We came. We saw. We feasted. And our appetites for inventive Portland culinary fare weren’t the only thing satisfied last weekend. We also left inspired by how a handful of food and beverage brands positioned their presence during the highly anticipated annual foodie festival.
Local beverage player Brew Dr. Kombucha delighted visitors with an interactive “build-your-own-adventure” tea bar. While sipping samples of bubbly ‘buch, guests were invited to craft their own signature tea blends in reusable, branded take-home tea tins. First, a generous base of full-leaf white, green or black tea leaves, followed by a variety of dried citrus, herbs, florals, and spices.
Why we loved it: Involving others in your process for making new flavors is inclusive and fun! Brew Dr. seized the moment in making a meaningful and lasting connection with food and flavor loving event-goers. It’s also likely that they received some great feedback and ideas for future flavor pairings as a result – win: win!
Maxwell client Burgerville leveraged the event to introduce its new No. 6 Burger – a grass-fed, grass-finished, nutrient-rich burger with a smaller carbon footprint and a big, robust flavor – and kick-started a conversation about intentional and sustainable sourcing practices. The local restaurant chain invited sourcing partners Carman Ranch, Face Rock Creamery and Grand Central Bakery to set up a presence in the booth.
Why we loved it: Burgerville’s effort to put a “face” to the carefully sourced ingredients it uses in its burgers was a hit. Event-goers were thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with food producers directly – how often does that happen?! The mix of food and friendly, engaging conversation effectively elevated consumer understanding of Burgerville’s philosophy on sustainability and sourcing and gave visibility to innovative local food producers.
There were so many others that caught our eye this year – Stumptown Coffee, Tillamook and Union Wine Co. with their adorable vintage sampling vehicles, USA Pears with its inventive pear and pizza “pairing,” and more!
