This is actually a press release promoting the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites as the venue for this festival in Ashland, Oregon, but I thought it sounded interesting as more than “just” a beer festival. The Brine, Brew & Barrel fermentation festival has been on hiatus since 2020, and returns this month to take place the weekend of January 13 through 15.

Press release:

Oregon fermentation festival to celebrate everything from pickles and krauts to cider, cheese and beer on January 13-15, 2023

Neuman Hotel Group has announced it will host the Brine, Brew & Barrel fermentation festival at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites from January 13-15, 2023. The festival celebrates the multi-cultural culinary tradition of fermented products including pickles, krauts, kombucha, beer, wine, cider, mead, chocolate, cheese, coffee, sourdough, and everything in between. The event marks the return of this popular festival, which hasn’t taken place in-person since January 2020, due to the global pandemic.

Brine, Brew & Barrel offers an epic culinary journey around different fermentation styles and techniques, with plenty of opportunity to explore new and familiar flavors. Visitors will enjoy an all-day vendors exposition, workshops and demonstrations, activities for the whole family, and other fermentation focused events.

“We are thrilled to be hosting Brine, Brew & Barrel in-person in 2023, which will bring festival goers, foodies and families together to explore all of the culinary delights that fermentation has to offer,” said Karolina Lavagnino, spokesperson for Neuman Hotel Group and festival coordinator. “We’re looking forward to hosting the beer and kombucha breweries, cideries, cheesemakers, hot sauce producers, bakers, chefs and other artisans to Ashland for a fun weekend of demos, workshops, tastings and other festivities.”

Brine, Brew & Barrel festivities will kick off Friday night, January 13, at the historic Ashland Springs Hotel with BrewBash, a 3-course dinner showcasing Rogue Ales beautifully paired with a special menu crafted by Larks Home Kitchen Executive Chef, Franco Console.

On Saturday, the main festival held at Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites will offer a vendor tasting event as well as hands-on workshops, demos and talks with fermentation experts including Alex Lewin and Kirsten Shockey. Fermentation festivities will end with a Hot Sauce and Bloody Mary Brunch on Sunday, January 15.

Expo passes are available for $20 for Saturday, January 14. Children 12 and under attend for free. For tickets and more information, visit http://www.oregonfermentationfest.com/tickets/

Visitors have the option of booking two different accommodation packages available at Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites (festival venue): the Overnight Festival Package or the Ultimate Brine, Brew & Barrel Package:

The Overnight Festival Package starts at $149 and is available for booking on Friday, January 14 or Saturday, January 15. It includes:

• Overnight stay for two guests at Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites
• Welcome gift: festival tote bag and a bottle of Rogue Ales beer
• Two festival tickets to the Brine, Brew & Barrel
• Complimentary hot breakfast buffet
• Free parking & Wi-Fi
• Access to hotel amenities including: outdoor jacuzzi, fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts

The Ultimate Brine, Brew & Barrel Package starts at $179 per night with a two night stay minimum (arriving on Friday, January 13, departing on Sunday, January 15, 2023). It includes:

• Two night stay for two guests at Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites
• Welcome gift: festival tote bag and a bottle of Rogue Ales beer
• Two bottles of complimentary kombucha awaiting in the room
• Two festival tickets to Brine, Brew & Barrel
• Two tickets to Hot Sauce & Bloody Mary Brunch Buffet on Sunday, January 15
• Free parking & Wi-Fi
• Access to hotel amenities including: outdoor jacuzzi, fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts

Starting rate for hotel packages varies on the reservation date and room type availability. Additional details can be found online at: http://www.oregonfermentationfest.com/package/

FESTIVAL VENUE: Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites is located at 2525 Ashland St. in Ashland, Ore, less than three miles from downtown Ashland.

Based on the schedule this event is more of a conference style than a straight festival but looks pretty interesting overall.