For the third year, close to 50 distillers and producers of artisan spirits will convene at the World Trade Center for the largest craft spirits tasting in the country this coming Friday and Saturday, March 22 and 23. The Oregon Artisan Spirits Tasting (TOAST) primarily features liquor in its most basic glory and sees the large community of local distillers join their peers across the glove for a celebration of all things high-proof, hosted by the ever-growing Oregon Distillers Guild. Unlike the bartenders that usually pour such product, distillers see relatively little of their creations consumed and relished in person—it's fun for them to get feedback on the booze that they put so much time and energy into making, and it's certainly fun sampling the several kinds of whiskey or gin or vermouth or whatever that they're pouring. $20 tickets are available for pre-purchase here, good as a one-day pass or pay $25 at the door (the event runs 5 pm to 10 pm Friday and 1 pm to 10 pm Saturday). This year food will be available for purchase from carts including Home Plate Sliders, Thrive Pacific NW, Flyin’ Hawaiian, and Retrolicious—I have never heard of any of them, but they have to offer something better for padding the stomach than whatever was offered last year, as they ran out of all food that was not pretzels three hours into the event.

Anyway, Blogtown, TOAST is a lot of fun, and you should go. But maybe pack a sandwich. Happy tasting!

The World Trade Center is located at 121 SW Salmon.