Oregon Brewers Festival impact = $31 million

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The economic impact of the 2013 Oregon Brewers Festival (OBF) was $31.2 million, according to a study conducted by an Eastern Oregon University class.

Jeff Dense, professor of political science at Eastern Oregon University, and his POLS 316 Politics and Beer class, administered 748 on-site interviews at the event in downtown Portland between July 24 and 27.

Respondents were queried on demographic factors, along with estimates of OBF related expenditures in tourism-related categories, including transportation, lodging, meals, gasoline purchases, non-beer related recreation, beer purchased to take home, and expenditures at OBF.

Findings of the study include:

  • A majority (52.5%) of OBF patrons were out-of-town visitors.
  • Visitors from Washington, California and Canada comprised 27.1% of total OBF patrons.
  • 40% of respondents were attending OBF for the first time
  • 36% of attendees were female, a 10% increase from 2012.
  • 25% of OBF patrons were 50 years or older.
  • The average out-of-town visitor spent $587.
  • Lodging ($11.1 Million) accounted for the largest share of OBF expenditures.
  • State and local government received $1.5 Million in indirect business taxes.
  • Nearly half (45.9%) of OBF patrons utilized mass transit to attend the festival.

    • This was the third year of the study.