Keeping Portland beered even when things get weird

Each year, the Portland Holiday Ale fest sets me right into my holiday mood, and this year was no exception. The festival was more expensive, yet more crowded than any of the previous years, with a $35 entry fee. Entry included a plastic mug and 12 tickets (so essentially the price just to walk in the door was $23). Extra tickets can be purchased for $1 each. Many beer samples require only one ticket, but others are two or more. Full beers can be purchased with multiple tickets.

Portlanders always pack this fest, which focuses on heavy, dark ales for the winter season. An important thing to note is that this event is, I kid you not, five days long. It starts on Wednesday and lasts through Sunday. Although our friend Eric, who attended every day (he arrived from ABQ on Wednesday and bought the VIP package for $100, which included special tappings, special lines, and over 3

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