While Cocktail Camp tickets are going quickly, I know there are plenty of people out there who just haven’t decided to attend yet. Over the couple weeks leading up to April 10 I’ll be highlighting some of the reasons you don’t want to miss this year’s event (and don’t forget, ticket prices go up to $50 on April 1!).

The first of those reasons is our morning social hour and meet & greet, generously sponsored by Lillet. Jackie Patterson will be joining us from San Francisco to serve up some lightweight brunch cocktails to get the day started. Each of our bars throughout the day will be serving two different cocktails plus a punch.

Here’s a taste of what you can expect when you arrive in the morning:

Mont Blanc – Lillet Blanc, Solerno, Gran Classico Bitter, Fever Tree Bitter Lemon Soda. Served over ice.

Bordeaux Sunrise – Lillet Blanc, Lillet Rouge, fresh orange juice, Small Hand Foods Grenadine, sparkling wine. Served over ice.

Royal Brunch Punch – Earl Grey, Lillet Blanc, Hendrick’s Gin, Solerno, fresh meyer lemon juice, orange marmalade, soda.

At this point I’ll also mention that we’ve increased the number of drink tickets from four to six in order to ensure you get a chance to sample a couple things from each of our bars.

Doors open at 10:30am and the bar will be ready. We’ll take a short break from serving at 11:00 for some introductions as The Art of Tasting gets started, and then resume serving until noon, giving you ample time to try a couple of these.

And don’t forget to catch Jackie’s own discussion later in the day as she’s joined by Beaker & Flask’s David Shenaut to talk about entertaining and hosting your own cocktail parties.

Sound good? Buy your Cocktail Camp tickets now, while you still can!

Wow, response has been great, thank you to everyone who’s bought tickets so far. Just about 48 hours after tickets going on sale, we’ve already sold nearly as many tickets as we did for the entirety of the event last year. Good thing our venue this year has a much higher capacity — last year sold out before the end of March.

This year’s tickets are going fast though, so you don’t want to wait too long. The early sale price of $40 will be good until April 1, at which time time admission goes up to $50. If there are any left.

So don’t put it off — Buy your Cocktail Camp tickets now. You’ll be glad you did!

Tickets for Cocktail Camp 2011 are now on sale!

Once again, here are some of the things we’ve got lined up for you:

• Meet & Greet with brunch cocktails by Lillet
• The Art of Tasting Beer and Spirits
• Beer cocktails: Why Have One When You Can Have Both?
• Northwest Distillery Social Hour and cocktail bar
• New American Whiskey
• House Spirits Social Hour and cocktail bar
• Yes, You Can Entertain!
• DIY Sodas, Syrups, and Bitters

Your ticket price covers your attendance to all of the day’s discussion panels, plus four drink tickets for the three cocktail bars that will be open throughout the day. Each bar will be serving two cocktails and a punch showcasing their spirits and talent.

Cocktail Camp 2011 will be held on Sunday, April 10, from 10:30 – 5:00.

Gerding Theater at the Armory
128 NW 11th Avenue
Portland, Oregon

Buy your Cocktail Camp tickets now!

At long last, the event schedule for Cocktail Camp 2011 has been posted! We’ve got some great panel discussions lined up for you this year:

• The Art of Tasting Beer and Spirits
• Beer cocktails: Why Have One When You Can Have Both?
• New American Whiskey
• Yes, You Can Entertain!
• DIY Sodas, Syrups, and Bitters

Each topic will feature a panel of experts and lots of Q&A, so bring your questions and your curiosity.

In addition to all that, the day will feature three cocktail bar social hours, hosted by our generous sponsors. Lillet, Northwest Distillery, and House Spirits Distillery will be showing their stuff by each preparing two cocktails and a punch for Cocktail Camp attendees. Tickets are all-inclusive, so be sure to bring your thirst as well – You won’t want to miss these!

Tickets are going on sale Wednesday, March 9. Last year sold out quickly, so don’t miss your chance this year!

The new year has begun and it’s time to announce our next event, Cocktail Camp 2011!

This next Cocktail Camp will take place on Sunday, April 10, at the Gerding Theater (aka, “the Armory”) at 128 NW 11th Ave at Davis. Last year’s event was held at New Deal Distillery and everyone there was really great, but there are some fundamental OLCC problems with holding events like this at a distillery, all of which are going away this time around. So we’ll have a bar this year and we’re working on some other treats as well.

Another benefit of the change of venue is the Armory’s proximity to tons of lunch options and, of course, Teardrop Lounge and Clyde Common a short walk to the north and south, respectively. (Just don’t forget to come back after lunch!)

We’re now taking presentation proposals, so if you’ve got something you’d like to talk about, let us know!

Tickets and further information will be available soon. Watch this space for details.

Gerding Theater photo by James Perkins.