One of the more unique events taking place during next week’s Craft Brewers Conference is Deschutes Brewery’s and Columbia Distributing’s official CBC event Beer Machines: A Steampunk Ode To The Craft Revolution. (It’s listed as the official CBC nightly event for Thursday, April 16.) I’m not sure how else to describe it except as beer-pouring performance art blended with live burlesque, particularly if the beer-pouring machines were invented in Victorian times (hence “steampunk”). Check out their video:

Here’s Deschutes’ description:

Join us for a memorable evening with a Beer-Dispensing Art Competition, Immersive Circus Theater and an array of Live Music! This year’s Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) is in our backyard so we’re throwing a huge warehouse party full of surprises!

Everyone is invited! Drink some amazing beers while being entertained by a variety of acts from Vau de Vire Society, J.Boogie, Aima The Dreamer & special friends, Trio Menage, Shovelman, extreme contortionist Blaze, Global Ruckus, Expatriate, TRAPEZE, the internationally acclaimed electroswing & burlesque sensation and much more!

Steampunk-themed, original art pieces from local artists will not only be showcased and auctioned off, but they will also be dispensing beer, of course! All will be for sale and available to take home (or to your home brewery)! Winner of the best Beer Machine (as voted by party-goers!) will take home a grand prize of $5,000.

In partnership with Boelter & JVNW and proceeds benefiting Salmon-Safe, this will be THE craft beer event of the year, so don’t miss out! Join our crew and Columbia Distributing for a night to remember.

Anyone who’s seen one of Deschutes’ Beer-leseque shows already has an idea of the types of live performances to expect, but combine that with this unique idea of Rube Goldberg-esque steampunk beer pouring machines, and, well, I’m not really sure what to expect to be honest. But I suspect it will be pretty amazing.

It takes place from 8pm to 1am at Pure Space in Portland (at 1315 NW Overton Street), and you can buy tickets here. The ticket cost is currently $20 online, and $25 at the door. And, they say, “Flash your CBC Badge at the event for swag, drink tokens and more…” so make sure if you’re attending CBC to not forget your badge.

I’m definitely going, and in the interests of full disclosure, I did receive a complimentary ticket to the event from the brewery. But really, $20 is a steal that I would gladly pay to attend this event (and I am paying for other events during CBC week as well). Seriously, it’s not one you should miss.

Facebook page here.