Oregon Brewery Running Series kickoff party scheduled for August 20 at downtown Portland Running Company

We feel pretty confident that you like running, and we're pretty confident that beer is delicious, so we consider it our duty to let you know about the Oregon Brewery Running Series. The first run isn't until October 8, 2016, but there's a kickoff party scheduled August 20 to get things rolling. First, the details for the party: When: Saturday, August 20, 2016 What time: 7p-9p Where: Portland Running Company at 800 SE Grand Ave in Portland Register: The kickoff party is free to attend; you can also make a donation or order the t-shirt at this time as well. Register here. Now. Why should you attend? Well, for starters, you'll get discounts (20%-50% depending on how many of the runs you sign up for) on Brewery Series event registrations at the event. You'll also get a 15% discount on gear from PRC. And, each run partners with a local nonprofit. But wait there's more ...

You’ll also get FREE BEER tastings. Tastings, not pints – let’s not go crazy. (But let’s go visit one of the participating breweries after the kickoff party, yes?) And let’s also arrange for a Designated Driver or UBER while we’re planning stuff out.

In addition, there will be Oregon Brewery Running Series gear for sale, swag bags, raffle prizes, and “info from the experts on safe running and craft beer drinking.” I can only assume that one or more Run Oregon bloggers will be on this panel. Not naming any names … they know who they are.

The Oregon Brewery Running Series is new this year, but the company has been around for a few years, doing Brewery Running Series in Minnesota, Illinois, and Colorado. This is the first year for Oregon, and they have plans to also do one in Seattle. Nathan Freeburg, who helps organize the Series, moved here (to Oregon) three years ago and knew it was a great place for another Series. He also remotely manages a blog called Run Minneapolis … just like Run Oregon, only colder. Even though he’s living here full time now, he’s got a team of bloggers that keep things moving up there in the land of 10,000 lakes.

Now the details for the series:

(We’ll post a preview of each run as they draw near, but this has the overall deets.)

When: There are seven 5k runs. Note they are not RACES. They are not on closed roads or timed; they’re more like a group run that includes sweet perks. They are all on Saturdays. October 8th is at Base Camp Brewing; October 15th is at Migration Brewing; October 22nd is at Upright Brewing; October 29th is at Baerlic Brewing, November 5th is at Laurelwood Brewing; and November 12th is at Ecliptic Brewing. There’s also a date TBD run with Rogue.

What time: Each run is scheduled to start at 11a. You know what that means? Right! You can run another race BEFORE the Brewery Series runs. (Or, sleep in.)

What you get: Your registration includes one beer from the host brewery, seasonal merchandise and collectible glasswear. Some breweries will also offer tours, and at each one, sponsor will be doing various raffles and giveaways. There will also be a mini street-fair at the finish of each run, complete with live music, food available for purchase from food trucks, and games like Redneck Golf or Cornhole.

Register: Each run is $30 (but remember the discounts at the kickoff party? Sign up for that here) and has separate registration from the Series website.

See you there, friends.