This month the 9th annual Oregon Garden Brewfest takes place at the Oregon Garden in Silverton (about 15 miles east of Salem), starting Friday April 26 and lasting all weekend. This year’s OGBF is the biggest one yet, as it’s the first year to run all three days of the weekend, the beer list has expanded to include 62 breweries who will be pouring at least 125 different beers, and they’ll have 22 bands performing live music on two different stages during the three days.

The press release called this Brewfest one of the Willamette Valley’s best-kept secrets, and that’s exactly right; I attended last year and loved it, and I’m planning on attending again this year. (Full disclosure: like last year, I’m getting free blogger/media entry to the first day of the Brewfest, as well as entry in the Brewers Dinner Thursday night—which sold out really quickly this year—and an overnight at the Oregon Garden Resort.)

Here are some logistical details:

Advance admission includes a one-day pass for $15 that features a tasting glass, seven tasting tickets, and express entry; a three-day pass for $25 that includes a tasting glass, 15 tasting tickets, and express entry; and a VIP pass for $50 that includes a tasting glass, 45 tasting tickets, a T shirt and a food voucher. Advance sales are available at http://ogbf2013.blogspot.com. Tickets at the door cost the same, but include only five tasting tickets for one day, 10 tasting tickets for three days, 35 tasting tickets for VIP, and no express entry. Designated drivers pay a cover charge of $5 and receive a bottled water.

A full glass of beer costs four tickets, and a taster costs one ticket. Additional tasting tickets may be purchased for $1 apiece. The event is cash only, with an ATM on-site. Parking at The Oregon Garden is $5 per car; free shuttles will be available to various locations in town.

The Oregon Garden Brewfest is for ages 21 and over on Friday and Saturday; minors are welcome all hours on Sunday.

I have the beer list to publish as well, but in the meantime take a look at the participating breweries—that’s a nice looking lineup, and it’s nice to see some cideries and meaderies in there too.

I’ll have quite a bit more to write about as the fest date approaches.

If you haven’t been to the Oregon Garden Brewfest before, this year should be the year to go—seriously, it was terrific last year, and the Oregon Garden is a beautiful place to hold a festival like this; if you need a break, you can wander around the grounds and enjoy the Garden itself, which is amazing.

Don’t miss out! Mark your calendars to be there, April 26-28 this month!