StormBreaker – Montavilla News

This Friday, Portland Beer Week 2023 starts with several events in Montavilla and across the Portland Metro region. The ten-day-long celebration of beer runs from June 16th through the 25th, offering unique tastings, creative food pairings, and some of the best brews from around the world and around Portland. Area residents do not have to travel far to participate, with three of the nearly 50 events in the neighborhood.

Industry leaders and enthusiasts founded the Portland Beer Week organization in 2011 as a decentralized effort to expand beer education and promote Portland’s brew culture. The group uses sponsorship funds to promote the participating businesses and organize large events like the Brewers Burger Brawl taking place at SE 79th Avenue Montavilla Street Plaza on June 23rd. That is just one of three neighborhood events during this year’s Beer Week.

*Chefs Elise *and* *Dan* Gold*. Image courtesy Portland Beer Week and Sebastiano’s

Sebastiano’s at 411 SE 81st Avenue will offer Italian-style Pilsners from Italy and Portland during their Forza Azzuri! Italian Pilsners from on and off The Boot event. This opening day gathering starts at 5 p.m. on June 16th with a ticket price of $25. Located on Sebastiano’s back patio, this event is co-hosted by Von Ebert’s Sam Pecoraro and Daniel Wavrin of Ferndale Farmstead Cheeses. Ticket price includes five 5oz tastings of Italian Pilsner from Italy and the Pac NW alongside an artisan cheese plate of Ferndale Farmstead cheese.

Neighborhood newcomer StormBreaker Brewing will host a meet-and-greet at their newly acquired tap truck on June 22nd inside The Yard at Montavilla food cart pod at 8220 Northeast Davis Street. Brewery owners, brewers, and the StormBreaker hospitality team will be on-hand to share some beers and delicious food while answering questions.

Then on Friday, June 23rd, Portland Beer Week and Threshold Brewing and Blending present this year’s Brewers Burger Brawl. This marquee event pits five local breweries against one another to present the “best” burger and beer pairing. Threshold was last year’s Judge’s Winner and will compete this year against Grand Fir Brewing, StormBreaker Brewing, Vice Beer, and Great Notion Brewing. Fifty $35 advance tickets are available for those who want a discount and a guaranteed serving of all five pairings. Otherwise, people can show up between 5 and 8 p.m. at 403 SE 79th Avenue, paying $6 per burger or $8 for a burger and 5oz beer pairing.

This year’s Portland Beer Week is on track to becoming the busiest since 2019 and marks another return to successful community events post-pandemic. Montavilla residents are fortunate to have a handful of local events within walking distance this year, and any alcohol-themed event is best enjoyed without needing to drive afterward. However, although beer drinking is encouraged, this is an opportunity to eat a wide range of brew-adjacent foods, and people are also welcome to visit other non-participating beer businesses. The neighborhood has many to choose from.

Jacob Loeb

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This Monday, StormBreaker Brewing will begin its takeover of the beer service cart inside The Yard at Montavilla food cart pod located at 8220 NE Davis Street. Pod co-owner Kevin Dennis operates the existing Yard Bar at Montavilla drink station and will now turn over operations to the award-winning Portland brewery. This cart will join StormBreaker’s two other locations in St. Johns and on Mississippi Avenue.

The transition to the new cart operators will begin gradually with a Tap Takeover of the existing business. Starting at 4 p.m. on May 22nd, visitors of the food cart pod will experience the range of award-winning beers and seasonal brews offered by StormBreaker. After the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission approves their permit, the complete transformation of the bar can begin with branding changes and expanded offerings, including a variety of hard cider, hard seltzer, and wine.

StormBreaker’s owners are excited by the opportunity to serve Montavilla beer enthusiasts within the active food cart pod on 82nd Avenue. Kevin Dennis explained that alcoholic drink service is the backbone of a successful cart collective, and he has worked to keep a selection of beer available within his pod since opening. Dennis believes StormBreaker’s arrival in this location will boost his pod, attracting even more people to this two-year-old venture.

The StormBreaker Brewing bar cart is open from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday. They have expanded hours from noon to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with noon to 8 p.m. service on Sundays. The new cart operators hope to captivate seasoned beer aficionados and newcomers with their expansive drink selection. Patrons can enjoy their drinks in a lively atmosphere within The Yard at Montavilla’s covered and open-air seating areas.

Jacob Loeb