April must be the start of beer festival season here in Oregon, as the last three weekends of the month each see a brewfest that would be worth visiting. (Not discounting last month’s Barleywine Fest at the Lucky Lab, but this month is when they seem to start happening in quantity.)

On Saturday April 16th, the Green Dragon in Portland is hosting their 4th annual Firkin Fest, dedicated entirely to cask ales. The fest is split into two sessions for the day, from 11 to 2 for the first and 3 to 6 for the second. Tickets for the sessions are $30, and include eight six-ounce tasters and two food tickets; you’ll be able to choose from 30 Oregon breweries and cheeses, meats, and chocolates. You can view the event poster at Rogue’s events page (Rogue owns the Green Dragon) and purchase tickets to either of the two sessions here.

The weekend after that (Friday and Saturday the 22nd and 23rd), the 17th annual Spring Beer & Wine Fest kicks off at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. (I think Portland has a beerfest for nearly every season; is there one for the Fall?) The Fest is open from noon to 11pm both days, and admission is $5 (free to the first 1000 entrants). The plastic mug is $5, tasters are $1, and there’s also a souvenir beer glass for $8. There’s a nice-looking lineup of brewers and beers.

Finally, the last weekend of the month sees the Oregon Garden Brewfest in Silverton (outside of Salem) taking place Friday and Saturday the 29th and 30th. $15 will get you admission to this 7th annual brewfest, which includes five tasting tickets and a commemorative glass mug, and though there’s no beer list that I can find yet, this is their description: “Join us for the Oregon Garden’s 7th annual Brewfest April 29th & 30th, 2011. Last year’s attendees enjoyed a multitude of seasonal and flagship beers from over 30 breweries, live music and northwestern cuisine. This year’s event is set to be even bigger with more breweries and music – it is sure to be an event you won’t want to miss!”