MXPDX celebrates Mexican craft beer and culture in Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Thirteen of Oregon’s best-known craft brewers have joined forces with partners in Mexico to develop small-batch original creations showcasing the best of both regions.

The MXPDX Mexico/Oregon Fiesta de la Cerveza takes over the Redd on Salmon for a full day of Mexican beer, food, music, vendors and more on July 19th.

“Mexico just seemed like a great spot to do it because it’s so close to us, yet we don’t see a lot of Mexican craft beer in Oregon,” said Ezra Johnson-Greenough, one of the event organizers.

Johnson-Greenough said that the purpose of the event is to help bridge the gap between Oregon and other countries, to help foster new connections, friendship, and creativity.

The idea was based on Fuji to Hood, a yearly mashup of Oregon and Japanese beer and culture created by the same team at Beer Friends and Travel Portland that started in 2018.

He added that while everyone in Oregon is familiar with Mexican food, there aren’t as many ways to experience authentic Mexican culture in the Pacific Northwest. That’s what he hopes MXPDX can bring to Portland on Saturday, he said.

While beer sales have slumped in the U.S., Mexico’s craft beer scene has been on the rise.

“It’s awesome to see what they’re doing in Mexico, where the energy and creativity is still really high,” he said. “They’re making all sorts of beers there, it’s actually not lager-centric.”

MXPDX will feature a few lagers, but will also include some fruit beers and other creative collaborations. There will also be Lucha Libre wresting, Aztec dancers, and a mercado.

The food is inspired by the barrio cantinas in Mexico City, and offerings from Oregon’s first Latino brewery, Salem-based Cheecha Brewing.

Ten other Mexican restaurants and chefs will also be serving up cantina-style eats, including Tostado Coffee Roasters, which specializes in small batch Mexico-grown coffee; Don Froylan, an authentic Mexican creamery; Saras Mexican Tamales and Oaxacan Kitchen, among others.

For those who prefer cocktails or wine, Straightaway Cocktails will host a Mexican-style pop-up bar, and Alumbra Cellars will offer tastings of Mexican-American wines.

Some of the small-batch offerings come from collaborations between pFriem Family Brewers and Cervecería Hercules, Wayfinder Beer and Malteza Cerveceria, and Little Beast Brewing with Cerveza Cru Cru, to name a few.

MXPDX is July 19 at The Redd on Salmon, 831 SE Salmon St. in Portland. It is free to enter and all ages are welcome. For more information or to obtain tickets in advance, visit mx-pdx.com.