polish ketchup down the center. A light dusting of smoked paprika completes the dish. Threshold Serves their zapiekanka in a traditional foot-long paper sleeve, allowing customers to eat it like a hotdog or cut it into sharable segments.

The dish expands from the classic form with several toppings, including house-brined cucumbers and several meat options. The cucumbers are reminiscent of pickles without the overbearing vinegary flavor and can be added to the zapiekanka or served on the side. Smoked Brisket or Polish Sausage toppings round out the menu. Jarek Szymanski has a passion for smoked meats and takes pride in the Brisket’s preparation. He plans to offer spareribs, beef ribs, and pulled pork versions of the dish on select occasions.

The Smoked Brisket melts in your mouth and would a popular item if it was on the menu by itself. The cheese has a mozzarella-like flavor that covers the lightly toasted but still soft bread. The ketchup is based on a traditional Polish recipe, common in that country but difficult to buy on this continent. Szymanski creates his version with tomatoes, carrots, parsnips, sugar, and vinegar. It is more reminiscent of barbecue sauce than ketchup and also unlike most condiments you have experienced. It, too, could be a popular product if they bottled it for people to take home.

The drinks are an essential part of a zapiekanka meal. Jarek Szymanski recommends the smokey all wheat Grodziskie ale titled The Cruise. This historical style of beer from Poland has a clear, light golden color and a strong smoke flavor. Its low alcohol content and distinctive aroma mix well with the meal and won’t overpower the dish’s flavors. After eating, the Rebel Razzle Gose beer will reset the palate. This blackberries and raspberries infused beer is the equivalent of an after-dinner wine with a sweet and robust flavor.

At first glance, the Zapiekanka menu appears uncomplicated and straightforward. Only through eating the dish in its varied forms will you appreciate the complex flavors it creates through each topping. Threshold’s expanded menu will attract non-drinkers looking for a memorable meal and further enamor the breweries’ regular fans.

Threshold Brewing & Blending is located in downtown Montavilla at 403 SE 79th Ave. They are open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 PM to 8 PM. Fridays, they operate from 4 PM to 9 PM and Saturday from 3 PM to 9 PM. Sundays, they are open for lunch and dinner from Noon to 6 PM.